What is the issue?
Bike path connections are often interrupted by bridges without adequate accommodations. Lack of bikeways and pedestrian walkways, in addition to the inconvenience and lack of safety of existing ones, can discourage people from utilizing these alternative forms of transportation.
What current legislation has been proposed to address this?
H.F. 1705: Bicycle and pedestrian accommodation inclusion required as part of trunk highway bridge improvement program.
This bill requires the inclusion of accommodations on certain bridges that are repaired or replaced under the trunk highway bridge improvement program established in 2008. The bridge improvement program requires MnDOT to identify certain fracture-critical and structurally deficient bridges and prioritizes them for repair or replacement.
Who is affected by the issue?
Cyclists, walkers, motorists, and any other commuters who use the trunk highway bridges are affected by the issue. It also affects business owners and homeowners in close proximity to the bridges.
The people that may lose something from the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian accommodation are business owners who may see a decrease in customers while bridges are under construction, homeowners who may experience an increase in traffic if detours during construction are necessary, and taxpayers who may see an increase in taxes.
Cyclists and pedestrians, however, can gain safer and more convenient transportation.
What are the consequences of the issue?
Improving bikeways and walkways will allow people to use these forms of transportation to get where they need (or want) to go in a safe and timely fashion. Families will be benefited if these accommodations enable a family member to get to work, and the option of alternate transportation may also free up a vehicle for a family member who needs it more. Society would experience a reduction in carbon emissions and other air pollutants because less cars would be on the road. Also, biking and walking are good means of exercise, and when a population increases its overall heath, a decrease in health care costs may be observed.
What is the economic impact of the issue?
The inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian accommodation is on bridges that will be repaired or replaced under the trunk highway bridge improvement program so no bridges will be redone solely for this purpose. Adding these accommodations, however, could cost between $500,000 and $6 million per bridge. Taxpayers and city and state budgets would most likely bear these costs.
On the other hand, people who can bike or walk will have decreased costs associated with vehicle maintenance and gas or other forms of transportation. Also, less emergency medical care will be needed to respond to accidents. Construction companies will have an increase in projects which can prevent layoffs.
What is the social impact of the issue?
Bridges under construction can be a pain because alternative routes become necessary. Businesses may suffer if it is inconvenient for consumers to get to them. Also, neighborhoods may see an increase in traffic (and the resulting noise and air pollution) if the traffic is routed through them.
Social benefits include less bicycle-automobile and pedestrian-automobile accidents. More individuals would be able to bike and walk for recreation, and the proposed bicycle and pedestrian accommodations would meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What are the barriers?
Major barriers include the bill being dropped from consideration and the large costs associated with redoing infrastructure. The first barrier can be overcome by encouraging congresspersons to vote yes on this bill. The second one is a little more involved, but adjusting state and city budgets and putting higher taxes on corporations could help provide funding.
What are the resources?
The resources needed to address this issue include an increased awareness among the general population and money for the construction and repairs. Citizens can be made aware of the issue through tactics such as billboards, newspaper letters to the editor, and radio PSAs. The concerned citizens can then be encouraged to persuade their representatives to vote yes on this issue. Additional funding may be tapped from grants from organizations such as the Bikes Belong Foundation. Also, the U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration may have funds set aside for such purposes.
What is the history of this issue?
MnDOT already incorporates bicycle and pedestrian facilities, but this bill would ensure it happens with all qualifying bridges.
Existing state statutes relating to this issue include:
Minnesota Statues, Chapter 174, Minnesota Transportation Goals:
- Promote and increase bicycling as an energy-efficient, non-polluting and healthful transportation alternative.
- Provide safe transportation to users throughout the state.
- Provide multimodal and inter-modal transportation that enhances mobility, economic development, and provides access to all persons...
- Increase transit use in the urban areas by giving highest priority to the transportation modes with the greatest people moving capacity.
- Ensure that the planning and implementation of all modes of transportation are consistent with the environment and energy goals of the state.
Whenever an existing bikeway, pedestrian way, or roadway used by bicycles or pedestrians, or the sole access to such is destroyed by any new, reconstructed, or relocated federal, state, or local highway, the road authority responsible shall replace the destroyed facility or access with a comparable facility or access. Replacement is not required where it would be contrary to public safety or when sparsity of population, other available ways, or other factors indicate an absence of need for such facility or access.
Minnesota Statues, Chapter 160.265
The commissioner shall establish a program for the development of bikeways primarily on existing road rights of way.
Allies and Opponents
Possible supporters of this issue include bikers, pedestrians, and hospitals. Formal groups that would be in favor of this bill include the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, the League of American Bicyclists, and the State Nonmotorized Transportation Committee (LINK).
Possible opponents of this issue include business owners and homeowners that would be affected by the bridge construction and any citizen concerned about tax increases.
My Recommendation
I want Rep. Thomas Huntley to vote YES on this issue!
(Sources:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessionweekly/art.asp?ls_year=86&issueid_=39&storyid=1186&year_=2009
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/bikepolicy.html)
Posts
Great job Hannah! I don't really know a lot about bike paths but you could think of people who are frequently driving and will have to worry more about bicyclists on the road to get to paths :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Erika. I heard that in Duluth it is illegal to ride your bike on the sidewalk in some areas (not sure if this is a valid rumor!). It makes me nervous when I am following a bicycle on the road. Since bridges are so narrow, I feel that room for a bike bath should definitely be made! GREAT post, Hannah!
ReplyDeleteGood Job Hannah....I also worry about people riding their bikes on the streets, I feel that it is a potential danger to the drivers and also to the bikers, you could talk more/about that.
ReplyDeleteNice work, I think Duluth really needs this bill to be passed for the safety of both bikers and car drivers...I don't think you need to say too much more about your subject, I think you did a good job at covering the subject.
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