was “Uncategorized”. All blog posts should have this category
In June of 2024, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released their guidance on Separated Bike Lanes on Higher Speed Roadways: A Toolkit and Guide. The guide can be helpful for advocates and transportation planners in understanding how to promote and plan for the appropriate types of bicycle facilities on higher speed roadways. In this article, the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists has summarized that guide. Continue reading FHWA Bike Lanes on Higher Speed Roads Summary
Are you looking for bicycle advocacy or volunteer opportunities in your community or at the state or regional level?
Or are you looking for more opportunities to ride your bicycle?
The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists has compiled a list of advocacy groups, community organizations, and bicycle clubs. Continue reading Arizona Bicycle Organizations – Volunteer and Riding Opportunities
ADOT, Arizona’s department of transportation must be renewed every four years by the state legislature in order to continue to operate. As the info sheet for the bill states “Established in 1973 to provide an integrated and balanced state transportation system” (emphasis added).
SB1184 continuation; department of transportation
This periodic re-establishment normally pro forma, however this year, a lawmaker has added a number of items via a sweeping amendment which could adversely affect bicyclists; the most stark (Hoffman R-Queen Creek 21 line amendment dated 02/09/2024 12:21 PM) one being that 28-733A would now read:
A. The use of any part of a controlled access highway by pedestrians, bicycles or other nonmotorized traffic or by any person operating a motor driven cycle IS PROHIBITED.
Bicycles are (already) currently prohibited on all freeways (the colloquial term for a ‘controlled access highway’) in metro areas; but are allowed on the shoulder of freeways (all of them happen to be interstates) thru most rural areas — otherwise travel by bicycle would become impractical or impossible in these areas. Safety has not historically been a particular problem, with fewer than ONE incident per year statewide over the course of 11 years, see ADOT studies linked here, since paths of the bicyclist and motor traffic NEVER cross, it’s actually quite safe.
ADOT’s formal written policy: Traffic Engineering Guidelines and Processes, 1030 Controlled-Access Highways as Bikeways (emphasis in original):
Bicycles as defined in Arizona Revised Statutes §28-101 are permitted by law to operate on all State highways, including controlled-access highways, except where excluded by administrative regulation and the posting of signs to give notice of a prohibition. Bicycles shall not be prohibited from controlled-access highways except under those conditions where alternate routes are available and where such alternate routes are considered comparable or better in terms of convenience and safety
This bill is would clearly limit freedom, and is antithetical to the stated charter of ADOT of providing a balanced transportation system to Arizonans.
The sponsor of the amendment in his explanation at the 2/12/2024 TTMC committee hearing rattled off a list of a couple of dozen states [1] that prohibit bicycles on freeways, concluding “I mean, this is not a crazy concept”. He, however, didn’t notice or remark on the pattern, which is that they are all or predominantly more densely populated, eastern and central states which have pre-existing alternative routes. Here, out west, we have vast expanses with NO alternative routes available; and as a result Arizona as well as ALL surrounding states have no such prohibition; see map at right.
The amendments would also prohibit ADOT from establishing targets, or reducing (motor) Vehicle Miles Traveled; or even developing any strategies to reduce greenhouse gas reduction. Developing any passenger rail travel would also be strictly prohibited.
See azbikelaw.org for more background about restrictions on bicycling on freeways in Arizona.
UPDATE 2/2024: The bill as amended passed the Senate Committee and heads to the full Senate.
UPDATE 3/13/2024: Passed the full Senate — However, most of the committee amendments, including ‘controlled access highway’ was amended out; in other words, bicyclists would (continue to) be allowed to use freeway shoulders where allowed.
UPDATE 3/22/2024: The bill failed to pass the House Transportation Committee.
Sen Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) also sponsored a separate stand-alone bill to prohibit ADOT from building bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure; after a similar prohibition failed to move forward in the last session; even if it means turning away federal money, SB1282
Bicycle paths; pedestrian walkways; prohibition
THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT PLAN, DESIGN OR CONSTRUCT BICYCLE PATHS OR PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS THAT ARE PARALLEL TO AND SEPARATE FROM A HIGHWAY OR STATE ROUTE. THIS SECTION APPLIES TO A HIGHWAY OR STATE ROUTE THAT EXISTS BEFORE, ON OR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
There was some good discussion of this bill before it passed the senate TTMC committee 2/12/2024:
03:46:55.780 — Sen Marsh: I don’t understand even the logic behind giving up federal matching dollars that will be lost if we go through this but more importantly, I don’t understand the Why we wouldn’t want that I live right near one there’s parents out there on that pathway with their children and strollers and bikers and runners and walkers It’s a very positive aspect to a community for anybody who happens to be lucky to live next to a freeway quite frankly or near a freeway and The pathway along on the other side of the retaining wall like along the 51 is a really Beneficial thing for community members, and I vote no.
Sen Carrol — You may okay Yeah, I’ve got some concerns with this especially given some of the federal funding that we may be drawn down and some of the The Conditions that are with it For today, I’ll Get this through but by the time comes to the floor. I reserve you right to change my vote
UPDATE 2/22/2024: The bill failed to pass the full senate on 2/22/2024, and is — for the time being at least — again dead.
SB1195 and SCR1015 ( a twin/copy, that would become a ballot initiative) , would prevent any level of government from, among many other things, studying or planning to “(reduce) or (replace) motor vehicle travel with walking, biking, or public transit”. Gov’t entities, including the state universities would be prohibited from studying climate change.
Update as of end of April: Both the SCR and SB passed committee on party-line vote.
The SCR failed on full senate vote, however the Bill was passed on a party-line vote of 16-12-2; Every Republican voted for it. The bill then moved to the House where it passed the House Committee along party line vote. As of 4/21 it has not had a full vote.
To take action on any bill, first find out who your elected legislators are, the League has a handy tool at bikeleague.org/take-action/action-center “View your election Center” on the right, input an address and will list both your state and federal elected leaders; with contact info including both an office phone, and a direct email address. Arizonans have one state senator and two state representatives.
You should also have or get an “RTS” account; then you can directly enter feedback on any bill once it is scheduled on a committee agenda. If you do not have an RTS, it normally requires an in-person visit to the State Capitol (or satellite office in Tuscon) the group cebv, Civic Engagement Beyond Voting can help you — visit https://www.cebv.us/rts.html to sign up.
[1] At the moment I can’t find an authoritative list, but these are the states Sen Hoffman mentioned as having prohibitions, he didn’t cite his source, e.g. in a wikipedia article, (the map, above, is rendered from the article) the states he mentions all are listed as “prohibited(possible exceptions)”: 0:57:37 “Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia Ohio, Indiana Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, d c, Maryland, Road Island, Connecticut, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire”
Arizona, as well as ALL western states are currently “Allowed if no suitable alternative”; or “Allowed unless prohibited”
This year, the annual business meeting will be held via video tele-conference, a dial-in number will also be available.
A business meeting and election of open board of directors seats will be held, after our guest’s presentation.
Meeting is open to the public, anyone who wishes to attend please contact cazbike@cazbike.org no later than 10/14 to obtain the connection details.
There will be a special guest presentation, see below.
Not a member of the Coalition, but would like to be? Click here to join.
Nominations, or self-nominations for the Board of Directors are still open, and as always we’re looking for volunteers in any capacity. Continue reading Coalition of Arizona Bicyclist’s Annual member’s meeting 10/17/2023
The Idaho Stop is the common name for any law that allows people who are riding bicycles to treat a stop sign as a yield sign, and/or a red traffic signal as a stop sign.
It is often referred to as the Idaho Stop as Idaho was the first state to adopt the law. Examples of existing laws are shown in the appendix below. Continue reading Stop as Yield aka “The Idaho Stop”
While the Coalition of Arizona Bicycles doesn’t provide bicycles, there are groups throughout Arizona that refurbish bicycles and provide them to people who need bikes. These groups provide bicycles for adults and children. Some of these groups provide shop space for doing repairs, earn-a-bike programs, repair and maintenance instruction, and more. These groups have opportunities for volunteers and are often looking for donations of bicycles, parts, tools and/or cash. Continue reading Here’s a List of Organizations that Have Bicycles for People Who Need Them
The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists, along with the Rob Dollar Foundation, was well as national organizations People For Bike, and the League of American Bicyclists sent a letter to Gov. Hobb’s Transportation Policy Advisor today regarding certain pending legislation, which we believe would have a negative impact on bicyclists and the traveling public.
More details about the individual bills now pending can be found here.
You can read the letter to the Governor here.
April 20, 2023 Julieta Cruz Transportation Policy Advisor to Governor Katie Hobbs via email Dear Ms. Cruz, We are calling on Governor Hobbs to veto certain transportation related bills -- should they reach her desk -- that would limit the ability of the Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona counties, cities, and towns, to make our streets and roadways safer for all road users. Governor Hobb's veto will preserve safe options for all Arizonans who walk, bike, and roll, as well as protecting Arizona’s environmental future, and keeping our state from financial risk. Details are in the attached letter; can you pass along to the Governor? Please feel free to reach me via email or by calling me at xxx-xxx-xxxx Thank you, Ed Beighe President Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists Co-signed by Lisa Langfoss Board of Directors Rob Dollar Foundation As well as national organizations: Kyler Blodgett State & Local Policy Analyst PeopleForBikes Coalition Ken McLeod Policy Director The League of American Bicyclists
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[The Coalition sent a letter to Gov. Hobbs’ office on April 20, 2023 regarding some of these bills]
Arizona’s 56th Legislature – 1st Regular Session is now in full swing. Below is a brief guide to following legislation in Arizona… For the nuts-and-bolts of how a bill becomes law, the multiple “readings”, and the COW, and so forth, see e.g. this document from azleague.org
Mike joined the Coalition board in 2022:
Mr. Michael Kuzel has lived in the Phoenix metropolitan area for over 34 years, having moved to Tempe to attend Arizona State University. One of the most important items he brought with him was his road bicycle. As a teenager, he began riding for transportation and Mike has continued his lifelong love of bicycles and bicycling, riding for exercise, transportation, to spend time with his family, as well as participating in sanctioned races and citizens rides.
Mike has obtained degrees in bioengineering, industrial engineering and applied psychology. He has obtained the professional designations of Professional Engineer, Certified Human Factors Professional, and Road Safety Professional. Mike is a League of America Bicyclists Certified Instructor (LCI) and an American Bicycling Education Association Cycling Savvy Instructor.
Mike has found ways to incorporate aspects of bicycling into his education and his professional career. The research he conducted for his master’s degree in Applied Psychology involved using a driving simulator in studying driver overtaking maneuvers of cyclists with different types of facilities and road conditions. Mike has also been a member of the City of Scottsdale Transportation Commission (3 years) and Paths and Trails Subcommittee (six years).
Currently, Mike manages his own safety engineering consultancy, is a faculty associate at Arizona State University in the Ira A Fulton School of Engineering and is a Safety Program Associate for the Maricopa Association of Governments. Since 2011, Mike has participated as the human factors expert on teams conducting safety assessments of intersections and roadways throughout the State of Arizona. His role on these teams often involves providing insight relating to the needs and experiences of bicycle riders. Mike’s current work with MAG involves providing his expertise to the See Me AZ program that promotes bicycle and pedestrian safety, involvement in conducting safe routes to schools studies, and conducting road safety assessments.
Mike believes that cycling safety is best increased through education of riders and drivers alike. Infrastructure changes, such as bike lanes, are slow and costly, while modifications to behavior, based on principles founded in safety education programs can have an immediate and lasting effect to reduce risk of crashes for cyclists of all types and ages.
Billy Boyles joined the Coalition board in 2022:
First and foremost, I’ve been a biker since I was ten years old. I was the first kid in my school to own a ‘road’ bike, with ten speeds and the drop-down handlebars. Later, I would work as a bicycle courier in Washington D.C. Now I’m 65 and I don’t own a vehicle, most of the time I convey myself on a ten-year-old Specialized Rock Hopper.
I’m retired after 30 years from the Information Technology field and I spend my time writing crazy fiction novels and serials. I’ve got experience with many of the urban bicycle paths in Phoenix and I appreciate what was done on 3rd Avenue, where the lanes are wide and there are pylons every thirty feet. Now that’s a bicycle lane. I think it’s possible to get more people to commute via bicycle if there were more roadway designated for cyclists. I’m willing to represent cyclists everywhere in Arizona who want to improve biking conditions for everyone.
— Billy Ovid Boyles
