MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

To: Interested Parties
From: Daniel F. Beagan, Director, Bureau of Transportation Planning and Development
Date: October 20, 1997
Subject: Review of Draft State Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plans

Thank you for your continued interest in the State Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plans. These plans are now available for review at all 13 Regional Planning Agency (RPA) offices, and the State Transportation Building Library (2nd floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston 02116, (617) 973-8000). The locations and telephone numbers for the RPAs are listed below. Please contact them for hours of operation and travel directions.

Written comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 26, 1997. Your written comments can be submitted in the following ways:

For the Bicycle Plan: Contact Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB)
Fax: (617) 924-2286
Mail: VHB, 101 Walnut Street, PO BOX 9151, Watertown, MA 02272
E-mail: bikeplan@vhb.com
Attention all of the above to P. Smith

For the Pedestrian Plan: Contact Wallace Floyd Associates Inc. (WFA)
Fax: (617) 423-1094
Mail: WFA, 286 Congress Street, 4th floor, Boston, MA 02210
E-mail: pedplan@wfa.com
Attention all of the above to J. Purdy

Regional Planning Agency (RPA) Locations/Telephones

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC)
33 Dunham Mall, Pittsfield, MA 01201, (413) 442-1521

Cape Cod Commission(CCC)
3225 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630, (508) 362-3828

Central Mass Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC)
20 Washington Square, Suite 300, Worcester, MA 01604-4013, (508)756-7717

Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG)
Court House, 425 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301, (413) 774-1193

Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC)
PO BOX 1447, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, (508) 693-3453

Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC)
160 Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01830, (508) 374-0519

Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC)
1427 Water Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420, (508) 345-7376

Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission (NPEDC)
One East Chestnut Street, Nantucket, MA 02554, (508) 228-7233

Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG)
Gallagher Terminal, Floor 3B, 115 Thorndike Street, Lowell, MA 01852, (508) 454-8021

Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC)
70 School Street, Brockton, MA 02401, (508) 583-1833

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC)
26 Central Street, West Springfield, MA 01089, (413) 781-6045

Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD)
88 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780, (508) 824-1367



RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Implementation                                                   




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. The Statewide Bicycle                1a. Address and recommend                DEM, MassHighway                         
Transportation Plan is part of the      implementation measures through the                                               
evolving process to plan for better     Massachusetts Bicycle Advisory Board.                                             
bicycling and walking conditions        The Board, which has a legislative                                                
locally, regionally and statewide in    charge to "advise the departments on                                              
Massachusetts.  Implementation of this  matters relative to bicycle                                                       
plan will build upon efforts to date    transportation," can, with public and                                             
in improving bicycling conditions.      agency input, recommend implementation   MassHighway, BTP&D, BayState Roads       
                                        measures.                                Program                                  
                                                                                                                          
                                        1b. Continue to provide                                                           
                                        state-of-the-practice information to                                              
                                        state, regional and local agencies.                                               
                                        Continue to incorporate current bicycle                                           
                                        material in the MassHighway Design                                                
                                        Manual as appropriate.  Continue to                                               
                                        develop and distribute material to                                                
                                        update the MassHighway publication                                                
                                        "Building Better Bicycling:  A Manual                                             
                                        for Improving Community Bicycling                                                 
                                        Conditions."  Bicycle transportation                                              
                                        engineering, education, enforcement and                                           
                                        encouragement practice has continued to                                           
                                        change since then.  As the Bicycle Plan                                           
                                        process has indicated, the RPAs,                                                  
                                        Commonwealth communities and others                                               
                                        seek current technical information on:                                            
                                        AASHTO and MassHighway bicycle facility                                           
                                        design guidance; applicable MUTCD        Affected agencies                        
                                        material; methodologies for assessing                                             
                                        bicycle demand and usage; methodologies                                           
                                        for evaluating roadways and paths;                                                
                                        other measures to promote bicycle use,                                            
                                        such as mapping and parking; initiating                                           
                                        and funding bicycle projects; regional                                            
                                        and local bicycle transportation plans                                            
                                        and advisory committees; listings of                                              
                                        resources; and other practical topics.                                            
                                                                                                                          
                                        1c. Coordinate Bicycle Plan                                                       
                                        implementation with Pedestrian Plan                                               
                                        implementation, and with other                                                    
                                        initiatives as applicable.                                                        

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Assessing Bicycle Accommodation on Roadways                      




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. The existing roadway system is       1a. Continue to study traffic flow,      BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
central to establishing a               roadway cross section, and other                                                  
comprehensive network of bicycle        characteristics that affect bicycle                                               
facilities.  A methodology to evaluate  travel within existing roadway                                                    
the accommodation of bicycles on        corridors.                               BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
existing roadways is a useful step in                                                                                     
identifying opportunities to improve    1b. Continue to identify agencies that                                            
bicycle travel.  Traffic flow and       use these traffic and roadway data for   BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
roadway cross section characteristics   planning and engineering applications.                                            
are key indicators of how well a                                                                                          
roadway accommodates bicycles.  A       1c. Continue to coordinate existing                                               
comprehensive data collection program   data collection and management           BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
coupled with a Geographic Information   activities to meet the needs of the                                               
System (GIS) are useful in applying     methodology developed as part of this                                             
the methodology developed as part of    Plan.                                    BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
this plan.                                                                                                                
                                        1d. Continue to compile existing data                                             
                                        in database format (inventory file)      BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
                                        that meets the needs of all involved                                              
                                        agencies.                                                                         
                                                                                                                          
                                        1e. Tie this database to the                                                      
                                        Commonwealth's existing Geographic                                                
                                        Information System (GIS).                                                         
                                                                                                                          
                                        1f. Support a long-term roadway data                                              
                                        collection and management program that                                            
                                        meets the bicycle program needs of                                                
                                        state, regional and local agencies.                                               

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Assessing Bicycle Accommodation on Roadways (continued)          




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

2. It is important to identify          2a. Evaluate bicycle accommodation on    BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
roadways that do not currently          roadways in important travel corridors                                            
accommodate bicycling well and then     as part of the ongoing transportation                                             
evaluate treatments to better           planning process.                        BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
accommodate bicycle travel on these                                                                                       
roadways.  A methodology to rate        2b. Identify roadway segments with                                                
bicycle accommodation on roadways is a  lower bicycle accommodation ratings in                                            
useful step in identifying              corridors of existing and potential      BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
opportunities to improve bicycle        higher demand for bicycling.                                                      
travel.                                                                                                                   
                                        2c. Identify roadway improvements and                                             
                                        other measures to address the needs                                               
                                        identified in 2.  Improve conditions                                              
                                        for bicycling within these travel        BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
                                        corridors, using state-of-the-practice                                            
                                        design.  Where built improvements are                                             
                                        not feasible, explore and utilize other  BTP&D, MDC, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns  
                                        improvement options.                                                              
                                                                                                                          
                                        2d. Prioritize projects and implement                                             
                                        in conjunction with on-going                                                      
                                        construction program.                                                             
                                                                                                                          
                                        2e. Continue to monitor developments in                                           
                                        the evolving field of assessing bicycle                                           
                                        accommodation.  Access federal, state                                             
                                        and other research and apply as                                                   
                                        applicable to Massachusetts conditions.                                           
                                         Conduct additional research as                                                   
                                        warranted.  Provide technical transfer                                            
                                        services to regions, localities and                                               
                                        others with need to know.                                                         

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicycle Path Development                                         




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. This plan provides a basic overview  In order to have a full understanding                                             
of the status of bicycle path           of potential trail corridors available                                            
development in Massachusetts and        in the Massachusetts, two courses of                                              
explores potential opportunities for    action are recommended.                                                           
developing a more extensive network of                                           EOTC, BTP&D, RPAs/MPOs, DEM              
publicly owned bicycle paths across     1a. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts                                             
the state.  However, the Commonwealth   should continue its efforts in                                                    
does not have an up-to-date assessment  conducting a complete statewide                                                   
of abandoned rail and other potential   assessment of abandoned rail and other                                            
corridors or a statewide trails plan.   potential corridors.  This study would                                            
Without this information, it is         consist of a detailed inventory,                                                  
difficult to weigh the full benefits    including map, of abandoned rail                                                  
of individual path development          corridors and a thorough physical                                                 
projects.                               examination to assess the integrity of                                            
                                        each corridor (e.g., does the corridor                                            
                                        remain intact or has development                                                  
                                        encroached on the corridor).                                                      
                                        Assessments previously conducted by                                               
                                        DEM, CTPS, MAPC, and others would be                                              
                                        incorporated.  The statewide inventory                                            
                                        should also address corridor ownership.                                           
                                         A more extensive picture of the                                                  
                                        potential resources available for        DEM, MDC, MWRA, RPAs/MPOs, cities and    
                                        development of bicycle paths is the end  towns                                    
                                        result.  The information that a                                                   
                                        statewide corridor assessment will                                                
                                        provide can help determine where                                                  
                                        important missing links in a statewide                                            
                                        network of bicycle paths exist and                                                
                                        where the state may want to focus                                                 
                                        financial resources for development.                                              
                                                                                                                          
                                        1b. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts                                             
                                        should prepare a State Trails Plan.                                               
                                        This plan will include an evaluation of                                           
                                        corridors within the state that can                                               
                                        serve as paths including river,                                                   
                                        aqueduct, railroad, canal and utility                                             
                                        rights-of-way.  This plan is another                                              
                                        resource that will identify potential                                             
                                        bicycle paths.                                                                    

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicycle Path Development (continued)                             




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

2. Additional railroad corridors may    2a. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts    EOTC, DEM, RPAs, local government        
become available for acquisition and    should continue to work to successfully  agencies, RTAs, MDC.                     
development as bicycle paths.           obtain railroad corridors that are                                                
                                        proposed for abandonment approval from                                            
                                        the Surface Transportation Board                                                  
                                        (formerly known as the Interstate                                                 
                                        Commerce Commission), the federal                                                 
                                        agency that regulates Class 1                                                     
                                        railroads.                                                                        
                                                                                                                          
                                        2b. Massachusetts General Law (Chapter                                            
                                        161C) passed in 1973 authorizes the                                               
                                        Commonwealth to acquire active and                                                
                                        abandoned railroad corridors and                                                  
                                        requires that any railroad company                                                
                                        intending to sell or dispose of a        EOTC, DEM, RPAs, local government        
                                        railroad corridor offer it for sale to   agencies, RTAs, MDC.                     
                                        the state before it is offered to the                                             
                                        public.  The Commonwealth should                                                  
                                        continue to act upon such offers when                                             
                                        the corridor has the potential to                                                 
                                        become part of a statewide network of                                             
                                        bicycle paths.  Identify available                                                
                                        financial resources to facilitate such                                            
                                        purchases.                                                                        

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicycle Path Development (continued)                             




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

3. Massachusetts has in place an        3. The Commonwealth should continue to   EOTC                                     
effective mechanism intended to         apply this general law to preserve the                                            
preserve abandoned railroad corridors   physical integrity of abandoned                                                   
that are not railbanked.                railroad corridors that have the                                                  
Massachusetts General Law (Chapter 40,  potential to become part of a network                                             
Section 54A) passed in 1975 provides    of publicly owned bicycle paths.                                                  
that no local building permit can be                                                                                      
issued for a structure to be built on                                                                                     
land formerly used for a railroad                                                                                         
corridor without a public hearing and                                                                                     
permission of the Secretary of                                                                                            
Transportation                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                          

4. In order to take advantage of the    4. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts     EOTC, EOEA                               
opportunities available for rail-trail  should take the lead in developing and                                            
development, the issue of a trail       distributing guidelines that clearly                                              
delivery system needs to be addressed.  identify state, regional and local                                                
 Who will own these corridors, where    roles in the development, operation and                                           
will the funding for rail-trail         maintenance of bicycle path facilities.                                           
development come from, who will build                                                                                     
the trail and who will mange the                                                                                          
facility?  These questions need to be                                                                                     
answered so that as railroad corridors                                                                                    
become available, an organizational                                                                                       
structure is in place to convert them                                                                                     
into multi-use trails                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Land Use                                                         




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. Land use planning is accomplished    1a. Review state and federal land use    EOEA-Conservation Services and MEPA      
under a variety of programs, including  planning programs with the objective of  Unit, DHCD,                              
facility and property reuse plans,      improving their support for bicyclists.  GSA, RPAs/MPOs, cities and towns         
disposition plans, regional plans,       (For example, the Massachusetts                                                  
local master plans, local facility      Division of Conservation Services might                                           
system plans, and targeted local area   add language in their "Open Space                                                 
plans.  Local area plans include those  Planners Workbook" that recognizes       EOEA-Conservation Services and MEPA      
addressing open space and recreation,   bicycling and bicycle facilities.)       Unit, DHCD, GSA, RPAs/MPOs, cities and   
economic and community development                                               towns.                                   
districts, enterprise zones and         1b. Encourage local governments to                                                
downtown revitalization programs.  In   undertake such a review relative to                                               
addition, land use planning proposals   their land use planning laws, programs   EOEA-Conservation Services and MEPA      
are frequently included in federal,     and actions.                             Unit, DHCD, GSA, RPAs/MPOs, cities and   
state and locally mandated                                                       towns.                                   
environmental review processes.  All    1c. Prepare literature on how land use                                            
the above programs include              planning can positively influence                                                 
requirements, guidelines, and "best     bicycle facility planning.  Incorporate  EOEA-Conservation Services and MEPA      
practice" procedures.  Some include     in related literature as appropriate.    Unit, DHCD, GSA, RPAs/MPOs, cities and   
mention of bicycles and bicycle                                                  towns.                                   
facilities, while others do not.  All   1d. Distribute the literature through                                             
appropriate programs that deal with     existing state agencies and                                                       
land use planning should be reviewed    associations such as the Massachusetts                                            
with the goal of giving proper          Municipal Association, the                                                        
recognition to bicycle facility issues  Massachusetts Federation of Planning                                              
and needs.  Consideration should be     and Appeals Boards, the Massachusetts                                             
given to introducing or amending        Planning Directors Association, and                                               
specific provisions that recognize the  regional planning agencies.  Notices                                              
role of bicycles in supporting land     and articles can be incorporated in the                                           
use, transportation, economic           regular publications of these                                                     
development, energy savings, health     organizations as well.                                                            
and fitness, and recreation                                                                                               
objectives.                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Land Use (continued)                                             




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

2. Transportation Management            2a. Find successful examples where       EOTC, BTP&D, RPAs/NPOs, CARAVAN, TMAs    
Associations (TMAs) and other business  bicycle facilities have been installed                                            
partnerships that deal with             in downtowns and other commercial areas                                           
transportation are increasing in        and office and industrial parks.                                                  
numbers in Massachusetts.  These        Publicize these examples through                                                  
voluntary partnerships of businesses    appropriate media.                       DHCD                                     
have considerable resources and can                                                                                       
often tap public as well as private     2b. Distribute the literature to                                                  
funds to undertake programs with broad  existing TMAs and business partnerships                                           
benefits to members and the public.     in Massachusetts.  Follow up this                                                 
TMAs are created to deal with           distribution with an offer to send       RPAs/MPOs, TMAs                          
transportation problems.  Business      materials to interested heads of TMAs                                             
partnerships are created to deal with   and business partnerships.                                                        
a number of issues that often include                                                                                     
transportation.  TMAs have created bus  2c. Contact and work with public                                                  
services, parking and access roads.     officials that have programs that TMA                                             
Business partnerships have created      and business partnerships use, e.g.,                                              
parking and access improvements.  Both  STP highway and CMAQ transit matching                                             
types of organization have the          fund programs and downtown               EOTC/BTP&D, RPAs/MPOs, and TMAs          
potential to create bicycle             revitalization and economic development                                           
facilities.  For example a system of    programs.  Primary contacts are                                                   
bicycle paths and related bicycle       EOTC/BTP&D, Mass. Department of Housing                                           
parking facilities could be created in  and Community Development, and Mass.                                              
an industrial or office park or area.   Office of Business Development.                                                   
Bicycle racks could be installed in                                                                                       
various strategic locations in          2d. Present the material at various                                               
downtown or commercial areas through    regular meetings of TMA and business                                              
the efforts of business partnerships.   partnership officials, and continue a                                             
Two advantages these organizations      program of public education, focused on                                           
offer is that they have ready access    how business partnerships and TMAs can                                            
to business funding, which can be       promote the creation of bicycle                                                   
substantial in the case of large        facilities, and the benefits of these                                             
corporations, and they are led by       facilities for the businesses and their                                           
business leaders, who are often very    employees.                                                                        
influential in their communities.                                                                                         
Bicycle facilities, because they are                                                                                      
relatively low in cost, and are                                                                                           
relatively visible and attractive, may                                                                                    
have a special appeal to business                                                                                         
leaders as progressive, effective and                                                                                     
responsible investments.                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Zoning                                                           




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. Land use development is controlled   1a. Prepare model zoning and             EOEA, RPAs/MPOs, DHCD                    
most firmly at the local level.         subdivision provisions which require                                              
Zoning and other land use controls      appropriate bicycle features in                                                   
such as subdivision regulation are      suitable projects (such as bicycle                                                
enforced by local officials,            racks at retail stores), and which                                                
frequently involving extensive review   provide the opportunity to negotiate                                              
of projects.  Under zoning, the review  for additional bicycle facilities (such                                           
process is becoming even more           as lockers, showers and clothes                                                   
extensive.  For example, site plan      changing rooms at office parks, and                                               
review and special permit requirements  bicycle paths at industrial parks).                                               
allow for a negotiation process which   Negotiation incentives could include                                              
could include bicycle facilities where  such items as increased allowable        EOEA, RPAs/MPOs, DHCD                    
appropriate.  Bicycle parking           densities, or reduced dimensional                                                 
facilities could also be required       requirements such as road frontage or                                             
under general parking provisions for    building setbacks and heights.                                                    
any appropriate land use such as                                                                                          
commercial and industrial               1b. Package model provisions in          EOEA, RPAs/MPOs, DHCD                    
developments.  More extensive           engaging materials and formats and                                                
facilities, such as lockers, showers,   distribute to local and regional                                                  
and changing rooms, can be negotiated   officials throughout the state.  Use                                              
for a project, as can paths or lanes    both direct mailing and mailings to                                               
for bicycles as part of proposed        associations of local and regional                                                
developments under review.              officials.                               EOEA, RPAs/MPOs, DHCD                    
Subdivision regulations and other                                                                                         
non-zoning land use controls can also   1c. Convene a conference of local and                                             
include provisions requiring bicycle    regional planning, zoning and                                                     
facilities, along with design           subdivision review officials, and                                                 
standards for these facilities.  Model  provide examples of successful bicycle                                            
bylaws can be drawn from current        facility improvements created through                                             
experience for the purpose of           local zoning, subdivision and other                                               
facilitating the process for            regulations.                                                                      
municipalities wishing to enact                                                                                           
pro-bicycle regulations.                1d. Continue a program of public                                                  
                                        education, focused on how local                                                   
                                        government can require and promote the                                            
                                        creation of bicycle facilities.                                                   

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Environmental Reviews                                            




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. Environmental reviews provide an     1a. Draft model provisions that would    EOEA, MEPA Unit, BTP&D, RPAs/MPOs,       
opportunity to introduce or enlarge     deal with vehicle reduction and extent   DHCD, Mass. Municipal Association.       
the role of bicycle transportation      of paved areas, as well as types of                                               
into proposed projects.  Environmental  bicycle facilities and features to                                                
reviews are required for federally      encourage bicycle use, that would be                                              
funded projects, and all state          required or recommended.                 EOEA, MEPA Unit, BTP&D, RPAs/MPOs,       
projects over given sizes.                                                       DHCD, Mass. Municipal Association.       
Furthermore, some cities and towns      1b. Distribute these model provisions                                             
require environmental reviews of        to cities and towns along with           EOEA, MEPA Unit, BTP&D, RPAs/MPOs,       
proposed projects in their ordinances   literature to encourage their adoption.  DHCD, Mass. Municipal Association.       
and bylaws.  Federal and state                                                                                            
guidelines for conducting               1c. Work with state MEPA officials to    EOEA, MEPA Unit, BTP&D, RPAs/MPOs,       
environmental reviews mention           incorporate appropriate revisions to     DHCD, Mass. Municipal Association.       
bicycles.  Some local statutes also     their guidelines and requirements.                                                
mention bicycles as elements that                                                                                         
should be considered in environmental   1d. Publicize the need, opportunity,     EOEA, MEPA Unit, BTP&D, RPAs/MPOs,       
reviews.                                and means to improve local               DHCD, Mass. Municipal Association.       
                                        environmental review through                                                      
 While mention of bicycles and related  appropriate city and town-oriented                                                
facilities is sufficient to initiate    publications.                                                                     
discussion for any given project, the                                                                                     
guidelines and requirements for         1e. Hold a series of conferences around                                           
environmental reviews are often not     the state, jointly sponsored by RPAs,                                             
sufficiently detailed to explain how    BTP&D, MEPA and MDHCD to cover                                                    
bicycles can make specific              improvements to the state and local                                               
contributions to environmental          environmental review processes and                                                
objectives, such as reducing vehicle    their results.                                                                    
miles of travel and amounts of                                                                                            
pavement needed, and providing                                                                                            
features to ease or encourage bicycle                                                                                     
use.  It would add to the                                                                                                 
effectiveness of such provisions if                                                                                       
monitoring and enforcement procedures                                                                                     
were included.  There is a need and                                                                                       
opportunity to introduce such detailed                                                                                    
provisions in both state (MEPA)                                                                                           
requirements and guidelines, and local                                                                                    
laws.  These provisions would list                                                                                        
specific features or facilities that                                                                                      
should be included in a project, and                                                                                      
would outline ways project monitoring                                                                                     
would occur to insure that objectives                                                                                     
were met.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicyclist Education                                              




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. A variety of curriculums and         1a. Implement a comprehensive,           DOE, MDPH, GHSB Community Traffic        
approaches are being used to educate    statewide school-based bicycle safety    Safety Programs (CTSPs), PTA/Os, local   
children in the Commonwealth about      education program for children.  A       health departments and prevention        
bicycle safety and the importance of    bicycle safety education program         centers, hospitals, Health Maintenance   
helmet use. They include school         integrated into school health and/or     Organizations (HMOs), police             
assemblies, videos, bicycle rodeos,     physical education curriculums has the   departments.                             
public service announcements (PSAs),    greatest potential for reaching all                                               
helmet promotion programs, and various  Massachusetts children. For  maximum                                              
safety materials such as posters and    effectiveness, the program should                                                 
fliers. There is a need for a more      include on-bicycle as well as classroom                                           
consistent and comprehensive            instruction. It would be part of a                                                
educational effort, reaching a greater  comprehensive traffic safety education                                            
number of children.  There is also a    program that would begin in the primary                                           
need to educate teenage and adult       grades with school bus and pedestrian                                             
bicyclists. These education efforts     safety and progress through bicycle                                               
should focus on following the rules of  safety education for older elementary                                             
the road when riding in traffic, being  and middle school students to driver's                                            
visible, and using appropriate safety   education for teenagers.                                                          
equipment, including helmets.                                                                                             

                                        1b. Develop and evaluate a model         GHSB, CTSPs, PTAs, police departments,   
                                        program for adult bicyclist safety       bicycle organizations, service           
                                        training and education.  A variety of    organizations, others                    
                                        efforts will likely be needed to reach                                            
                                        adult bicyclists. Possible approaches                                             
                                        include distribution of safety                                                    
                                        materials at bicycle shops, "bicycle to                                           
                                        work" and "family bicycle ride" events                                            
                                        that also provide opportunities for                                               
                                        education, inclusion of bicycle safety                                            
                                        messages on local bicycle maps,                                                   
                                        articles or letters to local                                                      
                                        newspapers, involvement of local                                                  
                                        bicycle clubs, etc. Local law                                                     
                                        enforcement officers can also play a                                              
                                        role in educating (and motivating)                                                
                                        adult bicyclists.  A bicyclist                                                    
                                        education campaign directed at adults                                             
                                        would be tied to a larger motorist                                                
                                        education and public awareness                                                    
                                        campaign, as well as to greater                                                   
                                        enforcement of traffic laws for                                                   
                                        bicyclists and motorists. Develop and                                             
                                        evaluate the effectiveness of a model                                             
                                        program at the local level for                                                    
                                        improving the skills and riding                                                   
                                        practices of adult bicyclists.                                                    

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Motorist Education                                               




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. There is a need to educate           1a. Develop a "Share the Road" campaign  BTP&D, GHSB, MBSA, RMV, public and       
motorists in ways to effectively and    to increase motorist and bicyclist       private sector organizations             
safely share the road with bicyclists   education. Such a campaign could be                                               
                                        started at the state level and then                                               
                                        extended to communities. PSAs,                                                    
                                        brochures, billboards and a variety of                                            
                                        other media could be used to carry out                                            
                                        the campaign. This could be centrally                                             
                                        organized by the Massachusetts Bicycle                                            
                                        Safety Alliance (MBSA) so that many                                               
                                        state and local agencies and coalitions  BTP&D, GHSB, MBSA, RMV, public and       
                                        could join. Media support would be       private sector organizations             
                                        needed, and use of incentives should be                                           
                                        considered.                                                                       
                                                                                                                          
                                        1b. Educate motorists through the                                                 
                                        driver license process and driver                                                 
                                        training programs.  Another method of                                             
                                        reaching motorists is through                                                     
                                        information contained in driver's                                                 
                                        license manuals and through                                                       
                                        incorporating bicycle safety and                                                  
                                        "share-the-road" messages into                                                    
                                        statewide driver education training.                                              
                                        Both the manual and the training should                                           
                                        include questions relating to bicycling                                           
                                        as well as more specific information on                                           
                                        operating a motor vehicle on roadways                                             
                                        where bicyclists are present. Reminders                                           
                                        in the form of posters or brochures can                                           
                                        also be placed in the information                                                 
                                        centers at RMV offices.  Materials                                                
                                        could be included with any mailings                                               
                                        from the RMV.                                                                     

                                        1c. Enforce traffic laws, targeting      Police departments                       
                                        those which improve motorist/bicyclist                                            
                                        interaction.  Enforcement of traffic                                              
                                        laws will lead to greater understanding                                           
                                        of the laws by motorists and                                                      
                                        bicyclists.                                                                       

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicycle Helmet Use                                               




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. Even though the Massachusetts        1a. Continue to promote public           GHSB, MDPH, MBSA, DOE, and others.       
bicycle helmet law for children ages    awareness and acceptance of the current                                           
12 and under has had widespread         statewide helmet use law.  When the                                               
positive impact, some parents and       initial helmet law was passed, little                                             
children remain unaware of the law,     funding was made available for                                                    
thus reducing its overall               promoting public awareness and                                                    
effectiveness in preventing deaths and  acceptance of the law. Despite limited                                            
reducing head injuries from bicycle     funds, GHSB, the Massachusetts                                                    
crashes. There is a need for continued  Department of Public Health, and the                                              
and expanded education for children as  Massachusetts Bicycle Safety Alliance                                             
well as their parents about the         have all led active campaigns to                                                  
state's bicycle helmet law. In          promote helmet use and make helmets                                               
addition, there is a need to continue   more available and affordable  to                                                 
to promote helmet use among bicyclists  children. These efforts will need to be                                           
of all ages.                            continued and even expanded in the                                                
                                        future, as many children still are not                                            
                                        wearing helmets. Educating parents       GHSB, MDPH, MBSA, DOE, and others.       
                                        about the importance of their child                                               
                                        always wearing a helmet when bicycling                                            
                                        should be a key component to the                                                  
                                        campaign. Pediatricians and other                                                 
                                        medical professionals can assist in the                                           
                                        effort.                                                                           
                                                                                                                          
                                        1b. Promote helmet use among bicyclists                                           
                                        of all ages.  The majority of                                                     
                                        bicyclists injured and killed in                                                  
                                        traffic collisions are teenagers or                                               
                                        adults, and helmets can protect these                                             
                                        riders as well. Efforts to promote the                                            
                                        voluntary use of helmets by bicyclists                                            
                                        not currently covered by the statewide                                            
                                        helmet law should be expanded. This                                               
                                        might include, for example, developing                                            
                                        posters and fliers that target adult                                              
                                        riders, working with colleges and                                                 
                                        universities to promote helmet use                                                
                                        among students as well as staff and                                               
                                        faculty, and working with bicycle shops                                           
                                        to make available a greater variety of                                            
                                        low-cost helmets.                                                                 
                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Enforcement                                                      




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. There is a need for enforcement of   1a. Provide training to law enforcement  GHSB, MDPH, State Police; local police   
rules-of-the-road when bicycles and     officers. State and local law            departments and other agencies.          
motor vehicles are operating on the     enforcement agencies should be                                                    
same or intersecting roadways and       encouraged to incorporate bicycle                                                 
other facilities. Bicycle enforcement   enforcement into their training and                                               
pertains not only to the                education programs. Programs should                                               
rules-of-the-road movements made by     address the rights and responsibilities                                           
bicyclists, but also to the way         of both bicyclists and motorists as                                               
motorists share the road with           road users, along with effective                                                  
bicyclists. Helmet use by child         approaches for bicycle law enforcement.                                           
bicyclists is another enforcement       Training videos such as the helmet                                                
issue.  The vast majority of bicycle    video produced by the Newton Police                                               
law enforcement is done at the local    Department (with GHSB funding) or the    GHSB, MDPH, State Police; local police   
level and requires commitment by        League of American Bicyclist's "The Law  departments and other agencies.          
community law enforcement officers.     is for All" video can help to educate                                             
There is a need for educating law       as well as motivate law enforcement                                               
enforcement authorities, including      officers.                                                                         
State Police, about the need for                                                                                          
bicycle law enforcement as well as the  1b. Educate bicyclists about their       GHSB, MDPH, State Police; local police   
rights of bicyclists using roadways.    responsibilities.  Along with            departments and other agencies.          
                                        education, law enforcement can also                                               
                                        play an important role in educating                                               
                                        bicyclists about their responsibilities                                           
                                        as road users. Bicyclists need to feel                                            
                                        that it is important for them to obey                                             
                                        traffic laws.                                                                     
                                                                                                                          
                                        1c. Review current status of                                                      
                                        Massachusetts General Laws pertaining                                             
                                        to bicycling. If needed, recommend                                                
                                        changes in the statutes to make them                                              
                                        easier and more compelling to enforce.                                            
                                        Develop information sheets that                                                   
                                        summarize and clarify the law for                                                 
                                        motorists and bicyclists as well as law                                           
                                        enforcement officers.                                                             
                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Enforcement (continued)                                          




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. There is a need for enforcement of   1d. Promote police-on-bicycles           GHSB, MDPH, State Police; local police   
rules-of-the-road when bicycles and     programs.  The concept of                departments and planning agencies.       
motor vehicles are operating on the     police-on-bicycles is growing in                                                  
same or intersecting roadways and       popularity in Massachusetts. More                                                 
other facilities. Bicycle enforcement   communities have established police                                               
pertains not only to the                bicycle units.  The Massachusetts State                                           
rules-of-the-road movements made by     Police have police officers on                                                    
bicyclists, but also to the way         bicycles, as does every town on Cape                                              
motorists share the road with           Cod. Police-on-bicycles can be a very                                             
bicyclists. Helmet use by child         effective way to enforce                 GHSB, MDPH, State Police; local police   
bicyclists is another enforcement       rules-of-the-road for both bicyclists    departments and planning agencies.       
issue.  The vast majority of bicycle    and motorists. They may also help to                                              
law enforcement is done at the local    support community policing activities.                                            
level and requires commitment by                                                                                          
community law enforcement officers.     1e. Involve local police whenever                                                 
There is a need for educating law       bicycle facility planning is being done                                           
enforcement authorities, including      within a community. Local officers tend                                           
State Police, about the need for        to know where bicycle-motor vehicle                                               
bicycle law enforcement as well as the  crashes occur and the underlying                                                  
rights of bicyclists using roadways.    conditions, and are thus in a position                                            
                                        to make informed comments regarding                                               
                                        facilities. Involving local police in                                             
                                        bicycle facility planning can also help                                           
                                        educate and motivate the officers                                                 
                                        concerning bicyclist needs and safety.                                            

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Use of Bicycle Accident and Injury Data                          




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. Bicycle injury and bicycle-motor     1a. Strengthen statewide reporting of    EOTC/BTP&D, State Police, local police,  
vehicle accident data should be         bicycle-motor vehicle accidents.  A      MDPH, RMV, and GHSB.                     
examined at both the state and local    uniform accident report form is used                                              
levels to identify needs and help       statewide. Although there is known                                                
guide countermeasure and program        underreporting of single vehicle                                                  
development. The data may also be used  bicycle accidents, this is true in                                                
for program evaluation.                 every state.  Make periodic contact                                               
                                        with police agencies to maintain         EOTC/BTP&D, State Police, local police,  
                                        consistency of bicycle accident          MDPH, RMV, and GHSB.                     
                                        reporting.                                                                        
                                                                                                                          
                                        1b. Track bicycle-motor vehicle                                                   
                                        accidents.  Provide MHD                                                           
                                        Bicycle-Pedestrian Program staff with                                             
                                        annual summaries of bicycle accident                                              
                                        soccurring in the state and examine the                                           
                                        data to detect trends, new problems,     EOTC/BTP&D, State Police, local police,  
                                        and possible countermeasures. Apply the  MDPH, RMV, and GHSB.                     
                                        same process to certain local                                                     
                                        jurisdictions where there is                                                      
                                        considerable bicycling.  Encourage                                                
                                        local agencies to use accident typing                                             
                                        techniques to further enrich the data.                                            
                                                                                                                          
                                        1c. Supplement accident data with                                                 
                                        hospital injury data. Highway                                                     
                                        departments generally rely on                                                     
                                        police-reported motor vehicle accident                                            
                                        data for information on roadway safety.                                           
                                        However, a majority of bicyclists'                                                
                                        injuries result from falls or other                                               
                                        non-collisions that do not involve a                                              
                                        motor vehicle. To better understand the                                           
                                        safety needs of these bicyclists,                                                 
                                        examine hospital discharge data and                                               
                                        track them along with the statewide                                               
                                        accident data. Hospital data can also                                             
                                        be used to evaluate the effectiveness                                             
                                        of state and local safety and helmet                                              
                                        promotion activities.                                                             
                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Use of Bicycle Accident and Injury Data (continued)              




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. Bicycle injury and bicycle-motor     1d. Implement GIS techniques as          BTP&D, State Police, local police,       
vehicle accident data should be         appropriate, to track bicycle accident   MDPH, RMV, and GHSB.                     
examined at both the state and local    locations and injury severity.                                                    
levels to identify needs and help                                                                                         
guide countermeasure and program        1e. Provide training related to          BTP&D, State Police, local police,       
development. The data may also be used  accident reconstruction and typology.    MDPH, RMV, and GHSB.                     
for program evaluation.                                                                                                   

                                        .                                                                                 

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicyclist Safety:  Communication and Networking                  




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. Currently many agencies are engaged  1a. Update and widely disseminate the    GHSB, MDPH, MBSA, and EOTC/BTP&D         
in bicycle safety education and         Bicycle Safety Resource Kit developed                                             
enforcement activities in               by MDPH.  The update should include the                                           
Massachusetts. They include the         latest information on key agencies,                                               
Governor's Highway Safety Bureau,       organizations, and individuals engaged                                            
Massachusetts Department of Public      in bicycle safety activities, and be                                              
Health / Injury Prevention and Control  made available "on-line" so that it can                                           
Program, the Bicycle Safety Alliance,   be easily modified and expanded.         GHSB, MDPH, MBSA, and EOTC/BTP&D         
and a variety of local agencies and                                                                                       
programs.  There is clearly a need to   1b. Establish an on-line user group for                                           
facilitate timely communication and     quick and easy sharing of bicycle                                                 
sharing among these various groups, to  safety information. GHSB is developing                                            
benefit from each other's experiences   a Web site that will include bicycle                                              
and expertise as well as to pool        safety information.  The user group                                               
resources and talents. The Bicycle      might be modeled after the Bicycle                                                
Safety Alliance has fulfilled this      Coalition of Massachusetts' on-line                                               
role in the past, but additional        group, and used for (a) describing new                                            
resources may be needed to expand its   programs, activities or materials, (b)                                            
activities.                             announcing upcoming meetings,            GHSB, MDPH, MBSA, and EOTC/BTP&D         
                                        conferences, or other events of                                                   
                                        interest, (c) providing updates on                                                
                                        pertinent legislation, (d) posing                                                 
                                        questions for others in the group to                                              
                                        answer, (e) identifying funding                                                   
                                        opportunities, (f) seeking                                                        
                                        collaborators.                                                                    
                                                                                                                          
                                        1c. Host an annual bicycle safety                                                 
                                        conference to facilitate networking and                                           
                                        sharing of ideas and programs.                                                    

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicyclist Safety:  Program Coordination and Leadership           




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. There is no single focal point for   1. Several approaches can be taken to    Massachusetts General Court, Governor's  
bicycle safety education and            improve overall program coordination     Office, GHSB, MDPH, MBSA, and BTP&D      
enforcement activities in the state,    and leadership. One approach is to                                                
nor an individual advocate at the       formalize and expand the role already                                             
state level responsible solely for      being played by the Massachusetts                                                 
bicycle safety. At both the Governor's  Bicycle Safety Alliance. The Alliance                                             
Highway Safety Bureau (GHSB) and the    could have a paid director able to work                                           
Massachusetts Department of Public      full-time on bicycle safety issues.                                               
Health (MDPH), bicycle safety is one    This person would be responsible for                                              
of many other program areas. There is   coordinating bicycle safety activities                                            
a need for a more defined focus to the  by the Governor's Highway Safety                                                  
state's bicycle safety activities,      Bureau, Department of Public Health,                                              
with leadership that can provide        and others, and would provide overall                                             
longevity and continuity to its many    leadership, direction, and continuity                                             
bicycle safety programs.                to the program.                                                                   

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicycle Facility Design                                          




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. There is a need for uniform          1a. Continue to recognize the Guide for  MassHighway/BTP&D and other state and    
guidance in the design of bicycle       the Development of Bicycle Facilities    local agencies                           
facilities.                             (AASHTO, 1991) as "the primary design                                             
                                        reference for designing bikeways".                                                
                                        This document is in the process of                                                
                                        being revised.  When the new Guide is                                             
                                        available, obtain copies and distribute                                           
                                        to all town/city engineers and public                                             
                                        works departments, as was done with the                                           
                                        1991 Guide.                                                                       

                                                                                                                          

                                        1b. Continue to incorporate bicycle      BTP&D                                    
                                        facility design guidance, into the                                                
                                        MassHighway Design Manual,.                                                       

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicycle Facility Design (continued)                              




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

2. Most actuated traffic signal         2. MassHighway and others should adopt   MassHighway/BTP&D, MDC, cities, towns,   
systems in the Commonwealth do not      standards for the detection of bicycles  and other appropriate agencies           
detect bicycles.  When no motor         by actuated traffic signal systems.                                               
vehicles are present at a leg of an                                              MassHighway/BTP&D, municipalities, and   
intersection where a bicyclist is                                                other agencies who own and operate       
waiting, the traffic signal is not                                               traffic signals on public ways in the    
actuated.  The bicyclist choices are                                             Commonwealth.                            
to wait for a motor vehicle to arrive                                                                                     
to actuate the signal or to run the                                                                                       
light.  This situation is inconsistent                                                                                    
with Massachusetts General Laws which                                                                                     
recognize bicycles as vehicles and                                                                                        
afford bicyclists the same rights as                                                                                      
motorists.                                                                                                                

3. The AASHTO Guide notes that bridges  3. Provide appropriate treatments to     MassHighway/BTP&D, MDC, local            
can serve an important function by      improve bicycle travel across bridges.   Departments of Public Works, and other   
providing bicycle access across         Such treatments may initially include    agencies with bridge                     
barriers.  Some bridge features,        signs to alert bicyclists to surface     design/construction/maintenance          
however, may be unsuitable for          conditions.  Other longer term           responsibility.                          
bicyclists; these are, according to     treatments may include:  retrofitting                                             
AASHTO, "open grated metal decks found  existing bridges to improve surface                                               
on many movable spans" and "certain     conditions for bicycling; and bridge                                              
types of expansion joints that may      construction and reconstruction                                                   
cause bicycle steering difficulties."   projects that incorporate surfaces more                                           
                                        compatible with bicycle travel,                                                   
                                        specifically in bicycle travel paths,                                             
                                        and provision of greater operating                                                
                                        space.                                                                            

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Construction and Maintenance Practices                           




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

1. Bicycles need to be accommodated in  1. Develop bicycle-oriented              State agencies, utility companies,       
construction areas.                     construction criteria.                   cities and towns, state and local        
                                                                                 police, bicycle organizations            

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

2. Provide appropriate signing and      2. Use wet skid-resistant  pavement      MassHighway, MDC, other state agencies,  
striping during construction and as     markings.                                cities, towns, and others involved in    
part of ongoing maintenance.                                                     signing and striping.                    

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

3. The needs of all transporttation     3a. Continue current grate replacement   State, local, and other roadway/bicycle  
modes, including bicyclists, should be  program to incorporate bicycle-safe      path maintenance agencies.               
accommodated in sweeping and drainage   grates.  Ensure proper cleaning of                                                
maintenance policies and practices.     catch basins to reduce the formation of                                           
                                        standing water and surface                                                        
                                        irregularities.                                                                   

                                                                                                                          

                                        3b. Provide proper vertical and          State, local, and other roadway/bicycle  
                                        horizontal clearances.  Trim vegetation  path maintenance agencies.               
                                        to provide visibility of signs, sight                                             
                                        lines, and lateral space adjacent to                                              
                                        facilities.                                                                       

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

4. Improved railroad crossings can      4. Encourage railroad and other          Railroads, state and local roadway       
better accommodate bicycles.            personnel to consider bicycle use in     agencies                                 
                                        design/maintenance of railroad                                                    
                                        crossings.  Provide design guidance on                                            
                                        railroad crossing treatments to                                                   
                                        accommodate bicycles.                                                             

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Tourism                                                          




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          
1. Bicycle tourism is a source of       1a. Continue to update, print and        MOTT, RTCs, the tourism industry,        
substantial revenue in several states.  distribute State Bicycle Map.            cities, towns, chambers of commerce,     
 The industry is developing in                                                   and others.                              
Massachusetts, and there are a few                                                                                        
companies which are realizing part of   1b. Develop a multipage brochure as a    MOTT, RTCs, the tourism industry,        
the business potential of bicycling.    companion piece to the State Bicycle     cities, towns, chambers of commerce,     
Other businesses outside the state are  Map that is oriented to the needs and    and others.                              
also involved in bicycle tourism in     interests of the bicycle tourist.  The                                            
Massachusetts.  Developing a stronger   brochure could include information on                                             
bicycle tourism business within the     lodging, bicycle attractions and tour                                             
state would increase revenues realized  operators in each region, and bicycling                                           
by the Commonwealth.                    safety.  It could also incorporate                                                
                                        information already available from                                                
State tourism promotion offices in      several regional tourist councils                                                 
other states have developed materials,  (RTCs) on bicycling and other outdoor                                             
programs and organizations for          activities in their region.                                                       
marketing bicycling attractions         Massachusetts geographically is a                                                 
throughout the state.  Other states     relatively small state, and different                                             
have also developed non-profit          regions can be visited during the time                                            
organizations, sponsored by businesses  period of a typical vacation.  This                                               
and other organizations, which          publication could highlight the major    MOTT, RTCs, the tourism industry,        
promotes bicycling and tourism in the   bicycling attractions in the state,      cities, towns, chambers of commerce,     
state. MOTT can play a prominent role   without requiring a vacationer to        and others.                              
in increasing the visibility of         contact several separate RTCs for                                                 
Massachusetts as a bicycle tourism      information.                                                                      
destination and in capturing the                                                                                          
revenue that it offers.  These          1c. Continue to feature bicycling in                                              
promotion efforts could attract         existing tourism promotions and                                                   
funding from bicycle shops, tour        publications.                                                                     
operators, lodging, and other                                                                                             
businesses which stand to gain from                                                                                       
more bicycle tourists coming to                                                                                           
Massachusetts.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Bicycle Promotion                                                




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. Bicycling is a highly efficient      The promotion of bicycling entails a                                              
means of transportation, has air        comprehensive program that addresses                                              
quality benefits, and offers healthy,   facility needs, safety education and                                              
enjoyable activity for people of all    law enforcement, as well as                                                       
ages. The National Bicycling and        encouragement. The recommendations                                                
Walking Study has set a goal of         below relate to areas not already                                                 
doubling the percentage of trips made   covered elsewhere.                       MassHighway, EOEA, DEP, DEM, RPAs/MPOs,  
by bicycling and walking, at the same                                            other state agencies with                
time reducing by 10 percent the number  1a. Continue to work with local          transportation and air quality           
of bicyclists and pedestrians killed    communities, businesses, academic        responsibilities, CARAVAN, TMAs, Smart   
and injured in traffic crashes. To      institutions or other agencies and       Routes, RTAs, the BayState Roads         
support this goal, Massachusetts will   organizations to sponsor and promote     Program, cities and towns.               
need to carry out its own statewide     bicycle to work days, community bicycle                                           
effort to make bicycling a more         rides, and other events to attract and                                            
attractive transportation option for    encourage new bicyclists.                MassHighway, EOEA, DEP, DEM, RPAs/MPOs,  
more of its people.                                                              other state agencies with                
                                        1b. Continue to produce state, regional  transportation and air quality           
                                        and local bicycle maps to help           responsibilities, CARAVAN, TMAs, Smart   
                                        bicyclists identify suitable routes for  Routes, RTAs, the BayState Roads         
                                        bicycling to desired destinations.       Program, cities and towns.               
                                                                                 MassHighway, EOEA, DEP, DEM, RPAs/MPOs,  
                                        1c. Consider developing a statewide      other state agencies with                
                                        multi-media campaign promoting           transportation and air quality           
                                        bicycling. This might be linked to       responsibilities, CARAVAN, TMAs, Smart   
                                        other efforts, such as a                 Routes, RTAs, the BayState Roads         
                                        "Share-the-Road" campaign.               Program, cities and towns.               

                                        1d. Encourage designation of             MassHighway Districts, RPAs/MPOs,        
                                        MassHighway District, regional, and      cities, and towns                        
                                        local agency bicycling contacts, and                                              
                                        the establishment of regional and local                                           
                                        bicycle advisory committees.                                                      

                                        1e. Access existing and/or develop best  MassHighway, DEM, GHSB, MDPH, BayState   
                                        practices publications covering 4E       Roads Program, and others                
                                        activities (education, enforcement,                                               
                                        encouragement, and engineering,) of                                               
                                        potential value and application to                                                
                                        state, regional, local, and other                                                 
                                        agencies.                                                                         

                                                                                                                          

                                        1f. Develop a Clean Air/Bike-to-Transit  EOEA, RTAs, RPAs/MPOs, TMAs, cities and  
                                        pilot program, emphasizing reduced cold  towns.                                   
                                        starts.  Evaluate and expand as                                                   
                                        appropriate.                                                                      



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Transit and Multimodal Connections                               




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. There is an opportunity to increase  1a. Assess primary roadways leading to   EOTC, RTAs, all agencies who own and     
both bicycle and transit use by         transit stations and stops and other     maintain public roads that provide       
improvements in three primary areas:    multimodal facilities, and where         links to transit centers, Massport, and  
                                        appropriate, improve roadways to better  Mass Aeronautics                         
bicycle access to transit stations and  accommodate bicycles.  Ensure that new                                            
stops                                   roadways leading to transit stations                                              
bicycle parking at transit stations     and other multimodal facilities are                                               
and stops and                           designed to accommodate bicycles.        EOTC, RTAs and all agencies that         
conveyance of bicycles on transit                                                construct, own, or maintain bikeways.    
vehicles                                1b. Ensure that all new bikeways and                                              
                                        transit centers provide connections                                               
 An increase in bicycling and transit   between these facilities.  Improve       EOTC, RTAs, RPAs, cities and towns       
use will advance broader goals of the   connections between existing bikeways                                             
Commonwealth, including improved air    and transit/multimodal centers.                                                   
quality, personal mobility, and                                                                                           
quality of life.                        1c. Provide/update inventories of                                                 
                                        bicycle parking facilities at all                                                 
 There are also opportunities to        transit centers and major bus stops.                                              
improve bicycle linkage with other      Survey the numbers of bicycles parked                                             
modes and modal centers.  These modes   at or near these facilities during peak                                           
include commuter ferries and other      periods of bicycle use.  Assess the                                               
maritime services, and                  demand for bicycle parking at these                                               
airports/airlines.  Multimodal sites    facilities based on existing use data                                             
include park and ride lots, and         and an evaluation of potential demand.                                            
existing and proposed multimodal                                                                                          
centers, such as South Station in                                                                                         
Boston.                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                          

                                        1d. Install additional bicycle parking   EOTC, RTAs, RPAs, local police, cities   
                                        facilities at transit centers and major  and towns                                
                                        bus stops based on demand.  At transit                                            
                                        centers such as commuter rail and                                                 
                                        subway stations, provide bicycle racks                                            
                                        in secure and convenient locations.                                               
                                        Bicycle lockers should be considered                                              
                                        especially at locations that are not                                              
                                        continuously populated.  Large covered,                                           
                                        secured bicycle parking facilities may                                            
                                        be more appropriate where warranted.                                              

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                          



MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS


Program Area:   Transit and Multimodal Connections (continued)                   




                                                                                                                          
           OPPORTUNITY/NEED                          RECOMMENDATION                         PROPOSED AGENCIES             

                                                                                                                          

1. There is an opportunity to increase  1e. Provide safe, secure, and adequate   MassHighway, RTAs, RPAs, Massport,       
bicycle use for transportation by       bicycle parking facilities at            Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, and    
improving bicycle parking at            park-and-ride lots, airports, and other  others                                   
multimodal facilities.  TDM and         multimodal facilities.                                                            
Enhancement funding may be applicable                                                                                     
to such improvements.                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                          

2. Increase security at multimodal      2. Increase monitoring of parking sites  RTAs, RPAs, local police, cities and     
sites.                                  to reduce vandalism and theft.  Locate   towns                                    
                                        parking facilities to increase                                                    
                                        surveillance.                                                                     

                                                                                                                          

3. There is an opportunity to increase  3a. Continue to increase the             MBTA                                     
both bicycle and transit use by         convenience of transporting bicycles on                                           
improvements in conveyance of bicycles  trains as was done on October 1, 1996,                                            
on transit vehicles.                    when the MBTA expanded the number of                                              
                                        outlets for obtaining "Bikes on the T"                                            
                                        permits and hours when bicycles are      AMTRAK and private bus companies         
                                        allowed on trains.                                                                
                                                                                                                          
                                        3b. Encourage increased convenience of   RTAs                                     
                                        transporting bicycles on Amtrak trains                                            
                                        and on private buses.                                                             
                                                                                                                          
                                        3c. Increase the number of RTA buses     Ferry and other maritime operators       
                                        equipped with bicycle racks, using as a                                           
                                        model programs implemented by the                                                 
                                        Nantucket RTA and the Pioneer Valley                                              
                                        Transit Authority.                                                                
                                                                                                                          
                                        3d. Increase the convenience of                                                   
                                        transporting bicycles on ferries and                                              
                                        other maritime services                                                           

                                                                                                                          

                                        3e. Investigate potential adaptation of  RTAs, other transit, and ferry           
                                        existing rolling stock and other         operators                                
                                        equipment to better accommodate bicycle                                           
                                        conveyance.                                                                       

                                                                                                                          

                                        3f. Assess bicycle/transit usage on a    Responsible agencies                     
                                        regular basis to determine how system                                             
                                        improvements can be provided.