Bike/Ped Safety in Context of Sustainability
APA Florida - Annual Conference
Presented by
Margaret Kubilins, PE ENV SP
September 7, 2017
Bike/Ped Safety
▪ APA Sustainability Principles
▪ Simple Safety Design Principles
▪Details Matter
What are the E’s?
Safe Routes to School
What are the E’s?
Safe Routes to School
APA Sustainability Policy Framework
- Six Principles
1. Livable Built Environment
2. Harmony with Nature
3. Resilient Economy
4. Interwoven Equity
5. Healthy Community
6. Responsible Regionalism
Bike/Ped Safety & Sustainability
✓ Built Environment
• Less Impervious Area
• Lighting
✓ Economy
• Bicycle Friendly Communities
• Attractive Places to Live and Work
✓ Equity
• Access to Employment
• Access to Health Care
✓ Health
• Physical Activity – Mental, Emotional, Physical Health
• Air Quality
Multimodal Access
▪ Perfect distance for daily
physical activity
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
✓ Safe
✓ Convenient
✓ Comfortable
Photo Credit: Margaret Kubilins
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
1st. . . Along the Road
Characteristics of Traffic
• SPEED
• Volume
=
Level of Traffic Stress
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
• High Stress – It is estimated that 1% of the
population will ride in high stress traffic. This level
of stress includes using the full lane with high-
volume traffic and cycling in >40 mph roads.
• Moderate Stress – Significantly fewer cyclists
will use these facilities. It is estimated that 10% of
cyclists are anticipated to use roadways with
sharrows or bike lanes. This is the reason the
buffered bike lane became the standard for many
jurisdictions.
• Low Stress – These facilities accommodate
most of the riding population through a network of
low-volume low-speed streets and buffered bike
lanes.
• Very Low Stress – The cyclist only occasionally
must be concerned about motorized traffic since
these facilities have infrequent crossings and
include low-volume, low-speed streets. These are
neighborhood roads, cycle tracks/separated bike
lanes, shared use paths, and trails.
Level of Traffic Stress
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
1st . . . Along the Road
Level of Traffic Stress
Volume Speed
low
high
Separation or Shared Space
Auto Bike Ped
Auto Bike Ped
Auto Bike Ped
Auto Bike Ped
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
1st . . . Along the Road – Comfort
• Smooth
• Shaded
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
2nd . . . Crossing the Road – Convenience
•Direct
•Delay
=
Safer Behavior
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
2nd . . . Crossing the Road – Convenience
What are you asking the pedestrian and
cyclist to do to cross the street?
Safer Behavior
• How frequent are the crossings?
• How long is the signal timing?
• Are crosswalks on all legs of the intersection?
• Are there too many lanes to cross for the cyclist to make a left turn?
• Are right turn vehicles in a separate lane so the conflict zone happens before the intersection?
Details
Matter
Sidewalk embellishments . . . Bumpy
Crosswalk texture . . . Maintenance
Cycle Length . . . Long Wait Times
Drainage . . . . .
. . . . . Puddles
Street Tree Requirements . . . Toe Trip
Details
MatterLarge Curb Radii . . . Crossing distance
Leading Ped Interval (LPI) . . .
Pedestrian always goes first
On-street Parking . . . Door swing
Bikes Lanes . . .
Buffers from speed
Lighting . . . Lower Fixture Height
Margaret Kubilins, PE ENV SP
813.327.5423
Designing for Pedestrians and Cyclists
▪ Safe
– Speed
– Separation
▪ Convenient
– Direct
– Delay
▪ Comfortable
– Smooth Surface
– Shade