Rumble Strips Awry
While there have been many positive trends for cycling in America, there are serious signs of slippage among policy makers at the national level. As reported earlier, bicyclists are fighting hard in the U.S. Congress to retain dedicated funding for bicycle facility investment (still no definitive word on that yet as the debt ceiling debate rages on).Just as important, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently issued a new Technical Advisory (TA) (pdf) on rumble strip applications. It's terrible on two counts. First, the substance is much worse for cyclists than the original TA from 2001. By and large, it advises state and other agencies to lay on the rumble strips on highways, rural roads, and perhaps even urban roadways! They throw in a few mitigating provisions aimed at "bike-tolerable rumble strips" but otherwise, this is all about using road space and shoulders to protect motorists with little or no regard for cyclists. (I write this with all due respect to the judicious use of rumble strips which, applied properly, can be good for motorists and cyclists.)The other terrible aspect is the process by which this advisory came about. Since early in 2010, Adventure Cycling, the Alliance for Biking and Walking, and the League of American Bicyclists have made a concerted and constructive effort to work with federal agencies on this advisory. Inexplicably, they ignored us. After communications assuring us that we would be heard and that the advisory would improve the use of rumbles vis a vis cyclists, the advisory went seriously awry. Not only that, but we found out second-hand and belatedly that the TA had been issued in mid-May -- we never even received the courtesy of a copy.So where are we now? In a few words, upset and pushing back. Immediately, our three groups contacted FHWA, which, to their credit, quickly set up a meeting with about 10 agency officials in DC and the field (oh, why didn't this kind of broad-based meeting happen a year ago?). Officials acknowledged that they should revisit the advisory and asked national cycling groups to clarify our concerns. We have done that, and you can read all the details here (pdf). This memo includes a careful analysis of how the new TA poorly serves cyclists, people with disabilities, and other road users.We have asked FHWA to suspend and substantially revise the TA with regard for cyclists' concerns. We've also requested an immediate response and will keep you posted on what we hear. In the meantime, we ask that you stay alert. We have not asked cyclists to contact FHWA -- or even Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who ordered that bicycling should be treated as an equal mode of transportation (even though this advisory flies in the face of his directive). But we may contact you soon to make those contacts. Also, we continue to ask for reports of inappropriate rumble strip applications. These examples are very helpful in illuminating the issue for agency officials at all levels. You can email reports to Ginny Sullivan, our special projects director, at gsullivanATadventurecyclingDOTorg.This situation isn't the end of the world. This is a technical advisory, which still means states and other agencies can exercise discretion in how and where they apply rumble strips (and there are truly positive examples of well-done rumbles). But it is an official advisory (supposedly containing state-of-the-art best practices) that will be heeded by many road developers and re-pavers, to the peril of cyclists nationwide. It's also a stark reminder that, despite some positive declarations from top officials, bicyclists still have a long way to go toward winning respect and bike-friendly facilities throughout America.Photo Caption: Cyclist Will Selser rides in the travel lane on US Highway 89 in Montana in order to avoid rumble strips on the shoulder. Photo by Bill Schneider. --
JIM SAYER is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association
JIM SAYER is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/08/rumble-strips-awry.html
