copyright 1996, Tracy-Williams Consulting
Bicycle Planning and Program Development
Success in bicycle planning and program development is
based on three somewhat contrasting but ultimately complementary ideas.
1. The first is that the best bicycle planning approach is a comprehensive
and cooperative one that combines work in at least these four areas:
Planning and design:
Modifying the transportation system to encourage safe and convenient
bicycling.
Encouragement: Working to raise
society's awareness of the benefits of bicycling and the rights of riders.
Education and awareness: Training
and encouraging bicyclists and motorists to share the road network in a
safe and cooperative manner.
STILL TO COME:
Enforcement: Making rules that treat bicyclists
and motorists fairly and working to make sure the laws are enforced.
In the early days of developing such comprehensive bicycle plans, planners
and advocates often thought it was enough to simply list the duties of all
sorts of agencies and groups who should be doing something for
bicycling. However, if those agencies and groups didn't help create the
plan, they weren't likely to implement it. The best efforts directly involve
people from the various agencies and groups. Interestingly enough, some
of the best work was done in Australia, beginning with early work in Geelong,
Victoria.
2. The second idea is that useful do-able projects can often make a difference,
even in the absence of a shared overall vision or plan. In other words,
if you can get decent bike parking at the local university, go for it. If
you can get a key section of trail built, do it. These projects can, if
done well, generate interest in further efforts, creating that shared vision
in the most direct manner: by creating a constituency and a history.
For years, bicycle advocates and local officials have surprised their friends
and colleagues by created a wide variety of wonderful little projects that,
in their own way, further a bicycling agenda. Here are 35 of most interesting
little projects we've seen:
[Note: watch for more details on this list in the
near future...]
3. Third, for the best results, bicycle planning and program work must
be integrated into the overall transportation planning and design process,
as well as relevant programs, policies, and standards. Given the choice
between replacing one specific dangerous drain grate with a bicycle-safe
model and setting a policy to use only bicycle-safe grates whenever grates
are needed, the latter is best. While the former is often needed, the latter
shifts the bicycling advocate from fighting a rear-guard action to implementing
fundamental change.
References:
- "Geelong Spokesman: an Interview with Jack Sach;" by John
Williams; in Bicycle Forum #9; Winter 1982-3
- National Bicycling and Walking Study Case Study No. 11: Balancing Engineering,
Education, Law Enforcement, and Encouragement in a Local Bicycle/Pedestrian
Program; by John Williams and Kathleen McLaughlin; 1992
Topics for further study:
- How to mix the four "E"s among a variety of governmental
agencies and groups
- The evolution of 4-E programs in the U.S. and Australia
- Mixing the four "E"s within a specific agency with a limited
mission
- Tackling pieces of the puzzle: which to do first?
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