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Reference

  • Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation (827)
    [Or a whole lot of info in one spot. The All 24 Lessons Combined PDF is searchable which can help.]

    FHWA-HRT-05-085

    The transportation, urban planning, and public health professions are placing an increased emphasis on walking and bicycling as part of the solution to problems such as traffic congestion, suburban sprawl, and childhood obesity. An interdisciplinary approach from educated professionals is needed to create healthy, sustainable, and livable communities. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation is one of several resources that can be used to prepare the next generation of professionals for the challenges ahead.

    The University Course contains modular resource material that is intended for use in university courses on bicycle and pedestrian transportation. The Student Workbook (this document) contains 24 lessons that span a wide range of topics including an introduction to bicycling and walking issues, planning and designing for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and supporting elements and programs. Scripted slideshows for all 24 lessons are available to facilitate course development and delivery. An overview lecture and scripted slideshow also is provided when a one- or two-lecture overview is needed for existing undergraduate or graduate courses.

    Instructors are encouraged to use any or all of this material to form a curriculum that meets their needs. Most of the lessons are stand-alone in nature, with lessons of similar topics grouped into modules. A majority of the instructors using the first edition of these course materials have personalized the lessons for their courses by removing some lessons, adding supplemental material, reorganizing the lessons, and adding exercises and local activities that encourage student participation.
  • FHWA Bicycle & Pedestrian Program (1,110)
    The Bicycle & Pedestrian Program of the Federal Highway Administration's Office of Human and Natural Environment promotes bicycle and pedestrian transportation use, safety, and accessibility.

    Each State has a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator in its State Department of Transportation to promote and facilitate the increased use of nonmotorized transportation, including developing facilities for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists and public educational, promotional, and safety programs for using such facilities. The State Coordinators can help you with questions specific to your State.

    The FHWA Bicycle & Pedestrian Program issues guidance and is responsible for overseeing that requirements in legislation are understood and met by the States and other implementing agencies.

    On this site you can find information about the amount of federal funding spent on pedestrian and bicycle projects in your state, available federal funding sources, existing legislation, and guidance about accessible design.
  • Four Types of Cyclists (841)
    By Roger Geller, Bicycle Coordinator Portland Office of Transportation

    The “Strong and the Fearless” 0.5%
    The “Enthused and Confident” 7%
    The “Interested but Concerned.” 60%
    The "“No Way, No How” 33%
  • Glossary of Transportation Terms & Acronyms (837)
    Plus a link to the definition of transportation related acronyms.
  • Google Maps Route Planner (1,364)
    Similar to the Internet mapping program but marks turns rather then mileage plus it seems to work more often than the other link. Thanks Brian Wolven!
  • Helmet Cam Videos (1,330)
    A collection of videos on You Tube that show various traffic conditions that a cyclist might encounter.
  • Honey, they shrunk the cars! (1,427)
    An interesting presentation of a standard engineering drawing of bike lanes next to parking with the cars not drawn to scale and what it look like if they were drawn to scale.
  • How to Fit a Bicycle (1,431)
    Bicycle fitting is a subject most people find quite mysterious. Fitting systems with charts and graphs, computer software, measuring devices and "rules of thumb" make for a lot of confusion. But I believe it's really quite simple. Bicycle fit involves compromises. Compromises between comfort and performance, quick acceleration and handling stability, top speed and "taking in the scenery".

    Your body's position on the bike affects how you ride. It affects how much power you can efficiently deliver to the pedals. It affects how comfortable you are on the bike. A position that is more comfortable may not allow you to put as much energy into moving the bike forward as a less comfortable position might. How do you decide where to position your body on the bike?
  • How to get a crosswalk on your street (2,595)
    Creating an environment where people can get across the street without being killed by a driver should be a top priority for the people who design our streets and roads, don’t you think?

    Sad to say, it isn’t always so.

    Thanks to Katie Matchett, a pedestrian-friendly planner who writes the excellent blog Where the Sidewalk Starts, you can get some answers from a person who understands how these processes work. She is publishing a series of how-to posts designed to help citizens navigate municipal bureaucracies and make convincing arguments so that they can achieve safe pedestrian crossings in their communities. Here’s how she begins:
  • Internet mapping program (1,428)
    Using Google maps this web page lets you trace a route, giving the running distance (in straight lines) as you go. You can then create a link to email the route.
    (Note I find this site does not work from time to time so try the "Google Maps Route Planner" above.)