Bicycle Transportation Page: 2
This book is part of the collection entitled: Government Documents General Collection and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
provides the greatest degree of separation between bicycles and other types of
traffic.
Class II: Shared bikeways, or bike lanes, are those in which the right-of-
way is shared with other forms of transportation and the cyclist is protected
from conflicts either through pavement signing or physical barriers. This bike
route is the most common type of bikeway used in American communities.
Class III: Bike routes are those in which the right-of-way is shared by the
cyclist and other vehicles and are designated by signing only. This bikeway is
the least desirable of the three from the standpoint of safety. However, a
class III bikeway provides safer conditions for the cyclist than no bikeway at
all.
Bicycle theft is a major problem, having increased 30 percent in 1971 alone.
Last year an estimated half million bicycles were stolen. Thieves are encouraged
by the fact that stolen bicycles are hard to identify and have resale values of $40
to $300.
Because cyclists usually must use road and highway rights-of-way, they are
exposed to excessive levels of automobile generated pollutants, primarily carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons, lead, and asbestos particulates. In addition, the cyclist
takes in larger quantities of these pollutants due to his elevated respiration rate.
Medical evidence indicates that such exposure might increase the likelihood of
respiratory diseases.
The above problems could be greatly reduced through better support facilities,
both segregated bikeways and secure parking arrangements. In addition, such
facilities would further promote bicycle use by improving the convenience of this
mode of transportation. Indeed a major development would be to integrate the
bicycle mode with mass transit through parking facilities designed to provide a
"feeder" function.
A preliminary analysis by EPA suggests that increased use of bicycles in
urban commuting could reduce auto vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) by 2 to 3
percent, and perhaps even more in those cities for which EPA has proposed very
strict transportation controls. Furthermore, because of the low average speeds
by the auto involved in the short trips and the potential high cost of driving,
further research might show a much higher percentage of VMT reduction, result-
ing in increased amounts of gasoline savings and auto emissions reductions. Other
environmental benefits include reduction of noise and congestion.
The Federal Government is beginning to recognize bicycles as a viable form of
transportation. In the past, Government has generally viewed the bicycle as a
recreational vehicle rather than from a broader environmental and societal per-
spective. Since 1971, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been the
leader in promoting the bicycle. DOT has allowed States to fund bikeways
along federally funded roads with money from the highway trust funds. The
new Federal-Aid to Highway Act of 1973 authorizes $120 million of trust fund
monies to be used for bikeway construction over the next 3 years.
Other significant Federal agency activities are also underway. The Bureau of
Outdoor Recreation and National Park Service are presently building limited2
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Dougherty, Nina & Lawrence, William. Bicycle Transportation, book, December 1974; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc799661/m1/8/: accessed April 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.