The document outlines the work plan for Des Moines' Bicycle and Trails Master Plan project. The final plan will include an assessment of existing conditions, a safety and needs analysis, a recommended bike network map, and strategies for education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation of the plan. It will also include funding and implementation details. The plan aims to build on previous city planning efforts to make Des Moines more bike-friendly and adopt a complete streets policy. The document discusses various types of bicycle facilities and how to select the appropriate types based on road and traffic conditions. It also identifies challenges to bicycling in Des Moines and keys to developing successful shared use paths.

1. Des Moines Bicycle and Trails
Master Plan
TAC Meeting #1
June 18th, 2009

2. Project Work Plan
• Final Product: Long-Range Bicycle Network Master
Plan
• Existing Conditions/Opportunities-and-Constraints
• Safety and Needs Assessment
• Recommended Bike Network
• Education, Encouragement, Enforcement,
Evaluation strategies
• Funding and Implementation
• Draft and Final Plan

3. Build on Previous/Current
Planning Efforts
• 2006 - City applies for bicycle friendly community
designation and is rejected
• 2007 – Council adopted goals to become a bicycle
friendly community – conducting a bicycle and trails
master plan is a key goal
• 2008 – Council adopts a complete streets policy
• 2009 – Alta is hired by City to conduct master plan

4. Bicycle Facilities
Bike lanes
Shared roadways
• Wide outside lanes
• Shared lane markings
• Bicycle Boulevards
Shared use paths

5. Bicyclist Types – For Whom do we
Plan?
• Strong and fearless
• Enthusiastic and confident
• Interested but concerned
• No way, no how

6. The Bicyclist
How much space needed?
• 2-ft. wide handle bars
• 1-ft. “buffer” on each side
• Total: At least 4 ft.

7. Bicycle Facilities – How to Select?
Numerous factors:
• Road type (arterial, local street, etc.)
• Traffic volumes
• Speeds
• Traffic mix (e.g., trucks, buses, etc.)
• Expected users – skill, age, volume, destinations
• Road conditions, space, intersections, parking
demand

8. Bicycle Facilities – Bike Lanes
• Install with new roadway
• Pave shoulder/widen road
• Reduce travel lane or parking lane widths
• Remove travel lanes
• Remove parking

9. Bicycle Facilities – Bike Lanes

10. Bicycle Facilities – Bike Lanes

11. Bicycle Facilities –
Wide Outside Lanes
• Used mostly on busy (arterial) streets with insufficient room for
bike lanes
• 14’ width desirable
• Any wider should include a striped bike lane

12. Bicycle Facilities –
Shared Lane Markings
• Used in numerous cities worldwide
• FHWA to adopt in 2009

13. Bicycle Facilities – Low Volume
Streets
• Great for getting around neighborhoods
• Attract riders of all ages, confidence levels
• Not always practical for longer distances

14. Bicycle Facilities – Bicycle
Boulevards
• Local streets modified to act as thru streets for bicyclists
• Traffic calming reduces vehicle speeds & thru trips
• Traffic controls give priority to thru bicycle movement
• Work best in a connected grid

15. Bicycle Facilities – Bicycle
Boulevards
Intersection
Treatments
Signage Pavement Markings
Traffic Calming Traffic Diversion

16. Bicycle Facilities - Challenges
• Lack of well-defined routes
• Major streets lacking bicycle
facilities
• System gaps
• Conflicts with motorists (e.g., at
driveways, intersections)
• Glass, debris, obstructions in
bike lanes/shoulders
• Lack of bike parking

17. Shared Use Paths
• Intended for pedestrians,
bicyclists, other non-
motorized users
• Width: 10-14’ paved
• Shy distance: 2-3’
• Overhead clearance: 8-10’
• Roadway separation: 5’
minimum

18. Shared Use Paths
Keys to Successful Paths
• Separate from vehicle traffic
• Scenic qualities
• Connected to land uses
• Well-designed street crossings
• Visibility
• Separate different users when
necessary
• Proper maintenance

19. Other Infrastructure Elements

20. Programmatic Elements

21. Innovative Treatments

22. Thinking practical…..

23. ….. and thinking big

24. Questions??