BikePortland

New FHWA rules give engineers more tools for bike traffic

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Shared-lane markings, like
this one in San Francisco, are
now officially recognized by
the FHWA.
(Photo © J. Maus)

This morning the Federal Highway Administration released a 135-page comprehensive update to their Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), a standards guide that has driven (pun intended) the design of traffic controls in America for over three decades.

In a press statement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the updates — the first major changes since 2003 — where part of a “continuing effort to improve safety on the nation’s roads and bridges”. Several of the new updates will make it easier for city traffic engineers across the country to implement signs, signals, and markings that improve conditions for biking and walking.

Some of the key changes to the MUTCD that benefit bike and foot traffic are:

News Release from: Portland Police Bureau
PORTLAND POLICE HAND OUT BICYCLES FOR HOLIDAYS
Posted: December 16th, 2009 9:12 AM

On Friday, December 18, 2009, Portland Police Officers will be distributing donated bicycles at Clarendon-Portsmouth Elementary School at 2:00 p.m. Commissioner Dan Salztman will also be there to support the kids and cops as the children receive bicycles donated by community organizer, David Yandell, and NW Natural Gas.

Officers will also be assisting kids with helmet fittings so that everyone can have a safe holiday season.

Officers will be available for media interviews at the school. the school is located at 5103 N. Willis Blvd.

Newswire: FHWA Revises Rules to Make Highways Safer

[Stay tuned for a Front Page story this within the hour. — Jonathan]

Federal Highway Administration Revises Rules to Make Highways Safer
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Calls Updates Needed and Welcome

WASHINGTON – As part of his continuing effort to improve safety on the nation’s roads and bridges, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released a comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The manual, which has been administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since 1971, sets the standards for road safety throughout the country.

“Safety is this Department’s top priority,” said Secretary LaHood. “These new and updated standards will help make our nation’s roads and bridges safer for drivers, construction workers and pedestrians alike.”

The MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic control devices, including traffic signs, pavement markings, signals and any other devices used to regulate, warn or guide traffic. Ensuring uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation – from their messages and placement to their sizes, shapes and colors – helps to reduce crashes and traffic congestion. This is the first comprehensive update to the manual since 2003.

The MUTCD’s 2009 edition features many new and updated requirements, ranging from changes in highway signs and bike lanes to the color of high-visibility garments worn by road workers. Most changes are a result of extensive research; however, seven changes stem from recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board. This is the largest number of NTSB recommendations adopted by the MUTCD at one time.

“Adopting the lessons learned in recent years will help make roads safer for everyone,” said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.

By requiring better pavement markings which can increase bike lane safety, and extending walk times for pedestrians at crosswalks, the updated MUTCD furthers the “complete streets” concept – an effort long championed by the FHWA to ensure roads accommodate all types of travel, not just automobiles.

Among the other new provisions in the MUTCD:

• Replacing highway signs with brighter, larger and more legible ones that are easier to understand at freeway speeds. States will begin using the newer signs as existing ones wear out.

• Adding different lane markings for lanes that do not continue beyond an intersection or interchange to give drivers more warning that they need to move out of the lane if they don’t intend to turn.

• Expanding the use of flashing yellow arrow signals at some intersections to give a clearer indication that drivers can turn left after yielding to any opposing traffic.

• Changing the formula used to calculate crosswalk times to give walkers more time.

• Identifying electronic toll collection lanes with purple signs – the first time purple has been sanctioned for use on highway signs.

• Adding overhead lane-use control signs to reduce confusion among drivers in unfamiliar multi-lane roadways.

For an overview of the new rules and recommendations, visit http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

BTA board gets an earful at annual meeting

BTA Board Chair Mary Roberts addresses
members at annual meeting last night.
(Photos © Adams Carroll)

At their annual meeting last night, Bicycle Transportation Alliance staff and board members shared a recap of 2009 and laid out goals for 2010. The night was also marked by an airing of grievances by several veteran members who were not satisfied with how the BTA handled the firing of their former executive director Scott Bricker.

About 60 members showed up to the meeting, which was held at a pub in Northwest Portland. The event began with updates on the BTA’s work from staff members.

The Steering Committee hopes the
plan stays on course.
(Photo © J. Maus)

It’s been about a month since we last checked in with the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030. The plan is slated to be adopted by City Council on February 4th (at 2:00 pm) — a change just made yesterday (to accomodate Mayor Sam Adams’ schedule, so make note of it). But before the plan is ready for prime-time, the City’s Bureau of Transportation still has some work to do. Meanwhile, advocates and business interests are getting their talking points in order.

Project manager Ellen Vanderslice told us today that they’re finalizing changes to the plan with hopes of having a “final draft plan” by the beginning of next week. In addition, Vanderslice says they’ll prepare a detailed report that lists and addresses the 300 or so public comments they’ve received on the plan. In the meantime, PBOT staffers are busy reaching out to various community groups to add to the long list of supporters.

Cycle Oregon Day 5 - Glendale to Grants Pass-14

Collin Roughton got some training
miles in during this year’s
Cycle Oregon.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Portland residents Ashley Mitchell and Collin Roughton are making last minute preparations for a 5,080 mile, cross-country bike ride to raise money for two local non-profits.

Ashley, 26, and Collin, 25, work together at the Community Cycling Center (Ashley is also a mechanic at Citybikes). They’ve launched a website for their Money for Miles Campaign with hopes of raising $5,080 (buck a mile, get it?) for the Coalition for a Livable Future and Bike Farm.

Ashley says everyone who supports their trip will get a postcard (with an awesome manatee-rainbow design, see below) and will be listed on their website.

“…the City of Portland is 450,000 people. It’s a homogeneous community that is very white… We are a very diverse, disjointed city of 4 million people… So we’re a step behind Portland in what we’re trying to do.”
— Michelle Mowery, bicycle coordinator for the City of Los Angeles

We’ve discussed how race relates (or doesn’t) to bicycling on several occasions in the past here on BikePortland, but a story out of Los Angeles takes the conversation in an entirely new direction.

According to “LA’s hyper opinionated bicycle blog” Westside Bikeside, the bicycle coordinator for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation made some interesting comments at a City Council Transportation Committee meeting last week.

Kids learn the ropes during a bike
safety class in
Southeast Portland.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Safe Routes National Partnership has just released a new report detailing how five communities around the country — including Portland — have used Safe Routes to Schools programs to create safer walking and biking environments.

Titled Safe Routes to School: Putting Traffic Safety First (PDF), the report details how communities from Florida to California are participating in encouragement programs and making safety improvements that are affordable yet have “profound effects on keeping children safe while also improving physical health and the environment.”

At their annual meeting tonight in Northwest Portland the Bicycle Transportation Alliance will have a lot of questions to answer. Almost a month after they fired their executive director and several months into a re-structuring of their organization, the BTA is undergoing an unprecedented amount of change.

As we reported last month, Bricker was the eighth BTA staffer let go in 2009. In that story, we wrote:

Year: 2008
Brand: Specialized
Model: Rockhopper 29er
Color:gold/beige
Size:17
Serial: P7HB10015
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2009-11-29
Stolen From: Kearney and 9th Ave. Stolen from the buildings bike room.
Neighborhood: The Pearl
Owner: Stephen Morgan
OwnerEmail: stephenbrucemorgan@yahoo.com
Reward: $200
Description: I have a 17 in 2008 beige/gold Specialized Rockhopper 29er.
Police record with: 09105044
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Red/White/Black Fuji Cross Pro 2009

Year: 2009
Brand: Fuji
Model: Cross Pro
Color:Red/White/Black
Size:58 CM
Photo: http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4793/picture1pb.png
Stolen in Portland, OR 97221
Stolen:2009-12-14
Stolen From: Stolen From: SW 42nd Avenue, Portland
Major Cross Street is Beaverton Hillsdale HWY. Other would be Kanan St or Cullen St
Neighborhood: Multnomah Village/Hillsdale
Owner: JIm Anderson
OwnerEmail: jim-anderson@comcast.net
Description: 2009 Fuji Cross Pro Cyclo Cross Bike

Owner: Jim Anderson
jim-anderson@comcast.net
503-975-8229

Stolen between 5:45 PM – 7 PM, December 14, 2009.

PHOTOS:

Unique:
Road Tires, Full Fenders, Black Saddle, Gray Bar Tape.

Color(s) Fuji Red/White
Main frame A-6 Quaternary phase alloy, custom butted and shaped with PowerDiamond down tube, integrated head tube, Double water bottle mounts
Rear triangle Fuji custom butted and tapered 6000 series aluminum, Fuji forged road dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork FC-770 Fuji Bonded Carbon Cross w/ 1 1/8″ Al Steerer
Crankset FSA Gossamer Cross MegaExo w/ Integrated spindle, 7075 CNC 36/46T Chainring
Bottom bracket FSA MegaExo Exterior Sealed Cartridge Bearing System
Pedals Nil
Front derailleur Shimano Ultegra, 31.8mm
Rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra SL
Shifters Shimano Ultegra shifter/brake, 20-speed Flight Deck compatible
Cassette Shimano Ultegra, 12-25T 10speed
Chain KMC DX10
Wheelset Mavic Aksium Race, 700c clincher
Tires Vitorria
Brake levers Shimano Ultegra STI
Headset Tange IS-24 1 1/8″ Integrated Road
Handlebar Ritchey Logic Pro, 31.8mm Double Butted 6061 Aluminum
Stem Ritchey Logic Pro, +/-6 degree
Seat post Ritchey Logic Pro, 300mm
Police record with: Portland Police Department
Police reference#: 09-111115
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Gloss Silver/Black Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 29er 2009

Year: 2009
Brand: Specialized
Model: Stumpjumper Comp 29er
Color:Gloss Silver/Black
Size:21 inch
Serial: M8LK64996
Photo: http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2427/919390sjhtcomp29silverl.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97221
Stolen:2009-12-14
Stolen From: SW 42nd Avenue, Portland
Major Cross Street is Beaverton Hillsdale HWY. Other would be Kanan St or Cullen St
Neighborhood: Multnomah Village/Hillsdale
Owner: Jim Anderson
OwnerEmail: jim-anderson@comcast.net
Description: 2009 Stumpjumper Comp 29er
Gloss Silver
Ridden just a few times, clean.
Owner: Jim Anderson
jim-anderson@comcast.net
503-975-8229

Stolen between 5:45 PM – 7 PM, December 14, 2009.
One unique thing is the FIZIK WHITE Saddle.
I have photos of me riding it.

FRAME
SJ HT 29er, M5 manipulated alloy frame, butted ORE DT/TT, shared tube Mono-stay seatstays, forged adjustable dropouts for multi speed or SS, disc only
REAR SHOCK
FORK
Rock Shox Reba SL 29, 80mm of travel, air spring, Motion Control damper, compression and rebound adj. w/ LO
HEADSET
1-1/8″ Threadless, 10mm insertion alloy cups, sealed cartridge bearing
STEM
Specialized adjustable rise, 31.8mm clamp, 3D forged w/ CNC finish
HANDLEBARS
Specialized XC flat 31.8mm, 2014 butted alloy, 6 degree backsweep, 600mm wide
GRIPS
Specialized thin lock on grip (15.5/17″) Specialized Thick lock on grip (all others)
FRONT BRAKE
Custom Avid Elixir R SL, alloy backed organic pads, 160mm rotor
REAR BRAKE
Custom Avid Elixir R SL, alloy backed organic pads, 160mm rotor
BRAKE LEVERS
Custom Avid Elixir R SL Hydraulic, tool-less adj. reach
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano M660 SLX, 34.9mm, clamp top swing, dual pull
REAR DERAILLEUR
SRAM X-9, 9-speed, mid cage
SHIFT LEVERS
SRAM X-7, aluminum 9-speed trigger
CASSETTE
Shimano HG61, 9-speed, 11-34t
CHAIN
SRAM PC-971, 9-speed w/Power Link
CRANKSET
Custom Shimano FC-M542, 15.5″: 170mm, others: 175mm
CHAINRINGS
22S x 32A x 44A, 4-bolt, 104/64mm
BOTTOM BRACKET
Custom Shimano FC-M542
PEDALS
None
RIMS
Custom DT Swiss X470, 29″, 24mm wide, sleeved w/eyelets, 32h
FRONT HUB
Specialized Hi Lo disc, CNC flange, sealed cartridge bearing, 9mm DT RWS, alloy QR, 28h
REAR HUB
Custom Shimano M525 SL, alloy QR, 32h
SPOKES
DT Swiss 1.8mm stainless, black, alloy nipples
FRONT TIRE
S-Works Fast Trak LK, 29×2.0″, 120 TPI, tubeless ready aramid bead, dual compound
REAR TIRE
S-Works Fast Trak LK, 29×2.0″, 120 TPI, tubeless ready aramid bead, dual compound
INNER TUBES
Specialized Ultralight 29×2.0″, presta
SADDLE
FIZIK Aliante WHITE
SEATPOST
2014 butted alloy, single-bolt setback, 30.9×350/400mm
Police record with: Portland Police Department
Police reference#: 09-111115
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

New FHWA rules give engineers more tools for bike traffic

Newswire: Portland Police Hand Out Bicycles For Holidays

Newswire: FHWA Revises Rules to Make Highways Safer

BTA board gets an earful at annual meeting

Bicycle Plan readies for Council as advocates (and others) zero in

Local duo will raise “money for miles” on cross-country bike tour

Portland’s “whiteness” cited as reason for bike-friendliness

New report details safety impact of Safe Routes to School programs

BTA will answer questions, share new vision at annual meeting tonight

gold/beige Specialized Rockhopper 29er 2008

Red/White/Black Fuji Cross Pro 2009

Gloss Silver/Black Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 29er 2009

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