Resources for Bikeway Advocates

Building Better Bicycling

Massachusetts Highway Department, 1994

by Karen Dodge and Chris Skelly of the UMass Baystate Roads Program

This book has been sent to city and town DPW's and Planning Directors across the state. It contains technical and practical information on bicycle planning, how to design roads to accomodate bicycles, bicycle parking, safety, etc. And if you ask the right question, it may actually get used instead of gathering dust on a shelf. It's quite simple: just call your city or town planning department and/or DPW engineer and ask about how the manual can be put to use, and if you can borrow it or come in and look at it. This request could simply lead to their paying attention to the document, or lead to formation of a city/town bicycle committee. And please keep BCOM informed, whatever happens - we may be able to help you identify others in your city or town to help.

Copies from any Massachusetts city or town.

The National Bicycling and Walking Study:

Transportation Chices for a Changing America

Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation 1994

This study lays out the political imperative for improving conditions for bicycling and walking, providing much information which is amplified by the separately-available case studies.

Copies from the US Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328, Publication No. FHWA-PD-94-023.

The Impacts of Rail-Trails:

A Study of Users and Nearby Property Owners from Three Trails

Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, National Park Service, 1992

by Roger Moore, Alan Graefe, Richard Gitelson, Elizabeth Porter of the Leisure Studies Program at Pennsylvania State University

This paper studies three rail trails, one in rural Iowa, on in the suburbs of Tallahassee, Florida, and one in the San Francisco suburbs. Both users and nearby land owners were surveyed.

Copies from The Rivers & Trails Conservation Program, National Park Service, Washington, DC

Evaluation of the Burke-Gilman Trail's Effect on Property Values and Crime

Seattle Engineering Department, Office for Planning, 1987

by Brian Pucochar and Peter Lagerwey

This is the most frequently cited study of the impact of bikepaths, stating that "The existence of the trail has had little, if any, effect on crime and vandalism experienced by adjacent property owners". It separates effects on those who live next to the trail and those who live within one block, and may be very useful in reaching out to abutters of proposed bikepaths.

Copies from the City of Seattle Engineering Department, Bicycle Program, 9th Floor, Information Center, Municipal Buildin, 600 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. (206)625-5177.

Guide for Development of New Bicycle Facilities

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 1981

These are the minimum standards to which bicycle facilities should adhere. Roadway improvements and bike lanes are discussed as well as off-road facilities.

Copies from: AASHTO, 444 North Capital St., NW, Suite 225, Washington, DC 20001

Bikeway Planning and Design section of the Caltrans Highway Design Manual

1001. General Information (Definitions)

1002. General Planning Criteria (Types of facilities)

1003. Design Criteria (Clearance, width, placement, construction)

1004. Uniform Signs, Markings and Traffic Control Devices

[Pamphlets]