Protecting Pedestrians: Bike Rack Use Helps Increase City's Safety

Bike racks enhancing Hyattsville have been making a positive impact for pedestrian safety and travelers, according to community data and investigation.

Jim Chandler, Director of the Community and Economic Development department for the city said the racks--funded by a $110 thousand Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Community Legacy grant--are heavily used and are not increasing biker-pedestrian-related travel accidents. The accessibility, ease of use and number of racks located throughout the city have all contributed to the development of the Community Sustainability plan put forward by the Hyattsville Bike and Pedestrian Committee.

The current 124 bike racks cost from $50 to $150 plus an installation fee and are located in the commercial corridors of the city, parks schools and public buildings. An additional12 racks, anticipating installation in upcoming weeks, are pending final approval from the Mall at Prince Georges.

Decreasing the cost of travel and increasing exercise are only two incentives that benefit bike riders using the racks. Pedestrian safety, in light of some recent pedestrian-automobile accidents, has increased due to the racks.

Information from the 2008 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan indicates that three locations have experienced 4-5 bike/pedestrian accidents. These locations include MD410 at Belcrest, Queens Chapel at Belcrest Road and North West Branch Trail at Route 1.

The racks are a part of a three-year improvement plan, announced in May 2011 and initiated in March 2012. The projected improvements also include bike “lanes, bus shelters and crosswalk signage,” according to the City of Hyattsville’s Community and Economic Development’s grant’s page. The website also says that many of the bicycle oriented improvements are a part of the city’s 2008 Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan.

The bike lanes, according to Chandler, will not impact street traffic with the Cafritz project developments and are going to be implemented on four already-planned street routes. The routes include lanes that will extend from 40th Avenue to 41st Avenue, Nicholson Street, Hamilton Street and Gallatin Street and from Gallatin Street and Farragut Street. Route maps are available to view online.

The bicycle and pedestrian improvements also include “effective way-finding signage” that will guide visitors, according to the bicycle and pedestrian improvements webpage on Hyattsville’s website.

The Hyattsville Bicycle Rack and Installation Services Request for Proposals manual states that, “Creation of an on-street bicycle lane/path network on City owned residential streets, which will connect the residential neighborhoods to park and commercial corridor destinations. Once Phase I is complete, the City will pursue the extension of the bicyclelane/path network to include State of Maryland and Prince George’s County roadways.”

Chandler said that most of the racks are heavily used and have not created more biker-pedestrian-automobile accidents. “The Master Plan was developed by the City’s Bike andPedestrian Safety Committee and the recommendations included are intended to directly improve the quality of life for the entire community,” reads the bike rack installation manual.

The 2008 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan contained improvements for the city,including widened, designated pedestrian travel paths, the continuation of developmentfor bicycle routes, pedestrian intersection safety improvements and ensuring sidewalks and access points for pedestrians pass ADA standards.

“The reason that bike and pedestrian connectivity became such a priority for the city is that it was identified during the development of our Community Sustainability Plan as the number one ranked planning principal by the stakeholders that participated in the planning process,” said Chandler.

Related Content:

• Gaithersburg Police Continue Efforts to Promote Pedestrian Safety
• Residents Call for Increase in Pedestrian Safety Measures
• Pedestrians Vs. Cars: Who's at Fault in Accidents
• Safer Crosswalks for Seniors are in the Near Future
• Police Public Officials Focus on Pedestrian Safety
• For Traffic, Pedestrians and Cafritz, Many Rivers to Cross
• Takoma Park Approves Resolution to Put Semi-Portable Cameras on University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue