Joseph Cutrufo reports on a bill under consideration in the Connecticut State Legislature that would clear the way for the construction of bike infrastructure that matches the state's complete streets ambitions.
Connecticut's statewide complete streets policy often encounters an obstacle when local jurisdictions act to implement protected bike lanes, contra-flow lanes, or bike lanes on the left side of one-way streets. The problem is the precedent set by a state statute, Section 14-286b, which states: "Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable." According to Joseph Cutrufo, " The wording of Section 14-286b has stymied efforts to bring 21st century transportation infrastructure to cities and towns across Connecticut, including plans to install a two-way cycle track in New Haven."
So state legislators have responded to local concerns by authoring Bill No. 502, also known as "the bike bill." According to Cutrufo the bike bill "creates new exceptions to the state’s ride-to-the-right regulation: one which says people on bikes may 'ride as near to the left-hand curb or edge of' one way streets, and another which permits 'riding on parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, including, but not limited to, counter-flow bicycle lanes, left-handed cycle tracks on one-way streets and two-way cycle tracks.'
The article includes more details about the bike bill, including a detail about its advocacy for the Connecticut Department of Transportation to officially recognize the National Association of City Transportation Officials' Urban Street Design Guide and Urban Bikeway Design Guide.
FULL STORY: “Bike Bill” Would Pave the Way for 21st Century Bike Infrastructure in Connecticut
Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
A Troubling Trend of Backlash to Bike Lanes
Some cities are going so far as to rip out protected bike infrastructure that took years of advocacy to build.
Austin Outlaws Blocking Bike Lanes
Drivers who park in bike lanes will receive citations of up to $300.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Study Links Covid and Poor Driving
The effects of the virus, including ‘brain fog,’ can make driving more difficult and dangerous.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service