TPO Quarterly News

Bicycle Program Pedals Ahead
TThe Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program has been working hard to successfully raise awareness about the importance and value of biking.

The number of bicyclists seen in downtown Knoxville has nearly tripled in the past five years.

On May 15, the Regional Bicycle Program held a bike rodeo during
Townsend’s first annual Child Safety Day.

During this year’s bicycle and pedestrian counts, 108 bicyclists utilized the intersection of Summit Hill and Gay Street, a 125 percent increase from Spring 2007, when 48 bicyclists were counted. At the intersection of Clinch Avenue and Henley Street, 111 bicyclists were counted this year, a significant increase from 43 in 2007. Additionally, 67 bicyclists were counted at the intersection of Gay Street and Hill Avenue, more than double the 29 counted in 2007.

Bicycle and pedestrian counts are conducted twice a year by the Bicycle Program. They are conducted manually at various locations in Knoxville and Blount County during peak traffic hours. All of the past bicycle and pedestrian counts are available on the TPO website.

This year, the spring counts took place at nine intersections and were conducted by Dr. Gene Fitzhugh’s Exercise Science 350 class at UT.

The Bicycle Program is starting a Bicycling Ambassadors program. Ambassadors will encourage bicyclists to ride more often and more safely, and educate motorists on the rules of the road by attending community events to teach bike safety, sharing the road and greenway etiquette. Training will be provided and each ambassador will receive a $50 gift card once they complete the training and four hours of work, and a $100 gift card after working another 10 hours.

Staff are also working with City of Knoxville’s traffic engineering on signing three bicycle routes. The routes will connect Cedar Bluff/West Hills, Knoxville Zoo/Caswell Park, and Harvest Park/Knoxville Center Mall/North Knoxville to downtown/UT. Signs will be installed this fall.

Find out about upcoming events in the Knoxville area and news from the Bicycle Program on their blog, www.bikeknoxville.blogspot.com, or email Kelley Segars at kelley.segars@knoxtrans.org to receive email updates.


*Volume 10, Issue 4 — Summer 2010*
TABLE OF CONTENTS Fun, Education are the Focus of Smart Trips Month Transportation Notes CONTACT US TPO HOME TPO EXECUTIVE BOARD	Bicycle Program Pedals Ahead TThe Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program has been working hard to successfully raise awareness about the importance and value of biking. The number of bicyclists seen in downtown Knoxville has nearly tripled in the past five years. On May 15, the Regional Bicycle Program held a bike rodeo during Townsend’s first annual Child Safety Day. During this year’s bicycle and pedestrian counts, 108 bicyclists utilized the intersection of Summit Hill and Gay Street, a 125 percent increase from Spring 2007, when 48 bicyclists were counted. At the intersection of Clinch Avenue and Henley Street, 111 bicyclists were counted this year, a significant increase from 43 in 2007. Additionally, 67 bicyclists were counted at the intersection of Gay Street and Hill Avenue, more than double the 29 counted in 2007. Bicycle and pedestrian counts are conducted twice a year by the Bicycle Program. They are conducted manually at various locations in Knoxville and Blount County during peak traffic hours. All of the past bicycle and pedestrian counts are available on the TPO website. This year, the spring counts took place at nine intersections and were conducted by Dr. Gene Fitzhugh’s Exercise Science 350 class at UT. The Bicycle Program is starting a Bicycling Ambassadors program. Ambassadors will encourage bicyclists to ride more often and more safely, and educate motorists on the rules of the road by attending community events to teach bike safety, sharing the road and greenway etiquette. Training will be provided and each ambassador will receive a $50 gift card once they complete the training and four hours of work, and a $100 gift card after working another 10 hours. Staff are also working with City of Knoxville’s traffic engineering on signing three bicycle routes. The routes will connect Cedar Bluff/West Hills, Knoxville Zoo/Caswell Park, and Harvest Park/Knoxville Center Mall/North Knoxville to downtown/UT. Signs will be installed this fall. Find out about upcoming events in the Knoxville area and news from the Bicycle Program on their blog, www.bikeknoxville.blogspot.com, or email Kelley Segars at kelley.segars@knoxtrans.org to receive email updates.