I mentioned South San Francisco”s efforts to develop a comprehensive bicycle plan to Dan Gutierrez earlier today and we agreed that the plan should not only identify bicycle facilities, but also improvements on shared roadways such as:

1. Retrofitting existing traffic actuated signals to either detect bicycles per the new performance standard for new and modified traffic actuated signals <http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/signdel/policy/09-06.pdf> or, at the very least, to adjust the sensitivity of the detectors and provide Bicycle Detector Symbols <http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/mutcdsupp/pdf/camutcd/CAMUTCD-Part9.pdf> to tell bicyclists where to stop in order to be detected;

2. Address high-speed dual-destination travel lanes at interchanges and other locations <http://www.vta.org/schedules/bikeways_program.html>;

3. Make sure that all construction projects address bicyclists, per Part 6 of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices <http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/mutcdsupp/pdf/camutcd/CAMUTCD-Part6.pdf>;

4. Apply to the California Traffic Control Devices Committee for permission to use Bikes May Use Full Lane Signs as proposed for the national MUTCD;

5. Install signs informing bicyclists to merge left into the adjacent travel lane where a paved shoulder or bike lane ends;

6. Replace any drain grates that can catch a bicycle wheel and make sure that no new ones are installed;

7. Recognize that the provisions relating to bicycles in the Caltrans Highway Design Manual <http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/oppd/hdm/hdmtoc.htm> are mandatory for the City and that these provisions are not limited to bikeways;

8. Recognize that all traffic control devices for bicyclists must conform to the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices <http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/mutcdsupp/ca_mutcd.htm>;

9. Make sure that all pavement surfaces open to bicycle travel meet the minimum requirements in Table 1003.6 of the Highway Design Manual <http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/oppd/hdm/pdf/english/chp1000.pdf>;

10. Maintain roads so that they have a minimum of debris, cracks, etc., that negatively impact bicycle travel;

11. Mandate secure bicycle parking in the zoning code and make sure that the City apply for funds to assist businesses in providing bicycle parking;

12. Review City ordinances and resolutions to make sure that none conflicts with the California Vehicle Code, which is not allowed per CVC 21 <http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/genprov/vc21.htm>;

13. Make sure that City policies are consistent with the Equity Statement of the League of American Bicyclists <http://www.bikeleague.org/images/equity_statement_1-05-09.pdf>. In particular, make sure that all 6 E’s are addressed: equality, engineering, education, enforcement, encouragement and evaluation; and

14. Develop educational material for law enforcement officers and judges regarding the rights and duties of cyclists. Here’s the SFPD training video: <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=633000022378125749#> and here is a video on the rights and duties of cyclists that Dan co-produced: <http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4989479/13278120>.

I am cc’ing both CABOforum and the bicycle coordinator for Caltrans because the items listed should really be in any bicycle plan from any jurisdiction in the State.

Bob Shanteau
Transportation Engineering Liaison
California Association of Bicycling Organizations