Bicycle Master Plan City of Moreno Valley November 2014 Acknowledgements This Bicycle Master Plan was prepared for the City of Moreno Valley under the guidance of: Senior Engineer/Project Manager Michael Lloyd, P.E. City Traffic Engineer Eric Lewis, P.E., T.E. Additional input was provided by participants at three community workshops and respon- dents via the project online survey. Prepared by KTU+A Planning + Landscape Architecture Principal Mike Singleton, AICP-CTP, ASLA, LEED AP P roject Manager/Planner John Holloway, ASLA, LEED Green Associate, LCI M obility Planners Joe Punsalan, GISP, PTP, LCI Alison Moss Facility planning and transportation engineering support provided by IBI Group Inc. Associate/Transportation Planner Bill Delo, AICP Transportation Planner Matt Redmond This project was funded by a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Community Based Transportation Planning (CBTP) Grant. Table of Contents City of Moreno Valley • Bicycle Master Plan Executive Summary iii 1 Introduction 1.1 Scope 2 1.2 Study Area 2 1.3 Benefits of Cycling 4 1.4 Methodology 6 1.5 Bicycle Facility Types 7 1.6 Bicycle Facility State of Practice 16 1.7 Applicable Legislation 18 2 Existing Conditions and Analysis 2.1 Existing Plans 21 2.2 Existing Facilities and Programs 26 2.3 Trip Origins and Destinations 28 2.4 Transit Connections 34 2.5 Safety Analysis 39 2.6 Opportunities and Constraints Summary 47 3 Recommendations 3.1 Recommended Goals, Policies and Objectives 53 3.2 Recommended Facilities 54 3.3 Future Opportunities 71 3.4 Improvements to Existing Facilities 72 3.5 Other Bicycle Facilities 75 3.6 Common Issues and Solutions 77 3.7 Recommended Programs 83 4 Bikeway Funding 4.1 Cost Estimates 99 4.2 Funding Sources 116 Appendices A: Design Guidelines 129 B: Suitability Model and Project Prioritization 152 C: Community Input Summary 156 D: Count Summary 159 E: BTA Compliance 169 i Figures Tables 1 Introduction 1: Regional Setting 3 2 Existing Conditions 2: Existing Bicycle Facilities 27 1: Bus Route Details 37 3: Land Use 29 2: Bicycle Collisions by Day of Week 39 4: 2000 Population Density 30 3: Bicycle Collisions by Time of Day 40 5: 2000 Employment Density 31 4: Bicycle by Light Conditions 40 6: Activity Centers 32 5: Bicycle Collisions by Year 40 7a: RTA Bus Routes in Moreno Valley 35 6: Bicycle Collisions by Severity 40 7b: Bus Stops in Moreno Valley 36 7: Bicycle Collisions by Road Segment 40 8: Public Transportation to Work Density 38 8: Bicycle Collisions by Intersection 40 9: Bicycle-Related Collisions 42 9: Bicycle Collisions by Age 41 10: Average Daily Vehicle Trips (ADVTs) 44 10: Bicycle Collisions by Time of Day and Age 41 11: Speed Limits 45 11: Bicycle Collisions by Vehicle Code Violation 41 12: Bicycle Suitability Model Analysis 49 13: Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Model 51 3 Recommendations 14: Recommended Class 1 Multi-use Paths 55 12: Recommended Class 1 Multi-use Paths 56 15: Recommended Class 2 Bicycle Lanes 61 13: Recommended Class 2 Bicycle Lanes 62 16: Recommended Class 3 Bicycle Routes 67 14: Recommended Class 3 Bicycle Routes 68 17: Recommended Bicycle Boulevards 69 15: Recommended Bicycle Boulevards 70 18: Typical Issues 77 16: Typical Issues 78 17: Potential Solutions 78 4 Bikeway Funding 18: Federal Funding Sources 121 19: State Funding Sources 125 20: Local Funding Sources 127 21: Private Funding Sources 128 ii Executive Summary Importance of Bicycle Planning Many American cities were built on a foundation of auto- centric infrastructure, programs and policies, but across the nation, many of those same cities are embracing cycling as never before. Some of them are making minor improvements to support cycling, while others are trying to undo the work of decades of planning that privileged the motor vehicle and speed above all else. Reasons to undertake the significant task of retrofitting American cities to make them bicycle-friendly include envi- ronmental, health and economic benefits. The movement to make cycling a viable transportation option is also supported by several recent pieces of California legislation. Lastly, American cities are embracing cycling in support of becoming places worth visiting and even moving to. Well thought-out bicycle facilities can be an important component of place-making and bicycle friendly cities are increasingly seen as desirable places, places chosen by people who have a choice. To stay competitive, American cities must embrace cycling. City of Moreno Valley • Bicycle Master Plan iii Executive Summary Background Approach and Goals This bicycle master planning project was funded by a Cali- This bicycle master plan will guide design and implemen- fornia Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Community tation of infrastructure, programs and policies as Moreno Based Transportation Planning (CBTP) Grant. This plan up- Valley grows and facilities are planned and sited. The overall dates Moreno Valley’s Bicycle Transportation Plan to conform approach for this master plan is summarized in the following to Western Riverside Council of Governments’ (WRCOG) paragraphs: Non-motorized Transportation Plan, as well as other regional plans. In addition, this update identifies deficiencies and It is imperative that a “cyclist’s perspective” guide bicycle opportunities in the existing bicycle facility system within planning. Their unique characteristics, needs and priorities Moreno Valley and in terms of connectivity with adjacent must be taken into account when making facility, policies or jurisdictions. program decisions. Cycling is a fundamental component of transportation plan- ning, which addresses bicycle facilities on and off streets, as well as modal integration at transit centers and parking facilities. Planning for cycling should not be focused on any particular facility type so much as it should be focused on the safe and efficient travel of cyclists of all ages and abilities, while addressing pedestrians’ needs where shared use is appropri- ate. This will generally require both the use of the existing transportation infrastructure and the construction of special facilities for cyclists. The coexistence of cyclists and vehicle drivers on roadways requires that all are sensitive to and recognize a common set of rules. Training, education and enforcement, for both drivers and cyclists, are as important as physical planning and design. iv City of Moreno Valley • Bicycle Master Plan Understanding User Needs Facility maintenance, monitoring and performance assess- This bicycle master plan was developed by planners who ment are critical for ensuring safe and efficient travel for routinely commute by bicycle and fully understand the cyclists. Planning for them is an ongoing process. implications of “alternative” travel. For example, potential bicycle routes were ridden to experience them firsthand, Land use and transportation planning should support particularly routes or locations noted in community com- projects that reduce automobile dependence. This study ments as forbidding to some users due to high motor vehicle acknowledges and supports future land use and population speeds or volumes. projections with facility and program recommendations to continue to reduce auto reliance. Where residents and visitors choose to go and how they move about Moreno Valley will be influenced by the per- This bicycle master plan specifically recommends programs ceived completeness and safety of bicycle facilities. Improved and policies designed to make the Moreno Valley a more bi- connections with the overall regional bicycle network will cycle friendly place and to encourage more residents to ride become increasingly valuable as more people choose to rather than drive. Its emphasis on new facilities, programs commute by bicycle. and policies reflects the fact that Moreno Valley has some bicycle lanes and paths in place, and is likely to achieve in- creased bicycle usage with the implementation of suggested improvements and initiatives. v Executive Summary Significant Findings Bicycles can play a significant intra-city travel role since Linking bicycle improvements with other mobility modes, Moreno Valley is large enough to make cycling convenient, such as bus and rail service, enhances the effectiveness of but not so large that destinations are beyond a reasonable all since some intra-city trips and many commuting trips riding range. involve more than one mode. Connections with surrounding communities and the overall region are of paramount impor- Moreno Valley is also relatively flat, which makes regular cy- tance for enabling bicycle circulation as a viable commuter cling feasible for most riders. Along with level terrain, its grid mode. This will require close coordination with Caltrans and street system and weather support year round cycling. There WRCOG, Southern California Association of Governments are also several flood control channels with the potential to (SCAG), the Riverside County Transportation Commission provide relatively lengthy off-street routes more appealing (RCTC) and the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) to ensure that to casual cyclists. planned improvements are implemented in a timely manner While some of Moreno Valley’s arterials already have bicycle and that they connect with Moreno Valley’s improvements lanes, some of their posted speed limits and traffic volumes in a way that will make commuters seriously consider riding create uncomfortable conditions for many would-be regular instead of driving. cyclists. In addition, within the larger blocks created