by Kenzie Gleason (and all the other people
in Lexington who are making
IT happen)
A Bicycle-Friendly Community Lexington’s Story
Photo: Boyd Shearer
A Bicycle-Friendly Community Lexington’s StoryLexington:
“Horse Capital of the World”
Central Kentucky /Bluegrass Region
Population300,000
85 Sq miles UrbanTotal 285 Sq miles
Lexington: “Horse Capital of the World”
Central Kentucky is known for …
Urban Growth Boundary (1958)Merged Govt (1970’s)
Horse FarmsKeeneland
Central Kentucky is known for…
Central Kentucky is known for…
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2009
No Data <10% 10%–14%
15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%
Central Kentucky is known for…
Central Kentucky is known for…???
How did we get here?
Slow beginnings…• Decades old bike route/lanes• Projects struggling to get off ground• Greenway Master Plan adopted• Road Diet implemented• Bike/Ped Coordinator position created
Some successes & momentum• Bike/walk accommodation in road construction • Bike lanes in resurfacing projects• Trail construction• Bike/ped plan adopted• Community events• Partnerships
Vocal minority vs Silent majority
• Parks & Rec Survey
• Realtor Survey• Transportation
Surveys• Public Meetings• Political Races
Getting the Green Light
• Marketing• Economic
Development
• Tried & Failed• Next Steps• Bike Summit
Bike Summit
Political leadership
Advocates Govt Agencies
‘You Should’ to ‘We Should’
PARTNERSHIPS
Bike Summit Priorities
15 Key Initiatives
FacilitiesEducation/EncouragementPolicy & Evaluation
Mayor’s Bike Task Force (citizen-based)Silver in 2010?
FACILITIES
• Rural Bike Routes• Share the Road Signs• Rural Rail Trail• Mountain Bike Trails
FACILITIESFACILITIES
• North-South Cross-Town Trail
• Downtown / Campus Connections
FACILITIES
Legacy Trail
• 11 mile trail– $10 million project– 3 years start to finish
Legacy Trail
Connects Urban Core to Rural Fayette County & Kentucky Horse Park (no riverfront)
Revitalization
Preservation Art
Environment History
Lexington’s Story
Legacy Trail Opening
Getting people on bikes…7,000+ including the Mayor, Governor,
House Rep., Commissioner of Public Works
Streetscape Project
The Vine Street Story….
Streetscape ProjectThen…IfNow…Where…How?
Streetscape Plan / ProjectS Limestone St, Vine St, Main St
$30million +
Existing Bike Facilities
Bike Lane 23mi
Paved Shoulder 27mi
Signed Route 4mi
Shared Use Trail 22mi
Funded Bike Facilities
Bike Lane 17mi
Paved Shoulder 3mi
Signed Route 4mi
Shared Use Trail 16mi
Active Project
25 MilesUnder StudyDesignGrant ApplicationNeighborhood Mtgs
The Near(er) Future?
Policy & Evaluation
• Complete Streets• Revised Traffic
Ordinances• Bike/Ped Counts
UK CORDON COUNT
38% increase in bicycle use into/out of campus
150 to 200% increase along streets with bike lanes
Education & Encouragement
• Professional Training• Safe Routes to School• Communication Campaign• Share the Road Campaign
PARTNERSHIPS Who is best for the job???
Share the Road Campaign
Police liaison, banners, billboards, info cards, garages, parking permits, bike lights, t-shirts, radio, kid produced PSAs
Education / Encouragement
Community Bike Events• Bike Lexington• Bike Month
– 80 events– Commuter Challenge
• 80 businesses• 1 month• 15,000 miles
Progressive DinnersBike EdBike ClinicsBike CampingAdvocacy BreakfastsHorsey HundredBike BashParades
Photos Courtesy of Brian Turner
Education / EncouragementCyclovia!! Statewide!!
Monthly 2S RidesShowcases bike lanes / trails
Photos Courtesy of Brian Turner
Building the Culture…Bike Polo
Dedicated City Court Bluegrass state gamesRegional Tournaments
Building the Culture…Bike Polo
Building the Culture . . .UK “Wildcat Wheels” Program
Campus bike shop, Yellow bikes, Blue bikes, Education,Bike to work programs, Bike Facilities
Building the Culture . . .”Yellow Bikes”
80 BikesProvided by Private Businesses &Downtown Lexington corporation
Building the Culture . . .Pedicabs
Building the Culture . . .”Bike Prom”
Organized by / benefits:Living Arts & Sciences Center
Building the Culture…Alley Cats…Scavenger Rides/Races
Organized by:No one
SomeoneEveryone
Shifting GearsShifting GearsBuilding the Culture…”Shifting Gears”
