Bicycle suitability criteria : literature review and state-of-the-practice survey

808689Research Documentation: January 1997 - June 1997PDFResearch PaperResearch Report 3988-1TX-97/3988-1Study No. 7-3988BikewaysBicycle lanesMultiple criteria decision makingLiterature reviewsState of the practiceSurveysTexasTexas. Dept. of TransportationTurner, SMShafer, CSStewart, WPTexas Transportation InstituteNTL-PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLES-BicyclesNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-SurveysUS Transportation CollectionThis research report reviews and summarizes bicycle suitability criteria being used in the United States, presents preliminary conclusions, and makes preliminary recommendations regarding such criteria. Conclusions and recommendations are presented here as a starting point for discussion on the state-of-the-practice in bicycle suitability and the potential for the institution of such criteria at a statewide level in Texas. Suitability criteria found in the literature review were varied in nature and mostly used in urban areas. Many criteria require additional data beyond that commonly found in urban transportation data bases. Several bicycle suitability criteria included the presence or width of shoulders, a situation commonly found on Texas state highways. The state-of-the-practice survey revealed that 70% (11 of 16 states) had bicycle suitability criteria in place. The two most common criteria (one or both were used in every case) were the traffic volume (ADT - average daily traffic) and the width of outside lanes (or shoulders). Thirty-five percent of the states with suitability criteria also indicated that they looked at heavy vehicles when considering traffic volume, 25% considered pavement conditions, and 15% included traffic speed or speed limit criteria. The research team concluded that the potential uses and applications are critical in defining the bicycle suitability criteria. The availability of statewide roadway inventory data is also important in establishing and maintaining information about suitability on state roadways in Texas