Walk It – Bike It – Share It
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CITY OF MILFORD WALK IT – BIKE IT – SHARE IT Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan | Gary Norris, AICP Table of Contents Needs ..................................................................................................... 26 I. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE .......................................................... 3 Typical Facilities .................................................................................... 27 The Importance of Walking and Bicycling .......................................... 3 Pedestrian Goals and Objectives ........................................................ 28 II. EXISTING CONDITIONS....................................................................... 5 Bicycles .................................................................................................. 30 Existing Bicycle Facilities ....................................................................... 5 Goal ................................................................................. 30 Purpose .................................................................................................... 5 Objectives for Le Tour Bicyclists .......................................... 30 Content .................................................................................................... 5 Objectives for Spare Tire Bicyclists ...................................... 30 Bicycle Level of Service ....................................................................... 13 Objectives for Kickstand Bicyclists ....................................... 31 Needs Analysis ...................................................................................... 14 Pedestrians ............................................................................................ 32 III. BASIC PLANNING CONCEPTS .......................................................... 20 Objectives for Commercial Centers ...................................... 32 Centers of Population .......................................................................... 20 Objectives for Population Centers ....................................... 32 Activity Centers .................................................................................... 20 Recommendations ................................................................................ 33 Linkages ................................................................................................ 20 The City of Milford’s Policy on Standards ............................. 33 Improvements Should be Gradual ....................................... 33 User Groups .......................................................................................... 20 Priorities for New Facilities ................................................. 33 Bicycles .................................................................................................. 21 General Policy Development ............................................... 34 Le Tour ............................................................................ 21 V. Bicycle Facility Design Guidelines ...................................................... 35 The Spare Tire .................................................................. 21 On-Road Bicycle Facilities ................................................................... 35 The Kickstand ................................................................... 22 Clear Trail Width ................................................................................... 35 Typical Facilities ................................................................................... 22 Clear Zones, Vertical Clearance, Trail Surface, Alignment, Profile, Roadways .............................................................................................. 22 and Edge Protection ............................................................................. 37 Specific Guidelines for Improving Roadways for Bicyclists ............ 23 Drainage ................................................................................................ 37 IV. PEDESTRIANS ..................................................................................... 25 VI. Education ............................................................................................. 38 Existing Pedestrian Facilities............................................................... 25 VII. Appendix ............................................................................................ 44 Riverwalk ............................................................................................... 25 Pedestrian Facilities ............................................................................. 25 Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Page 2 I. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE the economically disadvantaged, rely on walking to reach their schools, jobs, recreational areas or basic services. The purpose of the City of Milford’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Walking and bicycling facilities can provide safer ways to Master Plan is to provide the city with a strong planning get around, by separating people from vehicle traffic. tool that will facilitate the continued and orderly They also provide public space for social interactions development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and between neighbors, and especially in the case of trails, a implementation strategies that encourage their use. Any respite from everyday life and the chance to spend time pedestrian and bicycle facility should addresses the alone or with family members or friends. Walking and needs of all ability, age and skill levels, goals and bicycling provide an opportunity to lessen the influence objectives, an implementation plan, and suggested of the automobile in a community and offers the approaches to bicycling and pedestrian safety education. opportunity to reduce daily impact on air and water In addition the City of Milford’s Comprehensive Plan was resources. Walking is one of the most common adopted in 2008, and its citizens and leadership crafted a recreational activities in the City of Milford. Walkways, Vision, which speaks to the desire for creating a more bikeways, and trails such as the Riverwalk encourage livable community through walking and biking. healthy lifestyles by offering people a place to walk or bicycle. Walking and bicycling have many benefits and The Importance of Walking and Bicycling can enhance quality of life. Governmental programs such as the Intermodal Surface Walking and bicycling are critical to the community’s Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) passed by Congress health and livability. Walking and bicycling provide in 1991, established a revolutionary transportation policy important transportation and recreation options. to create an integrated, intermodal system that provides Pedestrian facilities (such as sidewalks, paths or trails) people with travel choices. ISTEA recognizes the and bicycle facilities (such as bicycle lanes or paths) important role of bicycling and walking and required the weave people into the fabric of their communities. consideration of non-motorized users in planning and Schools, parks, transit, downtown and commercial areas, developing transportation projects and programs. Also community centers and senior centers, libraries, ISTEA included new opportunities for funding bicycling recreation facilities, health services, and employment and pedestrian improvements. facilities – connections to these places are necessary for the survival and well-being of society. In 1998, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) further integrated pedestrian and Almost everyone is a pedestrian at some point during the bicycle considerations into the overall transportation day, even if it is just a walk from the car to the front planning process. TEA-21 requires that safe door. Many people, including children, the elderly, and Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Page 3 accommodation of non-motorized users be considered in ● Increasing the capacity of the transportation network all state and regional transportation plans and in the and reducing congestion development and construction of all Federal-aid transportation projects. ● Reducing automobile trips In addition, with the passage of the 2009 Complete ● Fostering stronger communities Streets Act for the State of Delaware, complete streets will enable safe access for all users, including The City of Milford’s Comprehensive Plan was adopted in pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transit users 2008, and its citizens and leadership crafted a Vision, of all ages and abilities. Complete streets incorporate a which speaks to the desire for creating a more livable variety of pedestrian-, bicycle-, and transit-friendly community through walking and biking. features like sidewalks, medians, raised crosswalks, bike lanes and special bus lanes, all designed within the context of the community. Complete streets policies ensures that transportation agencies routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there is an epidemic regarding our children and an obesity problem. The CDC’s comprehensive recommendations include not only healthy eating but active lifestyles which include more walking and such activities as biking to school, provide there is the presence of sidewalks, safe street crossings and reduced vehicle speeds in school zones that will enable more children to walk and bike to school. In addition to promoting children’s health,