m - City of New Braunfels

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION
78
Bicycle Facility Standards
Group 8/C 1iders are beginner adult riders and children
riders. Group B/C riders are best se1ved by identifying
lcey travel corridors and by providing designated bicycle
facilities on selected routes through these co1Tidors.
To determine tile appropriate roadway design treatment
to accommodate bicyclists, several factors associated
with the specific route or project must be assessed:
2) What type of roadway project is involved
(new constwction, recornstn.Dction, or
retrofit)? Bicycle facilities are most easily installed
with new construction or reconstruction of roadways.
Ren·ofitting an existing roadway typically involves restriping
tile existing lanes to accommodate bicycles.
When working with e}(isting roadways, planners should
investigate the opportunity to make at least minor or
marginal improvements. However, where the need is
to serve group 8/C bicyclists, it is essential to commit
the resources necessary to provide facilities that meet
the recommended design treatments. Only then can
facilities be designated for bicyclists to provide the
desired access, increased use, and benefit to the
community.
3) What are the current & anticipated
traffic operations and design characteristics
of the route that will affect the choice of
a bicycle design treatment? There are six
traffic characteristic factors that affect bicycle use and
preferred facility:
1. Traffic voHume. Higher motor vehicle traffic
volumes represent greater potential risk for
bicyclists, and more frequent overtaking situations
are less comfortable for group B/C bicyclists
unless special design treatments are provided.
2. Average motor vehicle operating
speed. Average operating speed is more
important than the posted speed limit, and better
reflects local conditions. Motor vehicle speed
can have a negative impact on risl< and comfort
unless mitigated by special design treatments
(traffic calming).
3. Traffic mbc Tile regular presence of trucl