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I'd like to see colored bike lanes in my community. What color should we use and what impact with they have?
Many European countries use colored bike lanes to demarcate space for bicyclists and to draw motorists' attention to the bike lanes. The Danes use blue, the Dutch use red, the British use red or green, ...more >
When should bicyclists ride on the sidewalk?
In general, bicyclists are better off using the road rather than the sidewalk. However, there may be times even confident cyclists sometimes choose to ride on the sidewalk because there is simply no safe place for them on the roadway. ...more >
What is the economic cost of crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians?
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that the comprehensive cost of each person killed in a traffic crash to be $3,840,000 (2005 dollars) (see table below). Multiplying this number by the 784 bicyclists killed in 2005 totals more than $ ...more >
How much does it cost to develop a bicycle and/or pedestrian plan?
It can vary widely, depending on the specific scope of the plan, but the range is probably somewhere between $25,000 and $500,000. Obviously the answer depends on a lot of variables and assumes that the development of the plan will likely be done by outside consultants. ...more >
Are states and cities required to plan for bicycling and/or walking?
There is no legal requirement for states or cities to develop stand-alone bicycle and/or pedestrian plans. However, bicyclists and pedestrians must be considered in the statewide and metropolitan transportation plans required by Federal law ( ...more >
Why don't we have enough time to cross? (Why does the WALK change to DON'T WALK before I finish crossing?)
Many people do not understand the meaning of the WALK/DON'T WALK pedestrian signals (or WALKING PERSON/UPRAISED HAND). Many pedestrians want to see the WALK signal during the entire crossing. This is simply not possible in many cases, ...more >
Why don't we have more marked crosswalks to help us cross the street?
A legal crosswalk exists at all crossings of public streets at intersections, regardless if it is marked or unmarked. A crosswalk can only exist at a midblock location if it is marked. Pedestrians often assume that it is safer to cross in a marked crosswalk than an unmarked crosswalk. ...more >
Why doesn't our city install more traffic signals to help us cross the street?
Traffic signals are an important means of traffic control. When used properly (and where warranted) they can help improve safety, move more cars, and make it easier to cross the street. The number of crashes at an intersection ( ...more >
Why doesn't our city install more flashers to slow down traffic at pedestrian crossings?
Flashing yellow warning beacons, commonly called flashers, are frequently requested in the belief that they will reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety. Flashing beacons are generally helpful when used to alert drivers of an unexpected condition that is not readily apparent. ...more >
What does the flashing DON'T WALK signal mean?
Oftentimes pedestrians are confused because the flashing DON'T WALK display appears before they finish crossing the street. Usually, there is nothing wrong with the traffic signal timing, there is just a misunderstanding of what the pedestrian signal means. ...more >
Is my state or city required to have a bicycle and/or pedestrian coordinator?
Federal transportation law requires every state to have at least a part-time bicycle and pedestrian coordinator in their Department of Transportation. Most states have chosen to make the position full- ...more >
How much do bicycle and pedestrian facilities cost?
The cost of bicycle and pedestrian facilities varies greatly depending on the current cost of materials, rights-of-way needs, and topographic site features. Comprehensive cost information, as well as important considerations in choosing and installing facilities are found in PEDSAFE and BIKESAFE . ...more >
How much has been spent by the Federal Government on improving conditions for bicycling and walking?
In the years before passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), Federal spending on bicycling and walking facilities was approximately $4-6 million per year. ISTEA was reauthorized when the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century ( ...more >
What is the current 'state of the art' regarding the design of safe crosswalks, especially in urban settings?
Treatments to improve the safety of crosswalks include: Raised mid-point median. Pedestrian-initiated amber, overhead flashing lights. Stopline painted on the roadway some distance in advance of the crosswalk ( ...more >
Which are the best cities for walking?
Prevention Magazine, in coordination with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), create an annual list of the best walking cities in the US. Some of the factors included in the ranking are: ...more >
How many people walk?
There is no clear and absolutely correct number, because walking varies widely - from children walking to school to people commuting to work to walking for fitness and exercise. Collecting pedestrian counts can be time- ...more >
For uncontrolled pedestrian crossings (i.e. no traffic signal or stop sign is present), is it safer to have a marked or unmarked crosswalk?
Factors such as traffic volume, speed limit, number of lanes, median type, and pedestrian exposure affect the safety of marked and unmarked crosswalks. In most cases, a marked crosswalk alone is no safer - ...more >
Is it true that trails and bike paths are more dangerous than roads?
There's an oft-quoted statistic that riding on a bike paths is 2.6 times more dangerous than riding on the road. The number comes from a 1974 masters thesis study of adult cyclists that was used by author John Forester in his book & ...more >
Is there widespread support for walking?
A national Surface Transportation Policy Project survey released in 2003 showed that many Americans are in favor of walking more places, and they are willing to invest what is necessary to make it possible. ...more >
Can separate bicycle facilities (shared use paths) be built within interstate rights of way?
Yes. The Federal Highway Administration issued Guidance on Bicycle and Pedestrian Provisions of the Federal-aid Program on February 24, 1999, which states: "Shared use paths along Interstate corridors are eligible for the use of National Highway System ( ...more >