Burlington Bike Path Stop Signs

[Jack Evans]

Hey all,

I'm part of the Association of Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals online network, where I just saw this (paraphrased) conversation that is relevant to the stop signs on our bike path:

"Starting with the guidance, The AASHTO Bike Guide says "It is well documented that installing unwarranted or unrealistically restrictive controls on bikeway approaches to low-volume local streets or driveways in an attempt to protect bicycles or other shared use path users results in poor bicyclists' compliance with STOP signs."

The MUTCD states you should consider the following when assigning priority.

1. Relative speeds of shared-use path and roadway users, 
2. Relative volumes of shared-use path and roadway traffic,
3. Relative importance of shared-use path and roadway. 

Speed should not be the sole factor used to determine priority, as it is sometimes appropriate to give priority to a high-volume shared-use path that crosses a low-volume street, or to a regional shared-use path that crosses a minor collector street or local street. In such situations, yield or stop control is more appropriately applied on the street or driveway approaches."

Now that we have a new Parks director, maybe its a good time to bring this issue back to the table.