Progress Continues in Tennessee

Fresh off a successful Re-imagining Broad Street event in Memphis, advocates in Tennessee  get a new Bicycle & Pedestrian policy at TDOT (helmet tip, Bike Walk TN). The updated policy:

• now applies to local governments managing transportation projects with federal funding as well as TDOT staff and contractors
• requires use of AASHTO and TDOT bicycle and pedestrian facility design standards
• requires that accommodations for cyclists and pedestrians must be integrated into all federally or state funded transportation projects
• requires that federally funded bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations

See the full policy here.

Tennessee DOT has also been at the forefront in creating a model bicycle-tolerable rumble strip policy.  As one of the state’s to be included in FHWA’s run off the road crash reduction planning efforts, we’ve received positive feedback that  city, MPO and state transportation planners were steadfast to ensure that their model plan and design standards were integrated into FHWA’s efforts in their state, and ensuring that cyclist-safety is integrated into these crash reduction strategies.

These examples show that Tennessee is moving in the right direction in changing the culture of transportation agencies that will have a lasting direct effect on cycling in the state.

Bike Walk Tennessee advocates have worked hard for the progress made in their state.