[SBC] Cycle Facility Plan Outline

[Brian Postlewaite]

Dear Bicycle Committee Members,

Here is an outline of the Cycle Facilities Plan that I propose we work
towards in the next few months (I use 'cycle' throughout to suggest all
pedal-style road vehicles not just the two-wheeled, upright variety that the
term 'bicyle' suggests). I understand there is a possibility we may get
professional help with this endeaver. What is proposed here can easily be
transferred into a professional Cycle Facilities Plan that could be executed
by the City. Given that this funding is not guaranteed, this plan could
directly proceed into an in-house Cycle Facilities Plan that we could
recommend to the Mayor.

I would also note that there are multiple cycle facility projects currently
in process (i.e. Beacon Street & the East-West flat route) and others may
surface over the next few months. I do not intend for the development of the
Cycle Facilities Plan to put these other projects on hold. I believe any
Cycle Facilities Plan will be able to integrate all past and present cycle
facility projects.

*
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*Cycle Facility Plan Outline*

Goal:

Prepare a document with maps, drawings & references that provide a Cycle
Facility Network that encourages & increases cycle ridership throughout the
city and with neighboring cities, and can be reasonably constructed within
5-years, to be completed in unison with the Green Line extention.

Steps to Accomplish Goal:

   1. Determine Typical Cyclists
   2. Determine Main Parts of Somerville & Neighboring Cities to Connect.
   3. Determine Acceptable Cycle Facilities
   4. Determine Cycle Facility Routes
   5. Determine Method for Prioritizing Construction of Routes



Execution of Steps:

   1. One Step will be discussed during each of the next few months.
   2. Ideally the discussion of each Step will only take one meeting.
   3. Each Step will be sponsored by one or two members of the committee.
   4. Sponsors will prepare information regarding that Step for the
   committee discussion.
   5. At end of discussion the committee will conclude the determination
   for that Step; a solid conclusion is preferred prior to discussion of
   subsequent Steps.



Brief Description of Steps:

   1. Determine Typical Cyclists

The Typical Cyclists cover the basic needs of Somerville cyclists. The
Typical Cyclists inform each of the following steps by suggesting how and
where cycle facilities will likely be used. At our previous meeting we
suggested three Typical Cyclists:

First, commuter & utility cyclists riding to work or performing neighborhood
errands;

Second, children & families riding together  or alone to school,
neighborhood parks, etc.; and

Third, neighborhood businesses that choose to use cycles for local
deliveries, service calls, etc.

There are other types of cyclists, but the above cover the vast majority of
cyclists in Somerville and accomodating these three will likely accommodate
most other types.

   1. Determine Main Parts of Somerville & Neighboring Cities to Connect.

Each of the above Typical Cyclists go to different parts of Somerville and
neighboring cities. Here we need to determine which parts of the city would
be best to connect first (within 5-years). Examples of the Areas to be
connected (a complete list will be compiled by sponsors and determined by
the committee):

Schools (children cyclists)

Neighborhood & Regional Parks (children & families)

Business Districts & Shopping Centers (utility & business cyclists)

Major Work Centers & Industrial Areas (commuters & business cyclists)

   1. Determine Acceptable Cycle Facilities

Each of the above Typical Cyclists are more likely to ride on different
types of Cycle Facilities. Here we need to determine which Cycle Facilities
the committee believes are preferable and/or allowable in Somerville and
that can reasonably be constructed within five years. Also we need to
determine what minimum and preferred dimensions and other requirements are
necessary. Examples of Cycle Facilities (a complete list will be compiled by
sponsors and determined by the committee):

Cycle Lanes (lanes in street, includes contra-flow lanes)

Cycle/Side Paths (i.e. Vasser Street, or similar)

Cycle Trail (i.e. Community Path)

Cycle Street (cyclists priority over autos, includes two-way cycles & one
way autos)

   1. Determine Cycle Facility Routes

Only upon completion of the above steps we can discuss specific routes
effectively. Here we need to determine which routes are best to connect
specific locations using specific facilities. This step is likely to be the
most time consuming. Professional help, if available, would greatly improve
this step. In absense of professional help it may be best to begin with our
present bicycle route map and existing & presently proposed cycle
facilities.

The sponsors would draft proposed routes for each of the areas in the city
to connect and specifying the intended typical cyclist and the preferred
cycle facility. It may be usefull to have a number of sponsors and divide
the city in sections, or have multiple overlaid networks for different types
of cyclists and facilities. Two possible expamples could be (a complete list
will be compiled by sponsors and determined by the committee):

One, an interconnected network of cycle lanes connecting the major squares
and neighboring cities on major, flat roads to allow businesses and
commuters to efficiently and quickly traverse the city.

Two, a more dispersed network of cycle trails, cycle streets & side paths
that connect residential neighborhoods to the nearest square, T-stop,
schools, parks, etc.

   1. Determine Method for Prioritizing Construction of Routes

The final step is to prioritize the Cycle Routes proposed. We need to note
which Cycle Routes are more important and which Cycle Routes may need to be
constructed prior to other Routes. This step will eventually need to be
coordinated with DPW and Traffic & Parking, but we should make a first pass.

Once the plan is complete we should submit it to the Mayor as Draft, and to
work with him to coordinate with other city departments.  Ideally, we would
have a complete plan that the City government agrees to construct over the
next five years by Fall 2008.

*
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*Schedule and Plan*

We started discussing the first step last month. I will send another email
(hopefully not as long) to pull together information on each of the Typical
Cyclists. We can complete the discussion at the upcoming meeting. If you
have any comments on the Typical Cyclist step, let me know now and I will
address them before the meeting.

Next I need sponsors for Steps 2 & 3. Ron said he would help on Step 2 and
Charlie said he would help with Step 3. It would be best to have at least
one more perspective for each of these steps, please volunteer. Ron, would
you start pulling thoughts together on Step 2, I doubt we will have time to
begin, but we may.

As for the last two steps, we'll hold off on volunteers until we know what
our prospects for professional help will be; Steve, please keep us
up-to-date.

Thank-you all,

 ~Brian
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