Framework for Bikeway Designation on Rural Roads 

The National Center for Rural Road Safety (Safety Center) is hosting a FREE, 1.5-hour online webinar. 

Webinar Description
This webinar will provide an overview of the development and content of the Framework for Bikeway Designation on Rural Roads. This document was developed as a resource for road owners that are considering bikeway designation on one of their roads. The Framework addresses liability and safety concerns that road owners frequently face when considering roads that are shared by motor vehicles and people on bicycles. While Oregon’s Scenic Bikeway program was the catalyst for this research, shared use on rural roads is an issue across the United States, and the Framework is intended for use by any road owner considering bikeway designation. The development of the document was guided by a technical advisory committee with representatives from a state DOT, county road officials, cycling tourism groups, the Oregon Scenic Bikeway Program, the US Forest Service, and the Federal Highway Administration. It is anticipated the Framework document will be finalized and available for use in March 2019. 

Webinar Outcomes
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• State differing points of view on bikeway designation by bicycle tourism groups and road owners.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the background and need for the Framework for Bikeway Designation on Rural Roads.
• Identify key components of a bikeway field safety visit
• Summarize the benefits and outcomes of a bikeway field safety visit
• Identify relevant data to consider when evaluating the safety of a shared road.
• Differentiate between the quantitative and qualitative considerations of bikeway designation.

Target Audience
This training is directed towards federal land management agencies and road agencies in Oregon and across America that are considering designating and promoting state and national bikeways and bicycle tourism. 

Course Presenters 

Amy Thomas, PE, PMP - Deputy Director of Engineering, Forest Service Alaska & Pacific Northwest Regions

Taylor Lonsdale, PE, Research Engineer, Western Transportation Institute
Taylor Lonsdale has 22 years of civil engineering experience and is a key team member of the Small Urban, Rural, and Tribal Center om Mobility (SURTCOM) at the Western Transportation Institute of Montana State University.  As a member of the SURTCOM staff, Mr. Lonsdale is working on projects that inform the ability of communities to increase the quality of life through changes to the built environment. Taylor is currently involved in research supporting improved bicycle and pedestrian accommodation and safety on rural roads.  The focus of his work is on how infrastructure and land development choices affect the ability of people of all ages and ability to move around their community on foot and on bike. His true passion is empowering people of all ages to walk and bike safely in their community.

Rebecca Gleason, MS, PE – Research Engineer, Western Transportation Institute 
Rebecca Gleason is a research engineer for the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University (MSU).  She is a key team member of the Small Urban, Rural and Tribal Center on Mobility.  For the past 11 years, she has worked on various projects aimed at making it safer and more convenient for people in small towns and rural areas to get around by bicycle, foot, bus and rideshare.  Rebecca was the primary author of the Guide to Promoting Bicycling on Federal Lands, the first comprehensive report that examined bicycling issues in federal lands and gateway communities across the country.  She was part of a team with Alta Planning and Design and others that created The Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks report, intended to help small towns create active travel options for people of all ages and abilities.  She is currently working to finalize the Framework for Bikeway Designation on Rural Roads intended to provide guidance to road owners on what to consider when asked to designate a road as a bikeway.

To register for the webinar, please click on the button below.  Instructions on accessing the webinar will be sent after your registration is confirmed.

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