Designing for Bicycles: Information and
Resources
With so many guidelines, manuals, policies, and standards at both the
state and federal level, it is sometimes difficult to sort out which of
these apply to your project. This page is designed to answer the most
frequently asked questions and provide a list of useful resources.
If you find that the information you need is not provided by this website, please contact WSDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program at 360-705-7258 or Reevesp@wsdot.wa.gov for
additional information.
Must bicycle and pedestrian facilities be included in all projects?
Both FHWA and WSDOT require that bicycle and pedestrian facilities be
included in new roadway construction and reconstruction projects in all
urbanized areas absent exeptional circumstances. For more information
see FHWA Policy
, WSDOT's
Pedestrian Facility Design Guidance and WSDOT's
Bicycle Facility Design Guidance.
What design standards apply to projects?
The FHWA
Federal-Aid Policy Guide provides that the American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide
for the Development of Bicycle Facilities or equivalent guides developed
in cooperation with State and local officials, such as WSDOT's
Bicycle Facility Design Guidance, should serve as the standard for
construction and design of bicycle routes.
The purpose for both the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle
Facilities and WSDOT's Bicycle Facilities Design Guidance is to provide
uniform minimum standards and criteria for the design and construction
of bicycle facilities. These standards also apply to local roadways. However,
some local jurisdictions have adopted their own standards that add to
the AASHTO or WSDOT Guidance.
List of Primary Design Resources
Context Sensitive Design
Roads and highways play a significant role in the quality of our communities,
making transportation design a key component of good design and development.
WSDOT provides "context-sensitive" highway and roadway design
to ensure that all road design considers an area's built and natural landscape;
takes into account the environmental, scenic, aesthetic, historic, community,
and preservation impacts of a road project; and accomodates more than
just automobiles, but other modes of transportation including bicycles,
pedestrians, and mass transit.
List of Other Design Information and Resources
Safe Routes To School Resources
Bicycling is an important way for children to get to school and to other
community sites. In Washington State, all school districts are required
to have suggested route plans for every elementary school (WAC 392-151-025).
State funding may be available to help improve these walking and biking
routes in your community.
Links to Good Information From Other States
Additionally, bicycle related organizations and advocacy groups may have
information and resources you are looking for. See the Organizations
and Resources webpage for a list of these groups.
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