1. A Bicycle-Friendly Community Lexington’s Story
by Kenzie Gleason
(and all the other people
in Lexington
who are making
IT happen)
Photo: Boyd Shearer

2. A Bicycle-Friendly Community
Lexington:
Lexington’s Story
“Horse Capital of the World”
Central Kentucky / Population 85 Sq miles Urban
Bluegrass Region 300,000 Total 285 Sq miles

3. Central Kentucky is known for …
Lexington:
“Horse Capital of the World”
Horse Farms
Keeneland
Urban Growth Boundary (1958)
Merged Govt (1970’s)

4. Central Kentucky is known for…

5. Central Kentucky is known for…

6. Central Kentucky is known for…
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2009
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

7. Central Kentucky is known for…???

8. How did we get here?

9. Slow beginnings…
• Decades old bike route/lanes
• Projects struggling to get off ground
• Greenway Master Plan adopted
• Road Diet implemented
• Bike/Ped Coordinator position created

10. Some successes & momentum
• Bike/walk accommodation in road construction
• Bike lanes in resurfacing projects
• Trail construction
• Bike/ped plan adopted
• Community events
• Partnerships

11. Vocal minority vs Silent majority
• Parks & Rec
Survey
• Realtor Survey
• Transportation
Surveys
• Public Meetings
• Political Races

12. Getting the Green Light
• Marketing
• Economic
Development
• Tried & Failed
• Next Steps
• Bike Summit

13. Bike Summit
Political leadership
PARTNERSHIPS
Advocates Govt Agencies
‘You Should’ to ‘We Should’

14. Bike Summit Priorities
15 Key Initiatives
Facilities
Education/Encouragement
Policy & Evaluation
Mayor’s Bike Task Force (citizen-based)
Silver in 2010?

15. FACILITIES
• Rural Bike Routes
• Share the Road Signs
• Rural Rail Trail
• Mountain Bike Trails

16. FACILITIES
• North-South
Cross-Town Trail
• Downtown / Campus
Connections

17. Legacy Trail
• 11 mile trail
– $10 million project
– 3 years start to finish

18. Legacy Trail
Connects Urban Core to Rural Fayette
County & Kentucky Horse Park (no riverfront)
Revitalization
Preservation Art
Environment History
Lexington’s Story

19. Legacy Trail Opening
Getting people on bikes…7,000+ including the Mayor, Governor,
House Rep., Commissioner of Public Works

20. Streetscape Project
The Vine Street Story….

21. Streetscape Project
Then…If
Now…Where…How?
Streetscape Plan / Project
S Limestone St, Vine St, Main St
$30million +

22. Existing
Bike Facilities
Bike Lane 23mi
Paved Shoulder 27mi
Signed Route 4mi
Shared Use Trail 22mi

23. Funded
Bike Facilities
Bike Lane 17mi
Paved Shoulder 3mi
Signed Route 4mi
Shared Use Trail 16mi

24. Active
Project
25 Miles
Under Study
Design
Grant Application
Neighborhood Mtgs

25. The Near(er) Future?

26. Policy & Evaluation
• Complete Streets
• Revised Traffic
Ordinances
• Bike/Ped Counts
UK CORDON COUNT
38% increase in bicycle use
into/out of campus
150 to 200% increase along
streets with bike lanes

27. Education & Encouragement
PARTNERSHIPS
Who is best for the job???
• Professional Training
• Safe Routes to School
• Communication Campaign
• Share the Road Campaign

28. Share the Road Campaign
Police liaison, banners, billboards, info cards, garages, parking
permits, bike lights, t-shirts, radio, kid produced PSAs

29. Education / Encouragement
Community Bike Events
• Bike Lexington
• Bike Month
– 80 events
– Commuter Challenge
• 80 businesses
• 1 month
• 15,000 miles

30. Progressive Dinners
Bike Ed
Bike Clinics
Bike Camping
Advocacy Breakfasts
Horsey Hundred
Bike Bash
Parades

33. Photos Courtesy of Brian Turner

34. Education / Encouragement
Cyclovia!! Statewide!!

40. Monthly 2S Rides
Showcases bike lanes / trails

41. Building the Culture…Bike Polo
Dedicated City Court
Bluegrass state games
Regional Tournaments
Photos Courtesy of Brian Turner

42. Building the Culture…Bike Polo

43. Building the Culture . . .UK “Wildcat Wheels” Program
Campus bike shop, Yellow bikes, Blue bikes, Education,
Bike to work programs, Bike Facilities

44. Building the Culture . . .”Yellow Bikes”
80 Bikes
Provided by Private Businesses &
Downtown Lexington corporation

45. Building the Culture . . .Pedicabs

46. Building the Culture . . .”Bike Prom”
Organized by / benefits:
Living Arts & Sciences Center

47. Building the Culture…Alley Cats…Scavenger Rides/Races
Organized by:
No one
Someone
Everyone

48. Building the Culture…”Shifting Gears”
Shifting Gears