| 08/02/2001 | Bike Leage Action Alert on Rumble StripsTHE PROBLEM
Rumble strips are increasingly being installed on roads around the country, including rural roads and bicycle routes frequently used by cyclists. Rumble strips are gouges ground into the shoulders of roads, of various widths and depths, designed to rouse sleepy drivers.
While these strips may reduce the frequency of run-off-the-road accidents for motorists, they are a significant safety hazard for cyclists and deprive cyclists of roads and shoulders they need and want to ride on. Shoulders with rumble strips are often unrideable, forcing cyclists to ride either in traffic or on gravel shoulders, and the strips frequently appear with no warning to the cyclist coming downhill or around a bend. A number of cyclists have already been injured, some seriously, and an increasing number of roads frequented by cyclists are becoming dangerous or unpleasant to ride on.
While we recognize that rumble strips can be an important safety device for motorists, it is also important to develop a design standard for rumble strips that do not injure or kill cyclists. In addition, rumble strips should be installed only in places where they are needed -- and not in places where there is little or no run-off-the-road crash problem.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently posted a Draft Synthesis and Technical Advisory for the installation of rumble strips. The Advisory is to serve as a guide for states to follow when planning rumble strip installation. While it is not enforceable, it is highly likely that states will defer to it when planning for rumble strips. The Advisory is open for public comment until September 7, 2001.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
The League of American Bicyclists has been actively working on this issue with FHWA. We now need to send strong messages from the entire bicycling community to FHWA in order to influence the rumble strip recommendations and to find a solution to safely accommodate bicyclists.
Please send an electronic comment letter as soon as possible to Mr. Richard Powers at the Federal Highway Administration. Personal letters are more effective than form letters. If possible, include reasons you are concerned, your background in cycling, and any problems you have encountered with rumble strips. Be sure to include your address.
The League urges you to stress the following points in your comments to the FHWA:
Bicyclists are legal users of the transportation system.
It is current federal policy to increase bicycle use and improve bicycle safety.
Rumble strips, especially the milled-in design, have created significant safety problems for bicyclists in nearly all states that use them on rural highways. Rumble strips reduce the effective shoulder room for bicycles by one quarter to one third on 6-8 foot shoulders, resulting in a significant reduction in bicycle accommodation. This impact runs contrary to USDOT bicycle policy.
Rumble strips are being added to highways that were not originally designed for accommodating both bicycling and rumble strips, creating safety problems for cyclists in many installation locations.
Rumble strips should only be installed in locations with proven high incidences of accidents that could have been prevented by rumble strips.
Where warranted, a bicycle-tolerable rumble strip design should always be used, including all of the following:
Rolled-in style rumbles are preferable on all non-interstate roads, rather than milled-in designs.
If milled-in design is used, it shall not exceed 3/8” in depth, with 5/16” depth preferred.
Rumble strip width should be 12 inches or less.
A minimum of 5-foot clear shoulder space must remain outside the rumble strip at all times, with a wider clear space provided on roads with 8-foot shoulders.
Rumble strips should begin on or near the fog line.
Rumble strips should not be continuous, but with gap spacing.
Rumble strips should not be installed on steeper downhills on highways other than interstates.
If possible, send copies to your own Senators and member of Congress, so they know that their constituents are concerned with the current FHWA recommendations.
Thank you for your help and support. We hope your input will persuade the FHWA to implement a more bicycle-tolerable design than the one they are currently endorsing. We will notify you when the final technical advisory is released. We know that when you enjoy smooth, rumble strip-free shoulders and great bicycle rides, you will be happy you took a few minutes to send in comments!www.bikeleague.org
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