Planning: Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Land-Use Codes


		Planning: Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Land-Use Codes
WE WOULD LOVE YOUR SUPPORT! Our content is provided free as a public service! IBF is 100% solar powered Follow us on Twitter		by David Mozer Planning For Livability \| Land Use \| System Design \| Regional Coordination \| Environment \| Pedestrian Facilities \| Bike Facilities \| Safety & Security \| Multimodal \| Parks \| Building Code \| Education \| Economics & Funding \| Commuting Policy Planning For Livability What makes a livable city? Or, a good neighborhood to grow up in? And are these element being included in the built environment of the future? Today, a resident of downtown Amsterdam is likely to use a bicycle on his/her morning commute. A New Yorker, commuting from a borough to Manhattan is likely to use mass transit. But an Angeleno is likely to drive a car. They may all be looking at exactly the same "front door" from the inside, but once they step through the door their lives go in different directions. Each decides his or her travel mode, each has a choice, and contrary to what is sometimes espoused the outcome is not predetermined by culture. In fact, if the Dutch move to New York they will likely switch to mass transit. If the New Yorkers move to Los Angeles they will likely find themselves more reliant on an automobile. And, even the Angeleno transplanted to Amsterdam will probably give serious consideration to cycling. For a child growing up, a quality environment is one where (s)he can safely and progressively develop more responsibility and other life skills. This may mean at three years old discovering his/her front yard: at four going down to the end of the block; at five exploring the neighborhood; at six joining friends to walk or bike to school; at seven taking responsibility to go independently to and from extracurricular activities (music, sports, arts); and, at eight running errands to the neighborhood market to buy needed item for the family; until as a teenager they have woven themselves into the fabric of the neighborhood, have self-esteem, can manage time, know how to handle independence, take responsibility for their behavior and take pride in their maturity. For adults, if the decisions on transportation that is made at the front door is not predetermined by culture or age, how is it made? By the view from the door! If you look out and see calm streets, grocery stores, hairdressers, cleaners, restaurants, day care centers, banks, parks and transit stops you are likely to have a different mix of transportation decisions than if you look out and see several miles of single family houses, heavy traffic, high speed arterials and no stores in sight. While pedestrian- and bicycle- friendly facilities may be necessary for enticing people to choose non- motorized modes they are not in themselves sufficient. Conversely, mixed land use might also encourage bicycle and pedestrian access, but without a convenient and safe non-motorized system it may do little to invite people out of their cars. A quality urban environment includes safety, proximity and access, and not simply mobility. The following ideas can be incorporated into comprehensive-, land use-, transportation-, and/or non-motorized plans to enhance safety, proximity and access. (Design standards for facilities are not addressed, although this is another important topic in maximizing non-motorized travel.) Land Use Direct land use and transportation development, through the permit process, to issue equal or better access by foot or bicycle to education, recreation, retail, commercial office and other appropriate types of development. Design and locate retail, office and public service buildings to be convenient for pedestrian, bicycle and transit users. Cluster commercial and residential development in higher density centers, rather than extended in linear strips along roads. Require, through the permit process, mixed land uses of residential, retail, commercial office and other types of compatible development, to provide an environment which is safe and convenient for pedestrian and bicycle travel, and give people shorter travel distances between origins and destinations. Restrict development of neighborhood commercial areas to a pedestrian scale and design. Coordinate land use decisions with existing and planned public transportation services and the needs for non-motorized access. System Design Reduce congestion and increase access with strategies to reduce vehicle volume, not increase capacity. Establish a comprehensive pedestrian/bicycle program to coordinate engineering, education, enforcement, encouragement, and environmental programs for improving non-motorized transportation. Hire specialists in pedestrian/bicycle systems to positions responsible for implementing the pedestrian/bicycle system. Design new roadway and roadway improvement projects to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians as an integral part of the project, unless otherwise determined. Create traffic calm neighborhoods to provide a pedestrian- and bicycle- friendly travel environment. Discourage through traffic in residential, school, park and commercial areas. Design and construct a safe, secure and convenient system for pedestrians and bicyclists which provide direct non-motorized access, linkages and through-cuts between common origins and destinations (residential areas, retail areas, schools, libraries, employment, parks and recreation facilities, significant environmental areas, local historic and cultural landmarks, transit and other public facilities). Require developers of subdivisions, short plats, and other types of development to provide safe and convenient right-of-ways for intra- and inter- development of pedestrians and bicyclists facilities. Encourage development that enhances the pedestrian experience: easy access to buildings (built to the sidewalk); shelter from elements (shade trees, awnings); visual interest (retail activity, views, architectural forms); security (lighting, visual "oversight" from building occupants, use of "front yards"); easy access to transit and neighboring services. Coordinate pedestrian and bicycle systems to be continuous. Sub- components should be of a consistent surface and require a consistent level of skill to use. Review every planning and public works project for pedestrian and bicycle character to determine whether or not there is a non-motorized element or impact. Provide non-motorized access into neighborhoods every 200-300 meters off of adjacent arterials. Establish "level-of-access" standards for service level which assess access for all modes. Update design standards for all non-motorized transportation facilities to conform to the latest state-of-the-art practices. Evaluate the impact on pedestrians and bicyclists when designing, engineering, rehabilitating, signalizing, striping, upgrading, or modifying a roadway. Adopt street design standards (i.e. intersection design, signal phasing, roadway width) that give priority to and enhance the safety of pedestrians and minimize conflicts with motorists. Priority for installation or reconstruction should be given to those routes that are used by school children, senior citizens, physically challenged persons and/or commuters. Construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities with appropriate amenities (i.e. restrooms, drinking fountains, benches, bicycle parking) to encourage and support use. Design pedestrian and bicycle facilities for easy maintenance. Acquire and/or railbank abandoned railway right-of-ways that are desirable for non-motorized facilities. Designate and implement "safe" routes to serve major origin/destination corridors. Reduce impediments to pedestrians and bicyclists (i.e. use of pedestrian activated signals with delays, vast distances across roads and between stores.) Regional Coordination Coordinate planning efforts for non-motorized modes of travel with other jurisdictions and relevant transit agencies to develop an integrated area-wide plan for bicycles and other non-motorized travel modes that ensures continuity of routes. Environmental Promote the use of the least polluting type of transportation. Minimize negative environmental impacts of the transportation system: Minimize energy consumption; minimize air, light, water and noise pollution; and minimize destruction of ecosystems and impacts on wildlife habitat. Place top priority on a multi-modal transportation system that efficiently provides access for people and goods with optimum safety, while maximizing the conservation of energy and minimally disrupting environmental quality. Develop, protect and enhance wildlife and plant habitat corridors as part of transportation corridors. Pedestrian Facilities Construct continuous pedestrian facilities along all major streets and highways; these should be direct and interconnect with all other modes of transportation. Provide safe, secure and convenient facilities for pedestrians into and within commercial developments (CBD, Urban villages, shopping centers). Relate sidewalk design to the function and the anticipated amount of pedestrian traffic. Locate sidewalks to take advantage of views and other amenities, when appropriate. Require pedestrian facilities as land is developed based on standards for the street classification. Provide ramps and curb cuts throughout the pedestrian system for physically challenged persons. Bike Facilities Provide continuous bicycle-friendly facilities wherever possible, especially in congested areas. Sidewalks are not desirable for most bicycle traffic due to the presence of pedestrians and other obstacles. Design bikeways and multi-modal facilities to meet a wide range of user needs. Design bikeway and walkway capacity to accommodate the anticipated use. Provide adequate signing of bikeways and paths. Directional for non- motorized users, notification for motor-vehicles. Utilize park and playfield amenities in the bike system. Provide bicycle parking in commercial and recreational areas. Provide sufficient secure bicycle storage at transit centers, transit stops and park-and-ride lots. Safety & Security Create safe and secure conditions throughout the alternative travel chain where young and old, women and children, can travel without fear of harassment, intimidation or violence. Scrutinize security in the location and design of facilities. Differentiate facilities by user speed where warranted. Protect public rights-of-way from encroachment by any structure, vegetation, landscaping materials or other obstruction in order to provide for safe movement, and good sight lines for safety and security for users. Provide buffers (trees, planting strips, parked cars) between vehicles and pedestrians where feasible. Provide adequate lighting on facilities used by pedestrians and bicycles to encourage use and provide safety and security. Multimodal Reduce the dependency on the automobile by coordinating opportunities for other modes of travel such as transit facilities, pedestrian ways and bicycle trails. Provide safe and convenient access and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians to access transit and ferries. Emphasize pedestrian, transit and bicycle linkages between the CBD core and the major areas of influence surrounding the core, to lessen dependence on the private automobile. Enhance High Capacity Transit use through the provision of adequate access for pedestrians and bicycles at bus stops, transit centers, park-and-ride lots and transit stations. Transit agencies should accommodate bicyclists, including racks on buses and ferries and bike storage at transit centers. Parks Provide a trail and bike system that insures reasonably safe and efficient travel corridors for all segments of the community and links publicly owned parks, recreation facilities and other major activity areas as appropriate. Protect sufficient right-of-way along trails to create and maintain a greenway. Building Codes Construct buildings to meet disabilities access standards. Construct buildings with non-motorized travel amenities (secure parking, change rooms, showers as needed). Education Educate about transport, financial, environmental, energy, health and social benefits of non-motorized transportation. Economics & Funding Utilize a least cost planning framework to give equal access to funding of pedestrian and bicycle related programs. Develop an equitable system of transportation impact fees. Provide adequate, predictable and dedicated funding to construct non- motorized transportation capital projects, insure maintenance and preservation of existing facilities, and maintain a pedestrian and bicycle program office. Ensure that non-motorized facilities on large scale project are not abandoned at the final construction stage because of cost overruns in other aspects of the project. Commuting Policy Encourage employers to adopt flextime policies. Encourage employers to have guaranteed ride home programs. Provide incentives to employers to promote non-motorized commuting. Encourage employers to reward employees who walk or bicycle to work. Employers with a high percentage of employees using alternatives to SOVs, or who locate and design their building so that they are pedestrian-, bicycle- and transit-friendly should be rewarded and recognized. While these ideas only address only a small part of what makes a livable community, we hope they help broaden your understanding of this segment of the topic. If you have any comments on these ideas or questions about planning a livable community, please contact the International Bicycle Fund. IBF's Bicycle / Development / Sustainability Bibliography / Reading List
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