National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference

December 4, 2014

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hello and Thank You for Joining Us!

Where in the World?

PAMLICO

CARTERET

CRAVEN

ONSLOW

JONES

Major Players NCDOT Bike/Ped and Divisions 2&3

Down East RPO

Jacksonville MPO

Five County Governments

Ten+ Municipal

Governments

East Coast Greenway Reps

Area Bike Shops and Clubs

Why in the World Create a Regional Bike Plan Here?

These ingredients:

Ten existing municipal bike plans within the region

Coastal East Coast Greenway (Maine to Florida) route

Statewide Bicycle Routes

The Croatan National Forest in the Center

Strong draw for tourists

Created a GREAT opportunity to look at cycling on a Regional Scale

How in the World? Geometrics (roadway width, pavement quality, intersections, curves)

Traffic Conditions (volume, speed, and truck traffic)

Appropriateness (directness, scenery, services)

Use of Existing Plans (regional and secondary routes are meant to support local plans)

Existing State Bike Routes

Destinations (regionally important attractions, lodging)

Target Rider (who is the design bicyclist)

Bike Routes for Area Events (the MS Ride, Cycle NC, others)

Regional Connectivity to the ECG

Public Input Sessions and a Steering Committee

The Results (all 140+ miles)

Ferry Ride!!!

And for Riders Like Me

New Bern

Oriental

Havelock

Swansboro

EIAB

Morehead City Beaufort

The East Coast Greenway

New Bern

Oriental

Havelock

Swansboro

EIAB

Morehead City Beaufort

So What Now? Implementation through adoption of the Plan

Continuation of the Working group through the RPO

Prioritization of High Priority Improvements

Coordination with the NCDOT Divisions

Signage and Wayfinding

Marketing… which brings us to..

Bicycle Map / BrochureCreated to show existing conditions and

regional route and to shamelessly market the region

Take one with youAlso contains information on hiking in the

Croatan National Forest, which is a whole different plan…

The Croatan Trails Plan Created in tandem with the Bicycle Plan to determine

an expanded trail system that would ultimately connect to the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST), a hiking trail from the Smokey’s to Jockey’s Ridge.

Consisted of a smaller Steering Committee and the National Forest Ranger and Staff

Focused on off-road (or forest road) connections

The Croatan Trails Plan

The Croatan Trails Plan

The Challenges Water Water Everywhere (not to mention bridges)

Drainage Ditches and Roadway Design

The Strategic Highway Corridors

Changing of Policies and Thought Processes

The Rewards A More Bicycle Friendly North Carolina

Greater Transportation Alternatives

A more active, healthy population