San Marcos Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

May 2015

Acknowledgements This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was prepared for the City of San Marcos under the guidance of: City Traffic Engineer Omar Dayani, P.E., T.E., P.T.O.E. Associate Civil Engineer (Traffic) Linna Zhang, P.E.

Additional input was provided by participants at two community workshops and respondents via the project online survey.

Prepared by KTU+A Planning + Landscape Architecture Mike Singleton, AICP-CTP, ASLA, LEED AP Principal Holloway, ASLA, LEED Green Associate, LCI John Project Manager/Planner Joe Punsalan, GISP, PTP, LCI

Mobility Planners Alison Moss

Transportation engineering support provided by Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers Senior Transportation Engineer KC Yellapu, P.E., T.E., P.T.O.E.

Table of Contents

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Executive Summary

iii

1

Introduction 1

2

Existing Conditions 17

3

Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation 29

4

Methodology 51

5

Recommendations 63

1.1 Scope 1 1.2 Objectives 2 1.3 Study Area 2 1.4 Existing Plans and Policies Summary 4 1.5 Understanding User Needs 7 1.6 Cycling and Walking Benefits 8 1.7 Safe Routes to School 10 1.8 Bicycle State of Practice 12 1.9 Applicable Legislation 15

2.1 Trip Origins and Destinations 18 2.2 Transit Connections 23 2.3 Opportunities and Constraints Summary 26

3.1 Bicycle Infrastructure 29 3.2 Pedestrian Infrastructure 40

4.1 Field Work 51 4.2 Community Input 51 4.3 Safe Routes to School Analysis 53 4.4 Prioritization Process 56 4.5 Safety Analysis Overview 58

5.1 Bicycle Projects 63 5.2 Improvements to Existing Bicycle Facilities 88 5.3 Pedestrian Projects 92 5.4 Other Facilities: Safe Routes to Transit 109 5.5 Goals and Policies 100 5.6 Programs 104

6

Implementation and Funding

121

6.1 Cost Estimates 121 6.2 Potential Funding Sources 124

Appendices A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox App- 1 B: BTA Compliance App - 24

i

Figures

Tables

1

4

Introduction 1: Regional Setting

2

3

43 49 59

5

Recommendations

6

Funding and Implementation

5: Bicycle Projects a: Tier 1 72 b: Tier 2 79 a: Tier 3 86 6: Prioritized SRTS Zones 92

Bicycle and Ped Circulation 10: Existing Bicycle Facilities 11: Missing Sidewalks 12: Pedestrian Facilities 12a-d: Pedestrian Facility Types

5

1: Pedestrian Routes and Conditions 2: Pedestrian Facility Treatments 3/4: Bicycle/Pedestrian Collisions

Existing Conditions 2: Land Use 19 3: Population Density 20 4: Employment Density 21 5: Activity Centers 22 6: Transit Routes and Stops 24 7: Public Transit to Work Density 25 8: Average Daily Vehicle Trips 27 9: Speed Limits 28

3

Methodology

39 41 44 45

Recommendations 13: Bicycle Projects Key Map 14, a-d: Tier 1 Bicycle Projects 15, a-d: Tier 2 Bicycle Projects 16, a-d: Tier 3 Bicycle Projects 17, a-b: Prioritized SRTS Zones

66 67 74 81 93

7: Facility Cost Estimates 123 8: SRTS Zones Cost Estimates 124 9: Funding Sources a: Federal 130 b: State 134 c: Local 135 d: Private 137

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Executive Summary

Why Active Transportation?

Many American cities were built on a foundation of autocentric infrastructure, programs and policies, but many of those same cities are embracing active transportation as never before. Some of them are making minor improvements to support cycling and walking, while others are working hard to undo decades of planning that privileged vehicle throughput and speed above all else.

Reasons to undertake the significant task of retrofitting American cities to make them bicycle and pedestrian friendly include environmental, health and economic benefits. The movement to make cycling and walking viable transportation options is also supported by several recent pieces of California legislation.

Lastly, American cities are embracing cycling and walking in support of becoming places worth visiting and even moving to. Well thought-out bicycle and pedestrian facilities can be an important component of place making and bicycle and pedestrian friendly cities are increasingly seen as desirable places, places chosen by people who have a choice. To stay competitive, American cities must embrace cycling and walking.

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

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Executive Summary Background

Approach and Goals

This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was funded by the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) TDA/ TransNet Active Transportation Grant Program. It addresses the City of San Marcos General Plan mobility element and Climate Action Plan and SANDAG’s Regional Bicycle Plan, and updates San Marcos’ 2005 Bicycle Master Plan, as well as incorporates pedestrian planning. This updated plan also identifies deficiencies and opportunities in the existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities system within San Marcos and in terms of connectivity with adjacent jurisdictions.

This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan will guide design and implementation of infrastructure, programs and policies as San Marcos grows and facilities are planned and sited. The overall approach for this master plan is summarized in the following paragraphs: It is imperative that a “cyclist’s and walker’s perspective” guide bicycle and pedestrian planning. Their unique characteristics, needs and priorities must be taken into account when making facility, policies or program decisions.

Cycling and walking are fundamental component of transportation planning, which addresses bicycle facilities on and off streets, pedestrian facility planning, and modal integration at transit centers and parking facilities.

Planning for cycling and walking should not be focused on any particular facility type so much as it should be focused on the safe and efficient cyclist and walker travel of all ages and abilities, including addressing walkers’ needs where shared use is appropriate. This will generally require both the use of the existing transportation infrastructure and the construction of special facilities for cyclists.

The coexistence of cyclists, walkers and vehicle drivers on roadways requires all are sensitive to and recognize a common set of rules. Training, education and enforcement for all users are as important as physical planning and design.

Facility maintenance, monitoring and performance assessment are critical for ensuring safe and efficient travel for cyclists and walkers. Planning for them is an ongoing process.

Land use and transportation planning should support projects that reduce automobile dependence. This plan acknowledges and supports future land use and population projections with facility and program recommendations to continue to reduce auto reliance.

This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan specifically recommends programs and policies designed to make the San Marcos a more bicycle and pedestrian friendly place and to encourage more residents to ride or walk rather than drive.

Bicycle and pedestrian project selection was informed by a strong Safe Routes to School framework, discussed in subsequent sections. This plan’s emphasis on new facilities, programs and policies reflects the fact that San Marcos has some bicycle lanes and paths in place, and is likely to achieve increased cycling and walking with the implementation of suggested improvements and initiatives. iv

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Significant Findings

Cycling and Walking Benefits

Bicycles can play a significant intra-city travel role since San Marcos is large enough to make cycling convenient, but not so large that destinations are beyond a reasonable riding range. San Marcos is already well served with sidewalks, since providing them has been a routine accommodation policy for decades.

Reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and traffic congestion are community benefits attributable to cycling and walking. Increasing levels of cycling and walking also have positive impacts on local and regional air quality, rider and walker finances and community health.

San Marcos has a mix of flat to hilly terrain and mild weather, which makes regular cycling feasible for most riders. An existing multi-use path (the Inland Rail Trail) paralleling NCTD’s Sprinter rail line already provides a relatively lengthy off-street route more appealing to casual cyclists, but that also supports commuting by bicycle, and is also frequently used by walkers.

While some of San Marcos’ arterials already have bicycle lanes, their posted speed limits and traffic volumes create uncomfortable conditions for many would-be regular cyclists.

In addition, especially within San Marcos’ more recently developed areas, the arterial network’s large blocks are crisscrossed by residential streets that rarely connect across the arterials, impeding cyclist and walker connectivity and forcing them to go out of their way via these high speed, high volume arterials.

Quality facilities, including clear wayfinding and convenient bicycle parking, can make the difference between driving or riding and walking. Support programs can also help to encourage cycling and walking, such as a centralized web portal where users can access information on bicycle and pedestrian facilities, suggested routes, parking, training, classes and other services to make cycling and walking more convenient.

In 2013, the City of San Marcos adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that addresses a range of emissions targets, including the GHG impacts of transportation (see following Figure ES-1 from CAP). Note that transportation contributes the largest portion of GHG emissions compared to other community sectors.

GHG Emissions by Community Sector

This bicycle and pedestrian master plan can be an integral component in achieving desired GHG reduction goals (noted in following Table 3-4 from CAP) by guiding the development of desirable facility improvements and programs that encourage more people to walk and bicycle rather than drive motor vehicles, especially for single occupant, short distance vehicle trips that tend to produce a disproportionate amount of exhaust emissions.

Linking cycling and walking improvements with other mobility modes, such as bus and commuter rail service, enhances the effectiveness of all since some intra-city trips and many commuting trips involve more than one mode. Connections with surrounding communities and the overall region are of paramount importance for enabling bicycle circulation as a viable commuter mode.

Transportation and Land Use GHG Reductions

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Executive Summary Proposed Facilities and Programs

San Marcos has cycling and pedestrian facilities, as well as some complementary programs, but this master plan recommends a significant increase to improve overall, low-stress connectivity, as well as programs and policies to further encourage cycling and walking as regular transportation.

The Safe Routes to School framework inspired both bicycle and pedestrian project recommendations, but was especially important for pedestrian facilities. Pedestrian projects such as missing sidewalks were aggregated into “Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Zones.” These zones were then ranked against one another according to factors described in Chapter 4: Methodology. Missing sidewalks outside of SRTS Zones were still recommended as projects, but at a lower prioritization relative to those within SRTS Zones.

Recommended bicycle facilities were influenced by Safe Routes to School, but reflect the additional goal of providing safe routes to other local and regional attractors. The range of facilities proposed in this plan encompass all three Statedesignated bikeway classes, as well as recommendations for additional facility types already in use elsewhere, including in California. The recommended facility types were chosen as the best solutions to address site-specific conditions in locations across San Marcos. Of the roughly 51 miles of recommended bikeways, 21 are Class 1 multi-use paths, 13 are Class 2 bicycle paths, five are Class 3 bicycle routes and 11 are “bicycle boulevards,” an enhanced version of Class 3 routes described in Chapter 3.

The suburban nature of San Marcos’ roadway network, which lacks a traditional, connected grid, necessitated a number of route recommendations on major arterials. In light of the existing roadway network and best practices, and a strong preference among the majority of people for separation from high volume and high speed vehicular traffic, this plan recommends a significant number of protected bikeway projects, including Class 1 paths and more of San Marcos’ own “urban trail” facility type, described in Chapter 3. Where local, low-stress connections exist, the potential for bicycle boulevard facilities was explored. Analysis revealed a number of low-stress, neighborhood connections, which is reflected in the 11 miles of bicycle boulevards recommended in this plan.

Bicycle lanes and routes, frequently the primary recommendations for a bicycle master plan, actually figure less prominently in this plan for a couple of reasons. First, the City of San Marcos already had a fairly complete network of Class 2 bicycle lanes. Secondly, as implied above, while bicycle lanes and routes are fairly inexpensive and non-controversial, they do little to increase ridership by providing the “low-stress” atmosphere most cyclists want, particularly through separation from roadways with high vehicular speeds and volumes.

Finally, a number of education and training programs is suggested to support cycling and walking because a combination of facilities and support programs have been found to be most effective in encouraging more people to ride bicycles and to walk, instead of driving.

State Compliance Bicycle master plans in California are specifically intended to encourage bicycle usage as regular transportation and a city’s plan must therefore be approved by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the city to be eligible for Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) funding, administered by Caltrans. Accordingly, this plan addresses the items within the California Streets and Highways Code Section 891.2, which lists specific bicycle master plan content requirements required for Caltrans approval. (There are no equivalent pedestrian master plan requirements.) To facilitate Caltrans review, the specific sections relating to code compliance are compiled in the final appendix as the last page of the document.

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1

Introduction

The City of San Marcos wants to provide a safe, convenient and efficient environment for bicycle and pedestrian travel to and across the City. This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan supports this goal by identifying and prioritizing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects, as well as education and training programs intended to improve safety for all roadway users.

1.1 Scope This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan project was funded by the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) TDA/TransNet Active Transportation Grant Program. This plan updates San Marcos’ 2005 Bicycle Master Plan, as well as incorporates pedestrian planning. This updated plan identifies deficiencies and opportunities in the existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities system within San Marcos and in terms of connectivity with adjacent jurisdictions.

The plan vision is a community where more of its residents and visitors commonly ride or walk to get around, instead of automatically reaching for their car keys. Many other communities are pursuing a similar vision, but this plan proposes a mobility blueprint tailored for San Marcos’s unique mix of layout, topography, transportation infrastructure and climate.

The expected benefits include physical, social and mental health improvements for those who choose to ride or walk, as well as reduced transportation costs and, in some cases, time savings. This will also benefit those who do not ride, including reduced traffic and parking congestion, safer roadways, improved air quality and reduced green house gas emissions.

This updated plan is anticipated to help increase cycling and walking through facility improvements and recommended programs. Identifying deficiencies allows San Marcos to address potential safety concerns. Enhancing the overall bicycle and pedestrian network should support greater utilization by making cycling and walking more viable transportation options.

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

This plan is intended to provide a vision for bicycle and pedestrian circulation through understanding current conditions, identifying cyclists’ and pedestrians’ needs throughout the City and examining potential improvement options. The plan also addresses opportunities to connect and integrate existing and proposed facilities and to prioritize implementation strategies in relation to available funding sources. Since this plan provides a framework for the City’s bicycle and pedestrian network development, it also supports eligibility for local, State and federal funding for related projects. Adoption of this plan is the first step in making San Marcos eligible for State-managed bicycle facility funding and provides a framework for future pedestrian facility funding.

With the implementation of this plan’s recommendations, the resulting network will create a more bicycle and pedestrian friendly community, especially if supported by vehicle driver, cyclist and walker education, enforcement and promotional programs and policies. The anticipated result is an increase in residents and visitors choosing to ride a bicycle or walk to and from San Marcos destinations. This plan sets the foundation for decisions and identifies a blueprint for future cycling and walking development so opportunities are not missed in the course of other infrastructure, land use and facility development decisions. Precise alignments and details will be developed during subsequent implementation phases.

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1 Introduction 1.2 Objectives

1.3 Study Area

The City of San Marcos developed specific project objectives to guide this plan’s scope, analysis and final document content:

The study area is the City of San Marcos in northwestern San Diego County. Also considered are adjacent communities and unincorporated areas where existing and proposed cycling connections offer opportunities for increased regional connectivity. Strengthening regional connections, in addition to being a standard planning goal, is required for State approval of a city’s bicycle master plan.

• Evaluate existing conditions and identify network gaps • Identify safety deficiencies related to nonmotorized travel and recommend enhancements

• Identify nonmotorized high accident locations and recommend appropriate mitigation

• Identify nonmotorized commuter travel routes and rec-

ommend remedies to promote and increase such uses and routes • Develop a coordinated, accessible, convenient and safe bicycle and pedestrian network with intermodal connections • Propose policies, programs and projects for achieving plan goals • Increase education, encouragement, enforcement and performance monitoring and evaluation programs • Develop an implementation plan that identifies funding and partnerships • Identify action steps to continue integrating bicycle and pedestrian planning into community and transportation planning processes, and to complete identified projects • Update safe routes to school plans

A local and regional route development goal is to foster low-stress and comfortable facilities to entice more people to consider cycling and walking for everyday trips and recreation. Within San Marcos, special consideration is therefore given to increased connectivity to schools, parks, shopping centers and the transit network.

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 1: Regional Setting

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1 Introduction 1.4 Existing Plans and Policies Summary This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan finds ample support for its facilities and program recommendations in existing adopted plans. The following plan excerpts establish the framework City staff and decision makers will use to enhance and improve cycling and walking in San Marcos. Additional background information and underlying goals sections can be found in Appendix C.

City of San Marcos General Plan LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT Smart Growth This General Plan provides guidance to residents, businesses, developers, other agencies and decision-makers over the next 20 years. It pays particular attention to Smart Growth principles being promoted throughout the country, California, and the San Diego region.

Complete Streets Complete streets refers to streets designed to consider pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders of all ages and abilities, in addition to planning for automobile travel. Planning for complete streets can mean wider sidewalks, bicycle lanes, vehicle travel lanes and shoulders, crosswalks, median strips, bus pullouts or bus lanes, audible pedestrian signals, street trees and ground cover, and driveways and parking areas to improve safety, encourage physical activity and reduce crime.

MOBILITY ELEMENT The Mobility Element includes goals, policies and implementation measures applicable to this plan. The foundation of San Marcos’s mobility framework is the planned transition to a multi-modal transportation network, one that better serves all modes of travel, and includes consideration for sidewalks and crosswalks, bikeways, roadways, pathways and public transit routes.

The City strives to improve safety and livability within its neighborhoods by implementing neighborhood-scale design features, such as traffic calming devices, to manage traffic speeds in these areas. The City also promotes and values the use of travel modes other than the single occupant vehicle. The following concepts are now integral to the City’s mobility planning:

• Complete Streets – Providing a street network that pri-

oritizes and provides mobility for all users of the system

• Multi-Model Service Levels – Evaluating the transportation system as a whole for all modes of travel

• Transit Service and Transit Facilities – Supporting these services to increase their effectiveness

• Bikeways – Providing a comprehensive bikeway system to support mobility throughout the City

• Pedestrian and Trails Facilities – Enhancing the robust trails system throughout the City and identifying key corridors where pedestrian travel will be prioritized within the City

This element also identifies mobility improvements identified in SANDAG’s 2050 RTP/SCS (see subsequent SANDAG planning document section).

PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY HEALTH ELEMENT This element contains goals and policies applicable to this plan, particularly Policy PR-2.2: “Implement the trail network per the Trails Master Plan to increase opportunities for physical activity (e.g., walking, biking), healthy lifestyles, and to reduce reliance on cars.”

City of San Marcos Trails Master Plan As noted in the City of San Marcos Mobility Element, “The City has a first-rate trails system, boasting some 60 miles of existing network, and has planned expansion for 72 miles of trails.”

This extensive network connects neighborhoods and provides excellent pedestrian opportunities. Even though unpaved trails are generally considered a recreational amenity, many cyclists own bicycles that can be ridden on natural surface trails and regularly do so, such as school children.

These trails should therefore be considered a neighborhood transportation opportunity.

City of San Marcos Bikeway Master Plan The City of San Marcos adopted a Bikeway Master Plan in 2005 to identify existing and planned bikeway facilities within San Marcos. These facilities will improve bicycling throughout the City both for transportation and recreation purposes, and encourages use of non-motorized forms of transportation.

Goals include gearing the bikeway system towards being more destination-oriented, especially towards employment centers, residential areas and high use activity centers, to be a complete system that emphasizes local and regional continuity and connectivity, by increasing safety that focuses on maximum visibility for the cyclist, signage, bikeway segment selection and utilizing easily recognized markers to clearly identify paths, lanes and routes, utilizing environmentally sensitive routing to minimize environmental impacts, by considering methods not only to promote the benefits of cycling, but also to enhancing safety by educating both cyclists and drivers to coexist with an awareness of each other.

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

City of San Marcos Municipal Code Title 20

SANDAG Regional Pedestrian Plan

This portion of the City zoning ordinance addresses the provision of bicycle parking (in addition to vehicle) for specific land uses. Mixed use bicycle parking requirements are shown in Table 20.340.2. Table 20.340-6 defines minimum bicycle spaces required by land use in. This ordinance also mandates other traffic reduction measures for specific development types intended to encourage alternative modes of transportation such as bicycling and walking.

This document does not state any explicit goals, policies or objectives, but does define the major concepts underpinning pedestrian-oriented design. These concepts, and the reasoning behind them, follow.

City of San Marcos Community Facilities District No. 2011-01 As part of the City’s congestion management strategy, this community facilities district (CFD 2011-01) was formed to fund local transportation and parking services and facilities like intra-city public transportation services (shuttles) including vehicle maintenance, operation and management, as well as public parking facilities maintenance, lighting and operations, including local parking regulations enforcement. The largest zones covered by this CFD fall primarily within an east-west band just south of SR-78 roughly between Discovery Street and the California State University San Marcos campus (within City-defined “Core Areas”), as well as several smaller zones scattered across the City.

SANDAG San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan The San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan, adopted in May 2010, establishes a network of regional bikeway corridors for intercommunity bicycle travel and proposes a comprehensive set of programs to support bicycling in order to make the bicycle a practical means of transportation in the region. Figure 2.0-19 of the SANDAG plan shows the 2050 Regional Bicycle Network. The San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan provides that network, as well as the programs that are necessary to support it. As an integral part of the 2050 RTP/SCS, the San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan will become part of the Sustainable Communities Strategy mandated by SB 375. Implementation of the San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan will help the region meet its goals in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will improve mobility. It also provides benefits to public health by encouraging more people to adopt a physically active mode of transportation for at least some of their trips. The San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan provides detailed information on the structure of the Regional Bicycle Network, the supporting policies and programs, and the resulting benefits from implementation.

Link local land use and transportation decisions with comprehensive community plans and regional policies.

• Improves quality of life and creates livable communities.

• Improves air quality, congestion and open space preservation opportunities.

Create walkable and human-scaled environments that encourage walking, bicycling, and transit use.

• Most trips begin and end on foot.

• Even if major trips occur by car, short trips (1/4 to 1/2 mile) can be made on foot.

• Increased access to local services, entertainment and

retailing; supports and encourages residential development and 24-hour activity.

• Better serves region’s aging population.

• Improves pedestrian and bicycle safety.

• Discourages crime by increasing opportunities for pedestrian surveillance throughout the day.

• Supports improved physical health in the community.

Create compact mixed-use development patterns.

• Increases intensity of development within walking distance of transit stops.

• Keeps people without a car from becoming isolated.

• Allows people to drive and park once for several errands.

Plan for viable land uses that are supported by local economics and the community.

• A variety of needs and desires shape development patterns – pedestrian activity and transit access are two of many factors.

• Economically vital places are more interesting for pedestrians.

Provide adequate automobile access including a fine-grain and interconnected street system.

• Allows for human-scaled streets.

• Facilitates local trips without requiring travel to and from arterials.

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1 Introduction

SANDAG Regional Safety Route to School Strategic Plan

SANDAG 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/ Sustainable Communities Strategy

(Plan still being developed; no finalized documents available)

The 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (2050 RTP/SCS) presents a transportation system designed to maximize transit enhancements, integrate biking and walking elements, and promote programs to reduce demand and increase efficiency (SANDAG 2011).

One key theme of the RTP is to improve the connections between land use and transportation plans by using smart growth principles. The 2050 RTP includes a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that integrates land use planning, housing development, and transportation planning. The SCS also addresses how the transportation system is developed in such a way that the region reduces per-capita GHG emissions to state-mandated levels. The SCS includes a land use pattern that accommodates the region’s future employment and housing needs, and protects sensitive habitats and resource areas. To accomplish this in a sustainable manner, the 2050 RTP/SCS land use pattern focuses housing and jobs growth in existing urbanized areas, protects about 1.3 million acres of land, and invests in a transportation network that provides residents and workers with alternatives to driving alone. New development would be more compact and more accessible to public transit and other travel choices, such as walking and bicycling.

The Regional Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan will guide SANDAG as it works to make walking and bicycling to school safer and more attractive travel choices for families throughout the region. It identifies a regional strategy to support local communities in establishing new Safe Routes to School programs as well as sustaining and enhancing existing efforts.

Safe Routes to School efforts support the objectives of the Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP) and 2050 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (2050 RTP and SCS) to create walkable and bicycle-friendly communities, encourage active transportation to reduce vehicle trips and improve public health. In partnership with local jurisdictions, public health agencies, school districts, and community-based organizations, a Safe Routes to School Coalition was formed to collaboratively address Safe Routes to School related issues.

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

1.5 Understanding User Needs

San Marcos Creek Specific Plan This plan calls for the creation of a multi-modal district, in which “the influence of the automobile on the character and function of the area is minimized.” The Plan names three primary mobility goals: (1) enhanced accessibility to the district, (2) convenient internal circulation within it and (3) the creation of a new, pedestrian-oriented retail street. To achieve these goals, the plan outlines the function and design of all corridors within the study area.

The plan intends to build on the “excellent pedestrian and bicycle facilities” developed along Craven Road (Class 1 from Discovery Street to Foxhall Drive). To this end, it lists several Goals and Policies related to pedestrian and bicycle accommodation within the study area.

University District Specific Plan

Planners who routinely commute by bicycle or walk and fully understand the implications of “alternative” travel developed this Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. For example, potential bicycle routes were ridden to experience them firsthand, particularly routes or locations noted in community comments as forbidding to some users due to high vehicle speeds or volumes.

Where residents and visitors choose to go and how they move about San Marcos will be influenced by the perceived completeness and safety of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

While walking is more likely to occur for shorter distance trips, improved connections with the overall regional bicycle network will become increasingly valuable as more people choose to cover longer distances and commute by bicycle.

This plan details a transportation network for the future University District, which lies between Discovery Street/Barham Avenue and I-78 and between Bent Avenue/Craven Avenue and the Sprinter rail line. The University District Specific Plan area is larger and has more topographical constraints than the San Marcos Creek District.

The plan calls for Class bike lanes along Discovery Street/ Barham Avenue, Twin Oaks Valley Road and several other “paper streets,” to be constructed in accordance with this plan. This plan also depicts a multi-use trail meandering through the district. In addition to bicycle accommodation, the University District Specific Plan proposes Primary and Secondary Pedestrian Routes and three pedestrian bridges (two on Barham Avenue and one on Twin Oaks Boulevard).

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1 Introduction 1.6 Cycling and Walking Benefits Numerous environmental, health and economic benefits are attributable to cycling and walking, especially as a substitute for driving a vehicle.

Environmental Benefits Increased cycling and walking reduces fossil fuel emissions.

In California, 40 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are produced by the transportation sector. While CO2 is not the most harmful greenhouse gas, it is the most abundant. Even after accounting for the global warming potentials of other greenhouse gases (comparing them in terms of CO2), 95 to 99 percent of vehicle emissions are CO2. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found the average vehicle emits 0.95 pounds of CO2 per mile. Therefore, almost a pound of CO2 emissions could be avoided each day for each mile, each way of an individual’s commute that was switched from driving to an active transportation mode like cycling or walking.

Health Benefits Despite dramatic strides in recent decades through regulations and technological improvements, vehicle emissions still pose a significant threat to human health. Vehicle generated air pollution contains harmful greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxide and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants and irritants can cause asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and decreased resistance to respiratory infections. Taking steps to reduce these emissions is particularly important in the United States, which leads the world in petroleum consumption.

The conversion of driving to cycling or walking offers a great opportunity to reduce emissions and improve public health.

In addition to the universal public health benefit, such as improved air quality, cycling and walking has the potential to positively impact personal health. A significant percentage of Americans are overweight or obese and projections indicate 42 percent of the population will be obese by 2030.

To combat this trend and prevent a variety of diseases and their associated societal costs, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggests a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity five days per week. Not only does cycling and brisk walking qualify as “moderate intensity activities,� they can also be seamlessly integrated into daily routine, especially if chosen for utilitarian purposes like commuting or running errands.

Other health benefits associated with moderate activity like cycling or walking include improved strength and stamina through better heart and lung function. Regular exercise reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. In addition to heart disease, regular exercise can also help to prevent other health problems such as non-insulin dependent diabetes, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Lastly, exercise has been shown to improve mental health by relieving depression, anxiety and stress.

Economic Benefits Cycling infrastructure and programs has increasingly been shown to deliver economic benefit to both individuals and society at large. The benefits of cycling may, in fact, outweigh its costs. Cycling, and utilitarian cycling in particular, offers obvious cost savings to individuals. Beyond the up-front cost of operating a vehicle are additional maintenance, insurance, and often parking expenses. According to the American Automobile Association, the annual cost of owning a car and driving 15,000 miles a year is now just over $9,000.

Converting even a fraction of automobile trips to cycling or walking trips can create significant transportation-related savings, including reduced vehicle traffic congestion. Increased cycling and walking also translates to health-related savings, for both individuals and taxpayers, in the form of less need for preventative care. More cycling and walking has also been tied to increases in commercial and residential property values and retail sales. Shoppers who reach their destination by bicycle have been shown to make smaller purchases, but shop more often and spend more money overall. Shoppers who arrive by bicycle or on foot, by virtue of their more limited range, are also more likely to support local businesses, and do not require a vehicle parking spot.

Perhaps more compelling than reducing GHG emissions or combating the obesity epidemic is the benefits cycling has to offer in terms of quality of life. Cycling, and especially utilitarian cycling, is increasingly seen as a fun, low-cost, healthy and sustainable way of getting around. How then, can we make it easier for any person to choose a bicycle for his or her daily trips?

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

In an effort to re-position cycling as a safe and common mode of transportation and increasing the number of people cycling, attention needs to be shifted away from creating “cyclists” and toward making it easier for any person to chose cycling for their everyday trips. Research shows a strong latent interest in cycling among those who identify as “interested, but concerned.” (See public workshop graphic below.) These

individuals do not identify themselves as “cyclists,” but they do not necessarily need to do so to benefit from programs to encourage cycling. While all segments of the population may be encouraged to ride, it is through the encouragement of this “interested, but concerned” segment of the population the greatest gains in mode share will be made. The field of bicycle planning is being redefined toward this end.

THE FOUR TYPE OF CYCLISTS Which are you?

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Put your dots and comments here!

Strong and Fearless Riding is a strong part of my identity and I am generally undeterred by traffic speeds and roadway conditions.

4

I am comfortable sharing the road with motor vehicles, but given a choice, I prefer to use bike lanes and boulevards.

12

60%

I like riding a bike, but I don’t ride much. I would like to feel safer when I do ride, with less traffic and slower speeds.

1

33%

I don’t bike at all due to inability, fear for my safety, or simply a complete and utter lack of interest.

0

<1%

Enthused and Confident 7%

Interested but Concerned

No Way No How

These are commonly used planning descriptions of cyclists.* How well do they describe you?

Types of Cyclists” - Roger Geller, Bicycle Coordinator - Portland Office of Transportation * ”Fourused Graphic in public workshops conducted for this project. Participants were asked to put dots in category in which they most closely identified. For comparison purposes, percentages at left represent average results from wide spectrum of American cities. Originally developed by City of Portland Office of Transportation.

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1 Introduction 1.7 Safe Routes to School Considering environmental and health trends, there is a need for options to allow all children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school safely.

The School Zone and Beyond Many communities struggle with traffic congestion around schools, vehicle emissions, perceptions of personal safety and development that does not support walking and cycling. At the same time, children engage in less physical activity than previous generations, which contributes to the growing obesity epidemic. These issues are closely related, and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs can address them through coordinated action.

SRTS programs use a combination of programs and projects to create, implement and evaluate their actions. SRTS programmatic elements, including education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation, are discussed in Chapter 5: Recommendations. General information on best practices in Safe Routes to School infrastructure projects is described below. (More specific information on how Safe Routes to School was incorporated in City of San Marcos pedestrian and bicycle project recommendations are included in Chapter 4: Methodology.)

Like most municipalities, the City of San Marcos does not control the construction or siting of schools. However, the San Marcos Unified School District participated in the development of this plan, including attending workshops, and indicated a willingness to work with the City to develop and implement SRTS programs to address infrastructure needs around schools, as well as along childrens’ routes to school.

Children walk and cycle to school from locations outside the immediate school zone and often from beyond the school’s designated walk zone. A number of opportunities are available for SRTS funding, particularly within a two mile radius of a school. See Chapter 6: Implementation and Funding for more information.

Accessibility The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) defines Safe Routes to School’s purpose as a program “to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school.” An important aspect of enabling all children to walk and bicycle to school is providing accessible infrastructure. Guidelines for making schools sites and routes to school accessible for children with disabilities can be found in the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). Throughout this guide, the term “pedestrian” should be understood to include students using assistive devices like wheelchairs.

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Relationships

Matching Treatments to the Problem

School buildings’ relationship to sidewalks and roadway crossings can determine the level of comfort and safety a child walking or biking to school experiences. All elements are interconnected. The roadway is connected to the sidewalk, the sidewalk is connected to the building and these relationships are critical to the perception of safety and continuity. The most important point is avoiding the placement of vehicles routes between sidewalks and adjacent schools because such obstructions add significant conflict points to childrens’ walking or biking routes.

As communities consider improvements to routes to school, care should be taken to identify problems or obstacles and to provide appropriate solutions to alleviate these specific concerns. Collectively, the following principles should be used to guide the decisions that local professionals and members of the school community make in SRTS programs:

Another relationship to consider is the school’s location relative to its students’ homes. A child’s route to school should have a minimal number of busy roadway crossings and school attendance boundaries should be drawn with this principle in mind.

Effective improvements do not always require substantial funds. For example, signs and paint are relatively inexpensive and can make a significant difference. Such simple improvements can help to build momentum and community interest in making other more substantial improvements. The focus should initially be on easy-to-implement and low-cost solutions, while longer-term improvement needs are identified and the implementation process is begun. Crosswalks, for example, are an effective, relatively low-cost and easy-toimplement engineering treatment. It is important, however, to follow appropriate crosswalk placement and use guidelines.

• Create school walking and bicycling route maps using a variety of assessment tools and exercises.

• Identify and regulate the school zone.

• Provide and maintain bicycle and pedestrian facilities

along the school route including sidewalks, on-street bicycle facilities, paths, curb ramps and accessible pedestrian signals.

• Provide safe roadway crossings for cyclists and pedestrians.

• Slow down vehicular traffic.

Within the school zone itself, the basic objectives should be to reduce student loading traffic congestion and removing bicycle and pedestrian/vehicle conflicts through clear and reasonable traffic controls, such as providing sufficient queuing through design and timing. Also, providing and publicizing safe routes to school improvements should help to convince more parents to feel comfortable letting their children walk and bike to school, reducing the problems most schools experience as a result of the proportion of students being driven to school by their parents.

Some engineering improvements will require substantial time and financial commitment. Projects such as new sidewalks and bridges, or the reconstruction of a roadway crossing, should be identified early and advanced through the various stages required to complete them. As these longer-term improvements are developed, smaller projects, such as installing ADA-compliant curb ramps, can be implemented to build momentum and maintain community interest in creating safe routes to school.

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1 Introduction 1.8 Bicycle Facility State of Practice

Due to a long history of routine accommodation for pedestrians, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, dedicated signals, etc., there are relatively few innovations in pedestrian facilities.

Conversely, the historic lack of routine accommodation for cyclists has fostered confusion about the role of bicycles in the overall transportation system and has necessitated an impressive diversity and breadth of innovative bicycle-related facilities. Example facilities are presented in Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox.

Particularly in the last five years, the state of practice for bicycle facilities in the United States has undergone a significant transformation. Much of this may be attributed to cycling’s changing role in the overall transportation system. Once viewed as an “alternative” mode, it is increasingly viewed as a legitimate transportation mode and one that should be actively promoted as a means to achieve air quality targets and provide a more equitable transportation system, among other goals. While connectivity and convenience remain essential bicycle facility quality indicators, recent research indicates the increased acceptance and practice of daily cycling will require “low-stress” bicycle facilities. Facility types and specific design interventions intended to encourage ridership among the “interested, but concerned” demographic tend to be those that provide separation from high volume and high speed vehicular traffic. Other measures required to mainstream cycling include seamless bicycle-transit integration, convenient and secure bicycle parking and other end-of-trip facilities that address the “last mile” issue, where many systems fail.

Bicycle facility state of practice is in flux and new and innovative facility details are constantly being refined. The amount of guidance regarding innovative facilities at the local, regional, State and national levels varies. In the case of Californian cities, best practice guidance comes primarily from national organizations such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and through the efforts of other cities within California and elsewhere that have planned, implemented and evaluated such facilities. While bikeway design guidance has traditionally come from the State, especially Caltrans and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD), this agency and manual offer little in the way of support for innovative facilities. Fortunately, Californian cities may apply for experimental designation from the FHWA for projects not in conformance with the CAMUTCD. The following section provides a review of the state of practice for bicycle facilities, drawing on the AASHTO and NACTO guides, as well as experiences from California cities and elsewhere. A section follows it on the state of practice for Complete Streets at the local, regional, State and national levels.

NACTO Urban Bikeway and Street Design Guides The NACTO guides represent the industry standard for innovative bicycle and streetscape facilities and treatments in the United States. In 2014, Caltrans followed AASHTO and officially endorsed the NACTO Urban Bikeway Guide. It is important to note that virtually all of its design treatments (with two exceptions) are permitted under the Federal MUTCD. The NACTO Urban Street Design Guide is the more generalized of the two guides and organized into six sections titled: Streets, Intersections, Street Design Elements, Intersection Design Elements, Interim Design Strategies and Design Controls. Each section is further subdivided, depending on topic. The NACTO Bikeway Guide is also organized into six sections, but its information is bicycle-specific and titled: Bicycle Lanes, Cycle Tracks, Intersections, Signals, Signing and Marking and Bicycle Boulevards.

For each section, it offers three levels of guidance: Required Features, Recommended Features and Optional Features. The following section introduces the broad facility types included in the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide.

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

AASHTO Guide to Bikeway Facilities

Signals

This memorandum expresses the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) support for taking a flexible approach to bicycle and pedestrian facility design. The AASHTO bicycle and pedestrian design guides are the primary national resources for planning, designing, and operating bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Designing Urban Walkable Thoroughfares guide builds upon the flexibilities provided in the AASHTO guides, which can help communities plan and design safe and convenient facilities for pedestrian and cyclists. FHWA supports the use of these resources to further develop non-motorized transportation networks, particularly in urban areas.

Signals and beacons facilitate cyclist and walker roadway crossings and are especially important at multi-lane intersections with vehicle turning motions. They make such crossings safer by clarifying when to enter an intersection and by restricting turning movements when appropriate.

Bicycle-specific signals are traditional three lens signal heads, with green, yellow and red (bicycle symbol) stenciled lenses.

They can be employed at standard signalized intersections and at hybrid beacon crossings. They may be enhanced with signage and pavement markings and activated through either push buttons or in-ground sensors. As with intersection treatments, signal design and timing should address existing and anticipated use and should be appropriate given the facility type and overall roadway context.

Further categorization and design details are included in Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox.

Intersections Complaints about problematic intersections usually rank high in surveys about existing cycling and walking conditions.

Specific problems include the disappearance of facilities at intersections, ambiguous right-of-way, poor visibility, difficult turning movements and inadequate signal timing. The NACTO guide chapter on intersection treatments offers solutions to increase cyclists’ and walkers’ comfort by reducing conflicts between them and vehicle drivers by heightening visibility between all modes and by denoting clear right-ofway. Specific designs may employ a combination of color, signage, medians, signal detection and pavement markings.

Site-specific design requires a thorough analysis of existing and anticipated modal split, as well as consideration of the bicycle or pedestrian facility type used. For example, the treatment of a cycle track or urban trail at an intersection will be very different than that of a Class 3 bicycle route.

Bicycle signal heads - Tucson, AZ

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1 Introduction

Signing and Marking Appropriate signing and marking should accompany any treatment or infrastructure intended for cyclist or pedestrian use.

Signage categories include wayfinding and route, regulatory and warning. Wayfinding signage, for example, is particularly important for navigating on-street facilities that may meander or connect to other facilities within a network, especially Class 3 routes and bicycle boulevards. An essential use of regulatory signage is to designate the presence of a Class 2 bicycle lane, because such a bicycle lane, even if marked by roadway stencils, may be used for vehicle parking if regulatory signage prohibiting it is not provided. Warning signage is also important where bicycle facilities end, change or expose the cyclist to potential hazards, such as freeway interchanges, rail crossings or rough pavement.

Bikeway markings are any device applied to the pavement surface to designate a specific right-of-way, direction, potential conflict area or route option. The choice of material and its application must be carefully considered for both safety and legibility for all roadway users. For durability and long-term visibility, markings must take into account both vehicle driver and cyclist movements in relation to the markings.

Complete Streets and Routine Accommodation An adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan provides a roadmap to support planning and implementing a bicycle and pedestrian network, can help to integrate bicycle and pedestrian planning into broader planning efforts and is required for State funding of bikeway projects.

For many cities, however, a bicycle and pedestrian plan alone is not enough to ensure the implementation of the plan’s goals and projects. A hurdle many cities face is that their various plans are not well integrated. Despite many cities’ attempts to support a “Complete Streets approach,” entrenched and often contradictory policies can make implementation difficult. For instance, a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, an ADA transition plan and a specific plan may address the same area, but ignore each other’s recommendations. One plan may identify a certain project, but it may not be implementable due to prevailing policies and practices that prioritize vehicular flow and parking over other modes.

An adopted Complete Streets policy has the potential to address these shortcomings through the designation of some important corridors as Complete Streets, accommodating all roadway users, and other corridors as priority corridors for a certain modes. A system that assigns priority for different modes to specific corridors, offset from one another, is referred to as a layered network.

Efforts to implement Complete Streets policy often highlight other significant obstacles, chief among them documents defining “significant impacts” to traffic, acceptable vehicular “Level of Service” thresholds and parking requirements.

Drafting a Complete Streets policy often means identifying roadblocks like these and ultimately mandating increased flexibility to allow for the creation of a more balanced transportation system. In the case of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, the network identified could become the bicycle and pedestrian layers. Identification in such a plan, reiteration within a Complete Streets policy framework and exemption from traditional traffic analyses can make implementation more likely and much more affordable.

Legislative support for Complete Streets can be found at the State level (AB-1358) and is being developed at the national level (HR-2468). As explained in further detail in the following section on applicable legislation, AB-1358 requires cities and counties to incorporate Complete Streets in their general plan updates and directs the State Office of Planning Research (OPR) to include Complete Streets principles in its update of guidelines for general plan circulation elements. Examples of best practices in Complete Streets Policies from around the United States can be found at: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets-2013-analysis.

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

1.9 Applicable Legislation Several pieces of California legislation support increased cycling and walking. Most address greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and employ cycling and walking as means to achieve reduction targets. Other legislation highlights the intrinsic worth of cycling and walking and treats the safe and convenient accommodation of cyclists and walkers as a matter of equity. The most relevant legislation concerning bicycle and pedestrian policy, planning, infrastructure and programs are described in the following sections.

State Legislation and Policies AB-32 Global Warming Solutions Act

AB-1371 Passing Distance/Three Feet for Safety Act

AB-32 calls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and codifies the 2020 emissions reduction goal. This act also directs the California Air Resources Board to develop specific early actions to reduce greenhouse gases while also preparing a scoping plan to identify how best to reach the 2020 limit.

This statute, widely referred to as the “Three Foot Passing Law,” requires drivers to provide at least three feet of clearance when passing cyclists. If traffic or roadway conditions prevent drivers from giving cyclists three feet of clearance, they must “slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent” and wait until they reach a point where passing can occur without endangering the cyclist. Violations are punishable by a $35 base fine, but drivers who collide with cyclists and injure them in violation of the law are subject to a $220 fine.

SB-375 Redesigning Communities to Reduce GHG This bill seeks to reduce vehicle miles traveled through land use and planning incentives. Key provisions require the larger regional transportation planning agencies to develop more sophisticated transportation planning models, and to use them for the purpose of creating “preferred growth scenarios” in their regional plans that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill also provides incentives for local governments to incorporate these preferred growth scenarios into the transportation elements of their general land use plans.

AB-1358 Complete Streets Act AB-1358 requires the legislative body of a city or county, upon revision of the circulation element of their general plan, to identify how the jurisdiction will provide for the routine accommodation of all users of the roadway including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, individuals with disabilities, seniors and public transit users. The bill also directs the OPR to amend guidelines for general plan circulation element development so that the building and operation of local transportation facilities safely and conveniently accommodate everyone, regardless of their travel mode.

AB-1581 Bicycle and Motorcycle Traffic Signal Actuation This bill defines a traffic control device as a traffic-actuated signal that displays one or more of its indications in response to the presence of traffic detected by mechanical, visual, electrical or other means. Upon the first placement or replacement of a traffic-actuated signal, the signal would have to be installed and maintained, to the extent feasible and in conformance with professional engineering practices, so as to detect lawful bicycle or motorcycle traffic on the roadway. Caltrans has adopted standards for implementing the legislation.

SB-743 CEQA Reform Just as important as the aforementioned pieces of legislation that support cycling and walking infrastructure accommodation is one that promises to remove a longstanding roadblock.

That roadblock is vehicular Level of Service (LOS) and the legislation with the potential to remove it is SB-743.

For decades, vehicular congestion has been interpreted as an environmental impact and has often stymied on-street bicycle projects in particular. Projections of degraded Level of Service have, at a minimum, driven up project costs and, at a maximum, precluded projects altogether. SB-743 could completely remove LOS as a measure of vehicle traffic congestion that must be used to analyze environmental impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

This is important because accommodating cyclists, particularly in built-out environments, often requires right-of-way reallocation and the potential for increased vehicular congestion. The reframing of LOS as a matter of driver inconvenience, rather than an environmental impact, allows planners to assess the true impacts of transportation projects and will help support projects that improve mobility for all roadway users.

As of this writing, SB 743 has been chaptered into legislation and implementation language was being considered through the public review process.

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1 Introduction

AB-1193 Bikeways

Caltrans’ Deputy Directive 64-R1

This act amends various code sections, all relating to bikeways in general, specifically by recognizing a fourth class of bicycle facility, cycle tracks. However, the following may be even more significant to future bikeway development:

Deputy Directive 64-R1 is a policy statement affecting Caltrans mobility planning and projects requiring the agency to:

Existing law requires Caltrans, in cooperation with county and city governments, to establish minimum safety design criteria for the planning and construction of bikeways, and requires the department to establish uniform specifications and symbols regarding bicycle travel and traffic related matters.

Existing law also requires all city, county, regional and other local agencies responsible for the development or operation of bikeways or roadways to utilize all of those minimum safety design criteria and uniform specifications and symbols.

This bill revises these provisions to require Caltrans to establish minimum safety design criteria for each type of bikeway

by January 1, 2016, and also authorizes local agencies to utilize different minimum safety criteria if adopted by resolution at a public meeting.

“...provide for the needs of travelers of all ages and abilities in all planning, programming, design, construction, operations, and maintenance activities and products on the State highway system. The Department views all transportation improvements as opportunities to improve safety, access, and mobility for all travelers in California and recognizes bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes as integral elements of the transportation system.”

The directive goes on to mention the environmental, health and economic benefits of more Complete Streets.

Federal Legislation Safe Streets Act (S-2004/HR-2468) HR2468 encourages safer streets through policy adoption at the state and regional levels, mirroring an approach already being used in many local jurisdictions, regional agencies and states governments. The bill calls upon all states and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to adopt Safe Streets policies for federally funded construction and roadway improvement projects within two years. Federal legislation will ensure consistency and flexibility in road-building processes and standards at all levels of governance.

Cycle Tracks in California?

California law defines “bikeway” to mean all facilities that provide primarily for bicycle travel, and categorizes them into three classes; Class I paths, Class II lanes and Class III routes. Assembly Bill-1193 (Bikeways), signed by Governor Brown in September 2014, designates cycle tracks as Class IV bikeways. This bill also requires Caltrans to establish minimum safety design criteria for each type of bikeway by January 1, 2016. (See Section 3.1 for more details.)

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2

Existing Conditions

In San Marcos, there are more than 46 miles of Class 2 bicycle lanes, primarily on arterials, as well as almost 17 miles of offstreet Class 1 multi-use paths. The existing system provides reasonable connectivity, but some facilities are piecemeal.

San Marcos is well supplied with sidewalks, especially in the older parts of the City. (See Figures 10 and 11 in Chapter 3).

Like many southern California cities, San Marcos’s roadway system is comprised of two distinctly different configurations.

The older central area is primarily a street grid of small blocks with high intersection density, and therefore many potential routes. The City’s more recently developed areas are primarily arterials defining “superblocks” of residential streets that

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

rarely connect across the surrounding arterials. Instead, these residential streets often form loops or terminate as cul-desacs. In addition, State Highway 78 (SR-78) cuts east-west through the middle of the City with crossing points limited to a few large north-south arterials.

SANDAG maintains a regional bikeway system plan that addresses routes within San Marcos and connections between it and the surrounding communities and unincorporated areas of San Diego County, specifically San Marcos Boulevard, Twin Oaks Valley Road and the Inland Rail Trail. These routes have been incorporated into plan recommendations.

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2 Existing Conditions 2.1 Trip Origins and Destinations

Population and Employment Density California Streets and Highways (S&H) Code Section 891.2 specifies the required components of a city’s bicycle transportation plan that make it eligible for the Caltrans approval needed before the city may apply for federal grant funding for bikeway projects. Among the required items is: “(b) A map and description of existing and proposed land use and settlement patterns which shall include, but not be limited to, locations of residential neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers, public buildings, and major employment centers.”

These components are described further in the following paragraphs and accompanying maps on the following pages.

Land Use San Marcos’s land use follows a typical southern California suburban pattern, with most office, commercial, industrial and retail functions focused along major arterial corridors and SR-78. Single-family residential development occupies the bulk of the blocks between major arterials within more recently developed areas, but this is interspersed with substantial multi-family zoning. In general, residential density is fairly evenly distributed across the City (See Figure 3).

Areas of business park/light industrial and office zoning occur immediately north and south of SR-78, especially within the downtown area.

Large swaths of open space and undeveloped land are scattered throughout San Marcos, with the largest area around the hilly San Elijo neighborhood in the southwest portion of the City. Parks are distributed across the City, either adjacent to open space or within single-family residential development.

In 2012, the General Plan was updated to reclassify areas along major arterials such as Mission Road, Rancho Santa Fe Road, the north side of San Marcos Boulevard, to Mixed Use. Changing land use patterns along these transportation corridors is intended to encourage multi-modal travel (including bicycling and walking) and development (or redevelopment) of these areas to support employment and housing colocation.

San Marcos‘s population density reflects its largest land use of single family residential distributed fairly evenly across the City. However, within this overall level of density are relatively evenly distributed areas of higher density. Employment density is more concentrated within the central east-west belt along SR-78, as well as three other employment pockets around the City perimeter and two universities (See Figures 4 and 5).

Activity Centers The California Streets and Highways Code Section 891.2 requirement to account for “…schools, shopping centers, public buildings…” is addressed in most plans as “activity centers,” since these are all entities that currently or could potentially draw and supply bikeway system users.

Activity centers are defined as a community’s major employers, office buildings, industrial sites, government sites, retail centers, hospitals, major attractions, colleges, universities, schools or parks and open space. These centers particularly define trip origins and destinations, and generally include residential areas, employment centers, parks, schools and civic centers.

The commercial and retail activity centers can also be regarded as employment centers because, in addition to the customers that constitute typical activity center users, they also represent significant numbers of employees. The civic activity centers include San Marcos’s parks and schools, including the two universities (See Figure 5).

Within San Marcos, most retail and other consumer service centers, major employers, office complexes and industrial sites are clustered in specific areas generally associated with major thoroughfares, especially SR-78, West San Marcos Boulevard and Rancho Santa Fe Road. In relation to this, employment density can be an indicator of bikeway facility demand in terms of commuting trips, but it is also an indicator for shopping trips, especially to areas with concentrations of retail and service businesses. Taken as a whole, activity centers are fairly evenly distributed across the middle of the City.

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City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 2: Land Use

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2 Existing Conditions Figure 3: 2010 Population Density

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City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 4: Employment Density

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2 Existing Conditions Figure 5: Activity Centers

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

2.2 Transit Connections

Employment Centers Employment centers include the retail complexes along major arterials and the office and commercial complexes primarily along SR-78. Other major employment centers include two college campuses, California State University San Marcos and Palomar College and Hunter Industries located in the La Costa Meadows Industrial Park in the southern portion of the City.

Parks/Schools/Civic Centers The San Marcos Community Services, Parks and Recreation Department maintains 22 facilities distributed across the City, from small neighborhood parks to large sports parks with lighted fields.

The San Marcos Unified School District supports 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, four high schools, as well as a K8 school scheduled to open in 2015. These make up a significant portion of the overall activity center mapping, following the parks/open space and commercial categories.

Origin and Destination Summary A number of factors drive bicycle and pedestrian facility recommendations and this chapter’s maps illustrate factors analyzed for this plan and required by the bicycle master planning statute, California Streets and Highways Code Section 891.2. Besides required factors such as land use, existing and future population and employment density and activity centers, this plan’s analysis also addressed public transit availability and overall safety.

In general, much of San Marcos represents typical southern California suburban development primarily made up of fairly low density single family development on generally discontinuous residential streets within an overlay of large arterial blocks, as well as being bisected a freeway. However, within this low density development are fairly evenly distributed and often substantial areas of higher densities.

Linking bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and transit services extends potential trip distances beyond typical cycling and walking ranges, enhancing overall mobility and may encourage residents to make more trips using alternative transportation modes, for both commuting and recreational trips.

Improving these connections, and in turn local and regional mobility, is a key objective SANDAG’s Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS).

SANDAG has also placed a specific focus on improving active transportation access to and from transit stations and stops, focusing on extending the access shed for transit services. As part of this Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, San Marcos is focused on improving access to local and regional transit opportunities as the City looks to contribute its fair share towards regional goals for reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and GHG emissions.

A range of local, regional and inter-regional transit services are available to San Marcos residents, providing connections between attractions and destinations within the City and into adjacent communities in northern San Diego County (See Figure 6).

North County Transit District (NCTD) NCTD is the local and regional bus and commuter rail provider for northern San Diego County, responsible for operating several fixed bus routes and the Sprinter light rail service within San Marcos. These bus and rail routes connect the three transit centers at the San Marcos civic center and at its two universities with adjoining cities. Four bus lines and the Sprinter serve Palomar College, while California State University San Marcos is served by one of the bus lines and the Sprinter. Figure 7 illustrates the percentage of commuters who used public transportation to work based on responses to the U.S. Census 2011 American Community Survey.

Within the valley floor’s older areas, the flat topography supported a more traditional gridded street pattern that provides multiple routes between typical destinations, such as housing and employment, while the newer and hillier areas around it were later developed using a more conventional suburban, but often discontinuous street pattern.

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2 Existing Conditions Figure 6: Transit Stops and Routes

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City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 7: Public Transit to Work Density

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2 Existing Conditions 2.3 Opportunities and Constraints Summary

Studies show that most cyclists tend to prefer roadways with relatively low vehicle traffic volumes and speeds. Regular bicycle commuters are probably the least likely to be deterred from using more heavily traveled routes, especially if they are the most direct available. However, when given a choice, even these riders are likely to choose quieter and less traveled routes, as long as they do not have to go too far out of their way. Recent studies have also shown that women, in particular, are more likely to go somewhat out of their way to avoid uncomfortably high vehicle volumes and speeds.

For this reason, average daily vehicle trips (ADVTs) and posted speed limits are routinely mapped for bikeway planning purposes and were also analyzed for San Marcos and illustrated on the following pages.

An important step in the planning process for any transportation project is needs assessment. Land use, current and projected vehicle traffic volumes and the special needs of the area population were examined. Using the following land use and location factors help to highlight the potential for nonmotorized travel and to determine cyclists’ and pedestrians’ needs at the street level.

For bicycle travel, a roadway may be suitable if it:

• Serves an activity center, which could generate bicycle trips • Is included on a regional, county or municipal bicycle master plan

• Provides continuity with or between existing bicycle facilities, including those of adjacent municipalities

Within the context of bicycle and pedestrian facility planning, the FHWA defines high traffic volumes as more than 12,000 vehicles per day and generally discourages having cyclists share the roadway with vehicles where posted speed limits exceed 35 mph.

• Is located on a roadway that is part of a mapped event or

For pedestrians, distance plays a larger role in deciding whether to walk or not, but the presence or absence or sidewalks also affects that decision. Where sidewalks are missing, adjacent roadway high traffic volumes and speeds tend to discourage walking. San Marcos lacks sidewalks on some roadways, but only so much that mapping where sidewalks were missing instead of where they existed provided better clarity. (See Figure 11 in Chapter 3.)

• Passes through an employment center, especially if

For cyclists, some of the San Marcos’s major roadways have both the highest volumes and posted speed limits, but do not have bicycle facilities. While adjacent high vehicle speeds and volumes do generally not deter experienced cyclists where bicycle lanes are available, having to share the roadway becomes a concern where facilities do not exist.

Less experienced cyclists are more likely to find such conditions very uncomfortable and may be less likely to use high volume streets. They will tend to ride on alternative streets, preferably adjacent to and parallel with the more heavily trafficked routes they are trying to avoid, provided such routes are available (See Figures 8 and 9).

club bicycle route or utilized regularly by local bicycle clubs

• Passes within two miles of a transit center • Passes within a half mile of an elementary school, middle school, high school or college

there is a significant residential area within a three mile radius

• Provides access to a recreation area or otherwise serves a recreation purpose

If any of these factors exists, the roadway has the potential to attract cyclists (and pedestrians, in some cases) of various types and should be considered as potentially appropriate for designation as a bicycle facility.

This assessment also addresses other factors such as safety, public input, GIS modeling and field work. These topics all relate to one another and help identify what is needed for a complete active transportation system. For example, safety concerns were analyzed by identifying bicycle and pedestrian-related collision locations, frequencies and causes, and especially the frequency at certain notable locations. Crossreferencing these collisions and locations helps to identify where it may be best to install a facility to connect with other bicycle or pedestrian facilities, as well as future development.

Based on this chapter’s analysis of existing conditions, resident input and GIS data, specific factors tended to drive the recommendations in Chapter 5.

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City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 8: Average Daily Vehicle Trips (ADVTs)

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2 Existing Conditions Figure 9: Speed Limits

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3

Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation

3.1 Bicycle Infrastructure The State of California recognizes three types of bikeway facilities. Also included in this section is information on other “nonstandard” innovative bicycle facility types that can be tested by local jurisdictions with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and California Traffic Control Device Committee (CTCDC) approval. (See “Other Facility Types” on following pages.)

Bicycle lane on Twin Oaks Valley Road over E. Mission Road

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle parking at Civic Center

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3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation

Class 1 Multi-use Paths Class 1 multi-use or shared-use paths (frequently referred to as “bicycle paths”) are physically separated from vehicle routes, with exclusive rights-of-way for all non-motorized users including cyclists, pedestrians and skaters, with vehicle cross flows kept to a minimum. Where there is the potential for vehicles to encroach onto a Class 1 facility from a parallel roadway, a barrier should be provided. Any separation of less than five feet from the pavement edge requires a vehiclerated physical barrier.

Class 1 facilities are often important commuter connections and any proposed paths must be designed for multipurpose use so paths should be wide enough to accommodate multiple user types. Caltrans’ requirements call for eight feet minimum paved width with two feet of clear space on each side. Adding two feet of additional width to these facilities to make them 10 feet wide helps prevent pavement edge damage from maintenance or patrol vehicles and accommodates higher use volumes. Depending on anticipated use levels, Class 1 facilities can be built even wider.

Finally, unlike on-street facilities that already have defined minimum design speeds, this is a factor to consider for Class 1 facilities. On relatively flat routes, the minimum design speed is 25 mph.

Class 1 Multi-use Paths

2’ Edge

8’- 12’ Path

2’ Edge

Multi-use path - Inland Rail Trail

Example protective barriers for Class 1 paths along roadways

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Class 2 Bicycle Lanes Bicycle lanes provide an exclusive roadway space for cyclists, demarcated through pavement marking and signage. Bicycle lanes are one-way facilities and carry bicycle traffic in the same direction as the adjacent vehicle traffic. They are typically located between the adjacent travel lane and curb, road edge or parking lane. This facility type may be located on the left side of one-way streets, or buffered from parked cars or the adjacent travel lane, where space permits. Lastly, contra-flow bicycle lanes may be permitted along one-way streets where two-way bicycle access is desired. Where this occurs, the lane should be marked with a solid, double yellow line and width increased by one foot.

Bicycle lanes enable cyclists to ride at their preferred speed, with limited interference from prevailing traffic conditions.

These facilities have no barriers or grade separation, which gives cyclists the freedom to leave the facility to avoid debris or overtake a slower cyclist, but offers less protection from moving vehicles and vehicles parking within the lane than physically separated facilities. Prohibition parking within a bicycle lane actually requires regulatory signage and may be further enhanced with colored lane markings.

Minimum bicycle lane width is four feet where there is no vehicle parking, and five feet where there is parking. Residual width can be striped as a buffer. A buffer on the vehicle travel lane side of the bicycle lane provides greater separation (distance) from moving vehicles and is recommended where there is no vehicle parking. Where there is parking, a buffer between the bicycle lane and the parking provides protection from colliding with suddenly opened car doors, or “dooring.” If parking volume is substantial or turnover is high, an additional one or two feet of buffer width is desirable.

Finally, bicycle lane placement and widths have been undergoing substantial change as many planners and advocates have come to agree that the current minimums may be inadequate for some situations. Many municipalities now convert extra travel lane space into wider bicycle lanes and associated buffering. As they resurface, some cities been improving bicycle lanes on streets without parallel parking by striping them at six feet wide measured from the edge of the gutter pan rather than the accepted standard of measuring five feet from the curb face, which encourages cyclists to ride further away from the seam created by the gutter pan/paving interface. Other cities are widening Class 2 bicycle lanes to eight feet to allow two cyclists to ride comfortably side-by-side.

Class 2 Bicycle Lanes With parking

Sign R81 (CA)

Travel lane

5’- 6’ Bicycle lane Parking lane

Without parking

4’- 5’ Travel lane Bicycle lane

Bicycle Lane on San Marcos Boulevard 31

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation

Class 3 Bicycle Routes A Class 3 facility is a suggested bicycle route marked by signs designating a preferred route between destinations. The designation of a roadway as a Class 3 facility should be based primarily on the advisability of encouraging bicycle use on that particular roadway. While roadways chosen for Class 3 facilities may not be free of problems, they should offer the best balance of safety and convenience of the available alternatives. They are recommended where traffic volumes and roadway speeds are fairly low (35 mph or less).

Bicycle route guide signs are provided at decision points along designated bicycle routes, including signs to inform cyclists of bicycle route direction changes and confirmation signs for route direction, distance and destination. These signs are repeated at regular intervals so that cyclists entering from side streets will know they are on a bicycle route.

Shared lane markings (SLMs or “sharrows”) are an optional signage method to alert drivers to the expected presence of cyclists, as well as to direct cyclists to the proper roadway riding position to avoid “dooring.” They are used where posted speed limits are 35 mph or less, with the exception being where there is no other bicycle facility and the right-most travel lane is too narrow to allow drivers to safely pass cyclists.

Sharrows are placed at least 11 feet from the curb, but may be placed farther out, including in the center of the right lane if it is too narrow to accommodate this minimum. On streets without on-street parking and with a right lane less than 14 feet wide, sharrows are placed four feet from the curb face or pavement edge and at intervals of no more than 250 feet, including immediately after intersections. Sharrows are commonly combined with “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” (BMUFL) signs. (See following section for more information.)

Class 3 Bicycle Route

14’-16’ shared travel lane

Sign R4-11 Sign D11-1 Shared lane marking (“Sharrow” or “SLM”)

32

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Other Facility Types There are a number of other “non-standard” facilities that the City may find useful in specific situations.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), any treatment intended to regulate, warn or guide traffic (vehicle drivers and cyclists) that serves more than just an aesthetic purpose is considered a traffic control device and regulated at the federal level by the FHWA and are codified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). California also has its own version (CA MUTCD), which is overseen by Caltrans and the California Traffic Control Devices Committee (CTCDC).

Both MUTCDs are responsible for defining the standards used to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public and private roads open to public traffic. In California, anything not in the CA MUTCD is considered not approved for use on roadways.

For bikeway facilities not yet included in the CA MUTCD, the City should consult Caltrans for locations within State rightof-way or when utilizing Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) funding. For other locations or funding sources, a FHWA request for experimentation is recommended (http://mutcd. fhwa.dot.gov/condexper.htm).

The CA MUTCD states that traffic control devices must conform to California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21401, which requires Caltrans to adopt uniform standards and specifications for traffic control devices. Although Caltrans does not control local traffic control devices (unless they are on State property) or enforce compliance with the California MUTCD (except indirectly through funding), any agency that installs a noncompliant device, contrary to the CVC, potentially exposes itself to liability.

However, the CA MUTCD does provide a means for Caltrans and local agencies to experiment with non-approved devices.

The agency can request CTCDC approval prior to experimentation, which is defined as “...research involving testing, evaluating, analyzing or discovering the effect of a specific device, principle, supposition, etc., usually carried out in an operational context.” The CTCDC may either approve the device for limited use on an experimental project, approve the device for limited use in a formal research project, disapprove it until further justification is submitted, or disapprove it altogether.

Caltrans’ policy is that all experimental proposals that involve bicycle-related issues are referred to the California Bicycle Advisory Committee (CBAC) for discussion before consideration by the CTCDC. This procedure is not part of the California MUTCD, and CBAC approval is not a condition for CTCDC approval.

The CA MUTCD provides specific guidelines for experimental proposals, including a detailed description of the experimentation, locations, number of projects, a proposed plan of study, time periods, CTCDC approved-evaluation criteria and reporting. If the experiment results in a proposed change to the CA MUTCD, recommended text should be included.

All proposals must list the agency sponsoring and conducting the study and the name and titles of principal researchers.

There must be proof of professional traffic engineering capabilities and other related professional expertise to perform the experimentation and related evaluation processes. At the end of the experimental period, all installations must be removed, unless the CTCDC grants an extension or permission for continued operation.

The State of California recently approved what are essentially embellishments to existing facility types, some of which may prove useful in future recommended projects.

33

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation

Green Transition Lanes A significant change is the FHWAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interim approval for the use of green colored pavement within bicycle lanes in mixing or transition zones, such as at intersections and in other potential conflict zones where vehicles may cross a bicycle lane. They are intended to warn drivers to watch for and to yield to cyclists when they encounter them within the painted area. The FHWA found that both drivers and cyclists have a favorable impression of green colored bicycle lanes. Cyclists felt safer while riding on green bicycle lanes, while drivers felt that green bicycle lanes helped increase their awareness of bicycles in the area. FHWA studies have also shown that green bicycle lanes improve cyclist positioning as they travel across intersections and other conflict areas.

California jurisdictions must notify Caltrans before proceeding with green bicycle lane projects because the agency is required to maintain an inventory, but since Caltrans has requested to participate in this interim approval, the process has been streamlined since FHWA experimental treatment protocol is no longer required.

Green transition lane - Alpine Road at I-280, San Mateo, CA

Green transition lane (Simulation with recommended signage) College Boulevard at I-8, San Diego, CA

34

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

“Bicycles May Use Full Lane” Sign Another important change is a new regulatory sign for use along streets designated as Class 3 routes that notify all users that cyclists are allowed to use travel lanes. These read “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” (BMUFL) and are generally placed in conjunction with Shared Lane Markings (“sharrows” or SLMs). These black and white signs will generally replace the yellow and black “Share the Road” placard, which were merely advisory. These new signs, in conjunction with SLMs, allow cyclists to legally “control the lane” (avoid the “door zone”) within what the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) defines as a substandard width lane, or a “lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the same lane.” According to the MUTCD, a BMUFL sign may be used in addition to or instead of a SLM to inform all road users that cyclists may occupy the travel lane.

“Shared Road” Sign While the BMUFL sign is commonly accepted and generally conveys the intended message, recent discussion suggests the use of stronger language (“Shared Road”) and accompanying education where appropriate. This phrasing is more powerful because it is a statement of fact and implies legal consequence for violators, while “Bikes May Use Full Lane” and “Share the Road” sound more like cautions. Regardless of the exact language, this type of sign should accompany SLMs. Both education and marketing should be provided to explain any signage and roadway markings new to the community.

35

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation

Cycle Tracks Cycle tracks are exclusive bicycle facilities that combine the user experience of a separated path with the on-street infrastructure of a conventional bicycle lane. A cycle track is both separated from vehicular traffic and from the sidewalk.

While there are many different forms of cycle tracks, they all share separation from vehicular travel lanes, parking lanes and sidewalks.

Cycle tracks may be one-way or two-way and may be at street level, sidewalk level or an intermediate level. Depending on grade, different design treatments may be required to demarcate a cycle track from the adjacent sidewalk, travel or parking lanes. The physical separation from the roadway can employ parked vehicles, planting areas, bollards, raised lanes or a combination of these elements. These treatments reduce the risk of conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians and parked vehicles. By providing physical separation from traffic, cycle tracks can offer a higher degree of security and are attractive to a broader spectrum of the public.

Where parking is permitted along a cycle track route, the cycle track is located on the curb side rather than the travel side so that parked vehicles protect cyclists from traffic. Additionally, this design may reduce â&#x20AC;&#x153;dooringâ&#x20AC;? incidences since many trips are drive-alone and the driver will be exiting on the far side of the parking lane away from the cycle track.

Cycle tracks may be installed on urban streets with high vehicular volumes and speeds, but to minimize conflicts, selected streets should have long blocks with few to no driveways or other mid-block vehicles access points. Additional signage, traffic control treatments and pavement markings may be needed to direct cyclists along the cycle track and through intersections. Cyclist safety through intersections must be carefully addressed, especially for two-way cycle tracks.

Cycle track (Signage informs left-turning vehicle drivers that cyclists and pedestrians have priority here) - Montreal, Quebec

36

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle Boulevards Bicycle boulevards provide a convenient, low-stress cycling environment for people of all ages and abilities. They are generally installed on streets with low vehicular volumes and speeds and often parallel higher volume, higher speed arterials as an alternative to them. By intention and design, these routes give travel priority to cyclists and they are usually streets with inherently “low-stress” cycling environments that may also provide additional speed and volume management measures to discourage vehicle through traffic while promoting it for cyclists.

Intersections may have physical diverters with bicycle cutouts that allow cyclists to pass through unimpeded, while allowing vehicle drivers to enter to park or access a property, but without being able to continue. Bollards, raised medians or even miniature parks can be positioned in the roadway to allow for bicycle through traffic while prohibiting vehicles.

Similarly, traffic calming devices that slow vehicles, but do not significantly affect cyclist speed, include speed humps and speed tables with cut-outs for cyclists, chicanes and traffic circles.

Bicycle boulevards give priority to bicycle traffic by discouraging cut-through vehicle traffic while allowing local access.

They improve cyclist comfort and safety by assigning rightof-way to the bicycle boulevard at intersections, with traffic controls to help cyclists cross major roadways, and an overall distinctive look to make cyclists more aware of the existence of the bicycle boulevard that also helps alert vehicle drivers that the street is a priority route for cyclists.

Most bicycle boulevards employ distinctive pavement markings, such as sharrows or other bicycle symbols, as well as signage. Signage and markings help to identify the route and provide wayfinding. Most encourage full lane usage to support parity between cyclists and vehicle drivers. Bicyclespecific signals and detection provide for safe and convenient crossing where facilities cross high volume roadways. Signage and markings not only convey route information and announce the facility as a bicycle priority corridor, they offer the opportunity for place making.

Bicycle boulevards further augment their existing low-stress environments with enhancements such as traffic calming, where speeds are higher than desired, and traffic diversion, where volumes are higher than desired. They are intended to support relatively light vehicle traffic volumes due of the traffic calming devices often installed to slow or divert vehicle drivers to other more appropriate routes. Traffic diversion and calming have impacts not only on vehicular travel, but can also provide preferential corridors for cyclists and pedestrians through semi-permeable design.

For maximum convenience and connectivity, bicycle boulevards tend to work best as a part of a network. If the network is dense enough and includes the cyclist-prioritizing design elements previously described, it provides a viable alternative transportation network.

Finally, because their traffic calming features improve safety for all, including pedestrians, many cities now de-emphasize these routes’ apparent bicycle specificity by designating them as “calmed, green or quiet” streets, or “neighborhood byways or parkways.”

Bicycle boulevard - San Luis Obispo, CA

37

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation

Hybrid (Context-sensitive) Facilities Hybrid facilities blend components of established facility types to optimize facility design given certain specific existing conditions such as topography, limited right-of-way, traffic volumes and speeds.

For example, where there is insufficient roadway width for Class 2 lanes in both directions, but where one direction clearly requires a higher class facility than the other due to grade, a hybrid facility may offer the best solution. This is generally a Class 2 bicycle lane uphill, where the speed differential between cyclists and drivers is greater, and a Class 3 downhill, where the speed differential is often minimal. (While the speed differential is an important factor in determining the acceptability of a Class 3 facility, the overall posted speed limit is of greater importance. Class 3 facilities are generally not recommended on roadways with posted speed limits higher than 35 mph.)

Hybrid facility - Class 3 with “Sharrows”/Class 2 lane

Paved Paths and Wide Walkways Paved paths and walkways of varying widths often occur in developed parks and along roadways. While not officially Class 1 facilities, some can be critical connections for current and future bicycle facilities. Among them is a facility type the City refers to as an “urban trail,” an enhanced sidewalk generally located parallel to arterials, designed for all nonmotorized users so that they do not have to use an adjacent high volume, high speed arterial. Urban trails are 10 foot wide concrete paths with a three foot landscaped buffer separating them from the adjacent roadway. They meet ADA access standards and improved Level of Service for pedestrians and cyclists. Urban trails meet the minimum geometric standards set forth in the following sources: American Public Works Association (APWA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Caltrans Highway Design Manual, and California MUTCD 2012.

They are also consistent with the guidelines outlined in the San Diego Regional Bike Plan and Planning and Designing for Pedestrians.

At the time of this writing, there were 63.5 miles of bikeways in the City of San Marcos, of which 16.9 were Class 1 multi-use paths, 46.4 were Class 2 bicycle lanes and 0.26 were Class 3 bicycle routes (See Figure 10).

Urban Trail on Barham Drive

38

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 10: Existing Bicycle Facilities

39

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation 3.2 Pedestrian Infrastructure

High visibility crosswalk at Las Posas Road/W. Mission Road

The key to safe and efficient pedestrian circulation is the design, construction and maintenance of walking facilities.

Pedestrian routes are primarily developed as part of a cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roadway and trail systems and reflect the interconnected nature of pedestrian circulation with other transportation systems as a whole. The City of San Marcos has a trail system to provide recreational access and alternative circulation for non-motorized users through an interlinked City-wide system connecting neighborhoods with local parks, schools, Palomar Community College and California State University San Marcos. The system is also designed to connect with the wider regional trails system as planned by adjacent cities, such as Carlsbad, Vista, Escondido and Encinitas, and the County of San Diego. Urban trails, described previously, are yet another pedestrian facility in the City of San Marcos.

Sidewalks are provided along most of the major roadways within the City. However, there are some gaps, especially in the older areas and in the industrial/manufacturing zoned areas developed prior to 1990. Comments gathered from the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online survey and during public workshops indicate that missing sidewalks or pathways was the top pedestrian issue.

At the time of this writing, the City of San Marcos considers there to be 532.5 miles of potential sidewalk. Of these, 296.2 miles have been built and 236.3 miles remain unbuilt. (See Figure 11. Note that some subdivisions with missing sidewalks were purposefully designed as such.)

High quality walkway along Barham Drive near CSUSM

40

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 11: Missing Sidewalks

41

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation

Route Classifications

Main Street / Core Area Sidewalks

Different neighborhoods require differing levels of pedestrian improvements based on adjacent roadways, levels of use, topography and land uses. The following section defines the walkway classifications and the corresponding level of infrastructure improvements needed for each type. All walking facilities found within San Marcos fit into one of the following categories. (See the figures on the following pages for details.)

Main Street sidewalks are those along roadways that support heavy pedestrian levels in mixed-use concentrated urban areas. Usually, these core areas are within an urbanized area with special functions, such as theater districts, office parks, shopping centers, or college campuses. Main Street sidewalks are primarily in the Core Areas identified in Figure 12. The core areas may be adjacent to residential neighborhoods, but can be distinguished from residential streets by the adjacent commercial land uses, densities and urban form. It has an identifiable focus that provides orientation, destination, and character, and reinforces a sense of community among users.

Multi-Way Boulevard and Arterial Sidewalks Multi-Way Boulevard and Arterial sidewalks tend to have low pedestrian levels and are along roads with moderate to high average vehicular traffic. They primary connect residential and commercial land uses to each other and within each one another. Connector sidewalks can typically be long and, in some cases, do not have accessible land uses directly adjacent to the sidewalk. This can include sidewalks along major arterials that run parallel to open space and canyon lands.

These sidewalks may have limited pedestrian depending on adjacent land uses. For pedestrians, neighborhood streets are less difficult to cross and result in less pedestrian collisions than higher traffic streets. In some segments they have limited use and are often along high speed streets. Without the existence of these walkways, the pedestrian may be forced to walk in a high speed and high volume street. Examples include San Marcos Boulevard and Twin Oaks Valley Road.

Collector Sidewalks Corridor sidewalks are defined as sidewalks along roadways that support moderate density business and shopping districts with moderate pedestrian levels. They can range from wide sidewalks along boulevards to small sidewalks along a heavily auto-oriented roadway. They connect moderate to high density commercial and residential areas, along major arterials. La Moree Road and Melrose Drive are examples.

Neighborhood Sidewalks Neighborhood sidewalks are sidewalks along roads that support low to moderate density housing with low to moderate pedestrian levels. Neighborhood streets and their associated walkways are generally lower volume streets, with narrow to moderate widths, single lanes in each direction and posted speed limits of 25 miles per hour. They are not as difficult to cross as a pedestrian and pedestrian collisions occur less frequently because the driver has ample time to see, react and brake. However, existing physical design can cause excessive speeding. Traffic calming techniques are a good match for neighborhood streets.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities are facilities away from or crossing over streets such as plazas, paseos, promenades, courtyards or pedestrian bridges and stairways. Many of these facilities attract local residents and workers, generating moderate to high pedestrian use. The Inland Rail Trail is an example of this facility.

42

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Table 1: Existing Pedestrian Route Types and Typical Conditions ROUTE TYPE:

Purpose

Typical Adjacent "Street Design Manual" Classifications

Main Street / Core Area Sidewalks

Multi-Way / Arterials Sidewalks

Collector Sidewalks

Neighborhood Sidewalks

Sidewalks Sidewalks Along Sidewalks Along Along Roads Roads that SupSidewalks Along Roads that Support that Support port Institutional, Roads that Support Moderate Density Heavy PedesIndustrial or Business Low to Moderate Business and Shoptrian Levels Complexes with Lim- Density Housing with ping Districts with in Mixed-use ited Lateral Access Low to Moderate Moderate Pedestrian Concentrated and Low Pedestrian Pedestrian Levels Levels Urban Areas Levels All types of adjacent streets are possible

Bicycle and Pedesrian Facilities Facilities Away or Crossing Over Streets such as Plazas, Paseos, Promenades, Courtyards or Pedestrian Bridges and Stairways, Shared-use paths

Commercial, Urban Collector, Urban Major and Arterial

Commercial, Industrial, Urban Major, Rural Collector and Arterial

Rural, Low Volume Residential, Residential Local and Subcollector

Not associated with a street

Cross Reference Regional Cento Related "Stra- ters, Urban tegic Framework Villages and NeighborPlan" Definitions

Existing: Sub-regional Districts and Transit Corridors

Existing: Subregional Districts, Transit Corridors and Suburban Residential along Major Arterials

All other Residential Areas not Classified under the Strategic Framework Plan

Most common in Regional Centers, Urban or Neighborhood Villages but can be in any area

Mixed-use Housing, Commercial, Typical Adjacent Office and EnLand Uses tertainment with Urban Densities

Multiple Land Uses but may be Separated. Often Strip Commercial or Office Complex.

Open Space, Industrial Uses, Institutional Uses or other Pedestrian Restricted Uses

Single-family and Moderate Density Multi-Family with Limited Supporting Neighborhood Commercial

Adjacent Land Uses Vary

Existing:

hood Villages

43

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation Figure 12: Pedestrian Facilities

44

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 12a: Pedestrian Facility Types

Multi-way Boulevard Sidewalks Sidewalks Along Roads that Support High Density Business and Industrial Districts with High Pedestrian Levels TYPICAL EXISTING CONDITION

Multiple Land Uses but may be Separated.

Ranges from Strip Commerical to Industrial Complex to Open Space.

Travel, Parking and Shared Bicycle Lane

Typical Adjacent Uses

May or may not include parkways

Typical Adjacent Street (Multi-way Boulevard)

West San Marcos Boulevard

Multi-Way Boulevard (Cathedral City, CA)

Primary Surface: Concrete

San Marcos Boulevard

Multi-Way Boulevard (Minneapolis, MN)

EXAMPLE LOCATIONS 45

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation Figure 12b: Pedestrian Facility Types

Arterial Sidewalks Sidewalks Along Roads that Support Moderate Density Business and Shopping Districts with Moderate Pedestrian Levels Various Land Uses but may be Separated.

Typically adjacent to Agricultural, Strip Commerical, Industrial Complex, Residential or Open Space.

TYPICAL EXISTING CONDITION Travel, Parking or Bike Lane

Typical Adjacent Uses May or may not include parkways

Typical Adjacent Street (Arterial)

Primary Surface: Concrete

Landscaping

Rancho Sante Fe Road

North Las Posas Road

Twin Oaks Valley Road

Mission Road

EXAMPLE LOCATIONS 46

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 12c: Pedestrian Facility Types

Collector Sidewalks Sidewalks Along Roads that Support Institutional, Industrial, Open Space, Agricultural or Low Density Residential with Limited Lateral Access and Low Pedestrian Levels Pedestrian Restricted Uses such as Open Space, Agricultural, Industrial, Institutional and Low Density Residential.

TYPICAL EXISTING CONDITION Active Travel Lane

Typical Adjacent Uses May or may not include parkways

Typical Adjacent Street (Collector)

Primary Surface: Concrete or Asphalt

Wide sidewalk adjacent to Alvin Dunn Elementary

Melrose Drive

East Barham Drive

La Moree Road

Landscaping

EXAMPLE LOCATIONS 47

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation Figure 12d: Pedestrian Facility Types

Main Street /Core Area Sidewalks Sidewalks Along Roads that Support Heavy Pedestrian Levels in Mixed-use Concentrated Urban Areas TYPICAL EXISTING CONDITION

Low to High Density Residential, Commercial & Institutional Facilities

Adjacent Parking

Typical Adjacent Uses

Typical Adjacent Street (All Street Classifications Utilities and Possible) Furnishings

Urban Walkway Primary Surface: Concrete or Enhanced Paving

Sidewalk with planting buffer on San Elijo Road

Sidewalk with street trees and enhanced paving

East Barham Drive

East San Marcos Boulevard near City Hall

EXAMPLE LOCATIONS 48

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Route Type Treatment Levels There should be flexibility in the specific conditions of any pedestrian facility. Different walkway types deserve different treatments. Table 2 describes four treatment levels ranging from intensive (and expensive) treatments, to basic and inexpensive treatments for pedestrian facilities. Each treatment level indicates the types of special circumstances that, if present, may warrant raising the treatment to the next level.

Table 2 also summarize the pedestrian facilities, techniques and enhancements that could be used in any particular area.

Figures 12a-12d and the described treatment levels have been created to help guide the appropriate use of treatments and public funding. The following are example treatments for various street configurations based on City of San Marcos designations.

The “Basic Level” is the minimum treatment level that should be provided in all circumstances. In the case of certain neighborhoods and along certain connector streets, this “Basic Level” is adequate to provide the minimum level of safety, connectivity, access and walkability.

In other areas, however, the “Basic Level” may not be enough to assure safety and walkability. In certain areas, the presence of major roadways and other detractors from pedestrian activity require a much higher level and expense associated with pedestrian treatments. In these situations, an “Enhanced Level” is recommended.

In yet other areas, the urban densities, design requirements and the presence of certain safety issues require a “Premium Level” to meet safety, connectivity, accessibility and walkability minimums. Pedestrian amenities and proper facility design is required throughout the City. However, amenities and design treatment intensity would be at the highest level under the “Premium Level” of treatment.

Even with this guidance, it should remain the responsibility of the Planning and Engineering Departments to determine which of these treatments are appropriate for specific areas or to address specific issues.

Table 2: Pedestrian Facility Treatments "Premium" Walkway Improvements

"Enhanced" Walkway Improvements

"Basic" Walkway Improvements

"Special Use" Walkway Improvements

Main Street Sidewalks

Multi-Way / Arterial / Collector Sidewalks

Collector and Neighborhood Sidewalks

Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails

Already Uses Highest Treatment Level

If within 1/4 mile of Transit/ School/ Ped. High Use/ Major Arterial

If within 1/4 mile of Transit/ School/ Maj. Commercial Facilities/ Maj. Arterials

Case-by-Case Basis

Missing sidewalk segments in areas where sidewalks mostly exist

R

R

S

S

Missing sidewalks in areas where no sidewalks exist

R

S

SC

S

Connection pathways between streets

R

S

S

S

Narrow street widths or adding features to narrow for pedestrians

R

S

S

S

TREATMENT LEVEL: Route Types Receiving These Treatment Levels (Unless Special Circumstances Exist*)

Circumstances that Warrant Higher Treatment Level than Normal.

Requirements in Each Column would Increase to Column on its Left

Ensure Connectivity by Adding:

Destinations within walking distance of origins

R

S

S

S

Pedestrian bridges that avoid excessive ramp lengths

SC

N/A

N/A

SC

Pedestrian crossing opportunities for all sides (legs) of an intersection

R

S

S

N/A

Verify pedestrian distances between land uses are reasonable and direct

SC

SC

SC

SC

(“R”= Required, “S” = Suggested, “SC”= Suggested if conditions or standards met , “N/A” = Not applicable)

49

3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation Table 2: Pedestrian Facility Treatments

TREATMENT LEVEL: Route Types Receiving These Treatment Levels (Unless Special Circumstances Exist*)

Circumstances that Warrant Higher Treatment Level than Normal.

Requirements in Each Column would Increase to Column on its Left

"Premium" Walkway Improvements

"Enhanced" Walkway Improvements

"Basic" Walkway Improvements

"Special Use" Walkway Improvements

Main Street Sidewalks

Multi-Way / Arterial / Collector Sidewalks

Collector and Neighborhood Sidewalks

Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails

Already Uses Highest Treatment Level

If within 1/4 mile of Transit/ School/ Ped. High Use/ Major Arterial

If within 1/4 mile of Transit/ School/ Maj. Commercial Facilities/ Maj. Arterials

Case-by-Case Basis

Provide Accessible Facilities Such As: Curb ramps

R

R

R

SC

Audible/visual crosswalk signals

R

R

SC

SC

Walkways and ramps free of damage or trip hazards

R

R

R

S

Pedestrian paths free of obstructions and barriers

R

R

R

S

Sidewalks with limited driveways and minimal cross-slope

R

S

S

S

Re-grade slope of walkway to meet ADA/Title 24 standards

SC

SC

SC

SC

Repair, slice or patch lifts and reset utility boxes to be flush

SC

SC

SC

SC

Provide Safety Features Such As: Median refuges (a safe place to stand in the street)

R

S

N/A

N/A

Pedestrian popouts (curb sidewalk extensions into street)

S

S

N/A

N/A

High visibility crosswalk striping

R

S

N/A

SC

Raised crosswalks or special paving materials to denote crosswalks

S

S

N/A

SC

Advance stop bars at least 15 feet from crosswalk

S

S

N/A

SC

Radar speed monitor and display

SC

SC

SC

SC

Reduced curb radii

S

S

S

N/A

Early pedestrian start at crossing signal (Lead Pedestrian Interval)

S

SC

N/A

SC

No Turn on Red at Intersection

SC

SC

SC

SC

Mid-block crosswalks w/ped. flashers but no traffic control

NA

N/A

S

N/A

Automatic pedestrian detection and signal control

S

N/A

N/A

SC

Mid-block crossing w/signs, median or curb ext. and flashing lights in road

SC

SC

N/A

SC

Mid-block crosswalks w/ ped. actuated traffic control device

S

SC

SC

N/A

One-Lane Mid-block w/high contrast crossings, signs and center lane marker

SC

SC

S

SC

Parkway planting for buffer between sidewalk and cars

R

R

S

SC

On-street parking for buffer between sidewalk and cars

R

S

S

N/A

Adequate levels of pedestrian lighting

R

R

S

S

Various traffic calming measures

S

S

S

N/A

Enforcement, education or encouragement solutions

SC

SC

SC

SC

Missing sidewalks added or provide adeq. walk width clear of obstructions

SC

SC

SC

SC

Provide enhanced crossings such as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) or Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB)

SC

SC

SC

SC

R

S

SC

SC

Improve Walkability by Providing: Above minimum walkway widths (> 5') Trees that provide shade on walkways

R

R

S

S

Street furnishings for comfort and enjoyment

R

S

SC

S

Countdown display crosswalk signals

S

SC

SC

N/A

Traffic control for crossings such as traffic signals or "All way stops"

R

S

S

S

Pedestrian scrambles (cross all directions of street)

SC

N/A

N/A

SC

(“R”= Required, “S” = Suggested, “SC”= Suggested if conditions or standards met , “N/A” = Not applicable)

50

4

Methodology

Project methodology included local familiarity through field work and community input, as well as performing in-depth GIS analyses as described in the following sections.

4.1 Field Work

4.2 Community Input

Initial field work conducted during the spring and summer of 2013 consisted of driving and then cycling and walking to obtain first-hand experience. Subsequent field work later in the year involved examining specific areas of opportunity identified by the community and through existing conditions analysis. Field work, by car, by bicycle and on foot afforded planners a more accurate picture of existing conditions, and included important observations, such as typical user behavior on and in the vicinity of potential bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Community involvement was instrumental in analyzing existing conditions and formulating plan recommendations.

Several techniques were employed to gather as much information and as many perceptions as possible, including an on-line survey, stakeholder outreach and two community workshops.

The community workshops held during the course of this master planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development were part of an effort to reach out to unique communities of interest, including cyclists, pedestrians and transit users. These workshops also offered an opportunity to provide educational materials and outreach to attendees. The planning team included two League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Certified Instructors (LCIs) to assist those wanting more information and education regarding safe cycling and Spanish translation was made available.

The initial public workshop addressed the development of project vision, goals and objectives. Existing facilities, opportunities and constraints were presented to solicit feedback on improvements needed for these facilities and for developing new ones. High-resolution aerial plots of the entire City were placed on tables on which participants could draw and write comments about their knowledge of the local cycling and walking environment. Public comments on the aerial maps and other project boards were gathered to assist in developing recommendations, identifying potential projects and determining the level of community awareness.

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

51

4 Methodology

The second public workshop presented the results of the data collection effort and needs assessment. Public comments were solicited regarding issues, concerns and recommendations concerning existing and proposed bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Recommended programs and policies were also presented to gather feedback on what the community would like to see to improve San Marcos’s cycling and walking environment. The recommended projects were also presented to the public to ensure that the final plan truly reflected community desires and to solicit any final comments for incorporation into the document.

An online survey was an important contribution to the project with over 300 responses. Such surveys have proven valuable because they allow respondents to compose their thoughts at their leisure, often resulting in more comments overall and with more in-depth insight about specific locations than generally provided at public meetings alone. While the survey input provided some input on problematic corridors, intersections and school areas, the most common responses related to the perceived danger and stress experienced on San Marcos’ higher speed roadways, and the desire for more comfortable and safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

A Safe Routes to School online survey was also conducted with the cooperation of the school district. Respondents’ primary concerns were excessive speeds around schools and the lack of good walking and cycling routes along high speed roadways to and from schools, accompanied by requests for traffic calming measures and enforcement.

“Wordle” graphic depicting relative occurrence of online survey comment topics 52

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

4.3 Safe Routes to School Analysis

Defining Safe Routes to School Zones and Generating Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects Safer routes to school was the primary organizing principle of this Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. A GIS-based methodology was devised to create Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Zones, areas around schools where walking and biking improvements would be prioritized. In the case of pedestrian improvements, these SRTS Zones were the primary method for prioritizing pedestrian improvements. In the case of bicycle improvements, SRTS Zones were used both to ensure that recommendations of the highest level (lowest stress) were made within school zones, and as a determining factor where right-of-way constraints made the recommendation of dual facilities (on-street and off-street) infeasible. Within SRTS Zones, in cases of insufficient right-of-way, separated bikeways or urban trails were prioritized. Beyond SRTS Zones, in cases of insufficient ROW, Class 2 bicycle lanes were prioritized. Further information on the SRTS Zone methodology follows. Each phase is accompanied by a sample map graphic illustrating how the walkshed changed with each analysis refinement described in the text.

Radial Buffer Traditionally, bicycle and pedestrian access was determined by creating a radial buffer, based on a 10 minute or half mile walk time, around a given destination. While this method offered an idea of the general area where walking and biking connections could be made, it did so without regard for actual streets or any Class 1 paths available for walking and biking.

Radial buffer around school

53

4 Methodology

Network-based Methodology

Radial Buffer and Network Method Overlaid

To address the inability of the buffering method alone to account for all existing roadways and Class 1 paths, a GISbased network analysis was devised. This method is similar to the previous method in that it starts from a given point and extends outward, for either 10 minute or a half mile times, to create a walkable or bikeable zone (walkshed or bikeshed, respectively). However, it differs in that it does not simply expand radially, but actually follows the existing streets and Class 1 paths. This method is valuable because it provides a more realistic picture of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing walkability and bikeability, but still fails to address the potential walkability and bikeability because it often does not catch small but important gap connections that could be made. It also fails to account for the potential expansion of networks provided

by Class 1 connections that overcome significant barriers like open space and freeway and rail crossings.

These two previous methods were then overlaid to provide insight into how the walksheds and bikesheds could be expanded through simple gap closures such as Class 1 path recommendations.

Network analysis around school

Network analysis and radial buffer combined

54

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Future Class 1 Paths Added to Existing Network

Updated Walkshed, Based on Inclusion of Future Class 1 Facilities

Proposed Class 1 paths were included in the existing roadway and Class 1 network to close gaps and expand the walksheds and bikesheds.

New walksheds and bikesheds were created with the inclusion of proposed Class 1 paths. These became the SRTS Zones.

Pedestrian projects within the SRTS Zones were coded as SRTS projects and were prioritized over non-SRTS or general, City projects. SRTS Zones were, in turn, ranked against one another based on several factors described in the following section. For bicycle projects, SRTS Zones determined both the extent of “low-stress” facilities around schools and served as a determining factor where insufficient right-of-way made dual facility recommendations infeasible.

Walkshed expansion due to future Class 1 facilities added

New walkshed limits based on combined analysis and buffer

55

4 Methodology 4.4 Prioritization Process

Safe Routes to School/Pedestrian Prioritization The Safe Routes to School (SRTS)/pedestrian project prioritization methodology quantified criteria typical of nonmotorized transportation elements with weighting based on input from City and consultant staff. Data were collected from City of San Marcos, SANDAG, American Community Survey (ASC), US Census and California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Recording System (SWITRS).

Attractors/Destinations: This tallied the attractors for pedestrian access such as retail, schools, parks, public services, bus and transit stops.

Number of Schools: While the boundaries of each of the SRTS zones were derived from schools, this criterion gives additional points for SRTS zones that encompass two or more schools.

Benefit-Cost: Differentiates the cost of sidewalk and curb ramp improvements for each SRTS zone and ranks them based on total cost. The totals were divided into three tiers with higher costs having a lower score.

Walk to Work: Number of people that walk to work.

Public Transportation to Work: Number of people who use the bus or trolley to work.

Under 14 Years Old: Number of elementary and middle school age children.

Households without Vehicles: Number of households that do not own a vehicle and either walk, bike or use transit as their means of transportation.

Rail Crossings: Quantifies the number of railroad crossings in each school zone. Railroad crossings within a half-mile from school are given a priority because of the difficulties crossing over railroads. Rail crossing are not given the same weight as freeway crossing because many are controlled and provide safety measures.

Benefit Assessment: Includes high priority projects that completed bicycle and pedestrian gaps and have been included as projects in this City’s “Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Assessment” plan.

Bicycle Project Prioritization The projects in this chapter are a combination of previously planned and recommended bicycle facilities. Since the planned projects have yet to be implemented, prioritizing them along with the recommended projects subjects all of them to the same priority and implementation criteria.

These projects were then prioritized into Tier 1 through Tier 3 Projects, intended to have a significant impact on the existing bikeway system, such as by closing major gaps and extending or developing bicycle paths, lanes or routes along major transportation corridors.

The following prioritization criteria were used to help identify which routes were likely to provide the most benefit to the City’s bikeway system. The numbering used to identify projects within each bikeway facility class in the following sections does not necessarily imply priority. Bikeway facility implementation has no specific time line, since the availability of funds for implementation is variable and tied to the priorities of the City’s capital improvement projects. .

Reported Collisions: Quantifies bicycle and pedestrian related collisions within each walkshed.

Population and Employment Density: Population and employment density quantifies the number of people living and working within each school zone. The more people live and work in the school zone, the higher the score.

Freeway Crossing: Quantifies the number of freeway crossings in each school zone. Freeway crossings within a half-mile of a school were given a higher priority because of the inherent difficulties crossing at freeway interchanges.

56

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Level of Traffic Stress: Addresses the perceived safety related to traffic speed, number of lanes and existing bikeway facility type. While high speed streets tend to have high priority and costs for improvements, low cost implementation on low-stress streets that connect to schools and parks are given a high score to meet the needs of the residents. The following describes LTS levels:

Bicycle Collision Rates: Collision per mile, to help improve safety along high collision routes

• LTS 1 – Presenting little traffic stress and demanding

Required vs. Existing Width: References the right-of-way width analysis or Delta field. If right-of-way is available to implement the project, it receives a high score.

little attention from cyclists

• LTS 2 - Presenting little traffic stress and therefore suitable to most adult cyclists but demanding more attention than might be expected from children

• LTS 3 - More traffic stress than LTS 2, yet markedly less

than the stress of integrating with multilane traffic, and therefore welcoming to many people currently riding bikes in American cities

• LTS 4 – High stress level beyond LTS3 Source: Mineta Transportation Institute: Low-Stress Bicycling and Network Connectivity, 2012

Slope: Analyzes slope as a barrier to bicycle travel. While there is no set standard for bicycle facility grades on existing roadways, using the criteria can quantify segments along each corridor that may be a barrier to utilitarian cyclists.

Construction: Identifies in more detail the construction needs of each facility from a high-level planning perspective.

Ranking Results Following prioritization, the total list of projects was divided into thirds to create three tiers of project implementation, with the highest ranked projects in Tier 1 and so on down.

The final prioritized list of projects can be found in Chapter 5.

Physical Constraints: A tally of physical constraints such as right-of-way, interchanges, railroad crossings and other “chokepoints.” Examples of conflicts include:

• • • • • •

Sight distance issues Major intersection or intersection design Parking impacts Driveways (primarily for proposed multi-use paths) Other conflicts Route has regional bikeway system significance: Assigns additional points to projects that have been identified as part of the SANDAG’s Regional Bike Network.

• Completes the Network: Prioritize projects that close bicycle network gaps

57

4 Methodology 4.5 Safety Analysis Overview

Bicycle and pedestrian collision data were obtained from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) data sets of reported bicycle/vehicle, pedestrian/vehicle and bicycle/pedestrian collisions in San Marcos from January 2007 through December 2011. Collisions on off-street paths are not included in the data. Collisions involving cyclists, whether they involve vehicles, other cyclists, or pedestrians, are generally under-reported, so bicycle collisions are likely to have occurred that were not included as part of this data.

Some estimates are as high as two unreported for each reported incident.

The roadway segments with the highest numbers of collisions (SR-78, West San Marcos Boulevard, North Twin Oaks Valley Road and West Mission Road) are similar in being relatively wide (70 feet or more), high speed (45 mph or more) roadways, but are dissimilar in bicycle facility (Class 1, 2, 3, or no bicycle facility). Therefore, the data, without further investigation, offers little insight into the relationship between these roadways and their safety. However, the majority of reported incidents indicate improper behavior by cyclists, such as “wrong side of road,” “automobile ROW” and “traffic signals and signs.”

There were 50 reported bicycle/vehicle-related collisions in this five year period and 60 reported pedestrian-related collisions. Of these reported collisions, three were fatal. The data were reviewed in terms of number of collisions that occurred at intersections and on-road segments. These data were used to help prioritize recommended projects. Cycling and walking collisions were also summarized to identify other trends that may help to determine what and where physical treatments can be recommended.

Pedestrian Collision Summary

Bicycle Collision Summary As mentioned previously, the data portrayed in the following tables and maps comprise only reported collisions. Despite weak causality, some trends are evident.

Over the five year period studied, cycling injuries generally increased, but dipped in the last reporting year (2011). Collisions, by time of day peaked, not surprisingly, at commute hours, including school and work commute times. Bicycle collisions at intersections did not indicate specific problematic intersections, but rather point to intersections overall as problematic. The idea of intersections as conflict points is nothing new, but the unique problems they present cyclists, including merging with vehicles, insufficient signal timing length or lack of bicycle-detecting signals, are just beginning to be understood and mitigated.

The pedestrian data revealed no annual collision trends, except for the same, time-of-day commute-based trend seen in the bicycle data. Pedestrian collisions extended later into the evening, which may be correlated with later commutes or with walking associated with dining out and other evening activities.

Intersection data on pedestrian collisions, similar to that for bicycle collisions, showed little evidence of any trend regarding “worst” intersections. Similar to the bicycle data, a high percentage of pedestrian collisions, over 30 percent, occurred at intersections.

Pedestrian collision data along roadways indicate distinct issues with several roadways (West San Marcos Boulevard, SR-78, West Mission Road and South Santa Fe Road), but especially less safe conditions along West San Marcos Boulevard. Comparing roadway and intersection data, six out of ten collisions occurred at intersections, while the other four occurred along the street. This probably reflects the tendency of many pedestrians to cross where convenient, not necessarily at intersections.

The data also suggest the prevalence of illegal crossings, where “pedestrian violations” were the greatest single cause of pedestrian collisions.

58

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Table Collisions byby Day ofoWeek Table 3a: 1a: Bicycle Bicycle Collisions Day f Week

Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Total

Collisions 8 6 12 6 8 8 2 50

Table 3c: Bicycle Collisions

by Light Table 1c: Bicycle Collisions

by LConditions ight Conditions

Lighting Dark-­‐No Street Lights Dark-­‐Street Lights Daylight Dusk-­‐Dawn Total

Collisions

3 6 40 1 50

Table Collisions Table 3b: 1b: Bicycle Bicycle Collision by

by Time Time of of Day Day

Time of Day 12am-­‐3am 3am-­‐6am 6am-­‐9am 9am-­‐Noon Noon-­‐3pm 3pm-­‐6pm 6pm-­‐9pm 9pm-­‐Midnight Total

Weekday 0 3 8 2 8 13 6 0 40

Weekend 1 0 2 2 2 2 0 1 10

Collisions 1 3 10 4 10 15 6 1 50

Table Collisions by Year Table 3d: 1d: Bicycle Bicycle Collisions by Year

Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total

Collisions 9 7 11 15 8 50

Table 3c: Bicycle Collisions

by Severity Table 1e: Bicycle Collisions

By Severity

Severity Fatal Injury -­‐ Complaint of Pain Other Visible Injury Severy Injury Total

Collisions 1 18 25 6 50

Source: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)

59

4 Methodology Table Bicycle Collisions byby Roadway Segment Table 3f: 1f: Bicycle Collisions Road Segment

Road Segment RT 78 West San Marcos Bl North Twin Oaks Valley Dr West Mission Rd East Mission Rd Barham Dr Rock Springs Rd San Marcos Bl Las Posas Rd North Las Posas Rd Woodland Pkwy W Mission Av La Colusa Dr Knoll Rd Craven Rd Twin Oaks Valley Rd Discovery St Grand Av Borden Rd Rue De Valle N Bent Av South Rancho Santa Fe Rd E Borden Rd Via Vera Cruz Carmel St La Rosa Dr Richmar Av Los Vallecitos Bl 113 Smilax Rd Mulberry Dr Total

Collisions 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 50

Table Intersection Table 3g: 1g: Bicycle Bicycle Collisions Collisions by by Intersection

Intersection Collisions Barham Dr and Rt 78 1 Barham Dr and Venture St 1 Carmel St and Industrial St 1 Craven Rd and Rush Dr 1 East Mission Rd and Avenida Chapala 1 East Mission Rd and Mulberry Dr 1 Grand Av and Pawnee St 1 Las Posas Rd and Linda Vista Dr 1 Mulberry Dr and East Mission Rd 1 North Las Posas Rd and Rt 78 1 North Twin Oaks Valley Dr and Windy Wy 1 Richmar Av and Firebird Ln 1 Rue De Valle and S Rancho Santa Fe Rd 1 San Marcos Bl and Johnston Ln 1 Twin Oaks Valley Rd and Rt 78 1 West Mission Rd and Pico Av 1 West San Marcos Bl and Bent Av 1 West San Marcos Bl and Pico Av 1 West San Marcos Bl and Via Vera Cruz 1 Total 19

Source: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)

Table Collisions byby Vehicle Code Violation Table 3h: 1h: Bicycle Bicycle Collisions Vehicle Code Violation

Primary Collision Factor Collisions Driving or Bicycling Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drug 2 Improper Turning 5 Lights 1 Other Hazardous Violation 2 Other Than Driver (or Pedestrian) 1 Riding on the Wrong Side of Road 12 Traffic Signals and Signs 8 Unknown 5 Unsafe Speed 1 Violating Automobile Right of Way 13 Total 50 60

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Table Collisions byby Day ofoWeek Table 4a: 2a: Pedestrian Pedestrian Collisions Day f Week

Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Total

Collisions 10 6 8 12 13 8 3 60

Table 4c: Pedestrian Collisions by Light Conditions

Table 4b: Table 2b: Pedestrian Pedestrian Collisions Collision bby y TTime ime of of Day Day Time of Day Weekday Weekend 3am-­‐6am 2 0 6am-­‐9am 9 1 9am-­‐Noon 0 3 Noon-­‐3pm 13 1 3pm-­‐6pm 13 1 6pm-­‐9pm 10 3 9pm-­‐Midnight 2 2 Total 49 11

Table 2c: Pedestrian Collisions by Light Conditions Lighting Collisions Dark-­‐No Street Lights 4 Dark-­‐Street Lights 10 Dark-­‐Street Lights Not Functioning 1 Daylight 42 Dusk-­‐Dawn 3 Total 60

Collisions 2 10 3 14 14 13 4 60

Table 4d: Pedestrian Collisions by Year

Table 2d: Pedestrian Collisions by Year Year Collisions 2007 18 2008 9 2009 12 2010 4 2011 17 Total 60

Table Collisions byBy Severity Table 4e: 2e: Pedestrian Pedestrian Collisions Severity

Severity Fatal Injury -­‐ Complaint of Pain Other Visible Injury Severy Injury Total

Collisions 2 17 26 15 60

Source: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)

61

4 Methodology Table 4f: 2f: Pedestrian Pedestrian Collisions Collisions by Road Segment Table by Roadway Segment Road Segment West San Marcos Bl Rt 78 West Mission Rd South Rancho Santa Fe Rd Richmar Av Woodward St Autumn Dr East Mission Rd Woodland Pkwy Archer St Barham Dr Borden Rd Carlo St Cassou Rd Center Dr Craven Rd Foxhall Dr Grand Av Knob Hill Rd Knoll Rd La Rosa Dr Lacebark St Lonita Wy Mission Rd Palomar Dr Pico Av Ranchero Dr Rancho Santa Fe Rock Springs Rd Rocksprings Rd Schoolhouse Wy Vallecitos De Oro Total

Collisions 10 6 5 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 60

Table 4g: 2g: Pedestrian Pedestrian Collisions Collisions by

by Intersection Intersection Table

Intersection Collisions Autumn Dr and Knoll Rd 1 Barham Dr and Industrial St 1 Borden Rd and North Las Posas Rd 1 Cassou Rd and North Twin Oaks Valley Dr 1 Center Dr and Avenida Ricardo 1 East Mission Rd and Avenida Chapala 1 Foxhall Dr and Craven Rd 1 Pico Av and Autumn Dr 1 Richmar Av and Marcos St 1 Rt 78 and North Las Posas Rd 1 South Rancho Santa Fe Rd and 8th St 1 West Mission Rd and Aberdeen Av 1 West Mission Rd and N Rancho Santa Fe Rd 1 West San Marcos Bl and Discovery St 1 West San Marcos Bl and Johnston Ln 1 West San Marcos Bl and Lowery Ln 1 West San Marcos Bl and Rancho Santa Fe Rd 1 West San Marcos Bl and Rt 78 1 West San Marcos Bl and South Rancho Santa Fe Rd 1 Woodland Pkwy and West Mission Rd 1 Woodward St and Vineyard Rd 1 Total 21

Table by Vehicle Code Violation Table 4h: 2h: Pedestrian Pedestrian Collisions Collisions by Vehicle Code Violations

Primary Collision Factor Driving or Bicycling Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drug Improper Turning Other Hazardous Violation Other Improper Driving Pedestrian Violation Traffic Signals and Signs Unknown Unsafe Lane Change Unsafe Speed Unsafe Starting or Backing Violating Automobile Right of Way Violating Pedestrian Right of Way Total

Source: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)

Collisions 2 1 2 1 23 2 8 2 5 2 2 10 60 62

5

Recommendations

This chapter’s identifies recommended project, program and policy improvements to existing cycling and pedestrian systems.

5.1 Bicycle Projects These projects will have a significant impact, such as closing major gaps and extending or developing multi-use paths, bicycle lanes or routes along major transportation corridors.

The numbering used to identify projects within each facility class in the following sections does not necessarily imply priority beyond which of the three tiers in which they occur.

Facility implementation has no specific time line, since the availability of funds for implementation is variable and tied to the priorities of the City’s capital projects.

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

This chapter’s tables list recommended projects and the associated figures identify their locations and project ranking.

If desired, proposed projects can be re-ranked within the State’s mandated five year bicycle master plan update cycle, or at whatever interval best fits funding cycles, or to take into consideration the availability of new information, new funding sources, updated crash statistics, updated CIP lists, etc. Facility prioritization and implementation should be fine-tuned and adjusted accordingly based on future circumstances. Cost estimates for these projects are included in Chapter 6.

63

5 Recommendations

Bicycle Facility Criteria Analysis and Feasibility

Class 2 Bicycle Lanes

A list of proposed bicycle facilities was developed with the goal of improving connectivity and generally expanding the dedicated bicycle network. Existing conditions, field observations and public input were all considered. The proposed facilities were then assessed for feasibility and split into the four following categories:

Feasibility was determined by comparing the actual curbto-curb roadway width with the minimum width necessary to support the current number of lanes plus five foot bicycle lanes in each direction. For this analysis, the minimum lane widths for “major roads” were considered to be 11 feet for through/turn lanes, and 12 feet for lanes adjacent to curbs.

For “minor roads” minimum lane widths were considered 11 feet and 10 feet, respectively. Where parking was permitted, eight feet was added to the total lane width. Painted medians and two-way left turn lanes were considered to be through/ turn lanes in most cases. Raised medians and curb lines were considered to be static. These analyses assume that no physical construction or demolition would occur.

• Class 1 Multi-use Paths – dedicated off-street facilities • Class 2 Bicycle Lanes – marked and signed lanes in roadways • Class 3 Bicycle Routes – signage (and lane markings) indi-

cating that cyclists have the right to share roadway space

• Bicycle Boulevards – long roadway segments featuring

modifications to improve bicycle flow that do not also increase vehicular flow

While recommendations are often assessed in silos, such as Class 2 facilities only compared to each other, all facilities recommended in this plan were assessed against the same criteria. This was done intentionally to better portray the tradeoffs, particularly “stress level,” between the different facility types. The criteria are described in the follow sections.

Class 1 Multi-use Paths The typical width and horizontal clearance were measured using high-resolution aerial photos for segments where there appeared to be constraining factors. This data collection was then supplemented with on-site field work. The minimum width for a Class 1 path was considered to be 10 feet for this plan, with at least two feet of clearance from obstructions on each side. Crossings at streets or physical barriers were also assessed and special considerations noted.

Because they are constructed independently of existing or programmed vehicle facilities, Class 1 paths are by far the most expensive of all bicycle/pedestrian facilities. Typical costs per mile can vary a great deal due to potential right-ofway acquisition, bridges and other possible major expenses such as extensive grading due to hilly topography and facility width. For example, a Class 1 facility being converted from a former rail roadbed across flat terrain will require far less grubbing, grading and structural enhancements than a facility being constructed through an undeveloped area with hilly topography and stream crossings.

Through this comparison, it was determined whether bicycle lanes could be installed along a roadway segment without decreasing the number of lanes or eliminating any parking.

The analysis typically broke proposed segments into smaller segments depending on changes in layout or physical characteristics. This meant that a bicycle lane could be feasible within one block and infeasible within the next block if lanes were added or total width changed. San Marcos has bicycle lanes on most major arterials and additional recommended lanes are primarily gap closures.

The City is modifying its bicycle lane standards to six feet wide, or buffering five foot lanes with two to three foot buffers. This is addressed in this plan’s design guidelines toolbox in Appendix A. A CIty-wide policy to implement these new guidelines is recommended wherever feasible. Other cities have accomplished this improvement through “repurposing” some of the adjacent vehicle travel lane width as part of routine roadway resurfacing projects.

Class 3 Bicycle Routes Bicycle routes are recommended as additional gap closures and connections where traffic speed, vehicular volumes and roadway geometry allow cyclists to safely and comfortable share the road with vehicles. Bicycle routes were only recommended where existing traffic volumes and speeds were low. In all cases, the gap closures are short segments that schools, parks and other attractors in low volume, low speed residential streets. On high-stress corridors, lack of available right-of-way was not considered grounds for a Class 3 recommendation, but rather a “no project” recommendation.

Finally, Class 3 facilities are limited to roadways with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

64

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle Boulevards

Recommended Bikeway Projects

Bicycle boulevards are generally shared lane facilities with prominent pavement markings. Traffic diverters, roundabouts, traffic circles and other calming measures are all amenities that can make up a bicycle boulevard. However, the priority of bicycles over vehicles is what makes a street with bicycle facilities a bicycle boulevard. The recommended bicycle boulevards primarily connect residential areas to schools.

The following maps and tables describe the recommended bikeway projects developed through project analysis and input from City staff, the community and advocacy groups.

The tables’ “Facility Type” columns include Class 1, 2 or 3 bikeway facilities, as well as bicycle boulevards denoted as “BB.”

Feasibility was assessed primarily on the basis of minimal out-of-direction travel and the “stress level” of existing streets.

Calm, neighborhood streets that parallel busier arterial streets are natural bicycle boulevard candidates. Since it is assumed that all bicycle boulevards would be considered Class 3 facilities, roadway width was only studied to ensure it was sufficiently narrow, to encourage the safe and comfortable sharing of the roadway.

Bicycle boulevards require additional planning and engineering prior to implementation. Impacts to vehicular traffic flow, bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements at intersections and crossings, right-of-way acquisition, signage and utilities are examples of associated items that would require in-depth analysis. Education and enforcement of these facilities is also recommended to assist the community in correctly utilizing them following implementation.

Urban Trails “Urban trails” are a facility type unique to San Marcos. Much like a Class 1 path, in that it is intended to be a shared use facility, it differs in that it is a roadside facility, 10 feet in width, with a three foot planted buffer. Urban trails were recommended on several arterial streets as part of Safe Routes to School routes. In some instances, the right-of-way required to install these facilities will entail the prevention or even removal of Class 2 bicycle lanes. The decision to supplant Class 2 facilities with urban trails was made in collaboration between the community, City staff and consultants and in accordance with the Safe Routes to School framework. This is likely to require updating the Trails Master Plan.

The tables show the results of the analysis along with notes about bicycle facilities and any field observations. The “Notes” column provides additional information addressing the existing condition for each segment. This may include additional constraints, guidelines or other unique factors that should be considered prior to project development. Total width was verified in the field where it was within four feet of the minimum needed. The width columns illustrate the difference between the needed width and existing width for the recommended facility type. The “Delta” column employs a color-coding system to summarize improvement feasibility.

Green indicates feasible, red indicates infeasible and blue indicates a value within four feet of the minimum width needed.

Bicycle Facility Maps The following maps illustrate the three tiers of proposed bicycle facilities, accompanied by tables describing each facility and its relative ranking within its tier. For legibility, each full City map is followed by four enlargements, one for each quadrant of the City. See the next page for key map describing how the quadrant maps are organized for all three tiers.

65

5 Recommendations Figure 13: Recommended Bicycle Projects Key Map

1 (Northwest Quadrant)

2 (Northeast Quadrant)

3 (Southwest Quadrant)

4 (Southwest Quadrant)

66

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 14: Recommended Tier 1 Bicycle Projects (Overview)

67

5 Recommendations Figure 14a: Recommended Tier 1 Bicycle Projects 1 (Northwest Quadrant)

68

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 14b: Recommended Tier 1 Bicycle Projects 2 (Northeast Quadrant)

69

5 Recommendations Figure 14c: Recommended Tier 1 Bicycle Projects 3 (Southwest Quadrant)

70

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 14d: Recommended Tier 1 Bicycle Projects 4 (Southeast Quadrant)

71

5 Recommendations Table 5a: Recommended Tier 1 Bicycle Projects Rank Facility Type 1

2

1

BB

Length (Miles) 1.52

0.93

Facility

From

To

San Marcos Blvd (Safe Rancho Santa Fe Route to School and W end project Recreation) (Bent)

Discovery

Autumn

Westlake

Woodward

Westlake

Autumn

San Marcos Blvd

Pico

Richmar

Autumn

Tiger

Autumn

San Marcos Blvd

Twin Oaks Valley

3

BB

0.2

Borden

Existing Class 1, between Avenidas Las Posas Leon and Amigo

4

2

0.67

Rock Springs

Woodland Parkway Lancer Park Ave

5

3

1.38

White Sands, Coast, Is- Palomar Airport Rd Rancho Santa Fe Dr land

6

1

1.36

Borden

7

3

0.68

Sycamore

Mulberry

Richland

Richland

Woodland

Existing Class 1 (off La Cienega Sycamore)

Delta N/A

N/A

N/A

Notes Proposed in previous BMP San Marcos Elem.

School, Safe Routes to School

Paloma Elem.

School. Traffic calming exists as chicanes and medians

-2

Connect to existing bicycle lanes east of Lancer Park Ave

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP. Alvin Dunn Elem. School/ Palomar-Rancho Santa Fe Class 3

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP

N/A

Alternate to Class 1

8

BB

0.34

Grand

Ponte

Rancho Santa Fe Rd

N/A

Alvin Dunn Elem.

School. Proposed in previous BMP as Class 3

9

3

1.65

Palomar College Loop

Avenida Azul

Las Posas

N/A

Private streets.

Coordinate with Palomar College

10

3

0.72

McMahr Rd, McMahr Dr, La Noche Goldfinch, Quail Hill

Via Vera Cruz

N/A

Safe Routes to Discovery Elem.

School

11

BB

0.78

La Sombra

Discovery

Quail Hill

N/A

Discovery Elem.

School

12

BB

0.26

Avenida Arana

Las Posas

Camino Magnifico

N/A

Paloma Elem.

School

13

BB

1.39

Fulton

Richland Neighbor- Bennett Ave hood Path & Trail

N/A

Richland Elem.

School, proposed in previous BMP as Class 3

14

BB

0.46

La Noche

La Sombra

Applewilde

N/A

San Elijo Elem. and Middle School

15

BB

0.55

Schoolhouse Wy (Pri- San Elijo vate)

Elfin Forest Rd

N/A

Discovery Elem.

School. Coordinate with district.

16

BB

0.43

Applewilde Drive

Discovery

Ex Class 1 near Poppy Rd

N/A

Discovery Elem.

School

17

BB

0.3

Cassou

W end of Cassou

E end of Cassou

N/A

Twin Oaks Elem. and High School

18

2

0.64

Twin Oaks Blvd

E La Cienega

Borden

4

W SR-78 ramp

E SR-78 ramp

6

Proposed in previous BMP. ROW varies

19

3

0.33

Mulberry

Heiden

La Cienega

N/A

Alternate to Class 1 72

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Rank Facility Type 20

BB

Length (Miles) 0.52

Facility

From

To

La Mirada

End of ex. Class 1 (Near Tilley Ln)

Kensington Drive

Kensington Dr

La Mirada

Ninth St (Sunset Park - adjacent Class I)

Broken Rock Rd

Lodgepole Rd

Borden Rd

Rock Springs Rd

Rock Springs Rd

Mission Rd

Delta

Notes

N/A

Alvin Dunn Elem.

School route.

Proposed in previous BMP as Class 1

6

Very wide median

N/A

Richland Elem. and Mission Hills High School

21

2

0.27

Rancho Santa Fe Rd

22

BB

0.91

Richland

23

2

0.39

Elfin Forest

Unnamed Trail

City Boundary

0

24

3

1.71

Double Peak/Ledge Private

W San Elijo Rd

E San Elijo Rd

N/A

Safe Routes to Rec

25

BB

1.14

Las Flores Dr

Grand

San Marcos Blvd

N/A

Alvin Dunn Elem.

School. Proposed in previous BMP as Class 3

“Delta” column represents difference between required right-of-way width for bicycle lanes versus existing width. Range between -2 or greater (per side) indicates possibility of bicycle lane installation with some additional design considerations.

Color coding indicates improvement feasibility: Green indicates feasible, red indicates infeasible and blue indicates field-verified value within four feet (two feet per side) of minimum required.

Proposed in previous BMP

6

Green = feasible

-3

Red = infeasible

2

Blue = value within four feet of minimum

73

5 Recommendations Figure 15: Recommended Tier 2 Bicycle Projects (Overview)

74

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 15a: Recommended Tier 2 Bicycle Projects 1 (Northwest Quadrant)

75

5 Recommendations Figure 15b: Recommended Tier 2 Bicycle Projects 2 (Northeast Quadrant)

76

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 15c: Recommended Tier 2 Bicycle Projects 3 (Southwest Quadrant)

77

5 Recommendations Figure 15d: Recommended Tier 2 Bicycle Projects 4 (Southeast Quadrant)

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City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Table 5b: Tier 2 Priority Projects Rank 26

Facility Type BB

Length (Miles) 0.61

Facility

From

Delta

Notes

N/A

Alvin Dunn Elem School (Smilax-Grand “wiggle”).

Proposed in previous BMP as Class 3

Pacific Street

N/A

Segment planned for construction in 2015 (Source: City of San Marcos)

San Marcos MS

Twin Oaks Vly Rd

N/A

San Marcos Middle School

Las Flores

Rancho Santa Fe

-2

Pacific

Las Posas

4

Las Posas

Via Vera Cruz

-12

Via Vera Cruz

Bent

-6

Alamitos

Oleander

Descanso Ave

Descanso

Alamitos

Ponte

Ponte

Descanso

Grand

27

1

0.63

Inland Rail Trail - Gap Las Flores Closure Drive

28

BB

0.81

Richmar

29

2

1.21

To

Linda Vista

Proposed in previous BMP. Parking removal would accommodate Class 2 lanes

30

3

0.13

Meadowview

Mulberry

Neighborhood Class I

N/A

31

BB

0.46

Camino del Sol

Avenia Cordoba

Camino Magnifico

N/A

Paloma Elementary School

32

BB

0.64

Camino Magnifico

Avenida Abeja/Via Barquero

Camino del Sol

N/A

Paloma Elementary School

33

1

2.3

Double Peak Regional Park Path (Recreational)

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP. Paved, but existing asphalt in poor condition.

0.51

Path to San Elijo Park Double Peak (Recreational) Regional Park

Lighthouse; northern edge of San Elijo neighborhood

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP

3.37

Deer Springs Twin Oaks Valley (Walnut Grove (Safe Route to School Park) and Recreation) Richmar

E La Cienega (N terminus of existing C1)

N/A

Barham

N/A

Barham (Safe Routes to School)

La Moree

Woodland

N/A

Discovery

La Noche

Discovery Elementary School Paths #1 & #2

Goldfinch Way

McMahr

Discovery Path

McMahr

34

35 36

37

1

1 1

1

0.8

0.22

Proposed in previous BMP

Along McMahr N/A

Short segment connects elementary school to homes otherwise outside walkshed

38

1

0.5

Elfin Forest Path

Archer

Just east of Schools

N/A

Upgrade from Class 2

39

1

0.02

Ped bridge to Palomar College

Palomar College

South of tracks

N/A

Planned, may not accommodate bicycles, only peds. Coordinate with Palomar College.

40

1

0.44

Route through Hollandia Park (Safe Route to Recreation)

Borden

Mission

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP

79

5 Recommendations Table 5b: Tier 2 Priority Projects Rank

Facility Type

Length (Miles)

41

1

0.08

42

1

43

1

Facility

From

To

Delta

Notes

Sunset Park Path (Safe Route to School La Mirada and Recreation)

Puesta del Sol

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP

1.01

Future South Lake Park (Safe Route to Recreation)

Discovery Park

Future South Lake Park

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP

0.88

Las Posas Class 1/ Along Buena Creek (Gap Closure)

Las Posas northern terminus

Northern City Limit

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP

Deer Springs Rd

Twin Oaks Valley

44

2

0.62

Las Posas

Future N Las Posas

Via Arista

18

Proposed in previous BMP. Minor roadway

45

2

0.15

McMahr

Discovery

La Noche

-2

Minor road

46

1

2.29

San Marcos Discovery and Future Blvd Discovery (Safe Routes to School) Craven

47

1

1.23

Future South Lake Park (Recreational)

48

49 50

1

1 1

1.13

Las Posas (Safe Routes to School)

Bent Twin Oaks Valley

Around future South Lake Mission

San Marcos Blvd

San Marcos Blvd

Discovery

Discovery

La Noche Drive

N/A N/A

N/A

0.05

Twin Oaks Connector Cassou (Gap Closure)

Class 1 (off Sycamore)

N/A

0.14

San Elijo Park to San Elijo Middle School

Near eastern City Limit.

Private roadway

N/A

San Elijo Park

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deltaâ&#x20AC;? column represents difference between required right-of-way width for bicycle lanes versus existing width. Range between -2 or greater (per side) indicates possibility of bicycle lane installation with some additional design considerations.

Color coding indicates improvement feasibility: Green indicates feasible, red indicates infeasible and blue indicates field-verified value within four feet (two feet per side) of minimum required.

Proposed in previous BMP

Gap closure. Proposed in previous BMP

6

Green = feasible

-3

Red = infeasible

2

Blue = value within four feet of minimum

80

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 16: Recommended Tier 3 Bicycle Projects (Overview)

81

5 Recommendations Figure 16a: Recommended Tier 3 Bicycle Projects 1 (Northwest Quadrant)

82

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 16b: Recommended Tier 3 Bicycle Projects 2 (Northeast Quadrant)

83

5 Recommendations Figure 16c: Recommended Tier 3 Bicycle Projects 3 (Southwest Quadrant)

84

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 16d: Recommended Tier 3 Bicycle Projects 4 (Southeast Quadrant)

85

5 Recommendations Table 5c: Recommended Tier 3 Bicycle Projects Rank

Facility Type

Length (Miles)

51

1

0.65

Mission

Mulberry

Woodland

N/A

52

1

1.25

Woodland (Gap Closure)

Borden

Mission

N/A

Facility

From

To

Delta

Notes

53

3

0.13

Parking lot path

Palomar College

Armorlite Dr

N/A

Parking lot connecting Armorlite and Palomar College. Bicycle/ped access should be enhanced. Gap closure. Coordinate with NCTD.

54

BB

1.07

Knob Hill Rd

Bougher Rd

Nordahl Rd

N/A

Knob Hill Elementary School

55

1

1.08

Linda Vista (Safe Route to School and Recreation)

Puesta del Sol

Las Posas

N/A

Proposed in previous BMP

Rush

Twin Oaks

0

Minor roadway

San Marcos Blvd

Discovery at La Sombra

12

Proposed in previous BMP

750' west of Bent Ave

Rush Dr

6

Slated for widening. Part of segment is “paper” street Verify center turn lane warranted. Appears to be low density here

56

2

1.43

Discovery Street

57

2

0.24

Rose Ranch Rd

Mulberry

Lantana

-8

58

1

0.24

Woodland

Mission

Barham

N/A

59

1

0.35

Rose Ranch

Mulberry

Borden

N/A

60

3

0.21

Avenida Cordoba

Borden

Camino del Sol

N/A

61

2

0.46

Mission Blvd

Just west of Pleasant St

Just east of Woodward

62

3

0.46

Sycamore

Deer Springs

Existing Class 1 (off Sycamore)

63

2

0.36

Twin Oaks Valley Rd/Deer Springs Rd

Buena Creek

64

2

1.84

Melrose

65

2

1

66

2

1

67

2

0.54

Proposed in previous BMP “Paper” street. Between San Marcos Blvd and Discovery and Discovery and Via Vera Cruz

-8 N/A

Very narrow, rural roadway

Sycamore

-4

Most contrained segment.

Other segments 64' wide

Sparrow Ln

San Elijo Rd

-6

Gap closure. Proposed in previous BMP

Bent Ave

San Marcos Blvd

Discovery Street

-10

Roadway unimproved. Likely to be widened and improved

Rancheros Dr

San Marcos Blvd

Civic Center Dr

-6

Valpreda Rd

E Mission Rd

6

Olive

Heiden

-4

La Cienega

Woodward

6

Mulberry

68

2

0.13

Oleander Ave

Poinsettia

Smilax Ave

-9

ROW and configuration vary (represents most constrained segments). South side unimproved. Proposed in previous BMP

69

2

0.39

Olive St

Twin Oaks Valley

Mullberry

-12

Very narrow, rural roadway

70

2

0.6

Simlax

South Santa Fe

Oleander Ave

-9

ROW and configuration vary (represents most constrained segments). Proposed in previous BMP 86

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Table 5c: Recommended Tier 3 Bicycle Projects Rank

71

Facility Type

2

Length (Miles)

0.36

Facility

Via Vera Cruz

From

To

Delta

Notes

-2

Possible connection between multiple routes (Class 2 proposed on Linda Vista, shopping area, very auto-oriented)

Linda Vista Dr

San Marcos Blvd

San Marcos Blvd

Discovery Street

20

Proposed in previous BMP. Road narrows to 22', bicycle lanes planned under Creek Specific Plan

Honeysuckle

Quail Hill

-12

Shoulder appears to be designated as parking

72

2

0.57

Woodward

Golf Glen

Vineyard

-16

On-street parking on boths sides

73

2

0.7

La Moree

Sandy Ln

S Whispering Water Dr

-12

Proposed in previous BMP. ROW varies (appears to be more ROW than is paved)

“Delta” column represents difference between required right-of-way width for bicycle lanes versus existing width. Range between -2 or greater (per side) indicates possibility of bicycle lane installation with some additional design considerations.

6

Green = feasible

-3

Red = infeasible

2

Blue = value within four feet of minimum

Color coding indicates improvement feasibility: Green indicates feasible, red indicates infeasible and blue indicates field-verified value within four feet (two feet per side) of minimum required.

87

5 Recommendations 5.2 Improvements to Existing Bicycle Facilities Based on public input and field review, the following are improvements recommended for existing bicycle facilities.

Multi-use Paths Add distance markers. Also, along heavily used segments, a centerline stripe is recommended to identify right-of-way travel for all users.

Potential Cycle Tracks The Governor signed Assembly Bill-1193 (Bikeways) in September 2014, which designates cycle tracks as an official bikeway type. Statewide guidelines are to be made available

by January 1, 2016. These facilities will be officially designated as Class 4 bikeways.

Bicycle Lanes Whenever repaving projects occur, or repairs on streets with bicycle lanes, install bicycle detector loops or signal actuators.

Wherever width is available, add a buffer between the bicycle lane and parked cars or between adjacent travel lane and bicycle lane where on-street parking is not present.

5’

8’

Minimum standard width for bicycle lanes adjacent to on-street parking is five feet with eight foot parking stalls, for a total width of 13 feet. Lines on both sides of the bicycle lanes are recommended.

Bicycle Routes Add Shared Lane Markings or “Sharrows” to existing bicycle routes, particularly at transitions from bicycle lanes to shared travel lanes. Also install “Bikes May Use Full Lane” (CA MUTCD R4-11) signs along these routes.

4’

2-3’

8’

Where more than 13 feet is available, the extra space should be used for a buffer between the parking stalls and bicycle lanes. The bicycle lanes can be reduced to four feet minimum only when a buffer is provided between the bicycle lanes and parking stalls.

88

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle Parking Secure bicycle parking at likely destinations is an integral part of a bikeway network. Lack of secure parking is often cited as a reason people hesitate to ride a bicycle. The same consideration should be given to cyclists as to vehicle drivers, who expect convenient and secure parking at all destinations.

Bicycle parking should be located in well-lit, secure locations close to the main entrance of a building, no further from the entrance than the closest automobile parking space. Bicycle parking should not interfere with pedestrian movement.

Bicycle racks should support the bicycle well and make it easy to secure it with a U-shaped lock through the bicycle’s frame and the rack. The examples shown are a standard “inverted– U” rack and another art design rack that meets these criteria.

Adequate bicycle parking should be incorporated into any new development or redevelopment project. Bicycle parking should be given a balanced level of importance when considering car parking improvements or development. In commercial areas where bicycle traffic is more prevalent, as well as parks and shopping centers, increased bicycle parking is recommended. This provides an option for individuals who need to make a short trip to the local store to ride their bicycle rather than drive a car. (See Section 1.4 for the City of San Marcos Municipal Code Title 20 that addresses bicycle parking in new development.)

Increasing and providing secure bicycle parking will help promote and encourage kids to ride their bicycles to school if they know their bicycles will be safe. Bicycle parking should also be a standard amenity for existing and future parks.

Bicycle rack type plays a major role in the utilization of the bicycle racks. Only racks that support the bicycle at two points and allow convenient locking should be used. Racks that can secure the entire bicycle are preferred and recommended for installation in commercial areas, schools, parks and local businesses.

Custom racks that showcase local businesses may also be encouraged to improve aesthetics as long as the racks provide adequate security and reflect local context. For example, special districts may benefit from custom racks whose design aesthetic relates to other street furniture.

A successful bicycle rack design enables proper locking, which means the user must be able to secure a typically sized U-lock around the frame and one wheel to the locking area of the rack. Racks that support the bicycle, but either provide no way to lock the frame or require awkward lifting to enable locking, are not acceptable unless security is provided by other means, such as a locked enclosure or monitoring by attendants. See Appendix A and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) Bike Parking Guidelines for more detailed information on bicycle parking design and placement.

Bicycle racks must be designed so that they:

• • • • • •

Do not bend wheels or damage other bicycle parts Accommodate high security U-shaped bicycle locks Accommodate securing the frame and wheels Do not trip pedestrians Are easily accessed yet protected from vehicles Are covered if users will leave their bicycles for long periods

To provide real security for the bicycle (with its potentially easily removed components) and accessories (lights, pump, tools and bags), either bicycle enclosures, lockers or a checkin service is required. Bicycle parking facilities are generally grouped into two classes: Long-term - provides complete security and protection from weather. It is intended for situations where the bicycle is left unattended for long periods of time: apartments and condominium complexes, schools, places of employment and transit stops. These are usually lockers, cages or rooms in buildings.

Short-term - provides a means of locking the bicycle frame and wheels, but does not provide accessory and component security or weather protection unless covered. It is primarily for decentralized parking where bicycles are left for short periods of time and are visible and convenient to the building entrance.

89

5 Recommendations

To identify the number of bicycle parking at a specific land use, some cities have used various measurement methods such as a percentage of auto parking, unit count, proportion of building square footage and even building occupancy. Determining bicycle parking demand is more appropriate when using the proportion of square footage or building occupancy. These units of measure are commonly used during plan check and can be easily integrated into the planning process.

The Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Title 20 Off Street Parking requirements are based on building square footage, as well as specifies the bicycle parking type required per use type.

The bicycle racks can be customized to incorporate an areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aesthetics, or designed to complement a specific building or business. For example, the City of Long Beach maintains a program funded by the American Recovery and Investment Act to help business owners install bicycle racks. Their program provides a range of rack designs, or business owners can provide their own custom designs.

90

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle Corrals Bicycle corrals are generally former vehicle parking stalls converted to bicycle parking. Most have been on-street conversions, but they are now being incorporated into shopping center parking lots as well. Corrals can accommodate up to 20 bicycles per former vehicle parking space. On-street bicycle corrals provide many benefits where bicycle use is high and/ or growing:

• Businesses - Corrals provide a much higher customer to

parking space ratio and advertise “bicycle friendliness.”

They also allow more outdoor seating for restaurants by moving the bicycle parking off the sidewalk. Some cities have instituted programs that allow local businesses to sponsor or adopt a bicycle corral to improve bicycle parking in front of their business.

• Pedestrians - Corrals clear the sidewalks and those installed at corners also serve as curb extensions.

• Cyclists - Corrals increase the visibility of cycling and greatly expand bicycle parking options.

• Vehicle drivers - Corrals improve visibility at intersections by preventing large vehicles from parking at street corners and blocking sight lines.

Especially where bicycle parking is very limited, an occasional parking space could be converted into a bicycle corral to increase the attraction of cycling to the commercial district instead of driving there. There is great variety in design including signage, protective barriers, curbs, custom paving or even simply striping.

In terms of placement, it is desirable to put bicycle corrals near intersections. Mid-block placement is not recommended because the corral can be hidden by parked vehicles, reducing visibility for both vehicle drivers and cyclists. Bicycle corral racks can be customized and have been designed and fabricated to complement specific locations, as well as available “off-the-shelf” designs sized to fit within a standard vehicle parking space. Refer to Appendix A: Design Guidelines and the APBP Bike Parking Guidelines for additional information.

Modular bicycle corrals - Coronado (top), Long Beach (below)

91

5 Recommendations 5.3 Pedestrian Projects

Bikeway Maintenance and Operations Vehicle traffic tends to “sweep” debris like litter and broken glass toward the roadway edges where it can accumulate in bicycle lanes. Maneuvering to avoid such hazards can cause a cyclist to fall. In this way, proper maintenance directly affects safety and street sweeping must be a priority on roadways with bicycle facilities, especially in curb lanes and along the curbs themselves. Law enforcement can assist by requiring towing companies to fully clean up crash sites to prevent glass and debris from being left in place or simply swept to the curb or shoulder after collisions.

When the City or other agencies do any roadwork repairs, the roadway must be restored to satisfactory quality with particular attention to surface smoothness suitable for cycling. Striping must be restored to the prior markings, or new markings if called for in a project. Bicycles facilities also sometimes seem to “disappear” after roadway construction occurs. This can happen incrementally as paving repairs are made over time and are not promptly followed by proper re-striping. When combined with poor surface reconstruction following long periods out of service due to road work, bikeway facilities can be “lost,” which can discourage cycling in general.

Construction projects that require the demolition and rebuilding of adjacent roadways can cause problems maintaining and restoring bikeway function. Construction activities controlled through permits, such as driveway, drainage and utility work, can have an important effect on roadway surface quality where cyclists operate in the form of mismatched pavement heights, rough surfaces or longitudinal gaps in adjoining pavements, or other pavement irregularities.

Permit conditions should ensure that pavement foundation and surface treatments are restored to their pre-construction conditions, that no vertical irregularities will result and that no longitudinal cracks will develop. Strict specifications, standards and inspections designed to prevent these problems should be developed. A five year bond should be held to assure correction of any deterioration that might occur as a result of faulty reconstruction of the roadway surface.

This plan recommended pedestrian projects according to Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Zones. Missing sidewalks within SRTS Zones were prioritized over those beyond SRTS Zones such as general, Citywide projects. SRTS Zone projects were, in turn, ranked against one another according to a set of criteria. More information on criteria used can be found in the Chapter 3.

To summarize, this plan recommends a total of 236 miles of pedestrian (sidewalk completion) projects, of which 93 miles are SRTS Zone projects and 144 miles are general, Citywide projects. The following pages include an overall key map of the SRTS Zones and individual blow-ups of each. Project rankings are summarized in the following table and costs in Table 8 in the following chapter.

Table SRTS Zones Table 46: : PPrioritized rioritized SRTS Zones

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Description Miles Improved* Score** San Marcos High 3.3 63 Mission Hills High 6.6 62 Palomar College 7.1 60 Woodland Park Middle 4.3 55 San Marcos Elementary 2.8 55 San Marcos Middle 1.9 52 San Elijo Middle & Elementary 3.2 42 Alvin Dunn Elementary 5.7 41 Knob Hill Elementary 1.3 41 Paloma Elementary 0 39 Discovery Elementary 2.6 39 Richland Elementary 4 34 Twin Oaks Elementary 4.8 28 CSU San Marcos 10.1 27

* Includes sidewalk construction and curb ramps ** Maximum score: 100

A suggested minimum monthly sweeping schedule is recommended for heavily used Class 1 and 2 facilities, and twice a year where use is light. Class 3 facilities should be swept twice a year, and preferably more often where use is relatively high or the route is a bicycle boulevard.

92

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Figure 17: SRTS Priority Zones - Key Map

93

5 Recommendations Figure 17a: SRTS Priority Zones - Enlargements SRTS Priority Zone 1 - San Marcos High School

SRTS Priority Zone 2 - Mission Hills High School

SRTS Priority Zone 3 - Palomar College

SRTS Priority Zone 4 - Woodland Park Middle School

94

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

SRTS Priority Zone 5 - San Marcos Elementary School

SRTS Priority Zone 6 - San Marcos Middle School

SRTS Priority Zone 7 - San Elijo Mid School/Elem School

SRTS Priority Zone 8 - Alvin Dunn Elementary School

95

5 Recommendations Figure 17b: SRTS Priority Zones - Enlargements SRTS Priority Zone 9 - Knob Hill Elementary School

SRTS Priority Zone 10 - Paloma Elementary School

SRTS Priority Zone 11 - Discovery Elementary

SRTS Priority Zone 12 - Richland Elementary

96

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

SRTS Priority Zone 13 - Twin Oaks/Foothill High School/ Twin Oaks Elementary School

SRTS Priority Zone 14 - California State Univ San Marcos

97

5 Recommendations

5.4 Other Facilities: Safe Routes to Transit Recognizing the mobility benefits that come from improving connections between bicycles, walking and transit, this section details a series of recommendations and best practices to encourage and improve active transportation connections to transit.

Integration of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan into the surrounding transportation and transit network improves the user experience by providing intuitive, safe and recognizable routes connecting active transportation and transit networks. Providing infrastructure for a broad range of users and mobility devices establishes a set of best practices for the development of a complete bicycle and pedestrian network.

The overarching goal of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is to safely provide active transportation infrastructure to persons at all levels of cycling and walking ability.

will be guided by a set of best practices as they apply to transit stops and stations, bicycle facilities and associated pedestrian improvements.

Transit Stop Improvements Provide waiting areas with an improved level of comfort, encouraging transit use and creating a safer environment for users. Best practices include:

• Flush boarding • • • •

Ample seating Shading Landscaping Lighting and public art where space permits

When feasible, include street furniture, trash cans and parking for mobility devices at transit stops.

Streetside improvements at bus stops include dedicated bus-only lanes or bus pull-outs where transit stops offer direct bus access. Locate bus stops on the far-side of intersections

Improving bicycle and pedestrian access to transit helps to expand the sphere of influence for cyclists, pedestrians and transit users, and can improve the transit rider and active transportation user relationship. A layered network enhancement of transit station area improvements allows for a connected multimodal transportation network. Improvements

98

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

where possible to ease pedestrian movement at intersections.

Consider bus-only lanes or pull-outs near stops to prevent traffic congestion behind busses.

Access Improvements Access improvements to transit stations and stops should be centered on three overall goals:

• Decreasing the average travel time to access transit -

This is achieved by decreasing wait times at intersections and by increasing speed and capacity along bicycle and pedestrian routes. Prioritized signal timing improvements decrease waiting times for cyclists and pedestrians and improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities increases the average users’ speed.

• Decreasing point-to-point distances - This is achieved

nelize traffic and create buffer zones or delineate parking from travel lanes. Confirm lane width requirements for efficient operations.

Enhanced Bicycle Facilities • Provide bicycle facilities separated from and/or protected from vehicular traffic.

• Convert existing standard bicycle lanes or shared lanes into protected facilities where feasible, to protect cyclists from vehicular traffic.

• On streets with heavy traffic, multiple lanes, high parking turnover, double parking and existing or potential high bicycle ridership, consider installing separated cycle tracks to protect cyclists and make cycling more comfortable and inviting to all users.

through strategic short-cuts and increased street crossing opportunities. Off-street routes using utility easements and flood control channels, or parks and midblock crossings can significantly reduce point-to-point distances for cyclists and pedestrians.

• On streets with high speeds, few driveways or cross

• Supporting multi-modal transfer activity - Strengthen

way, where direct access is very difficult for cyclists, where two way connections are needed, and where traffic is low-speed and low volume, consider installing contraflow bicycle lanes or routes that cut through blocks.

links between modal access points, such as bus stops and transit stations, or bicycle share kiosks and stations, by providing easily identifiable safe and efficient access routes between modes.

Modifying the allocation of street space near transit stations and stops is another key element in encouraging access to transit by cycling and walking, including the following: Reduced Lane Width • Reduce vehicular lane widths, were possible, to reduce vehicle speeds, crash severity and crossing distances.

Gain underutilized space for more transit-friendly uses, such as bus access, extended sidewalks, buffer zones, protected bicycle lanes and curb extensions.

• Where traffic volumes and bus usage permits, limit lane width to 11 feet and ideally 10 feet. Use striping to chan-

streets and high demand for bicycle access, consider installing raised cycle tracks at or near the same level as the adjoining sidewalk.

• On streets where cyclists are already riding the wrong

• Other protected facilities and bicycle enhancements recommended for transit zones can include buffered bicycle lanes, bicycle boxes, bicycle signal heads and bicycle signal detection.

• For separated facilities, use paint on the street surface to conform to bundled improvements.

• Consider signage, both directional and wayfinding.

Signal Modifications • Slow vehicular speeds within transit zones.

• Give crossing priority to pedestrians and cyclists.

• Time signals to ease traffic and minimize conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

• Establish safe “transit zones” around major bus stops and transit centers.

• Set vehicular signal timing for moderate speeds along major bicycle and pedestrian routes.

• Time signals to provide pedestrians and cyclists lead time for crossing before vehicular travel.

• Use bus and bicycle detection at traffic signals for pri99

5 Recommendations • At conflict zones, apply paint on streets.

oritization of bicycles.

• Add bicycle detection to traffic signals for crossings.

Bicycle Lanes • Shift the balance of the roadway so that it caters more to cyclists of all types near major bus stops and transit centers.

• Increase safety and comfort in the roadway for cyclists.

• Provide a passing lane for faster riders.

• Convert existing bicycle lanes into buffered bicycle

lanes or cycle tracks within a quarter or half mile radius of major bus stops or transit centers, where feasible.

These facilities would be dedicated lanes, wider than standard bicycle lanes, to encourage use by cyclists of varying speeds and abilities.

• Paint fast/slow indicators in the lane, giving ample room for passing at conflict points such as crosswalks and hills.

• Ideally provide buffers, such as painted, or raised planter, parking, or bollards, to comfortably separate cyclists from vehicular traffic.

• Incorporate informational signage, traffic markings, and dedicated signalization through intersections.

5.5 Goals and Policies The following goals, policies and objectives have been developed for this plan in accordance with previous planning efforts and relevant State legislation governing air quality, public health and equitable access. This plan’s suggested goals and policies have been informed largely by the 2013 General Plan Mobility Element Update, which helps to situate the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan within San Marcos’ larger mobility context and, in so doing, elevates cycling and walking to a position equal with other modes when planning the City’s transportation network. Fully integrating cycling and walking into the overall transportation system is essential to achieving goals related to greenhouse gas reduction, public health and social equity. Supplemental goals, policies and action items, related more specifically to cycling and walking, have been included as needed.

General Plan Mobility Element Amendments A roadway that performs efficiently for drivers often leads to “barrier effects” for non-motorized users, including wider crossing distances, increased collision risk, lack of visual interest and increased traffic stress. Conversely, a roadway optimized for non-motorized users may feel congested and chaotic for drivers.

The General Plan’s Mobility Element lends important support for the development of a multi-modal transportation network, with a particular emphasis on cycling and walking.

LU 3.2 is an example of goals/policies relevant to this: “Identify major barriers, physical or plan-based, to connectivity and take appropriate action or steps to overcome these barriers.”

Following are suggested amendments, in the form of deletions (in red) and additions (in blue), to the General Plan Mobility Element itself. These changes are suggested to more accurately portray trade-offs and to reframe goals, objectives and policies, as necessary, to support the implementation of the projects and programs recommended by this plan.

(Mobility Element modifications will require a General Plan Amendment and City Council approval.)

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Mobility Element The foundation of San Marcos’s mobility framework is the planned transition to a multi-modal (e.g. ability to serve all modes of travel) transportation network—this includes sidewalks and crosswalks, bikeways, roadways, pathways, and public transit routes and requires the use of the City’s transportation-related goals (How do decision makers want the City to look?) to evaluate the tradeoffs – related to safety, comfort and convenience – inherent to accommodating all modes.

Goal M-1 Provide a comprehensive multimodal circulation system that serves the City land uses and provides for the safe and effective movement of people and goods.

Policy M-1.2: Require new development to finance and construct internal adjacent roadway circulation and City-wide improvements as necessary to mitigate project impacts, including pedestrian, bicycle, transit and roadway, transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Conduct a transportation nexus study, which assesses the impact of new development on the entire transportation network, not just the vehicular network, and which offers mitigation measures that support multi-modal and complete streets goals.

Policy M-1.1: Safely and efficiently accommodate traffic transportation demand generated by development and redevelopment associated with implementation of the General Plan Land Use Policy Map through a complete streets approach.

Policy M-1.3: Require new developments to prepare and implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs to minimize vehicle trip generation and promote alternative modes of travel promote alternative modes of travel and minimize vehicle trip generation within the City.

Policy M-1.4: Utilize multi-modal level of service techniques to evaluate transportation facilities. For identified prioritized modes (based on facility typology), provide the level of service necessary to achieve the desired transportation balance as depicted in Table 3-2 Complete Street Guide, Mode Preferences of the Mobility Element Update and following minimum LOS as shown in Table 3-4:

• LOS D or better for Vehicles as a prioritized mode – Generally provides facilities that have minimum vehicle congestion during peak periods. Most drivers are delayed less than 55 seconds at a signal (or less than one signalized cycle)

• LOS D or better for Bicycles – Generally provides bicycle

facilities that provide a good level of comfort for average cyclists.

• LOS C or better for Pedestrians – Generally provides for wider sidewalks and ensures a peasant and comfortable walking environment.

• LOS D or better for Transit – Provides for good transit service levels along prioritized corridors with high frequency service rates

• The City shall allow for flexible LOS where warranted

(e.g. accepting a lower LOS than identified above), provided that diminished LOS for vehicles is offset by improved LOS for alternative modes (walking, cycling and transit). Warranted locations include those within the Urban Core of San Marcos, or where diminished vehicular LOS is required to foster increased transportation balance (i.e. improved LOS for alternative modes). except where widening is financially or environmentally infeasible). Consistent with General Plan Goals, the City shall continuously update a list of protected locations where flexible LOS is warranted, upon the condition of improved LOS for alternative modes. These locations include, but are not limited to including Rancho Santa Fe Road (between Grand and Linda Vista, and between Grandon Avenue and Security

Note: CEQA changes (SB 743) will eliminate LOS as a criterion to determine proposed project significance. Until SB 743 is fully adopted by the City, LOS criteria should be retained to support the City’s ability to condition street improvements.

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encouraging bicycling and walking.

Place), and Twin Oaks Valley Road (north Windy Way).

Policy M-1.5: Continue to participate in SANDAG’s efforts to coordinate regional transportation planning with its member agencies, and continue to consult with Caltrans on transportation planning, operations, and funding to develop the City’s circulation system as it relates to State Route 78 capacity and access. Work to ensure that further developments to State Route 78 do not further adversely impact bicycle and pedestrian mobility.

Policy M-1.7: Strive to ensure that streets within San Marcos shall be complete streets where feasible; thereby providing accessibility, safety, connectivity, and comfort for all modes and users of the system. Appropriate new local streets and Main Streets will prioritize pedestrian and bicycle users through the corridor. Evaluate existing local streets and Main Streets for their potential prioritize pedestrian and bicycle users through the corridor.

Policy M-1.8: Continue to utilize technology and intelligent transportation systems to stabilize street system flow and efficiency for all transportation modes as an alternative to roadway widening, where feasible.

Policy M-1.9: Continue to work with new development, local agencies, and regional agencies to implement additional freeway, low-stress connections across existing barriers (freeways, major roadways, creeks, etc.) for bicycles and pedestrians.

Traffic Calming and Safety

Alternative Modes of Travel The City of San Marcos promotes and values the use of travel modes other than the single occupant vehicle. To that end, the following policies ensure that a true multi-modal system is implemented within the City.

Goal M-3 Promote and encourage use of alternative transportation modes, including walking, bicycling, transit and NEVs transit, bicycles, neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), and walking, within the City.

Policy M-3.1: Develop an integrated, multimodal circulation system that provides the appropriate balance between accommodates transit, bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles, given General Plan goals and roadway typologies; provides opportunities to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; and reinforces the role of the street as a public space that unites the City.

Policy M-3.5: Ensure that streets in areas with high levels of pedestrian activity (such as employment centers, residential areas, mixed use areas, and schools) support safe pedestrian travel by providing detached sidewalks, bulb-outs, enhanced pedestrian crossings, pedestrian bridges, and medians.

Design bicycle and pedestrian facilities beyond minimum requirements, with transportation goals in mind, including targets such as GHG reduction, improved safety and public health. Adopt progressive design guidelines that focus on best practices in “low-stress” bicycle and pedestrian

The City strives to improve safety and livability within the City’s neighborhoods. This is accomplished by implementing neighborhood-scale design features, such as traffic calming devices, to manage traffic speeds in these areas, thereby

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facility design.

Policy M-3.9: Create a pleasant walking environment for roadway typologies where pedestrian travel is prioritized.

This requires minimizing exposure to vehicular traffic along roadways and at intersections and may includes providing shade trees, landscaping, benches, pedestrian-scale lighting, way finding signage, transit shelters, and other appropriate amenities.

Policy M-3.10: Promote synergy between transit and active transportation networks. Coordinate with NCTD and other transit agencies to ensure Safe Routes to transit and appropriate accommodation of bicycles on transit vehicles and at transit stations.

Policy M-3.11: Recognizing that bicycling and walking are not confined to the City’s borders, prioritize the implementation of local routes of regional significance and coordinate with adjacent jurisdictions and regional authorities regarding bicycle and pedestrian planning.

Policy M-3.12: Adopt a policy of Routine Accommodation, similar to SANDAG’s, that requires all new development and any major redevelopment projects to provide, at a minimum, safe and unimpeded bicycle and pedestrian accommodation. Expand this policy to require consideration of (further) bicycle and pedestrian accommodation for any City transportation project (e.g. road or lane diets which allow for (buffered) bicycle lanes).

Policy M-3.13: Consult the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian

Master Plan for guidance regarding bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs. Update this plan every 5 years.

Action Item M-3.1: Implement the bicycle and pedestrian network according to priorities established in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Action Item M-3.2: Action Item: Appoint a Bicycle and Pedestrian Working Group. This group shall develop targets regarding the implementation of the facilities and programs proposed in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, including network completion, program implementation, mode share and safe cycling/collision reduction. This group shall meet regularly.

Action Item M-3.3: The City of San Marcos shall develop a formal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. This program shall include working meetings between City staff and a SRTS Working Group, including school-aged children and an established process for addressing SRTS projects and programs.

Action Item M-3.4: Seek funding at a level of effort consistent with transportation-related goals (mode share, air quality, etc.). Designate a staff member tasked with pursuing all federal, state and local funding options; leverage funds to maximize matching opportunities; use funding table provided in this plan, updated as necessary.

Action Item M-3.5: Maintain a schedule of routine maintenance for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Action Item M-3.6: Regularly conduct bicycle and pe-

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destrian counts to better to justify previous and future investments.

Action Item M-3.7: Implement a comprehensive Mobility Education Program (one that covers all transportation modes) involving the Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the San Marcos Unified School District and other relevant parties. Best practices entail compulsory comprehensive mobility education for all roadway users of all ages and abilities.

Action Item M-3.8: The City shall host regular encouragement events like Ciclovias to show its commitment to bicycling and walking in the City of San Marcos.

Policy M-3.4 Action Item M-3.9: Work with local partners to implement a Citywide Bike Sharing System. This would include working with developers to provide bike stations for key new developments, working with California State University San Marcos, Palomar Community College, and private universities to provide bike stations on their facilities, and working with regional transit agencies to imple-

5.6 Programs This section comprises a diverse menu of programs intended to support the bicycle and pedestrian projects recommended in this plan. Due to a long history of routine accommodation for pedestrians (i.e. sidewalks, crosswalks, dedicated signals, etc.), programs targeting walking are relatively uncommon.

Conversely, the historic lack of routine accommodation for cyclists has fostered confusion about the role of bicycles in the overall transportation system and has necessitated an impressive diversity and breadth of bicycle-related programs. Despite a likely emphasis on programming and less on projects, bicycle programs remain an important element of a successful bicycle plan. The following sections offer some background on the changing “state of practice” in bicycle programming, namely the increased integration of programs and projects, culminating in a comprehensive menu of bicycle and pedestrian programs.

Evolving State of Practice in Bicycle Programs There has been a shift away from the traditional, compartmentalized “Five Es” approach developed by the League of American Bicyclists (Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and Evaluation and Planning) and toward a fully integrated and complementary menu of initiatives. By offering a menu of initiatives, rather than a prescriptive list, active transportation programming can more accurately address the

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Education/Encouragement/Marketing 1. Smart Trips Program Bundle existing conditions and desired outcomes of a given context.

In addition to changes in the content and organization of active transportation programs, there has also been a shift in implementation strategies. Programs are increasingly targeted at specific project areas, in conjunction with the construction of bicycle and pedestrian facility projects. The implementation of a capital project represents a unique opportunity to promote a city’s active transportation system and cycling and walking as attractive transportation options. Projects or “Engineering” represent the most visible and perhaps most tangible evidence of a great place for bicycling . The same can be said for walking. A new bicycle facility attracts attention of cyclists and non-cyclists alike. As such, it represents a great opportunity to reach out to the “interested, but concerned” within the neighborhood. Impact to this target group will be strongest by directly linking facility improvements and supportive programs. In this way, bundling bicycle programs with projects represents a much higher return on investment for both.

The programs recommended for the City of San Marcos are organized as a menu of initiatives, each listed under a broad category:

• Education/Encouragement/Marketing • Education/Enforcement • Monitoring and Evaluation These categories are not definitive. They are merely intended to offer some level of organization to the many program initiatives, the majority of which fall into at least one category.

SANDAG’s RideMatcher Bike Buddy Program The program matches new and experienced cyclists based on work and residence locations. A bicycle mentor may assist with any aspect of daily cycling, but often helps with the following: purchasing a bicycle and gear, route planning, route testing, bicycle skills and safety course participation and basic bicycle maintenance. Assistance offered by a bike buddy can make otherwise daunting experiences like navigating “high-stress” roadways or making multi-modal trips feel manageable. Through RideMatcher, commuters can use SANDAG’s database of thousands of commuters to find Bike Buddies. RideMatcher promises quick and easy connections.

All cyclists have to do is register with SANDAG’s iCommute.

Smart Trips is a generic name for community-based transportation demand management (TDM) programs that provide tools and incentives to make cycling (and often walking, ridesharing and transit) the preferred mode for particular trips.

Traditionally, TDM programs are implemented as employerbased programs targeting the commute trip. Smart Trips are intended to complement efforts aimed at commute behavior by targeting other household trips. Smart Trip programs have been shown to result in two to 14 percent reduction in drive-alone car trips and a significant increase in cycling.

Implementation of a variety of initiatives, leveraged as part of a Smart Trips program and delivered as a “bundle,” has been important to the success of Smart Trips programs in other cities. The bundled delivery of Smart Trips initiatives (initiatives a-e, described below) allows for the saturation of a target audience within a target neighborhood and has been instrumental in maximizing limited outreach dollars. a. Street Smarts Classes and Bicycle Ambassador Programs This initiative promotes safe cycling through communitybased outreach, which helps bridge the gap between people who want to start riding and the availability of opportunities to help them learn to cycle safely. Ideally, safety would be taught through bicycle safety courses delivered at a Cycling Education Center (described below) and on city streets, as appropriate. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC) offers a variety of cycling education courses, primarily in the cities of San Diego and Oceanside. Their offerings include something for kids, older adult, novice and experienced cyclists. While Bicycle Ambassadors may serve the community at large, their impact would be greatest when working within neighborhoods targeted for Smart Trips program, where cycling facilities are planned. Bicycle Ambassadors could also offer great value in areas and among populations with a high latent demand for cycling and in areas with high collision rates.

Bicycle ambassador program logo - Ft. Collins, CO

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b. Bicycle Friendly Businesses and Districts

d. Expand Traditional TDM – Employer Incentives

The City can promote the League of American Bicyclists’ (LAB) Bicycle Friendly Business program among local businesses to encourage cycling by their employees and customers. Businesses then use their bicycle friendliness as part of marketing.

Benefits to employees often include attractive and secure bicycle parking, locker rooms, showers and reimbursement for trips made by bicycle, via the Bicycle Commuter Benefit Act. Under this Act, companies can reimburse employees on a tax-free basis for “reasonable expenses” incurred as a bicycle commuter. This can include the purchase of a bicycle and almost any type of accompanying equipment and accessories such as lights, racks and clothing, up to the annual limit of $240, or however much a company chooses to offer. Benefits to customers include secure parking and discounts. Bicycle Friendly Business Districts combine the efforts of individual businesses to offer a more supportive and coherent cycling environment.

Existing Transportation Demand Management (TDM) commuter incentives in San Marcos include those offered by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). SANDAG offers a range of incentives, including but not limited to monthly prize drawings and a “guaranteed ride home.” To be eligible for SANDAG’s commuter incentives, commuters must create an iCommute account and log their daily trips using the Trip Tracker calendar.

This initiative would entail the promotion of Bicycle Friendly Business and District designation among businesses within the bikeway project areas and in conjunction project implementation. A goal of this initiative would be establishing a scalable model for implementation for future bikeway projects within the City of San Marcos. Future locations for pilot Bicycle Friendly Business Districts may include Armorlite Drive, where a cycle track is being planned, and San Marcos Boulevard, where a multi-way Complete Streets Boulevard is being planned. c. Community Bicycle Programs Community bicycle programs, also known as Bike Kitchens, are commonly formed as grass roots initiatives by community members within low income and underserved communities to provide bicycles, helmets, maintenance, and safety instruction to people as a means of expanding their transportation options and providing people better access work and services.

Bikes del Pueblo , located in City Heights in the City of San Diego, is the only Bike Kitchen in the San Diego Region. The City of San Marcos should support the creation of a Bike Kitchen within its boundaries and leverage its resources in coordination with the bicycle facilities prioritized in the master plan.

The City of addresses TDM requirements for new development in San Marcos Municipal Code Section 20.340. The City should work with SANDAG and local major employers to expand the reach and marketing of SANDAG’s existing program. In addition to marketing to major employers, the City could deliver targeted marketing of available TDM benefits within Smart Trips target areas. The targeted marketing could be used to leverage participation in special challenges and competitions hosted by the City and regional planning agencies, such as Bike to Work/School Challenges. The City should also work with SANDAG to ensure the provision of appropriate TDM end-of-trip amenities for cycling (safe and secure bicycle parking, Safe Routes to Transit), particularly for bikeways of regional significance identified by the bicycle master plan.

Finally, the City of addresses TDM requirements for new development in Municipal Code Section 20.340. e. Events - Bike Month Have the Mayor proclaim May as Bike Month and participate in Bike to Work Week events. Host pit stops during Bike to Work Weeks and Days. To increase encouragement, host Bike to Work days more often, such as monthly. Promote Bike Month or monthly Bike to Work days heavily within Smart Trips target areas and among target populations.

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2. Safe Routes to School a. Develop a Safe Routes to School Program Inactivity, and even obesity, among school-aged children is among the greatest public health crises in America. Encouraging children to walk or cycle to school, and making it safer to do so, are important means of combating this epidemic and instilling lifelong healthy habits. Though the City of San Marcos has engaged in Safe Routes to Schools efforts (the City has pursued SRTS-related grants and projects at certain schools), it does not yet have a formal Safe Routes to School program. Developing such a program is important because it provides an objective and comprehensive approach to safety issues surrounding schools, City-wide. Wherever possible, SRTS efforts should be integrated into the larger planning processes as was done in this bicycle and pedestrian master plan.

Best practices in SRTS education programs combine traditional classroom lessons with experiential courses and clinics. Ideally, the future SRTS program in San Marcos would partner with a Traffic Garden (see Section 3.a.) to offer more comprehensive traffic safety education, teaching children the fundamental rules and responsibilities of all modes. Supplemental exercises in the mechanics of actually riding a bicycle could be provided as needed at the Cycling Education Center.

Best practices in SRTS programs also include youth participation, since they are the experts about walking and bicycling conditions surrounding their schools. To help fund the SRTS Program, the City of San Marcos should seek further SRTS grants at the State and Federal levels. This funding can be used for a variety of activities including site-specific evaluation and planning, infrastructure costs and education programs. More information can be found at: http://www. saferoutesinfo.org. b. Promote the Walking School Bus and Bicycle Train These are volunteer-based programs in which children are chaperoned by adults as in they walk or cycle to school. Parents often cite safety issues as one of the primary reasons they are reluctant to allow their children to walk or ride to school.

Providing adult supervision may help reduce those worries for families who live within walking or bicycling distance to school. The City of San Marcos can start with one school as a pilot program and expand to other schools if there is demand.

These programs and volunteer efforts require coordination and potential attention to other issues, such as safety training and liability. These efforts can coincide with other educational programs such as visits to the Traffic Garden and should be highlighted in conjunction with any project implementation in the area.

Bike to School event with police officer - Phoenix, AZ

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c. Participate in Walk and Bike to School Day

3. Cycling Education Center

This one-day event in October is an international effort in more than 40 countries to celebrate the many benefits of safely walking and bicycling to school. Walking and rolling to school embodies the two main goals of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign: to increase our kids’ physical activity and to empower parents to make these kinds of healthy choices. The National Center for Safe Routes to School, which serves as the clearinghouse for the federal Safe Routes to School program, coordinates online registration efforts and provides technical support and resources for Walk to School Day. For more information, go to www.walktoschool.org.

Create a Cycling Education Center. Ideal location would be:

• Near compatible land uses, especially schools, parks and other civic centers

• Along or near bicycle facilities recommended in this plan • Accessible by bicycle-friendly transit The proximity of a Cycling Education Center to these uses represents a more integrated approach to bicycle programming, where facilities provide opportunities for education and where education enhances use of those facilities. This type of synergistic land use not only allows not only for real world educational opportunities, but also the promotion of the bicycle network and a better return on the City’s investments.

The Center would serve as a clearinghouse for cycling educational materials, electronic and printed, and host a variety of courses. Course material would be bike-specific and, in the case of the Traffic Garden (described below), cover general mobility. Bicycle-specific areas would include:

• Bicycle handling skills (balance, starting, maneuvering, stopping)

• Riding in traffic skills (riding predictably, signaling, merging, obeying applicable laws)

• Safety gear (helmets, lights, visible clothing) • Other (basic bicycle maintenance, locking bicycles)

Implement the Boltage Program at Schools This program’s goal is to increase the number of children regularly riding or walking to school using advanced technology to count and provide incentives. A solar-powered, Radio Frequency ID (RFID) tag reader called a Zap machine automatically registers RFID tags attached to backpacks or helmets. As they pass, the Zap machine registers the number of times children ride or walk to school and securely uploads the data to the Boltage web site so children can see how close they are to earning a prize. The Boltage program is not a competition, but simply an encouragement to get children to ride their bikes or walk to school more often. For more information on pricing and funding this program, go to www.boltage.org.

Facilitation of skills courses will require the training of licensed cycling instructors. The training for League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructors is done in groups as needed when the number of interested cyclists reaches a minimum number.

The city, local bicycle club or the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee must coordinate efforts to gather interest from the Sheriff’s Department, Engineering and Planning Departments, local volunteers, advocates and cyclists. In the case of a Traffic Garden, detailed knowledge of laws related to all modes would be required. For this reason, the designated Sheriff’s Department Liaison (Initiative 8) may be the most suitable referee.

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a. Build and Operate a Traffic Garden Traffic Gardens are mini-streetscapes where elementary-age children operate pedal-powered vehicles. The goal is to teach them how to be responsible roadway users. They have been a fixture in European cities for decades and exist in several US cities as “Safety Towns.” Traffic Gardens are usually owned by their host cities and centrally located. The city’s schoolchildren take regular field trips to the traffic garden where they assume various roadway-user roles and are, accordingly, assigned different privileges and responsibilities. A big part of the appeal of this educational tool, especially for children, is the game aspect.

The game is based on the hierarchy of roadway users, where ambulances have top priority, followed by law enforcement vehicles, transit, cars and bicycles and pedestrians. Everyone wants to drive the ambulance because it is the most powerful. No one wants to be a pedestrian. A law enforcement officer or school official stands watch over the children with a megaphone. If someone makes a poor decision or acts irresponsibly, they are called out and demoted, having to work their way back up the hierarchy. Children learn that they must earn their right to operate a vehicle and that, if they behave poorly, they will have that privilege taken away immediately and publicly.

The 2009 International Scan Team, a federally-sponsored delegation of pedestrian and bicycle professionals, was so impressed with Traffic Gardens they included them in their official policy recommendations.

Dutch traffic garden

Washington Area Bicyclists Association traffic garden - Washington, DC

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4. Maps and Signage a. Assist SANDAG in Regional Bicycle Map Updates In 2014 the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) updated its Regional Bike Map. The map, touted as userfriendly, illustrates 1,340 miles of utilitarian and recreational bikeways in the San Diego region, as well as transit station locations and bicycle parking facilities. The regional bicycle map is available in an interactive online format and should be available in print format by early 2015. The online map features base map views that show roadway or topographic views, as well as layers to highlight rail lines and steep routes.

The print version will also include important information on bicycle safety and rules of the road.

To provide an accurate map, SANDAG relies heavily on existing bicycle facility data provided by member jurisdictions.

The City of San Marcos should maintain accurate GIS data for its bicycle network – existing and proposed – not just for the purpose of assisting SANDAG in producing its regional bicycle map, but also for its own complete roadways planning and grant seeking efforts. In addition to recording traditional facility type designation (i.e. Classes 1 to 3), the City of San Marcos may wish to record additional metadata related to preferred user experience. Preference for a particular route, based on its qualities, such as low traffic stress, flat terrain, hilly terrain, scenic, direct, etc., varies from person to person.

Best practices indicate the use of these types of experiential information over planners’ classifications.

Example bicycle system map (http://www.chulavistaca.gov/clean/conservation/climate/alternative.asp)

Zmap® Folding Maps This is a proprietary folding map technology that allows users to quickly unfold and refold a map into an easy-to-carry pocket size package between cardstock covers.

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Portion of example educational graphics from reverse side of bicycle system map (http://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=23013) 111

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b. Partner with Google to Improve GoogleMaps Bicycle Directions Consistent with the effort to make cycling an easy choice for a broad range of people, bicycle maps should break out of the cyclist silo and become an integrated component of general mobility wayfinding. GoogleMaps is chief among general wayfinding applications, and includes the option of selecting bicycling for travel directions, but is limited in its utility. Whereas driving directions and transit directions include a menu of options for preferred user experience (“avoid highways, avoid tolls, shortest travel time, fewest connections, etc.”), those for cycling include none. As suggested above, tailored cycling directions, based on preferred user experience, offer the greatest value to the range of people who cycle. San Marcos may choose to share data generated for this plan, such as facility types and expected level of traffic stress (LTS), or network connectivity with Google to improve their interface and promote cycling. This pilot project could serve to catalyze a nation-wide upgrade of GoogleMaps.

Street/bicycle boulevard signage - Vancouver, B.C.

c. Develop and Implement a Wayfinding System Directional signage allows new cyclists and tourists alike to find their way to their destination or nearby landmark via a recommended route. Wayfinding signage directs people and provides information about destinations, directions and/or distances. A highly legible and well-executed wayfinding system has the potential to increase comfort and safety, through even diverse and chaotic environments. Wayfinding systems can also achieve community objectives, such as the promotion of a local attractions and the resultant benefit of economic development. When applied on a regional level, wayfinding can link adjacent communities. In designing a wayfinding strategy or system, the following questions need to be considered:

• • • •

Bicycle wayfinding signage - San Antonio, TX

What user types are likely to use the wayfinding system?

Where are these users going?

What do the users or visitors want to see and hear?

What is the primary goal: navigation, directional information, orientation, location information, or interpretation?

• Is a clear message being sent by the signage?

• Based on the expected user types, what are the safest

There is considerable variation in wayfinding signage legibility and utility. Wayfinding system development for San Marcos should begin with a thorough examination of best practices and conclude with a clear set of guidelines related to actual signage design and design of the overall system. New specific plan areas are required to install wayfinding systems and these should be coordinated with the overall City system.

or most logical paths or routes?

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Bicycle wayfinding sign - Portland , OR d. Install Advisory Signage along Popular Routes Alert drivers to the presence of cyclists, particularly on shared roadways where there is no dedicated bicycle facility. The message should serve to both advise drivers and legitimize the presence of cyclists. Cycling is an important component of the transportation system and should be respected by other modes of transportation. While the “Bikes May Use Full Lane” Sign (R4-11) is commonly accepted and generally conveys the intended message, current discourse suggests the use of stronger language (“Shared Road”) – and accompanying education – where appropriate. This phrasing is powerful because it is a statement of fact and implies legal consequence for violators, whereas “Bikes May Use Full Lane” and “Share the Road” sound more like pleading cautions. Regardless of the exact language used, this type of sign should accompany any Shared Lane Markings used. Ample education and marketing should be provided to explain all new signage.

Install advisory signage along existing and proposed Urban Trails. Despite the more than adequate width provided by this facility type (10’ wide with a three foot planted buffer), the facility appears to be nothing more than an extra-wide sidewalk. Since this facility is actually intended to function as a multi-use path, it should be signed with vertical signage, inpavement markings, such as centerline and bike/pedestrian symbols, and combination pedestrian/bicycle signal heads.

In addition to signing, the identification of Urban Trails as multi-use paths should be reinforced through construction standards. Minimize pavement seams and prohibit the placement of utility structures within the traveled way.

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5. Professional Development Have City of San Marcos transportation staff become members of the Association for Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals and organization’s San Diego chapter (the SD APBP). The mission of the APBP is to “grow the pedestrian and bicycle profession and its influence by facilitating the exchange of professional and technical knowledge, elevating practitioners’ skills and defining the field.” The SD chapter shares the mission of the national organization, but – by virtue of being local – is able to offer educational and social events relevant to our region, such as bike/walk-related field trips, expert discussion panels, organized rides and walks, happy hours and more. The San Diego chapter is oriented toward professionals from the public, private and non-profit sectors engaged in active transportation planning, design and engineering, public health, sustainability, advocacy and other related fields. Despite its professional orientation, at the time of this writing, there is no barrier to entry to the SD Chapter of the APBP. Events are free and open to the public.

The following “Sample Educational Events” represent the diversity and depth of topics covered by this professional organization:

• “Woonerven” or “shared streets” (field trip to Maple

Bicycle safety campaign posters - San Francisco and Pittsburgh, PA

• Bike Share/Bike Loop (bicycle ride on the new Deco

6. Marketing Campaigns – Building Awareness and General Appeal of Cycling as a Safe and Common Transportation Mode

Street Promenade in Escondido)

Bikes around the Downtown Bike Loop)

• Linear Parks/Neighborhood Greenways (field trip to ex-

isting and potential sites, and/or a discussion panel on the subject with local experts)

• Freeway Conversion/Removal (discussion panel on the subject with local experts)

• MPOs and Bike Programs (discussion panel on the subject with local experts)

• Redefining Transportation Impacts (discussion panel on the subject with local experts)

• Redefining Congestion Management (discussion panel on the subject with local experts)

To learn more about the national organization, visit http:// www.apbp.org. Information on the San Diego chapter is available via the Chapters link in the left hand menu. Further information on the San Diego chapter can be obtained through social media (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ SDAPBP, Twitter: @SDapbp).

Marketing is about more than advertising, communication and promotion play important roles. People must be engaged through effective marketing to see cycling as a desirable mode choice, and to pay attention to safety. More engaged people will have a twofold effect: 1) it will lead to more people riding bikes and 2) it will lead to more aware cyclists, drivers and pedestrians and more people who care about bicycle safety .

Typical marketing campaigns, especially those initiated by government agencies, tend to be information-laden and uninspiring. Lessons from the field of marketing point to the proven effectiveness of positive messages. Positive messages will inspire people and get more people to ride. The objective is not to get everybody to ride bicycles all of the time, but rather to target those most ready to change .

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7. Host a Ciclovia and Other Signature Events Messages should inspire people to move from “might” to “sometimes” and from “sometimes” to “often.” For example, a targeted message might be one directed at people who are solely recreational riders, who have never considered a short errand trip within their neighborhood, but would be open to the suggestion. Good marketing would make that suggestion and inspire people in that market segment to try cycling in their neighborhood for short errand trips. Other messages might target the market of people ready to improve their riding techniques or even those who may never cycle, but who might be encouraged to treat cyclists with more care and civility.

A Ciclovía (also ciclovia or cyclovia in English) is a Spanish word meaning “bicycle path,” and describes either a permanently designated bicycle route or a temporary event, when the roadway is closed to automobiles for use by people and non-motorized transportation. Ciclovia events are celebrations of livable streets and communities, encouraging citizens and businesses to get out in the street and enjoy their city through active participation. While Bogotá, Colombia, is often credited with starting ciclovias, they have gained popularity in the US in the past five years.

While all Ciclovia events are alike in their creation of a peopleoriented, car-free space, they are otherwise unique. Depending on the city, the event occurs once or twice a year or every Saturday or Sunday throughout the entire summer. Some cities re-use routes, while others, like Portland, Chicago and San Diego, host events in different locations each. Routes are circuitous or linear. Most include parks or other open public spaces, as well as music, performance, games and other activities, some of which is scripted and some of which occur organically. Ciclovias often have a theme of health, exercise and active transportation and include groups promoting free, healthy activities stationed along the route. Ciclovia routes can incorporate and highlight new bicycle and pedestrian facilities and preferred routes, encouraging their use and maximizing investment.

In addition to Ciclovias, the City can promote cycling and walking through supporting more sport-oriented events. By joining forces with local and regional bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, such as the SDCBC and Bike Walk North County, the City can maximize resources and participation. Organized cycling events held in San Marcos include the Senorita Century & Rico Suave Challenge and the San Marcos Criterium.

Example “Share the Road” signage banner - Newport Beach, CA

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Education/Enforcement 8. Educate All Law Enforcement Staff Regarding Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues and Concerns If the ultimate aim is to promote cycling as a legitimate form of transportation, all officers should receive some form of bicycle training and should be offered LCI training, if possible. Appropriate training regarding pedestrian issues and solutions should be provided as well.

Police bicycle patrol - Easley, SC

Ciclovia events (CicLAvia) - Los Angeles, CA

9. Designate a Law Enforcement Liaison Responsible for Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues and Concerns This liaison would be the main contact for San Marcos residents concerning bicycle and pedestrian related incidents.

This liaison would perform the important function of communication between the law enforcement agency and cyclists and pedestrians. The liaison would be in charge of the supplemental education of fellow officers regarding bicycle and pedestrian rules, etiquette and behavior. The liaison could be the same person as the referee for the Traffic Garden and should be LCI certified, as well as ride a bicycle while on duty, as appropriate. Allocate funding for the training and support of this duty, as well as for necessary bicycle equipment.

Ride MoVal event - San Marcos, CA 116

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10. Targeted Enforcement

11. Institute a Mobility Safety Program

Many law enforcement departments employ targeted enforcement to educate drivers, cyclists and pedestrians about applicable traffic laws and the need to share the road. These efforts are an effective way to expand mobility education.

Targeted enforcement should be expanded to warn and educate drivers, cyclists and pedestrians about laws, rules of the road and safe procedures. This could be in the form of a brochure or tip card explaining each user’s rights and responsibilities. Targeted enforcement may help mitigate the following traffic safety problems:

When stopping adult drivers, cyclists and pedestrians for minor traffic violations, law enforcement officers can issue an Adult Mobility Citation in lieu of a regular Traffic Citation.

Under this program, individuals are offered two choices: (1) they may contest or ignore the citation, in which case it is forwarded to the court and treated as a normal traffic citation or (2) they may attend the Mobility Safety Program to have the citation waived. A Mobility Safety Program should be designed to decrease traffic collisions and encourage safe behavior for all modes.

• Speeding in school zones • Illegal passing of school busses • Parking violations – bus zone, crosswalks, residential driveways, time zones

• • • •

Risks to cyclists during drop-off and pick-up times Lack of safety patrol/crossing guard operations Unsafe cycling and pedestrian practices

12. Distribute Lights to Cyclists If a law enforcement officer observes a cyclist riding at night without the proper reflectors or lights, they can give the cyclist a light, along with a note or friendly reminder about the light requirement and its importance. This provides a positive and educational interaction rather than a punitive one. This program could be funded through a safety-oriented community grant.

Other school zone traffic law violations

Riverside County Sheriff traffic enforcement - San Marcos, CA

Helmet giveaway - San Diego, CA

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Monitoring and Evaluation 13. Create City Staff Active Transportation Coordinator Position The creation of an Active Transportation Coordinator position would demonstrate the City’s commitment to cycling, walking and creating more “complete streets.” The position can help coordinate between different City departments to ensure consistency and cooperation in planning projects. An Active Transportation Coordinator would manage programs and implement projects listed in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The coordinator would be responsible for updating the plan in a timely manner and maintaining a prioritized list of improvements, updating cost estimates and identifying appropriate funding sources. This investment in staff is often returned since this position usually is responsible for securing state and federal funding for active transportation projects.

14. Support a Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee A Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) assists the City with implementation of plan projects, policies and programs. The BPAC allows City staff, volunteers and advocates to continue efforts to improve cycling and walking throughout the City. This group acts as a community liaison and addresses issues concerning local cycling and walking. The BPAC can review the implementation and regularly evaluate the progress of improvements in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

City support for creating the committee, budgeting time and resources for City staff and elected officials to attend and support these meetings is recommended.

15. Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts and Review Collision Data Conduct regular cyclist and pedestrian counts throughout the city to determine baseline mode share and subsequent changes. Conducting counts would allow the City to collect information on where the most cycling and walking occur.

This assists in prioritizing and justifying projects when funding is solicited and received. Counts can also be used to study cycling and walking trends throughout the City.

The Sheriff’s Department should continue to collect and track collision data. Regular reports of traffic collisions should be presented at the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Traffic collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians should be reviewed and analyzed regularly to develop plans to reduce their frequency and severity. Any such plans should include Sheriff’s Department involvement and should be monitored to determine their effectiveness. Collision results should be recorded in the bicycle and pedestrian report card (Initiative 17).

16. Establish a Process for Referrals to Law Enforcement Design a communication process that encourages students and parents to notify the school and law enforcement of the occurrence of a crash or near-miss during school commute trips involving auto, bus, pedestrian, or bicycle transportation.

Include not only the Sheriff’s Department, but also the Traffic Safety Commission, the Planning Department and SRTS stakeholders in this reporting system to help better use data generated. Enlist the help of law enforcement with a number of traffic safety duties:

• Enforcement of traffic and parking laws through citations and warnings.

• Targeted enforcement of problem areas – an intensive,

focused effort during the first two weeks of school, as well as a strategy for the rest of the year.

• Participation in traffic safety programs: Traffic Garden, SRTS Task Force, etc.

Los Angeles has a successful program called the LA Bike map.

The LA Bike Map lets cyclists submit incidents, see them displayed instantly, and study the overall pattern, dynamically, in one place.

Counts should be conducted at the same locations and at the same times every year. Conducting counts during different seasons within the year may be beneficial to understanding the differences in bicycle and pedestrian traffic volumes based on weather. In addition, bicycle and pedestrian counts should be collected as part of any existing traffic counts. Results should be regularly recorded for inclusion in the bicycle and pedestrian report card (See recommendation 17).

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17. Develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Report Card The City could develop a bicycle and pedestrian report card, a checklist used to measure the success of plan implementation, as well as effort made, within the City. The report card could be used to identify the magnitude of accomplishments in the previous year and general trends. The report card could include, but not be limited to, keeping track of system completion, travel by bicycle or on foot (counts) and safety.

The City should use the report card to track trends, placing more value on relative than absolute gains (in system completion, mode share and safety). For example, an upward trend in travel by bicycle or on foot would be viewed as a success, regardless of the specific increase in the number of cyclists or walkers. Safety should be considered relative to the increase in cyclists and walkers. Sometimes crash numbers rise simply because cycling and walking increase, at least initially. Instead, measure crashes as a percentage of an estimated overall mode share count.

A major portion of the report card would be an evaluation of system completion. An upward trend would indicate that the City is progressing in its efforts to complete the bicycle and pedestrian network identified in this document. The report card could be developed to utilize information collected as part of annual and on-going evaluations, as discussed in the previous sections. The report card is not intended to be an additional task for City staff, but rather a means of documenting and publicizing the City’s efforts related to bicycle and pedestrian planning. If a Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee is appointed, it can be a task of the committee to review the report cards and adjust future plans and goals accordingly.

In addition to quantifying accomplishments related to the bicycle and pedestrian plan, the City should strive to quantify their effort. Effort may be quantified as money spent, staff hours devoted or other in-kind contributions. The quantified effort should be submitted as a component of the bicycle and pedestrian report card.

19. Apply for Bicycle Friendly Community Designation Bicycle Friendly Community/Neighborhood Designation is part of an official program offered by the League of American Bicyclists intended to provide communities with guidance on becoming more bicycle friendly and confer recognition for their achievements. Like the report card described above, applying for Bicycle Friendly Community/Neighborhood Designation provides a standard by which the City of San Marcos may measure its progress. From the LAB’s own website:

Bicycle Report Card excerpt - San Francisco MTA “The Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program provides a roadmap to improve conditions for bicycling and the guidance to make your distinct vision for a better, bikeable community a reality. A community recognized by the League as Bicycle Friendly welcomes bicyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bicycle for transportation and recreation.”

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6

Funding and Implementation

6.1 Cost Estimates Proposed facilities support the goal of improving connectivity and generally expanding the dedicated bicycle network. Cost estimates were developed based on recent construction bid results in California. All costs are assumed to be in 2014 dollars.

Construction Cost

Tasks needed to be accomplished prior to facility design, such as environmental clearance, can sometimes cost even more than the actual project construction. This is generally addressed on a case-by-case basis since not all projects will require such additional analysis. For example, Class 2 bicycle lanes are now generally exempt from CEQA review.

Total: 27.5 percent

This section provides planning-level construction cost estimates for the facilities listed in the plan and the methodology behind the cost estimation. Note that these figures do not include right-of-way acquisition or utility relocation.

Costs were based on recent construction bid data for materials costs, assumptions for facility geometry and recent experience with similar projects in southern California. All of the estimates include the following assumed additional factors:

Contingency 20 percent Bonding/Mobilization/Cons Mngt

7.5 percent

Design/Management/Permitting/Engineering Engineering/Design 10 percent Environmental Clearance

4 percent

Permitting 2 percent Bid Support Services

3 percent

Project Management

3 percent

Traffic Management Services

3 percent

Total: 25 percent

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

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Class 1 Multi-use Path Costs

Class 3 Bicycle Route Costs

Unlike Class 2 and 3 facilities, Class 1 paths are separate from roadways, meaning that planning level cost estimation requires an average per-mile cost to be applied based on local conditions. Actual cost for a particular facility should be determined as part of projcet implementation. Depending on a number of factors, Class 1 path costs in the last few years have ranged between $750,000 and $2,800,000 per mile. For this plan, an average per-mile cost of $1,600,000 was used.

This category assumes signage and shared-use pavement markings (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sharrowsâ&#x20AC;?) only along the length of the route at intervals of 0.25 miles in each direction and at intersections, and that the roadway does not require rehabilitation or pre-construction maintenance. Class 3 bicycle routes were assigned an average per-mile cost of $13,200.

Class 2 Bicycle Lane Costs Class 2 bicycle lane cost can fall within a range of potential conditions. At the low end, it assumes that adequate space exists within the roadway to simply add bicycle lane striping and markings without modifying the roadway further, that the roadway is in good condition and does not require maintenance or rehabilitation as part of the striping project, and no modifications to intersection signal equipment are assumed.

At the next level of complexity, there is sufficient curb-to-curb width to install bicycle lanes, but modifications to existing striping would be necessary. This includes removal of existing striping and installation of new striping, as well as slurry-seal maintenance. This could include a reduction in vehicle lanes or narrowing of existing lanes, which would trigger the need for CEQA review.

The high end in terms of cost occurs where the curb-tocurb width is not sufficient to install bicycle lanes and the roadway would need to be widened by at least 10 feet to accommodate them. This could therefore include widened pavement sections, new curb, gutter and sidewalk, and street light relocation. Intersections may also need to be modified to move signal equipment and install new curb returns.

Proposed bicycle lanes were assigned an average per-mile cost of $58,080.

Bicycle Boulevard Costs Bicycle boulevards are essentially Class 3 route facilities that may feature physical roadway modifications such as traffic calming measures or changes in intersection priority or access. Bicycle boulevard projects can therefore vary widely in cost, primarily due to the level of physical construction designed into them.

Because bicycle boulevards need to be evaluated in more detail to determine the extent of desired modification, this plan assumes that their costs are equivalent to those of typical Class 3 facilities employing signage and pavement markings only, to be revised as needed in final design prior to implementation.

*Note: Because bicycle boulevards have not yet been widely implemented, no widely accepted standards exist. Their costs are therefore highly variable and can increase significantly if the full range of potential physical improvements are included, such as motor vehicle traffic diverters, median refuge islands, roundabouts, street trees, improved lighting, etc.

Therefore, cost figures reflect the extreme low range with minimal physical improvements matching those of Class 3 bicycle routes, which typically include signage and markings only.

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Table 7: Facility Cost Estimates Table a: Tier 1 Bicycle Facility Costs Tier 15Projects

Facility Rank Facility Type 1 San Marcos Blvd 1 2 SRT San Marcos ES BB 3 Borden BB 4 Rock Springs Rd BB 5 Palomar-­‐Rancho Santa Fe "wiggle" 3 6 Borden 1 7 Sycamore 3 8 Grand BB 9 Palomar College Loop 3 10 Safe Routes to Discovery ES 3 11 La Sombra BB 12 Avenida Arana BB 13 Fulton BB 14 La Noche BB 15 Schoolhouse Rd BB 16 Applewilde BB 17 Cassou BB 18 Twin Oaks Blvd 2 19 Mulberry 3 20 La Mirada BB 21 Rancho Santa Fe Rd 2 22 Richland BB 23 Elfin Forest 2 24 Double Peak/Ledge -­‐ Private 3 25 Las Flores Dr BB

Table 27b: Tier 2 Bicycle Facility Costs Tier Projects

Miles

Cost

1.52 0.93 0.20 0.67 1.38 1.36 0.68 0.34 1.65 0.72 0.78 0.26 1.39 0.43 0.46 0.55 0.30 1.84 0.33 0.52 0.27 0.91 0.49 1.71 1.14

$ 2,425,173 $ 12,223

$ 2,685 $ 8,832 $ 18,228

$ 2,178,653 $ 8,983 $ 4,484 $ 21,836

$ 9,514 $ 10,334

$ 3,382 $ 18,388

$ 5,772 $ 6,133 $ 7,199 $ 3,985 $ 106,626 $ 4,418 $ 6,909 $ 15,638

$ 12,007

$ 28,515

$ 22,627

$ 15,048

Rank Facility 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Smilax-­‐Grand "wiggle Inland Rail Trail -­‐ Gap closure Richmar Linda Vista Meadowview Camino del Sol Camino Magnifico Double Peak Regional Park Path Path to San Elijo Park Twin Oaks Valley Rd Barham Discovery ES Paths #1 & #2 Elfin Forest Path Ped Bridge to Palomar Route through Hollandia Park Sunset Park Path Future South Lake Park Las Posas C1/Buena Creek Las Posas McMahr Discovery & Future Discovery Future South Lake Park Las Posas Rd Twin Oaks -­‐ Connector San Elijo Park to San Elijo Middle

Facility Type BB 1 BB 2 3 BB BB 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1

Miles

Cost

0.61 0.63 0.81 1.21 0.13 0.46 0.64 2.30 0.51 3.37 0.80 0.22 0.50 0.02 0.44 0.08 1.01 0.88 0.62 0.15 3.34 1.23 1.13 0.05 0.14

$ 8,058 $ 1,004,993 $ 10,659 $ 70,190 $ 1,737 $ 6,007 $ 8,456 $ 3,677,463 $ 817,604

$ 5,394,924 $ 1,287,763 $ 358,971

$ 807,300

$ 25,483 $ 697,397

$ 130,924

$ 1,613,954 $ 1,409,540 $ 35,739 $ 8,630 $ 5,344,000 $ 1,974,582 $ 1,806,107 $ 86,500 $ 223,596

Tier 3 Projects

Table 7c: Tier 3 Bicycle Facility Costs Rank Facility 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73

Mission Woodland Ave Parking lot path Knob Hill Rd Linda Vista Drive Discovery Street Rose Ranch Rd Woodland Rose Ranch Rd Avenida Cordoba Mission Blvd Sycamore Twin Oaks/Deer Springs Rd Melrose Dr Bent Ave Rancheros Dr Mulberry Oleander Ave Olive Rd Simlax Via Vera Cruz Woodward La Moree

Facility Type 1 1 3 BB 1 2 2 1 1 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Miles

Cost

0.65 1.25 0.13 1.07 1.08 1.43 0.24 0.24 0.35 0.21 0.46 0.39 0.36 0.83 0.29 1.00 0.54 0.13 0.70 0.60 0.64 0.57 0.83

$ 1,047,771 $ 2,001,061 $ 1,736 $ 14,130 $ 1,735,892 $ 83,002 $ 14,102 $ 378,448

$ 552,733

$ 2,756 $ 26,447 $ 22,658 $ 20,988 $ 48,361 $ 16,764 $ 58,163 $ 31,273 $ 7,599 $ 40,725 $ 34,838 $ 37,175 $ 33,187 $ 48,440

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Table 8: Prioritized SRTS Zone Cost Estimates Rank

School

Material Costs

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

San Marcos High Mission Hills High Palomar College Woodland Park Middle San Marcos Elementary San Marcos Middle San Elijo Elem/Middle Alvin Dunn Elementary Knob Hill Elementary Paloma Elementary Discovery Elementary Richland Elementary Twin Oaks Elementary Cal State Univ San Marcos

$288,615 $979,150 $1,026,250 $683,330 $304,745 $222,840 $147,280 $957,250 $159,635 $10,000 $468,440 $657,755 $695,380 $1,590,450

Construction Costs $79,369 $269,266 $282,219 $187,916 $83,805 $61,281 $40,502 $263,244 $43,900 $2,750 $128,821 $180,883 $191,230 $437,374

Soft Costs

Total Cost

$72,154 $244,788 $256,563 $170,833 $76,186 $55,710 $36,820 $239,313 $39,909 $2,500 $117,110 $164,439 $173,845 $397,613

$440,138 $1,493,204 $1,565,031 $1,042,078 $464,736 $339,831 $224,602 $1,459,806 $243,443 $15,250 $714,371 $1,003,076 $1,060,455 $2,425,436

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6.2 Potential Funding Sources

Federal, State and local government agencies invest billions of dollars every year in the nation’s transportation system. Only a fraction of that funding is used in development projects, policy development and planning to improve conditions for cyclists. Even though appropriate funds are limited, they are available, but desirable projects sometimes go unfunded because communities may be unaware of a fund’s existence, or may apply for the wrong type of grants. Also, the competition between municipalities for the available bikeway funding is often fierce.

Whenever federal funds are used for bicycle projects, a certain level of State and/or local matching funding is generally required. State funds are often available to local governments on the similar terms. Almost every implemented bicycle program and facility in the United States has had more than one funding source and it often takes a good deal of coordination to pull the various sources together.

According to the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) publication, An Analysis of Current Funding Mechanisms for Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs at the Federal, State and Local Levels, where successful local bicycle facility programs exist, there is usually a full time bicycle coordinator with extensive understanding of funding sources. Cities such as Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon and Tucson are prime examples. Bicycle coordinators are often in a position to develop a competitive project and detailed proposal that can be used to improve conditions for cyclists within their jurisdictions. Some of the following information on federal and State funding sources was derived from the previously mentioned FHWA publication.

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6 Funding and Implementation

Federal Sources The long legacy of U.S. Department of Transportation Enhancement Funds SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) has ended and has been substantially replaced with a new funding mechanism entitled MAP-21. MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century) was approved by Congress and signed by the President in 2012.

MAP-21 replaced SAFETEA-LU with a similar amount of total funding, but significantly changes the overall number and scope of programs. The number of programs has been consolidated by two-thirds. The graphic on the previous page illustrates the relationship between the two federal funding sources. The Transportation Enhancements (TE) program has been eliminated and replaced with Transportation Alternatives (TA). The Recreational Trails program is now housed under the Transportation Alternatives Program. Bicycle projects remain eligible for major funding and MAP-21 does have an emphasis on safety and active transportation with a 30 percent increase in CMAQ, doubled Highway Safety Improvement funds and specific mentions of bicycle projects.

There remain some uncertainties regarding the details and interpretations of these changes. The federal levels of funding and scope have been set, yet it remains to be defined how the State and local programs will individually implement these funding mechanisms. Also, the latest reauthorization period is nearing its end, setting the stage for the next chapter of reauthorization.

Safe Routes to School Programs There are two separate Safe Routes to School Programs administered by Caltrans. There is the State-legislated program referred to as SR2S and there is the Federal Program referred to as SRTS. Both programs are intended to achieve the same basic goal of increasing the number of children walking and cycling to school by making it safer for them to do so. The differences between the two programs are as follows:

Legislative Authority • SR2S - Streets & Highways Code Section 2330-2334 • SRTS - Section 1404 in SAFETEA-LU Expires • SR2S - AB-57 extended program indefinitely • SRTS - Pending SAFETEA-LU reauthorization.

Eligible Applicants • SR2S - Cities and counties • SRTS - State, local, and regional agencies experienced in meeting federal transportation requirements. Nonprofit organizations, school districts, public health departments, and Native American Tribes must partner with a city, county, MPO, or RTPA to serve as the responsible agency for their project.

Eligible Projects • SR2S - Infrastructure projects • SRTS - Stand-alone non- or infrastructure projects Local Match • SR2S - 10 percent minimum required • SRTS – None Project Completion Deadline • SR2S - Within 4 ½ years after project funds are allocated to the agency • SRTS - Within 4 ½ years after project is amended into FTIP Restriction on Infrastructure Projects • SR2S - Must be located in the vicinity of a school • SRTS - Infrastructure projects must be within 2 miles of a grade school or middle school Targeted Beneficiaries • SR2S - Children in grades K-12 • SRTS - Children in grades K-8 Funding • SR2S - $24.25M annual funding • SRTS - $23M annual funding The Safe Routes to School Program funds nonmotorized facilities in conjunction with improving access to schools through the Caltrans Safe Routes to School Coordinator. For more information visit: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/ saferoutes/saferoutes.htm

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Department of the Interior - Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) The U.S. Recreation and Heritage Conservation Service and the State Department of Park and Recreation administer this funding source. Any project for which LWCF funds are desired must meet two specific criteria. The first is that projects acquired or developed under the program must be primarily for recreational use and not transportation purposes and the second is that the lead agency must guarantee to maintain the facility in perpetuity for public recreation.

The application will be considered using criteria such as priority status within the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The State Department of Park and Recreation will select which projects to submit to the National Park Service (NPS) for approval. Final approval is based on the amount of funds available that year, which is determined by a population based formula. Trails are the most commonly approved project.

Other Bicycle Infrastructure Funding Options Additionally, states received a one time appropriation of $53.6 billion in state fiscal stabilization funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in 2009. States must use 18.2 percent of their funding – or $9.7 billion – for public safety and government services. An eligible activity under this section is to provide funding to K-12 schools and institutions of higher education to make repairs, modernize and make renovations to meet green building standards. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), addresses green standards for schools that include bicycle and pedestrian facilities and access to schools.

Another $5 billion is provided for the Energy Efficiency and Block Grant Program. This provides formula funding to cities, counties and states to undertake a range of energy efficiency activities. One eligible use of funding is for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program is the community assistance arm of the National Park Service. RTCA provides technical assistance to communities to preserve open space and develop trails. The assistance that RTCA provides is not for infrastructure, but rather building plans, engaging public participation and identifying other sources of funding for conversation and outdoor recreation projects.

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6 Funding and Implementation

State Sources State Highway Account Section 157.4 of the Streets and Highways Code requires Caltrans to set aside $360,000 for the construction of nonmotorized facilities that will be used in conjunction with the State highway system. The Office of Bicycle Facilities also administers the State Highway Account fund. Funding is divided into different project categories. Minor B projects (less than $42,000) are funded by a lump sum allocation by the CTC and are used at the discretion of each Caltrans District office. Minor A projects (estimated to cost between $42,000 and $300,000) must be approved by the CTC. Major projects (more than $300,000) must be included in the State Transportation Improvement Program and approved by the CTC. Funded projects have included fencing and bicycle warning signs related to rail corridors.

Caltrans Active Transportation Program (ATP) Senate Bill 99 (Chapter 359, Statutes 2013) and Assembly Bill 101 (Chapter 354, Statutes 2013) created the Active Transportation Program to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. The ATP consolidates existing federal and State transportation programs, including the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA), and State Safe Routes to School (SR2S), into a single program with a focus to make California a national leader in active transportation. The Division of Local Assistance, Office of Active Transportation and Special Programs administers the ATP. This is a competitive program to:

• • • • • • •

Increase biking and walking trips Increase safety Increase mobility Support regional agency GHG reduction

Streets and Highways Code Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) The Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) funds nonmotorized facilities and access to cities and counties that have adopted bikeway master plans. Section 2106 (b) of the Streets and Highways Code transfers funds annually to the BTA from the revenue derived from the excise tax on vehicle fuel. The Caltrans Office of Bicycle Facilities administers the BTA. For a project to be funded from the BTA, the project shall: i) Be approximately parallel to a State, county, or city roadways, where the separation of bicycle traffic from vehicle traffic will increase the traffic capacity of the roadway and ii) Serve the functional needs of commuting cyclists and 3) Include but not be limited to:

• New bikeways serving major transportation corridors • New bikeways removing travel barriers to potential bicycle commuters

• Secure bicycle parking at employment centers, park and ride lots and transit terminals

• Bicycle carrying facilities on public transit vehicles • Installation of traffic control devices to improve the safety and efficiency of bicycle travel

• Elimination of hazardous conditions on existing bikeways serving a utility purpose

• Project planning • Preliminary and construction engineering Maintenance is specifically excluded from funding and allocation takes into consideration the relative cost effectiveness of the proposed project.

Enhance public health Benefit disadvantaged communities (25 percent) Include a broad spectrum of projects

128

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Transportation Development Act Article 3 (Senate Bill 821)

Other Sources

TDA funds are based on a ¼ percent State sales tax, with revenues made available primarily for transit operating and capital purposes. By law, the San Diego County Auditor’s office estimates the apportionment for the upcoming fiscal year.

Local sales taxes, fees and permits may be implemented as new funding sources for bicycle projects. However, any of these potential sources would require a local election. Volunteer programs may be developed to substantially reduce the cost of implementing some routes, particularly multi-use paths. For example, a local college design class may use such a multi-use route as a student project, working with a local landscape architectural or engineering firm. Work parties could be formed to help clear the right of way for the route.

A local construction company may donate or discount services beyond what the volunteers can do. A challenge grant program with local businesses may be a good source of local funding, in which the businesses can “adopt” a route or segment of one to help construct and maintain it.

TDA Article 3 funds may be used for the following activities related to the planning and construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities:

• • • •

Engineering expenses leading to construction Right-of-way acquisition Construction and reconstruction Retrofitting existing bicycle facilities to comply with ADA requirements

• Route improvements, such as signal controls for cyclists, bicycle loop detectors and rubberized rail crossings

• Purchase and installation of bicycle facilities such as improved intersections, bicycle parking, benches, drinking fountains, rest rooms, showers adjacent to bicycle paths, employment centers, park-and-ride lots, and/or transit terminals accessible to the general public

Local Sources New Construction Future road improvement projects are one means of providing on-street bicycle facilities. To ensure that roadway projects provide bicycle lanes where needed, it is important that the review process includes input pertaining to consistency with the proposed system. Future development in the City will generally contribute only if the projects have been conditioned as part of a development and consistent with the General Plan.

Private Sources Private funding sources can be acquired by applying through the advocacy groups such as the League of American Bicyclists and the Bikes Belong Coalition. Most of the private funding comes from foundations wanting to enhance and improve bicycle facilities and advocacy. Grant applications will typically be through the advocacy groups as they leverage funding from federal, State and private sources.

Tables 6a to 6d on the following pages summarize many of the numerous funding sources available.

129

6 Funding and Implementation Table 9a: Federal Funding Sources

Federal Sources Grant Source

Annual Total

Agency

Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 (LWCF)

National Parks $450 milService/Califorlion federal; nia Department $3.6 million of Parks and RecCA (2012) reation

MAP-21 - Surface Transportation Program (STP)

$10 billion Federal; $888 million CA (pre-setaside, prepenalty)

MAP-21 - Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Includes Trails and SRTS Programs

$820 million Federal; $72.5 million CA

FHWA/SANDAG

MAP-21 - Recreational Trails Program

$5.75 million guaranteed (set aside from TAP)

FHWA, Regional agency may also contribute

MAP-21 - National Highway Performance Program

$1.9 billion (pre-setaside, prepenalty)

FHWA/Caltrans

FHWA/Caltrans

Funding Cycle

Dec-Jan

June 1

Annual

Annual

Not available

Match 50% + 2-6% admin. surcharge

Remarks Funding subject to north/south split (60% for Southern California). Fund provides matching grants to state and local governmentsfor land acquisition and development for outdoor recreation use. Individual project awards are not available.

20%

STP funds wide variety of bicycle and pedestrian improvements, including on-street bicycle facilities, off-street trails, sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle and pedestrian signals, parking and other ancillary facilities. May be exchanged for local funds for non-federally certified local agencies. No match required if project improves safety.

20%

Funds construction, planning and design of facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation.

Fed + Percentage of TAP funding allocated to Regional Recreational Trails Program at discrenot to tion of State. exceed 95%

Fed 80100%; State 0-20%

Program provides funding for construction and maintenance projects located on newly expanded National Highway System (NHS), including those related to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Certain safety projects may have a federal cost share of up to 100%.

130

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Federal Sources Grant Source MAP-21 - Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)

MAP-21 - Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)

MAP-21 - Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS)

Annual Total $2.4 billion Federal; $197 million CA (pre-setaside, prepenalty)

FHWA/Caltrans

$464 million CA (pre-setaside, prepenalty)

FHWA/Caltrans

$21 million (2012 Funding; see remarks section for more information)

Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) Energy Efficiency and Block Grant Program Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Federal Lands Highway Program

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

Agency

Funding Cycle

Federal 90%; State 10%

April

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Caltrans and then MPO (SANDAG)

National Park Service

Match

Remarks Projects must address safety issues and may include education and enforcement programs. Program includes Railroad-Highway Crossings and High Risk Rural Roads programs. Bicycle projects must provide high degree of safety.

20%

Amount of CMAQ funds depends on state's population share and on degree of air pollution

80% Federal; 20% State

Caltrans proposed funding SRTS from a $21 million set aside in STP, approved

by CTC as one year policy. Future funding for SRTS will be determined through the MAP-21 implementation process.

Expenditures include bikeway plans, corridor studies and trails assistance

August

$3 million

Department of Energy

Provided formula funding for cities, counties and states to take part in energy efficient activities

$3 million

HUD & CA Dept of Housing & Com. Dev.

10%

Funds improve land use and transportation infrastructure in low-income neighborhoods or citywide for accessibility improvements.

Varies

May be used to build bicycle and pedestrian facilities in conjunction with roads and parkways at discretion of grantee.

$611 million 200810

FLH/FHWA

$30 million in 2010

NPS/California Department of Parks and Recreation

Ongoing

Ongoing

Annual

50%

LWCF grants may be used for statewide outdoor recreational planning and for acquiring and developing recreational parks and facilities, especially in urban areas.

131

6 Funding and Implementation Federal Sources Grant Source MAP-21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pilot Transit-Oriented Development Planning Program

Annual Total $10 million

Agency Federal Transit Administration

Funding Cycle

Match

Not available

Not available

1% of the Urbanized Area Formula Grant; for FY2014 that would be 1% of 4.5 Billion (~ $45 million)

Federal Transit Administration/ MPO

Not available

80% Federal Assistance (Capital); 50% Federal Assistance (Operational)

Partnership for Sustainable Communities

$409 million in grants and/ or assistance in 2010

HUD/DOT/EPA

Ongoing

Not available

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

$3.2 Billion Federal; over $35 million CA

Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RCTA) Program

Staff time is awarded for technical assistance

Map-21 Associated Transit Improvements

FHWA

NationalParks Service

$2 million for Community Development Block Planning and technical assisGrant (CDBG)

HUD & California Department of Housing and Community Development

Community Transformation Grants (CTG)

Regional health and planning agencies

tance in 2013

$35 million in 2012

June

None

August 1 for the following year

N/A

Ongoing

Ongoing 90% Federal; 10% Local

Not available

N/A

Remarks Provides funding to advance planning efforts that seek to increase access to transit hubs for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Recipients of Section 5307 (Urbanized Area Formula Grants) must certify they are spending no less than 1 percent of their federal transit funds on associated transit improvements (formerly transit enhancements). Typical projects have included bicycle lockers and parking near transit stations and stops.

Funding for preparing or implementing regional plans for sustainable development.

Provides formula funding for cities, counties and states to take part in energy efficient activities.

Technical assistance offered for conservation of rivers and open space and development of trails and greenways.

Available for low-income neighborhoods to improve land use and transportation infrastructure. Can be used for citywide accessibility improvements.

Funds to implement broad, sustainable strategies to reduce health disparities and expand preventive health care services.

132

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Federal Sources Grant Source Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program (TIGER)

Bus and Bus Facilities Program: State of Good Repair

Bus Livability Initiative

Federal Lands Transportation Program, Category 3, “Alternative Transportation” (see remarks)

Local Highway Bridge Program

Section 5310

Annual Total $474 million Federal; $31 Million CA (2013)

$2.17 billion Federal (2014)

$125 million (2012) Pacific West Region was awarded $3.38 million (2013)

$300 million

$20-$35 annually

Agency

US DOT

Federal Transit Administration

Federal Transit Administration

FHWA

FHWA/Caltrans

Federal Transit Administration

Funding Cycle

Match

Remarks

80% Federal; 20% State

Can be used for innovative, multimodal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects (including bicycle and pedestrian projects) that promise significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, region or the nation. Minimum project cost is $10 million.

March

80% Federal; 20% State

Can be used for projects to provide bicycle access to public transportation facilities. More specifically, funds are used for shelters for people, bicycle parking amenities and accommodating bicycles on transit.

March

90% Federal;10% State

Can be used for bicycle and pedestrian support facilities, such as bicycle parking, bicycle racks on buses, pedestrian amenities and educational materials.

October

Varies, generally October; programmed through 2017

None

Funds transportation modes that reduce congestion and pollution in parks and public lands. Formerly the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Grant Program (repealed upon enactment of MAP-21).

Ongoing

88.53% Fed. Match for Local Highways; 100% for Fed. Highways

Funds to replace or rehabilitate public highway bridges over waterways, other topographical barriers, other highways, or railroads.

11.47%

Assists private, non-profit corporations and public agencies in providing transportation services to meet needs of seniors and persons with disabilities for whom public transportations services are otherwise unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate.

Annually

133

6 Funding and Implementation Table 9b: State Funding Sources

Grant Source

Annual Total

State Sources Funding Agency Cycle

Match

Remarks

10%

Must have an adopted Bicycle Transportation Plan. Funding available for all phases of projects.

Caltrans

March application deadline.

Consult Local Assistance Office

$124 million/ year

Caltrans

Two-year cycle

12%

Consolidates BTA, Transportation Alternatives and Safe Routes to School funding. 60% awarded by State, 40% by MPOs.

Transportation Development Act (TDA) Section 99234

$149 in 2014

Local MPO or CTC

Annually

None

2% of TDA total, funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

Regional Improvement Program (STIP)

$3.4 billion Caltrans over 5-years

Every two years

AB-2766 Vehicle Registration Funds

$30 million in 2010

SCAQ

February

None

Competitive program for projects that benefit air quality.

APCB

July

None

Competitive program for projects that benefit air quality.

State Highway Account (SHA): Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) Active Transportation Program

Varies

Vehicle Registration Surcharge Fee (AB-434) RCF

Capital improvement projects (planning and rideshare activities).

Vehicle Registration Surcharge Fee (AB-434) PMF

40% from grant source

APCB

April

None

Funds distributed to county communities based on population.

Developer Fees or Exactions

Projectspecific

Cities

Ongoing

None

Mitigation required during land use approval process.

Allocated by State AuditorController

Monthly allocation

None

Major Projects, >$300,000.

State Gas Tax (local share) State and Local Transportation Partnership Program (SLPP)

Est. $200 million/yr. state-wide

Caltrans

Summer

50%

Road projects with bicycle lanes are eligible, requires developer or traffic fee match.

Caltrans Minor Capital Program

Varies

Caltrans

Ongoing after July 1

None

Projects must be on state highways; such as upgraded bicycle facilities.

Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEM)

$10 million/ State Resourcyr. statees Agency wide

October annually

None required, but favored

Individual grants limited to $350K.

134

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Grant Source

Petroleum Violation Escrow Account (PVEA)

Annual Total

Varies

Community Based Transportation Planning $3 million annually Demonstration Grant Program

State Sources Funding Agency Cycle Caltrans, CA Community Services and Development, Air Resources Board

Caltrans

Match

Remarks

March

None

Projects must save energy, provide public restitution and be approved

by CA Energy Commission and US DOE.

November

20%

Projects must have a transportation component or objective.

October

50%

Available until July 1, 2020.

January

None

Goal to reduce vehicle fatalities and injuries through safety program to include education, enforcement and engineering.

$2 million

CA Dept of Park and Recreation

Office of Traffic Safety Program (OTS)

Varies

Office of Traffic Safety

Safe Routes to School Program (SR2S)

$24 million in 2009*

Caltrans

April

10%

Eligible for projects in vicinity of a school and grades K-12.

State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)

Varies

Caltrans

Every 4 years

None

Gives metropolitan regions more control over state transportation fund investment.

Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Program (HCF)

California Conservation Corps

CCC provides emergency assistance and public service conservation work.

$9 million in 2010

Caltrans

10%

Engage low-income and minority communities in transportation projects to ensure equity and positive social, economic and environmental impacts.

Varies

CA Natural Resources Agency

None

Create or expand trails for walking, bicycling and/or equestrian activities compatible with other conservation objectives.

California Conservation Corps (CCC)

Environmental Justice (EJ) Planning Grants

California River Parkways

Annually

October

135

6 Funding and Implementation Table 9c: Local Funding Sources

Grant Source Parking Meter Districts

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Local Sources Funding Agency Cycle

Annual Total City

City

Annual Budget

Annual Budget

Match

Remarks

N/A

Parking Meter Districts can use parking meter revenues for streetscape improvements such as pedestrian facilities, landscaping and lighting.

None

Created to cover expenses and improvements related to tourism and to encourage more tourists to visit. Fund may be appropriate in areas of heavy tourism such as along waterfronts, major parks and historic neighborhoods.

136

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Table 9d: Private Funding Sources

Grant Source SRAM Cycling Fund

Annual Total $400,000+/yr

Private Sources Funding Agency Cycle SRAM

Ongoing

Match None

www.sramcyclingfund.org

None

Surdna Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations in areas of environment, community revitalization, effective citizenry, arts, and the nonprofit sector.

Surdna Foundation

Project-specific

Surdna Foundation

Ongoing

Bikes Belong

$180,000 annually

Bikes Belong Coalition

Three times a year

50%

Ongoing

None

Kaiser Permanente Community Health Initiatives

$54 million annually

Kaiser Permanente

Health Foundations

Various foundations

Rails to Trails Conservancy

Rails to Trails Conservancy

Donations

Depends on nature of project

People for Bikes Community Grant Program

In-kind Services

Up to $10,000

People for Bikes

Depends on nature of project

Remarks

Community grants focus on funding facilities and programs. www.bikesbelong.org Numerous programs to support Healthy Initiatives.

Focus active transportation improvements for an obesity prevention strategy. Examples include California Wellness Foundation, Kaiser and California Endowment.

Ongoing

Provides technical assistance for converting abandoned rail corridors to use as multi-use trails.

Corporate or individual donations, sponsorships, merchandising or special events.

Ongoing

Twice a year

Ongoing

None

Focuses most grant funds on bicycle infrastructure projects such as paths, lanes, trails and bridges, mountain bike facilities, bike parks and pump tracks, BMX facilities, end-of-trip facilities such as bicycle racks, parking and storage.

Donated labor and materials for facility construction or maintenance such as tree planting programs or trail construction and maintenace.

137

6 Funding and Implementation

138

Appendices

A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox B: California Streets and Highways Code Section 891.2 Compliance

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

App - 1

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Class 1 Multi-use Paths

Common Issues Class 1 facilities are generally paved multi-use paths, separated from motor vehicle traffic. Off street routes are rarely constructed for the exclusive use of cyclists since other nonmotorized user types will also find such facilities attractive.

For that reason, the facilities recommended in this master plan should be considered multi-use where cyclists will share the pathways with other users. Recommended Class 1 paths are intended to provide commuting and recreational routes unimpeded by motor vehicle traffic.

By law, the presence of a Class 1 route near an existing roadway does not justify prohibiting bicycles on the parallel or nearly parallel roadway. Where a bikeway master plan calls for Class 1 routes parallel to the alignments of planned roadways, these roadways should still be designed to be compatible with bicycle use. Two reasons to retain parallel facilities are that an experienced cyclist may find Class 1 paths inappropriate because of intensive use, or the routes may not be direct enough.

By the same token, the Class 1 path will likely be much more attractive to less experienced cyclists than a parallel facility on the adjacent street.

In general, Class 1 facilities should not be placed immediately adjacent to roadways. Where such conditions exist, Class 1 facilities should be offset from the street as much as possible and separated from it by a physical barrier. These measures are intended to promote safety for both the cyclists and the vehicle drivers by preventing unintended movement between the street and the Class 1 facility.

A Class 1 bicycle facility is located within its own separate right-of-way, with no motor vehicle traffic permitted. However, Class 1 facilities are typically shared with other users, such as pedestrians or equestrians. The common issues associated with the design of Class 1 facilities include: At-grade Crossings – While Class 1 facilities are located on exclusive right-of-way, most must deal with at-grade crossings at roadways or railways. At-grade crossings present several challenges, including safety issues and conflicts with automobile traffic operations. Most bicycle related collisions occur at at-grade crossings.

Shared Use Issues – Class 1 facilities are multi-use and not for the exclusive use of cyclists, which can create conflicts between different user types, particularly due to speed differentials. Conflicts between different user types are especially likely to occurs on regionally significant recreational paths that attract a broad diversity of users.

Compatibility of Equestrian Use – Joint use paths by cyclists can pose problems due to the ease of which horses can be startled. Also, the requirements of a Class 1 bikeway facility include a solid surface, which is not desirable for horses.

Safety – Safety issues have come up within some communities regarding Class 1 bicycle facilities. Class 1 bicycle facilities are typically separated from public areas, resulting in the perception of increased crime or a less safe environment.

Obstacles – Obstacles are a common issue and may include sign posts, light standards, utility poles and other similar appurtenances that impede travel.

App - 2

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Opportunities and Potential Treatments At-Grade Crossings Several design options exist for making at-grade crossings safer. The main objective is clear signage to minimize confusion between conflicting modes of travel. Crossings should be implemented at all at-grade crossings to clearly show that cyclists or other users may be crossing. Flashers are also helpful, especially at night to notify vehicle drivers of the crossing. The installation of a signalized crossing is preferred. Approaches should be somewhat offset to slow users as they near the intersection. (See example at right.) These guidelines should be applied to all at-grade crossings, such as on proposed creek and railway corridors.

Class 1 bicycle path at-grade crossing - San Diego, CA

Shared Use Issues of Class 1 Facilities In general, paths expected to receive heavy use should be a minimum of 14 feet wide, paths expected to experience moderate use should be at least 12 feet wide and low volume paths can be 10 feet wide. Caltrans Class 1 requirements call for eight feet as the minimum width with two foot clear areas on each side. Methods used to reduce path conflicts have included providing separate facilities for different groups, restricting certain uses to specific hours, widening existing facilities or marking lanes to regulate flow. Examples of all of these types of actions occur along southern California’s coastal paths where conflicts between different user types can be especially severe during peak periods.

Compatibility of Equestrian Use Joint use of paths by cyclists and equestrians can pose problems due to the ease with which horses can be startled. Also, the requirements of a Class 1 multi-use facility include a solid surface, which is not desirable for horses. Therefore, where either equestrian or cycling activity is expected to be high, separate routes are recommended. On facilities where Class 1 designation is not needed and the facility will be unpaved, mountain bikes and horses can share the trail if adequate passing zones are provided, the expected volume of traffic by both groups is low and available sight distances allow equestrians and cyclists to see and anticipate each other. Education of all path users in “trail etiquette” has also proven to be successful on shared paths.

Path with marked pedestrian and bicycle lanes - Long Beach, CA

Class 1 multi-use path and adjacent horse trail - San Diego, CA

App - 3

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Safety

Obstacles

The Delaware Center for Transportation and the State of Delaware Department of Transportation studied the impacts of Class 1 multi-use paths to neighborhoods in relation to safety and crime (Project Report for Property Value/Desirability Effects of Bicycle Paths Adjacent to Residential Areas – 2006). Examining multi-use paths in 12 communities across North America, the study concluded that crime on such paths is minimal and must be considered in perspective with the typical risks associated with other similar activities. Minimizing crime on paths involves ensuring that users exercise proper safety precautions and that managers maintain the path and support path use. The amount of crime in and around recreational facilities is generally correlated with the amount of crime in the neighboring area, and not a direct result of the path itself.

To make certain that as much of the paved surface as possible is usable by bicycle traffic, obstructions such as sign posts, light standards, utility poles and other similar appurtenances should be set back with at least a two foot minimum “shy distance” from the curb or pavement edge, with exceptions for guard rail placement in certain instances. A three foot minimum is recommended. Additional separation distance to lateral obstructions is desirable. Where there is insufficient paved surface width to accommodate bicycle traffic, any placement of equipment should be set back far enough to allow room for future projects (widening, resurfacing) to bring the pavement width into conformance with these guidelines when the opportunity arises. Vertical clearance to obstructions should be a minimum of eight feet. Where practical, vertical clearance of 10 feet is desirable.

Sign placement on shared-use paths (MUTCD Figure 9B-1)

App - 4

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Permeable Pavement for Class 1 Multi-Use Paths

Markings and Striping

Traditional impervious surfaces such as asphalt and concrete can be damaging to the local environment because stormwater running off them collects dirt and debris, and even oil from the asphalt itself, and washes these pollutants into streams, lakes and oceans. When stormwater runoff is not filtered through some form of treatment, it is directly transported into the local water system. Stormwater runoff is the leading source of pollutants entering our waterways.

Marking and striping are used to indicate the separation of directional lanes on multi-use paths.

An alternative to an impervious surface for multi-use paths is a pervious pavement such as porous concrete or asphalt. Porous pavement is especially useful for path segments that cannot be drained or are subject to periodic inundation. Its unique texture is composed primarily of angular aggregates such as crushed stone cemented together to create regular voids that allows water to flow directly downward to the underlying substrate. The exposed coarse aggregates provide enhanced traction for maintenance vehicles and bicycles and can prevent hazards such as hydroplaning. The textured surface is especially beneficial during the most difficult and dangerous of riding conditions, such as during rainfall, since water does not remain on the surface and cause flooding. However, some road cyclists feel that the coarse surface can be too rough for very skinny tired bicycles. Also, this type of paving requires regular maintenance to function properly, such as periodic vacuuming.

• A solid white line is recommended for separation of pe-

• A yellow center line stripe is recommended where paths

are heavily used, where sight distances are restricted, and on some unlit paths where night time riding is expected. The line should be dashed when adequate passing sight distance exists, and solid when no passing is recommended. destrian traffic and bicycle/in-line skating traffic.

• Solid white lines along the edge of paths are recommended where nighttime riding is expected.

• Markings should be retroreflective.

• Consideration should be given to selecting pavement

marking materials that will minimize loss of traction for bicycles in wet conditions.

Note that Section 9C.03 of the MUTCD leaves the application of marking and striping of a Class 1 path optional.

Sign R81 (CA MUTCD)

Sign R81-A (CA MUTCD)

Sign R81-B (CA MUTCD)

App - 5

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Class 2 Bicycle Lanes This facility provides a striped lane for one-way bicycle travel on a street or highway, installed along streets in corridors where there is significant bicycle demand, and where there are distinct needs that can be served by them. In streets with on-street parking, bicycle lanes are located between the parking area and the traffic lanes.

Design Guidelines

• Provide five foot minimum width for bicycle lanes located between parking and traffic lanes. Six feet is desired.

• Provide four foot minimum width if no gutter exists.

With a normal two foot gutter, minimum bicycle lane width is five feet, with 36” outside of gutter.

Recommendations

Common Issues Class 2 facilities are located on highways and must share the road with motor vehicles. The most common issue associated with Class 2 bicycle lanes is safety. Traveling adjacent to motor vehicles, especially along high speed corridors, increases the risk of motor vehicle and bicycle-related collisions and injuries.

Other safety issue concerns include:

• Freeway interchanges – slower bicycle traffic can often conflict with high speed vehicles entering and exiting freeways.

• Parking lanes – bicycle lanes are typically located between the parking lane and vehicle traffic lane, which creates less safe conditions when vehicle drivers are attempting to park.

• Limited Right-of-Way – roadways ideal for bicycle lanes,

but with limited right-of-way can be an issue. Many roadways suitable for Class 2 bicycle lanes are located adjacent to residential or commercial uses that allow onstreet parking.

• Visibility – visibility of cyclists on roadways or at intersections, especially freeway ramps.

4” white line or parking ”Ts”

• Bicycle lanes are not advisable on long, steep downgrades,

where bicycle speeds greater than 30 miles per hour are expected. If lanes are used, additional width should be provided to accommodate higher bicycle speeds.

• If parking volume is substantial or turnover high, an additional one to two feet of width is desirable.

• If six feet is available for a bicycle lane, it is preferred to

maintain the six feet if adjacent to a curb with no onstreet parking present. With on-street parking, stripe a four foot bicycle lane with a two foot buffer between the bicycle lane and on-street parking.

Optional Class 2 Bicycle Lane Enhancements

• Colored bicycle lanes • Distinct and unique directional signage • Traffic calming, such as curb extensions, street trees and landscaping, designed to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety

• Traffic control devices for bicycles at major intersections

• 6” white line between travel lane and bicycle lane

R-81 (CA)

App - 6

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle Lane Pavement Markings The following is the suggested pavement signage for bicycle lanes from the California MUTCD.

Bicycle lane markings (CA MUTCD Figure 9C-3) * Arrows optional (but preferred)

References Caltrans HDM Chapter 300, California MUTCD 2012 NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2012 Model Design Manual of Living Streets, 2011

App - 7

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Colored Bicycle Lanes

Recommendations

Color is applied to bicycle lanes to enhance the visibility of cyclists on bicycle lanes and the bicycle lanes themselves.

Color can be applied to the entire bicycle lane or at high-risk locations where vehicle drivers are permitted to merge into or cross bicycle lanes.

Design Guidelines

• Signage and dimensional guidelines are the same as for standard Class 2 bicycle lanes.

• Avoid using blue, which is commonly designated for disabled facilities. Green has become the standard color for colored bicycle lanes.

• Provide additional signage with matching color.

• Use color and markings consistently.

• Consider different coloring materials based on the location of the bicycle lanes, amount of traffic, roadway and weather conditions.

References Innovative Bicycle Treatments: An Informational Report - ITE Pedestrian and Bicycle Council Portland’s Blue Bike Lanes: Improved Safety through Enhanced Visibility – City of Portland, 1999 NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2012

Green transition zone - Riverside, CA

App - 8

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Buffered Bicycle Lanes Additional space between the bicycle lane and traffic lane, parking lane or both provides a protected and more comfortable space for cyclists than a conventional bicycle lane.

Design Guidelines

• Signage and dimensional guidelines are the same as for standard Class 2 bicycle lanes. Six foot lanes are desired, but can be reduced to five feet where buffers are provided.

• Provide an additional 2-4 foot buffer or “shy zone” between

the bicycle lane and parking lane. If space allows, buffering between the traffic lane and bicycle lane may also be provided (dual buffering), but buffering between parked vehicles and the bicycle lane should be given priority.

• Where no parking occurs and space allows, provide a buffer between the travel lane and bicycle lane.

• Line closest to bicycle lane may be dashed.

• Delineators or “Bott’s dots” are not generally recommended in buffers, but if used, should be linearly spaced 6-8 feet apart so as not to deter cyclists from entering and exiting.

Buffered bicycle lane - San Diego, CA

Recommendations

• Add diagonal striping on the outer buffer adjacent to the vehicle travel lanes every six feet.

• On-street parking remains adjacent to the curb.

• A travel lane may need to be eliminated or narrowed to accommodate buffers.

References NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2012

Dual buffered bicycle lane - San Diego, CA

App - 9

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Back-in Diagonal Parking The back-in/head-out parking is considered safer than conventional head-in/back-out parking due to vehicle drivers having better visibility when pulling out. This is particularly important on busy streets or where vehicle drivers may find their view blocked by large vehicles or by tinted windows in adjacent vehicles.

Design Guidelines Based on existing dimensions from test sites and permanent facilities, provide 16 feet from curb edge to inner bicycle lane stripe of a five foot bicycle lane.

Recommendations Test the facility on streets with existing head-in angled parking and moderate to high bicycle traffic. Additional signs to direct vehicle driver in how the back-in angled parking works is recommended.

Instructional signage - Solana Beach, CA

References Back-in/Head-out Angle Parking, Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates, 2005 City of Los Angeles Bicycle Plan Update, City of Los Angeles Note: This design treatment is not currently present in any State or federal design standards. However, it is now a standard configuration in Seattle, WA and is being widely adopted elsewhere.

Back-in/head-out angle parking - Bridgeport, CA

â&#x20AC;˘ 6â&#x20AC;? white line between travel lane and bicycle lane R-81 (CA)

Bicycle lane with back-in/head-out angle parking App - 10

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Class 3 Bicycle Routes

The following are typical guidelines, as well as enhanced treatments for installing bicycle routes. Other treatments not listed in these guidelines may be considered on a caseby-case basis when warranted. Common issues associated with Class 3 facilities are similar to Class 2 facilities, but Class 3 facilities are generally located on roadways with lower speeds and lower traffic volumes. Class 3 facilities are designated as roadways with no striped bicycle lanes, but include signage to indicate that cyclists are allowed and should be expected.

The most common issue associated with Class 3 facilities is signage visibility.

Signing When designating a bicycle route, the placement and spacing of signs should be based on the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part 9: Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities.

For bicycle route signs to be functional, supplemental plaques can be placed beneath them when located along routes leading to high demand destinations (e.g. “To Downtown,” “To Transit Center,” etc.) Since bicycle route continuity is important, directional changes should be signed with appropriate arrow sub-plaques. Signing should not end at a barrier. Instead, information directing the cyclist around the barrier should be provided. If used, route signs and directional signs should be used frequently because they promote reasonably safe and efficient operations by keeping road users informed of their location.

“BIKE ROUTE” - This sign is intended for use where no unique designation of routes is desired. However, when used alone, this sign conveys very little information. It can be used in connection with sub-plaques giving destinations and distances.

(See Section 1003-3 of the Caltrans Highway Design Manual and Part 9B-20 of the MUTCD for specific information on subplaque options.)

Roadways appropriate for bicycle use, but are undesignated, usually do not require regulatory, guide or informational signing in excess of what is normally required for vehicle drivers. In certain situations, however, additional signing may be needed to advise both vehicle drivers and cyclists of the shared use of the roadway, including the travel lane.

Class 3 bicycle route - Oceanside, CA

Sign D11-1 (CA MUTCD)

Sign SG45 (CA MUTCD)

Sign D1-1b (R) (CA MUTCD)

App - 11

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

“Share the Road” - This sign is recommended where the following roadway conditions occur:

• High volume urban conditions, especially those with travel

• Shared lanes with relatively high posted travel speeds of

• Other situations where it is determined to be advisable

40 mph or greater.

• Shared lanes in areas of limited sight distance.

• Situations where shared lanes or demarcated shoulders or

lanes less than the recommended width for lane sharing.

to alert vehicle drivers of the likely presence of bicycle traffic and to alert all traffic of the need to share available roadway space.

marked bicycle lanes are dropped or end and bicycle and motor vehicle traffic must begin to share the travel lane.

“Bicycles May Use Full Lane” (BMUFL) - This sign (R4-11) sign may be used:

• Steep descending grades where bicycle traffic may be

• On roadways where there are no bicycle lanes or adja-

operating at higher speeds and require additional maneuvering room to shy away from pavement edge conditions.

• Steep ascending grades, especially where there is no

paved shoulder, or the shared lane is not adequately wide and bicycle traffic may require additional maneuvering room to maintain balance at low operating speeds.

cent shoulders usable by cyclists and where travel lanes are too narrow for cyclists and motor vehicles to safely operate side-by-side.

• In locations where it is important to inform all roadway users that cyclists may occupy the travel lane.

Shared Lane Markings (next page) may be used in addition to or instead of BMUFL signs to inform road users that cyclists may occupy the travel lane. Both the Share the Road and BMUFL signs are recommended on most Class 3 routes. (Note: A new “Shared Road” sign is becoming the accepted standard instead of the “Share the Road” sign.)

Sign W16-1 and W11-1 (CA MUTCD)

Sign R4-11 (CA MUTCD)

Share the Road sign - San Clemente, CA

App - 12

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Class 3 Bicycle Route Enhancements Shared Lane Marking or “Sharrow” Design Criteria The shared lane marking (SLM) is commonly used where parking is allowed adjacent to the travel lane. The center of the marking should be located a minimum of 11 feet from the curb face or edge of the road. If used on a street without on-street parking that has an outside travel lane less than 14 feet wide, the centers of the Shared Lane Markings should be at least four feet from the face of the curb, or from the edge of the pavement where there is no curb. (Note that these criteria are evolving and that it is now common practice to center SLMs within the typical vehicular travel route in the rightmost travel lane to ensure adequate separation between cyclists and parked vehicles.)

Design Considerations

Shared lane marking (CA MUTCD Figure 9C-9)

Shared lane markings may be considered in the following situations:

• On roadways with speeds of 35 mph or less (CA MUTCD).

• On constrained roadways too narrow to stripe with bicycle lanes.

• To delineate space within a wide outside lane where cyclists can be expected to ride.

• On multi-lane roadways where cyclists can be expected to travel within outside lanes and vehicle drivers should be prepared to change lanes to pass cyclists.

• On roadways where it is important to increase vehicle driver awareness of cyclists.

• On roadways where cyclists frequently ride the wrong way.

• On roadways where cyclists tend to ride too close to parked vehicles.

Recommendations

Green striped lane with shared lane markings - Long Beach, CA)

Shared lane markings should be paired with the Bicycles May use Full Lane signs (R4-11) or Shared Road sign.

Further enhancements, such as a green striped lane throughout the Shared Lane Marking zone, is another upgrade employed by cities such as Long Beach and Salt Lake City.

References Caltrans HDM Chapter 300 California MUTCD 2012 NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2012 Model Design Manual of Living Streets, 2011 Shared lane marking - Oceanside, CA App - 13

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Cycle Tracks

A cycle track is a combination between a bicycle lane and shared-use path. This facility can be both two-way or oneway depending on existing road conditions, intersections and adjacent land use. The cycle track is a separate facility adjacent to a pedestrian sidewalk and physically protected from an adjacent travel lane. This treatment reduces the risk of conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians and parked vehicles.

Design Guidelines • • • •

One way cycle track: 6.5 feet minimum desired.

Two-way cycle track: 12 feet minimum desired.

Cycle track buffer: three feet minimum desired.

Recommendations

• Additional signage, traffic control treatments and pavement markings is needed to direct cyclists along cycle track and intersection.

• Priority needs to be on cyclist safety through intersections and minimizing vehicular/cyclist conflict points.

References Innovative Bicycle Treatments: An Informational Report - ITE Pedestrian and Bicycle Council NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2012

This facility separates cyclists from the road through either parked cars, planting strips, bollards, raised medians, or a combination of these elements.

• Can be placed on lower speed urban streets or streets

with high ADTs and speed, but they should have with long blocks and little to no driveways or mid-block vehicular access points.

Cycle track examples

Cycle track - Long Beach, CA

(Upper image illustrates buffered and colored configuration and lower illustrates raised configuration) App - 14

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle Boulevards

The purpose of creating bicycle boulevards is to provide a primary bicycle friendly route to improve safety and convenience of cycling on local streets. Bicycle boulevards are typically used on residential streets parallel to nearby arterial roads on routes that have high or potentially high bicycle traffic. A bicycle boulevard is a roadway available to vehicle drivers, but prioritizes bicycle traffic through the use of various treatments.

Motor vehicle traffic volume is reduced by periodically diverting vehicles off the street and the remaining traffic is slowed to the same speed as bicycles. Bicycle boulevards are most effective when several treatments are used in combination.

The design features associated with a Bicycle Boulevard can help:

• Increase pedestrian, cyclist and overall community feelings of comfort and safety.

• • • • • •

Increase cycling and walking.

Improve wayfinding.

Discourage neighborhood cut-through traffic.

Calm and reduce neighborhood traffic.

Provide shade for pedestrians and cyclists.

Create a pleasant corridor through City center.

Bicycle boulevard/roadway intersection treatment with signalized diagonal bicycle crossing - San Luis Obispo, CA

Recommended Enhancements

• Provide directional signage and/or special street sign design at all intersections.

• Provide continuous “Bicycle Boulevard” signage along route.

• Increased pavement markings and/or unique pavement markings such as colored bicycle lanes, Shared Lane Markings (“Sharrows”) or “Bicycle Boulevard” pavement legends.

• Periodically re-route vehicular traffic off street without affecting emergency vehicle response.

• Limit stop signs and signals to greatest extent possible except where they help cyclists maneuver through busy intersections.

• Alter major intersections with bicycle sensors, crossing

actuators, directional signage. Other treatments for intersections can include traffic circles, bulb-outs and high visibility crosswalks.

• Add street trees and landscaping.

• Route design, amenities and signage must be consistent throughout entire bicycle boulevard.

• Install bicycle parking at applicable locations along route.

Bicycle boulevard pavement markings - San Luis Obispo, CA

App - 15

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Some optional Class 3 Bicycle Route enhancements for a bicycle boulevard include:

• Sharrows or Bicycle Boulevard pavement markings.

• Traffic calming (curb extensions, roundabouts, street trees and speed tables) designed to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety.

• Distinct and unique directional signage.

• Traffic control devices for bicycles at major intersections.

• Street trees and landscaping.

General Signage Guidelines

• Signs are a distinctive color to distinguish them from other traffic and road signs.

• Signs are made with retro-reflective material for improved visibility.

• Lettering on signs may be no less than two inches high.

• Provide bicycle system maps at hubs and near bicycle boulevard intersections.

• Place destination and distance signs every quarter mile, prior to signalized intersections, and in the block prior to the junctions with other bicycle facilities.

• Place bicycle boulevard identification signs at least at every other corner.

• Avoid obscuring vegetation or other visual impediments.

• Where wrong-way riding is known to occur, install DO NOT ENTER signs with the bicycle symbol, as well as informational signage citing applicable codes and dangers of wrong-way cycling.

Cross section with bicycle boulevard pavement markings App - 16

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Pavement Markings If bicycle lanes are the preferred alternative, they should be installed to meet Caltrans requirements. For further enhancements to the bicycle lanes, the inside of the lane can be painted green for further visibility. Some cities have used blue bicycle lanes, but they have since come under scrutiny because the ADA color designation is also blue. As a result, green has become the bikeway color standard.

Bicycle boulevard traffic diverters - San Luis Obispo, CA

Bicycle boulevard pavement markings are car-sized white pavement markings that depict a bicycle, the abbreviation of “BLVD” and a directional arrow. These markings are applied directly to the roadway surface in the center of the drive lane with four to six inch wide white paint striping. Markings should be placed in each direction of traffic following every intersection, near high volume driveways or other potential conflict points, and at no more than 200 foot intervals. Where the bicycle boulevard turns or jogs, arrows should be turned 45 or 90 degrees in the appropriate direction to help aid in way-finding.

Bicycle boulevard pavement markings can also inform vehicle drivers and cyclists of the end of the boulevard. When needed, these should be located in the same location as standard pavement markings to provide sufficient advance warning for cyclists to make appropriate decisions prior to the change.

Advance warning 500 and 200 feet prior to the end of the end of a bicycle boulevard can be indicated on the pavement surface with “END” replacing the arrow and a count in feet until the end of the boulevard.

Bicycle boulevard traffic circle - Long Beach, CA

These symbols are to be used where bicycle lanes do not exist. With on-street parking, place the symbol twelve feet from curb face (measured to center of legend). Without on-street parking, place in center of the travel lane.

Note: Bicycle boulevard symbols are not a standard in the CA MUTCD. The diagram at right shows measurements for the symbol used in Berkeley, California.

Bicycle boulevard pavement marking - (Source: City of Berkeley, CA.) App - 17

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Traffic Control Devices

Video Detection As legitimate roadways users, cyclists are subject to essentially the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers. Traffic control devices must be selected and installed to take their needs into account and should be placed so cyclists properly positioned on the roadway can observe them.

Traffic Signals and Detectors Traffic actuated signals should accommodate bicycle traffic.

Detectors for traffic activated signals should be sensitive to bicycles, should be located in the cyclistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expected path and stenciling should direct the cyclist to the point where the bicycle will be detected.

Since detectors can fail, added redundancy in the event of failure is recommended in the form of pedestrian push buttons at all signalized intersections. These buttons should be mounted in a location that permits their activation by a cyclist without having to dismount.

A video detection setup consists of a video detector, usually mounted on a riser pole or a mainline pole, and a computer with video image-processing capability. Video detection can pick up a cyclistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence at an intersection over a large area. These systems have a flexible detector layout allowing for easy reprogramming of detection zones. Video detection technology has advanced to detect bicycles with the same accuracy as loop detectors.

Advantages to video detection over loop detection include the ability to adjust signal timing once activated to allow cyclists sufficient time to cross the intersection. Cameras can detect bicycles that do not contain iron, unlike many loop detectors, and in some cases can detect pedestrians fairly well. Video detection is also not affected by resurfacing work and may even be used to help direct traffic during construction.

It is common for bicycles to be made of so little ferrous metals that they may not be easily detectable by some currently installed types of loop detectors. As an convenience for cyclists, the strongest loop detection point should be marked with a standard symbol.

Where left turn lanes are provided and only protected left turns are allowed, bicycle sensitive loop detectors should be installed in the left turn lane. Where moderate or heavy volumes of bicycle traffic exist, or are anticipated, bicycles should be considered in the timing of the traffic signal cycle as well as in the selection and placement of the traffic detector device.

In such cases, short clearance intervals should not be used where cyclists must cross multi lane streets. According to the 1991 AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, a bicycle speed of 10 mph and a perception/reaction time of 2.5 seconds can be used to check the clearance interval. Where necessary, such as for particularly wide roadways, an all red clearance interval can be used.

In general, for the sake of cyclist safety, protected left turns are preferred over unprotected left turns. In addition, traffic signal controlled left turns are much safer for cyclists than left turns at which vehicle drivers and cyclists must simply yield. This is because vehicle drivers, when approaching an unprotected left turn situation or planning to turn left at a yield sign, tend to watch for other vehicles and may not see an approaching cyclist. More positive control of left turns gives cyclists an added margin of safety where they need it most.

Bicycle detector symbol (CA MUTCD Figure 9C-7) App - 18

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle Signals A bicycle signal is an electrically powered traffic control device that may only be used in combination with an existing traffic signal. They are typically used at intersections with heavy bicycle traffic, in conjunction with high peak vehicle traffic volumes, high conflict intersections or at the connections of shared use bicycle lanes and busy roadways.

These signals separate conflicting movements between pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists. Bicycle signals also provide priority movement for cyclists at intersections and alternates right-of-ways between the different road users.

Bicycle signals direct cyclists to take specific actions and may be used to improve an identified safety or operational problem involving cyclists.

Only green, yellow and red lighted bicycle symbols are used to implement bicycle movement at a signalized intersection. The application of bicycle signals is implemented only at locations that meet Caltrans bicycle signal warrant criteria. A separate signal phase for bicycle movement is used.

Alternative means of handling conflicts between cyclists and motor vehicles should be considered first. Two alternatives that should be considered are:

• Striping to direct cyclists to a lane adjacent to a traffic lane such as a bicycle lane to left of a right-turn-only lane

• Redesigning intersection to direct cyclists from an offstreet path to a bicycle lane at a point removed from signalized intersection

A bicycle signal must meet warrant criteria before being considered for installation based on the following formula: 1. Volume; When W = B x V and W > 50,000 and B < 50.

Where: W is the volume warrant B is the number of bicycles at the peak hour entering the intersection V is the number of vehicles at the peak hour entering the intersection (B and V shall use the same peak hour) 2. Collision: When two or more bicycle/vehicle collisions of types susceptible to correction by a bicycle signal have occurred over a 12 month period and the responsible public works official determines that a bicycle signal will reduce the number of collisions.

3. Geometric: (a) Where a separate bicycle/multi-use path intersects a roadway. (b) At other locations to facilitate a bicycle movement that is not permitted for a motor vehicle.

References California MUTCD 2012 NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2012

Bicycle signals - Tucson, AZ

App - 19

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Bicycle Parking Facilities

Whenever possible, racks should be placed within 50 feet of building entrances where cyclists would naturally transition to pedestrian mode. The rack placement would ideally allow for visual monitoring by people within and around the building.

Rack placement should minimize conflicts with both pedestrians and vehicle traffic. All bicycle parking should be on a solid surface and located a minimum of two feet from any parallel wall, and four feet from a perpendicular wall (as measured to the closest center of the rack).

The following text and graphics focus on outdoor installations using racks intended to accommodate conventional, upright, single-rider bicycles and a solid, U-shaped lock, or a cable lock, or both.

Rack Element

Custom bicycle rack - Oceanside, CA

The rack element is the part of the bicycle rack that supports one bicycle. It should support the bicycle by its frame in two places, prevent the front wheel from tipping over, allow the frame and one or both wheels to be secured, and support bicycles with unconventional frames.

“Inverted-U” and similar type racks are most recommended because each element can support two bicycles. Commonly used “wave” type racks are not recommended because they support the bicycle at only one point. Also, cyclists often park their bicycles parallel with such racks, instead of perpendicular as intended, which effectively reduces the rack capacity by half.

The rack element must resist being cut or detached using common hand tools, especially those that can be concealed in a backpack. Such tools include bolt cutters, pipe cutters, wrenches and pry bars. Square tubing is highly recommended.

Custom bicycle rack - San Diego, CA

Rack The rack itself is one or more rack elements joined on a common base or arranged in a regular array and fastened to a common mounting surface.

The rack elements may be attached to a single framework or remain single elements mounted in close proximity. They should not be easily detachable from the rack framework or easily removed from the mounting surface. The rack should be anchored so that it cannot be stolen with the bicycles attached, such as with vandal-resistant fasteners.

The rack should provide easy, independent bicycle access.

Typical inverted-U rack elements mounted in a row should be placed on 30” centers. Normally, the handlebar and seat heights will allow two bicycles to line up side-by-side in opposite directions. If it is too inconvenient and time-consuming to squeeze the bicycles into the space and attach a lock, cyclists will look for alternative places to park or use one rack element per bicycle and reduce the projected parking capacity by half.

App - 20

City of San Marcos â&#x20AC;˘ Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Rack Area The rack area is a bicycle parking lot where multiple racks are separated by aisles. The distance between aisles is measured from tip to tip of bicycle tires across the space between racks.

The minimum separation between aisles should be two feet, which provides enough space for one person to walk one bicycle. In high traffic areas where many users park or retrieve bicycles at the same time, the recommended aisle width is six feet. The depth of each row of parked bicycles should also be six feet.

Large rack areas in high turnover areas should have more than one entrance. If possible, the rack area should be protected from the elements. Even though cyclists are exposed to sun, rain and snow while en route, covering the rack area keeps cyclists more comfortable while parking, locking their bicycles and loading or unloading cargo. A covering will also help keep bicycles dry, especially the saddles.

Bicycle rack dimensions for installations adjacent to walls

Bicycle rack dimensions for installations parallel to curb

Bicycle rack dimensions for installations perpendicular to curb App - 21

Appendix A: Design Guidelines/Toolbox

Rack Area Site The rack area site is the relationship of a rack area to the building entrance or approach. In general, smaller, conveniently located rack areas should serve multiple buildings, rather than a larger combined, distant one. Racks far from the entrance or perceived to be where bicycles will be vulnerable to vandalism or theft will not receive much use.

Rack area location in relationship to the building it serves is very important. The best location is immediately adjacent to the entrance it serves, but racks should not be placed where they can block the entrance or inhibit pedestrian flow. The rack area should be located along a major building approach line and clearly visible from the approach.

The rack area should be no more than a 30 second walk (120 feet) from the entrance it serves and should preferably be within 50 feet. A rack area should be as close or closer than the nearest car parking space, be clearly visible from the entrance it serves and be near each actively used entrance. In some cases, an appropriate location may be within the adjacent right-of-way as a bicycle corral, as shown below.

Movable bicycle corral - Long Beach, CA

Bicycle corral dimensions - Converts one car parking space into 8-10 bicycle spaces App - 22

City of San Marcos • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Long-term Parking Bicycle parking facilities intended for long-term parking must protect against theft of the entire bicycle and its components and accessories. Three common ways of providing secure long-term bicycle parking are:

• Fully enclosed lockers accessible only by the user, either coin-operated, or by electronic, on-demand locks operated by “smartcards” equipped with touch-sensitive imbedded RFID chips.

• A continuously monitored facility that provides at least medium-term type bicycle parking facilities generally available at no charge.

Perhaps the easiest retrofit is the bicycle locker. Generally, they are as strong as the locks on their doors and can secure individual bicycles with their panniers, computers, lights, etc., left in place. Some bicycle locker designs can be stacked to double the parking density. Weather protection is another benefit.

Bicycle lockers tend to be used most for long-term bicycle commuter parking in areas without continuous oversight. However, lockers with coin-operated locks can be a target of theft and may attract various unintended uses. This can be mitigated by installing lockers with mesh sides to allow periodic inspection.

• Restricted access facilities in which short-term type bicycle racks are provided and access is restricted only to the owners of the bicycles stored there.

Typical bicycle locker dimensions

App - 23

Appendix B: BTA Compliance

California Streets and Highways Code Section 891.2, items a-k For reviewer convenience, code text and associated document sections and/or responses are listed below: (a) The estimated number of existing bicycle commuters in the plan area and the estimated increase in the number of bicycle commuters resulting from implementation of the plan.

(f) A map and description of existing and proposed facilities for changing and storing clothes and equipment.

These shall include, but not be limited to, locker, restroom and shower facilities near bicycle parking facilities.

Current estimate of bicycle commuters is 6,524 using industry standard calculation methods. Expected increase as a result of this plan was based on other jurisdictionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience with bikeway system development. This also addresses forecasted future employment increase of seven percent to 46,050, yielding 9,748 commuting cyclists, or 3,224 additional cyclists, a 33 percent increase resulting from implementation of this plan.

This includes students and transit users.

See Chapter 5 maps and tables, particularly Section 3.2.

This document recommends establishing a cycling activity baseline using annual count locations shown in Appendix D, where initial counts were conducted for this plan.

As part of the SR2S program, the City has worked with schools and made efforts in contributing in bicycle safety and education programs.

(b) A map and description of existing and proposed land use and settlement patterns which shall include, but not be limited to, locations of residential neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers, public buildings and major employment centers.

(h) A description of the extent of citizen and community involvement in development of the plan including, but not be limited to, letters of support.

See Chapter 2 maps and tables. (c) A map and description of existing and proposed bikeways.

See Chapters 3 and 5 maps and tables. (d) A map and description of existing and proposed endof-trip bicycle parking facilities. These shall include, but not be limited to, parking at schools, shopping centers, public buildings and major employment centers.

See Chapter 5 maps and tables. (e) A map and description of existing and proposed bicycle transport and parking facilities for connections with and use of other transportation modes. These shall include, but not be limited to, parking facilities at transit stops, rail and transit terminals, ferry docks and landings, park and ride lots, and provisions for transporting cyclists and bicycles on transit or rail vehicles of ferry vessels.

See Chapter 5 maps and tables.

(g) A description of bicycle safety and education programs conducted in the area included in the plan, efforts by the law enforcement agency having primary traffic law enforcement responsibility in the area to enforce provisions of the Vehicle Code pertaining to bicycle operation, and the resulting effect on accidents involving cyclists.

See Section 4.2: Community Input. (i) A description of how the bicycle transportation plan has been coordinated and is consistent with the local or regional transportation, air quality or energy conservation plans, including, but not be limited to, programs that provide incentives for bicycle commuting.

Encouraging bicycle commuting is addressed throughout the document, particularly Section 5.7: Recommended Bicycle Programs. (j) A description of the projects proposed in the plan and a listing of their priorities of implementation.

See Chapters 4 and 5 maps and tables, and especially Section 4.4: Prioritization Process. (k) A description of past expenditures for bicycle facilities and future financial needs for projects that improve safety and convenience for bicycle commuters in the plan area.

In the past five years, the City is committed to implement and enhance bicycle facilities with every CIP project when possible.

App - 24