FHWA Endorses New Non-motorized Design Guidelines

A recent memo from the Federal Highway Administration has endorsed a new set of flexible design standards for bike and pedestrian infrastructure.  The new standards come from the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and provide alternatives more frequently found in Europe.  The new design endorsements are important because local officials and staff are hesitant to implement solutions not endorsed by professional engineering organizations.  Most importantly, the new endorsement encourages and provides guidance for building protected bike lanes (see picture above).  To view some of the new design solutions, visit the NACTO website.  Or to find out more about he policy changes, read a summary at DC Streetsblog.