These recommended Hike and Bike Design Principles have been tailored to meet the specific development needs of the City of Arlington ’ s pedestrian and bicycle system . They are based on creating a livable community where bicycling and walking will be incorporated into existing and proposed transportation projects to achieve the overriding goal of improvement , safety , convenience , and comfort .
Because streets are a critically important part of a livable and healthy community and the growing demand for multimodal streets , this document adheres to the “ Complete Streets Principle ” that roadways shall be planned , designed , and developed to enable safe , attractive , and comfortable access and travel for all users which includes walking , biking , and public transit , to co-exist with automobiles . The Complete Street Act is currently being debated in Congress and should it be approved , it will require that “ all federally funded transportation projects , ( with certain exceptions ), must accommodate the safety and convenience of all users in accordance with certain Complete Street Principles . This will ensure that the safety and convenience of all users of a transportation system , including pedestrian , bicyclist , public transit users , and motorists are accommodated in all phases of project planning and development .
HIKE AND BIKE SYSTEM MASTER PLAN
This document is also based on the principle of designing hike and bike projects that are aesthetically pleasing and sensitive to the environment and community within which they are located . This type of design process is often described as context sensitive design . Hike and bike improvements must incorporate the important and often competing values of a variety of stakeholders that live , work , and play in the City . Successful solutions that address safety , mobility , and the communities overall interest shall prevail .
The following are key principles for these design guidelines :
• The City of Arlington has both off-road trails and on-street pedestrian and bicyclist facilities . These two systems will be interconnected to make it possible for many destinations in the City to be accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists .
• The law gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers . In Arlington , all roads except for limited access highways are legal for bicycle usage .
• Bicyclists typically have a wide range of skill levels from expert to novice . These skill levels are commonly designated as Type A , B , and C . A Type A bicyclist is an experienced adult who is capable of riding in motorized traffic in a shared road situation . A Type B bicyclist has less experience and is most comfortable riding in a sepa-
Chapter 7 : Design Guidelines | 7-3