Council Approves Bicycle And Pedestrian Commission Bylaws
On Nov. 3, the Raleigh City Council approved the bylaws for the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and referred a request to the Public Works Committee to reconsider bicycle accommodations within the Hillsborough Street roundabouts project that is currently under construction.
The purpose of the seven-member Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission is to advise the City Council on matters related to walking and cycling in the Capital City. The commission will make recommendations to the council on the implementation of programs, policies, regulations and funding priorities regarding bicycle and pedestrian access and accommodation. The commission also will work to promote cycling and walking as viable and safe transportation alternatives.
The City Council’s Public Works Committee will consider the commission’s request to reopen the public input process for bicycle treatments along Hillsborough Street. The current project along Hillsborough Street will return on-street parking to both sides of the street with a raised median and with wide outside lanes to accommodate bicycles. The project is scheduled to be completed in August 2010. The 2001 Hillsborough Street Feasibility Study recommended the use of a five-foot unmarked buffer area between the travel lane and the on-street parking. The buffer is intended help keep cyclists out of the dangerous-door area of parked cars.
The City’s adopted bicycle plan calls for the City to consider adding bicycle road-sharing arrows after the Hillsborough Street project is completed. These arrows are proposed to be included in the next edition of the federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) in 2010. In experimental uses in other cities, these arrows have heightened safety for cyclists by improving lane positioning and by promoting cycling in the right direction of traffic. The commission asked the City Council to seek additional public input on bicycle accommodations to consider if unmarked pavement, arrows, or striped bicycle lanes should be used along Hillsborough Street.
In a related matter also on Nov. 3, the City Council approved the City’s application for a matching grant of $47,500 from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The grant would be used to develop a comprehensive pedestrian plan to identify and evaluate critical needs for pedestrian infrastructure and safety improvements throughout the city.
Prepared by:
Chris Riley
Senior Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Eric Lamb
Transportation Services Manager
Public Works Department
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-516-2161
