Background

In 1975, a Preliminary Bikeway Plan for Knoxville-Knox County was developed for the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) with support from the Federal Highway Administration. The project staff was comprised of an architect/planner, a bikeway planner, a psychologist, an environmental engineer and a member of the MPC staff. The process included a Bikeways Study Advisory Committee and an informal survey that garnered 744 responses. The plan covered topics such as development of a bikeway system, facility design, promotion, education, enforcement, data collection and safety. Goals and objectives from a statewide study of bicycling in Tennessee were listed, along with local goals and objectives as recommended by the Advisory Committee. The overall goal was to “encourage the use of the bicycle as a means of transportation in Knoxville and Knox County.” The plan went on to recommend policies that would achieve the objectives. The recommended bikeway network included 105 miles of trails as well as bike lanes on arterial streets. The network was intended to connect major residential and activity centers throughout the community. System-related programs recommended by the plan included bicycle safety education and maintenance.

In 1985, a Knoxville-Knox County Bikeway Plan Update was completed for the MPC as a result of the City’s Recovery Action Program. The RAP identified the need for more community bicycle facilities and recommended preparation of the First Creek Bikeway and Recreation Area Plan and development of bikeways along First Creek, Middlebrook Pike, Morrell Road and Neyland Drive/Third Creek. The Knoxville Bicycle Advisory Committee that formed in 1983, along with RAP’s recommendations, resulted in the need to reassess the 1975 Bikeways Plan. The intent of the 1985 Plan was to determine current trends and problems, update bicycle use habits and trends, and identify strengths and weaknesses in the adopted plan network.

A survey was conducted as part of the 1985 planning process. The 1985 survey was administered to a larger, more random sample than the 1975 survey. Bicycle ownership was found to have increased between 1975 and 1985. Conditions related to unsafe roads were reported to be the primary limitation to bicycle use. The 1985 Plan did not change the 1975 proposed bikeway system, although it did suggest that recent growth in the west and north sections of the county might call for additional routes. The 1985 Plan also reinforced the 1975 Plan’s recommendations for safety education programs.

The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and a Bicycle Plan Committee developed the 1995 Bicycle Plan for the Knoxville Urban Area. The Plan was adopted by the TPO Executive Board as part of the Long Range Transportation Plan in May 1995. The purpose of the 1995 Plan was to develop a bicycle-friendly transportation system within the TPO’s boundaries.

The two goals of the plan were to accommodate bicycling as a part of a fully integrated transportation system, and provide additional facilities and programs to ensure safe bicycling options for all ages and skill levels. The Plan also included a network map and roadway design guidelines.

In 2001, the TPO Executive Board developed a citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) with eleven members. There are many duties of the BAC: updating and maintaining the Bicycle Plan for the Knoxville Urban Area; making recommendations and encouraging the implementation of bicycle provisions and opportunities to the TPO Technical Committee, Executive Board and implementing agencies; and working with local businesses, agencies and organizations to encourage bicycling and promoting community investment in bicycle racks, signage and other facilities/programs.

The BAC, along with TPO staff, began working on an update to the 1995 Bicycle Plan. The BAC divided into six working groups to develop a draft plan. The working groups were policy and planning; design and engineering; safety and education; maintenance; enforcement; and outreach/promotion. Once a draft plan was developed, it was sent to various agencies for review and input, including: city and county engineering and planning departments, public works/maintenance departments, law enforcement agencies and University of Tennessee staff.

Bike organizations and clubs were invited to review the draft Plan and attend a Bike Summit on June 26, 2002. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss how all the bike groups in the region could help implement the Bicycle Plan.

Public meetings were held July 29, 30 and August 1 in the Cedar Bluff area, downtown Knoxville and Maryville. Approximately 20 people attended each meeting. Public comments on the draft Plan generally complimented the comprehensive nature of the Plan and focused on priorities and implementation.

www.pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden

• Improved mobility, especially for those who cannot drive
• Lower road maintenance costs
• Fewer crashes and less property damage
• Less traffic congestion
• Less road widening and fewer parking lots
• Improved air quality
• Improved health/reduced health care costs

Bicycling by the Numbers

In July 2001, approximately one in four Americans reported to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics that they had used a bicycle in the last 30 days. That equates to more than 49 million people, of which 20 million had ridden between 3 and 10 days in the last month. Almost 8 million people had used their bicycles between 11 and 19 days, and 5 million had ridden 20 or more days. The majority reported bicycling primarily for recreation (54%) and exercise (31%). More than 3 million people (8%) reported commuting to work or school as the primary reason for bicycling. More than 3.5 million people (7%) bicycled for personal errands or some other purpose. The majority of respondents who reported bicycling in the last 30 days primarily used paved roads (49%). An equal percentage used shoulders of paved roads and bike lanes on roads (4% each). Almost 9 million (18%) used sidewalks, and 14% used bike paths. Unpaved roads were the primary facility for 7%. Of the total respondents, including those who did not report using a bicycle, 38% said that the availability of bike facilities, walking paths and sidewalks is very important.(4)

In the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, the percentage of overall trips (including errands and social) by bicycle in 1995 was 0.7%, which equates to approximately 3 billion miles traveled and 9 million daily bicycle trips. Social and recreational trips were the primary purpose of 60% of these bicycle trips, with personal and family business as the purpose of 22% of trips. Commuting to work was the purpose of 8% of the bicycle trips. School/church/civic trips made up 9% of bicycle trips.(5)

Figures compiled by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News show that in 1998, more than 16 million bicycles were sold in the U.S., of which 11.2 million were “adult” bicycles. Between 1993 and 1997, the average number of bicycles sold was 16.2 million. The Bicycle Market Research Institute estimates that the total value of the overall U.S. bicycle market has grown from $3.6 billion in 1990 to $5.6 billion in 1998.(6)

The Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey shows that approximately 75% of trips one mile or less are made by motor vehicle. The average commute trip has increased from 8.5 miles in 1983 to 11 miles in 1995, but 44% of commute trips are still five miles or less.

A 1997 survey of U.S. voters found that 64% of respondents support using money from Federal gasoline taxes for things like sidewalks, bike lanes and trails. A quarter of respondents “strongly support” this.(7)

Laws/Policies

Federal
The US Department of Transportation has released a policy statement on integrating bicycling and walking into transportation infrastructure. Essentially, the statement says that well-designed bike facilities must be included in roadway projects. For more information, see the full statement on page 53.

Cades Cove Visitors Center

TEA-21 includes some policy provisions with regard to bicycle accommodation. When a highway bridge deck on which bicyclists are legally permitted or may operate at each end of the bridge is being replaced or rehabilitated with Federal funds, safe accommodation of bicycles is required unless the Secretary of Transportation determines that this cannot be done at a reasonable cost.

Tennessee Code
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, according to Tennessee Code. Bicyclists are required to:

“…ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations: (A) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction; (B) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or (C) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge.”

Bicyclists may ride side-by-side (no more than two abreast) so long as they do not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and ride within a single lane.

Bicyclists riding at night must have a light on the front visible from a distance of at least 500 feet and a red reflector on the rear visible from 50 feet to 300 feet. A rear red light visible from a distance of 500 feet may be used in addition to the red reflector. The bicycle’s brakes must allow its driver to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 mph on dry, level, clean pavement.

Bicyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet.

Tennessee Driver’s Handbook
Chapter 12 includes information on sharing the roadway with bicyclists. The handbook points out that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. It discusses the road hazards that cyclists must avoid, and explains that cyclists who are not on the extreme right side of the road “are not being careless, but are in fact attempting to account for traffic conditions.” The handbook states that drivers turning left in front of oncoming cyclists are the cause of a large percentage of car/cycle crashes. Drivers turning right in front of a cyclist are another significant cause of crashes.

City of Knoxville
The Knoxville Code includes the Tennessee Code, but expands to include bicycle parking regulations. Bicycle parking is allowed on sidewalks unless specifically prohibited and as long as it does not impede pedestrian movement. Bicycles may be parked on roadways where parking is allowed and as long as it does not impede the movement of a legally parked motor vehicle. Bicycles can be secured to publicly owned poles or posts for up to 12 hours, unless specifically prohibited and as long as it does not impede movement of pedestrians or other traffic.

In addition to front lights and rear reflectors, the Knoxville Code requires bicycles ridden from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise to be equipped with side reflectors visible from 500 feet away.

Bicycles are allowed on sidewalks, but bicyclists must proceed slowly and give audible warnings to pedestrians before passing on the left. Bicyclists on sidewalks should behave like pedestrians.

Farragut, Maryville, Alcoa
These municipal codes also state that bicyclists have the rights and duties of motorists, and must adhere to the Tennessee Code.

Existing Conditions

The Knoxville region has made significant progress in the construction of shared use paths (also known as "greenways" or "trails"). The existing facilities are listed in Table A. The Knoxville and Knox County parks departments have Greenways Coordinators. Alcoa, Maryville, Blount County and Farragut have also committed much time and effort toward developing trail systems. There are several organizations working toward developing an interconnected regional system, including the Knox/Blount Greenways Commission, Tennessee Valley Greenways Coalition and the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Greenways Board. Several plans dealing with trails and greenways have been adopted, including Alcoa's Trail System Master Plan (2002), Knox County's Greenways Plan (1994), and Knoxville's Greenways Commission Report (1992).

The region has had made less progress in the pursuit of on-street facilities as called for in previous Bicycle Plans (1975, 1985 and 1995). Magnolia Avenue is the only street with bike lanes in Knoxville. Alcoa has bicycle lanes on Lincoln Road and Wright Road, and has plans for additional lanes. Greater coordination between the BAC, all jurisdictions and Greenways organizations should occur in order to achieve the most effective system of on-street and off-street facilities.

Name	Location	Length
Knoxville
Bearden Greenway	Sutherland Ave	0.8 miles	under construction
Cavet Satation Greenway	I-40 to Middlebrook Pike	1 mile
Community Unity Greenway	Montgomery Village Housing Area	0.6 mile loop
First Creek Greenway	I-40 to Broadway along First Creek	0.9 mile
Fountain City Greenway	Fountain City Park	0.6 mile loop
Gary Underwood Greenway	Gary Underwood Park	0.8 mile loop
Holston River Greenway	Holston River Park	2.0 mile loop
James White Greenway	Neyland Greenway to Morningside Greenway	1.5 miles	under construction
Jean Teague Greenway	West Hills Elementary School to West End Church of Christ	1.1 miles	extension under construction
Lakeshore Greenway	Lakeshore Park	2.25 mile loop
Love's Creek Greenway	Holston Middle School	0.23 mile loop
Malcom Martin Greenway	Ed Cothran pool	0.3 mile loop
Mary Vestal Greenway	401 Maryville Pike	0.4 miles
Middlebrook Greenway	Middlebrook Pike	0.8 miles
Morningside/Alex Haley Greenway	Dandridge Avenue	1.0 miles
Neyland Greenway	Neyland Drive from Volunteer Landing to Faculty Club	3.0 miles
Northwest Middle School Greenway	Northwest Middle School	1.0 mile loop	extensions in Victor Ashe Park and to Badgett Field in progress
Parkside Greenway	Campbell Station Road to Lovell Road	2.6 miles
Sequoyah Greenway	median of Cherokee Boulevard	2.6 miles
Sue Clancy Greenway	Adair Park	0.8 mile loop
Third Creek Greenway	Lake Loudon to Bi-Lo at Forest Park Boulevard	4.5 miles
Weisgarber Greenway	Middlebrook Pike to Papermill Road	1.0 mile	under construction
Westview Greenway	Westview Park	0.26 mile loop
Will Skelton Greenway	Ijams Nature Center to Forks of the River WMA	2.3 miles	extension under cconstruction
Farragut (map)
Anchor Park	Anchor Park	0.8 mile loop
Campbell Station Park	Campbell Station Park	1.0 mile loop
Grigsby Chapel Greenway	Berkeley Park Subdivision to Farragut Commons to Grammar Lane	2 miles
Mayor Bob Leonard Park		0.9 mile loop
Parkside Greenway	Campbell Station Road to Lovell Road along the south border of I-40/75	2.6 miles
Turkey Creek Greenway	Audubon Hills to Anchor Park to Brixworth - west along Turkey Creek Road	1.6 miles with a 0.3 mile spur to Turkey Creek Woods
Knox County
Halls Greenway Trail	Halls Community Park to new library site on Emory Road	1.2 miles	under construction
Pellissippi Greenway Trail	south from Pellissippi State Community College along Pellissippi Parkway	1.5 miles
Powell Greenway	Emory Road from Powell High School to Powell Middle School	1.5 miles
Sterchi Hills Greenway Trail	Knox County/AYSO Soccer Complex	2.1 miles and 0.3 loop
Stock Creek Greenway Trail	French Memorial Park to South Doyle High School		construction in 2003
Ten Mile Creek Greenway Trail	Walker Springs Park	0.1 mile walking loop and a 0.4 mile segment to creek	future construction
Alcoa
Bicentennial Greenbelt Park Trail	Bicentennial Park	2 mile loop
Maryville-Alcoa Greenway	Maryville to Springbrook Park	3.5 miles
	Springbrook Park Trail;	1.4 miles
	Springbrook Corporate Loop & Connector;	0.8 miles
	Clayton's Segment;	1 mile
	Springbrook Road & Wright Road;	1.5 miles
Maryville
Bicentennial Greenbelt Park Trail	Bicentennial Park	2 mile loop
Maryville-Alcoa Greenway	Maryville to Springbrook Park	3.5 miles
	Springbrook Park Trail;	1.4 miles
	Springbrook Corporate Loop & Connector;	0.8 miles
	Clayton's Segment;	1 mile
	Springbrook Road & Wright Road;	1.5 miles
Sandy Springs Park Trail
Townsend
Townsend Bicycle Trail	US 321 from Walland Highway bridge to Potleg Hill Road	9 miles