Bicycle Friendly Community Updates
Denton city staff are currently reviewing the newly updated Bicycle Friendly Community application from the League of American Bicyclists, according to the Denton Friday Staff Report for July 8:
On July 5, the League of American Bicyclists notified staff that the updated Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) application has been posted. Staff is reviewing the 87-page application to identify potential steps to strengthen the City’s application to this program. Staff recommends the City’s resources be devoted to developing and executing an action plan, allowing time for departmental coordination, and updates to the policy in preparation for the future application to the BFC program.
Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) is part of the national Bicycle Friendly American program through the League of American Bicyclists. According to its website, the program is “a tool for states, communities, business and universities to make bicycling a real transportation and recreation option for all people and it recognizes those doing it well.”
Criteria for Bicycle Friendly Community from the old BFC application.
Denton received Honorable Mention in its 2016 Bicycle Friendly Community application and has not submitted an application since then. In Texas, there are currently 13 Bicycle Friendly Communities, including four in DFW. Denton must achieve Bronze or better in order to be designated a Bicycle Friendly Community.
Denton currently has one Bicycle Friendly University: The University of North Texas, Bronze. There are currently no Denton businesses with a Bicycle Friendly Business designation.
To browse all Bicycle Friendly American awardees, visit the Award Database webpage on the League of American Bicyclists website.
Previous Stories:
Bicycle Friendly Community Action Plan to be Proposed to Denton City Council (8/13/21)
Bicycle Friendly Community Action Plan Moves forward for Discussion (8/18/21)
Bicycle Friendly Community Update (11/08/21)
Other Updates from the Friday Staff Report
Bike Bollards on Hinkle Drive - On July 1, a resident contacted Staff with concerns about the bike lane bollards recently installed on Hinkle Drive. Bike lanes with a painted buffer were installed when Hinkle Drive was reconstructed. The bike bollards were planned for installation from the project inception but were not installed pending the completion of sidewalks in the roundabout at Mimosa Drive, which was completed in the Spring of 2022. The bollard, or K71 post, is a flexible traffic control device that is designed to give when struck by a vehicle, resisting impacts over 65 mph continuously without damaging the post or vehicle, and returning to a vertical position without the use of springs or pivoting devices. An anchor sleeve adhesive system mounts the devices directly to a road surface and ensures a sealed surface bond to eliminate water infiltration, thus maintaining the integrity of the new road surface. The cost of each bollard is approximately $120 installed. The installation and maintenance cost of the bike lane bollards is a fraction of the cost to install more robust improvements, like concrete side paths or continuous concrete curbing. Providing vertical separation like K71 posts between bike lanes and vehicle travel lanes greatly improves bicyclist comfort and a sense of safety when traveling in the bike lane, as opposed to riding in a conventional bike lane with no separation, or in a travel lane shared with vehicles. These low-stress bicycle facilities expand bicycling access across the City, which has been shown in cities throughout the U.S. to increase ridership and decrease reliance on automobiles. Over time, developing a network of low-stress bicycle facilities like Hinkle Drive and Hickory Street will help the City achieve its vision presented in the Sustainability Action Framework and 2022 Mobility Plan.
Hinkle Drive
