Denton Scores 20 out of 100 for Its Bicycle Network
Denton scored 20 out of 100 in its second appearance of the PeopleForBikes City Ratings. Denton scored 18 in 2023. Of all cities scored, Denton ranked 61st in Texas, 263rd in the South Region and 1,541 out of 2,579 of all cities.
PeopleForBikes City Ratings defines a bike network as “a connected system of protected bike lanes, off-street paths, slow shared streets, and safe crossing that enables people to comfortably bike around a city.” Ratings are based on data analysis software called Bicycle Network Analysis (BNA), which focuses on six factors:
Safe speeds
Protected bike lanes
Intersection treatments
Network connections
Reallocated space
Trusted data
A score of 0-20 out of 100 indicates a weak bike network, according to PeopleForBikes’ description of their rating program. A score below 20 means a city lacks safe bikeways or has too many gaps in the network. Scores above 80 indicates that most key destinations are accessible by safe, comfortable bike routes for people of all ages and abilities.
The top six midsized cities in the U.S. are:
Davis, CA (78/100)
Cambridge, MA (72/100)
Berkeley, CA (71/100)
Boulder, CO; Corvallis, OR and Ankeny, IA (70/100)
The top five midsized cities (population 50k to 300k) in Texas are:
The Woodlands (49/100)
Flower Mound (34/100)
Allen (24/100)
McKinney (24/100)
Mesquite (23/100)
Denton’s Network Score and Analysis
The City of Denton Scored between 16 and 34 out of 100 in all scoring categories, which include people, opportunity, core services, recreation, retail and transit.
Denton’s detailed network score (Source: City Ratings, Denton, TX)
Most areas in the City of Denton received poor network scores due to lack of safe, continuous and comfortable bicycle access to daily needs. Areas of town with higher scores are generally near UNT, along the DCTA Rail Trail, the Mayhill sidepath, and off-road trails in north Denton.
A more detailed map of Denton’s bicycle network analysis better identifies where the high-stress and low-stress routes are located across the city. Many routes do not yet connect to each other, which reduces their usefulness for the average person wanting to travel somewhere by bicycle.
Denton’s higher and lower stress bicycle routes. (Source: Bicycle Network Analysis)
Improving Denton’s Score
PeopleForBikes provides strategies for cities wanting to improve their bicycle network and overall score.
Build a bike network, not a bike project - Group connected corridor projects that prioritize safe biking to popular destinations.
Complete your bike network quickly - Identify gaps in your bike network and create a six-month plan for connecting all the pieces.
Upgrade your existing bike lanes - Using low-cost materials initially, create separation between bikes, cars and sidewalks.
Keep traffic speeds low by design - Slow streets are safe streets - target 25 mph on residential roads and improve intersections.
Equitable biking is a right - In partnership with community members, develop an equity program for safe biking.
Change the way you talk about bikes - Review your communication tools to align with tested strategies that build public support.
PeopleForBikes includes more detailed strategies on their webpage Improve Your City’s Score.
Denton’s quick build project on Parkway Street created space for people walking or biking to the Emily Fowler Library or other nearby destinations.
Denton’s Upcoming Bicycle Projects
The City of Denton updated its Bike Plan in 2022 as part of its Mobility Plan update. However, it has not yet released a bicycle work plan to prioritize which bicycle projects to tackle first. This process will begin soon now that Denton has hired a new Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator.
Despite the previous vacancy in the Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator position, several projects are in progress.
Sycamore / Welch
This project includes a 10-foot sidepath along Sycamore Street from Welch Street on the UNT campus to the Downtown Denton Transit Center. It also includes a traffic light relocation on Carroll Boulevard from Mulberry to Sycamore, as well as the completion of a protected bike lane on Welch Street from Eagle Drive to Hickory Street.
The City of Denton received external funding in 2017 to construct the sidepath along Sycamore, with construction expected to begin in 2018. After six years of delays, construction is currently slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024 and be completed by the end of 2025.
General location of the Sycamore-Welch project (Source: Denton Capital Improvements Map)
University / US 380 Sidepath
TxDOT constructed a 10-foot sidepath on the north side of US 380 from Mayhill Drive to the Greenbelt. Beyond the Greenbelt, the path narrows to sidewalk width. Construction is complete.
Anyone using this sidepath should watch for sharp or large debris along the path, as vehicular traffic and passengers are likely to fling debris onto the path. Rain may also push dirt onto the path. Use caution when crossing driveways and intersections, as most drivers will not be looking for anything other than motor vehicles when making turns or entering or exiting driveways.
Two people bicycle on the new path along US 380.
Pecan Creek Trail
Pecan Creek Trail is anticipated as Denton’s next major trail. Denton Parks and Recreation has been actively getting trail projects “shovel ready.” This means they’re completing necessary plans to prepare and be competitive for external funding for trails.
Planned alignment of the future Pecan Creek Trail.
In November 2023, Denton Parks and Recreation won nearly $11 million in grant funding through the federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside program to construct roughly $15 million of the Pecan Creek Trail. These types of external grants typically fund 80 percent of a project. The city must fund the remaining 20 percent.
Also in November 2023, Denton voters approved $15 million in bond funding for trail development. This funding allows Denton to apply for future grants by showing we already have the necessary 20 percent of project funding, which is required to attract the final 80 percent through external funding.
Once built, Pecan Creek Trail will serve as a valuable piece of a low-stress network connecting downtown Denton, Carl Young Sr. Park and neighborhoods and destinations along Pecan Creek. Currently, the only east-west travel options are McKinney Street or Shady Oaks Drive.
Sidepaths
The City is building 10-foot sidepaths as part of major road expansion projects.
Bonnie Brae - While it may be several years before it’s complete, a 10-foot sidepath will be constructed on one side of Bonnie Brae as the City widens the roadway.
Mingo Road - In November 2023, voters approved bond funding to widen Mingo Road between Bell Avenue and University/380 and add bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Initial plans indicate a 10-foot sidepath on one side of Mingo and a sidewalk on the other side.
Ruddell Street - A project to widen Ruddell from Mingo Drive to University Drive received bond funding approval from voters in the same package as Mingo Road. Like Mingo, staff plan to construct a 10-foot sidepath on one side of the road.
Mayhill Road - A gap currently exists between the existing 10-foot sidepath on Mayhill Road and the existing 10-foot DCTA Rail Trail. The City is currently building a new alignment of Mayhill Road on its southern portion and plans to add sidewalks and a small amount of sidepath. However, the City plans to use a narrow five-foot sidewalk to fill the gap between the two 10-foot facilities.
How Can Denton Improve Its Bicycle Network Score?
Next year’s score is likely to improve if Denton:
Continues its Vision Zero / Safe Systems work to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries and takes these efforts seriously.
Prioritizes safety over speed in all roadway design and policies.
Fills in gaps between existing bicycle facilities to begin creating a network rather than a collection of segments that don’t connect to each other.
Assesses existing bicycle facilities, identifies improvements for these facilities and implements them.
Develops an equitable bicycle work plan to prioritize which projects to build first and allocates sufficient funding to implement the plan.
Jagoe Street creates a stressful gap in an otherwise connected north-south bike route to the UNT campus.
How Can You Help?
Vote for bicycle-friendly candidates during Denton City Council elections every May. Bike Denton gathers candidate views on these topics each election cycle.
Vote in bond elections for projects that fund bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Bond elections occur roughly every 5-6 years. Follow the Bike Denton blog to stay informed.
Participate in public input opportunities to express your support for safer pedestrian and bicycle facilities and projects that improve these transportation options.
Share your experiences with anyone who will listen about why safe, connected bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is important to you.
