Regional Bicycle Transportation Network Updates

2021 Updates 

The process for local government agencies to propose updates to the RBTN was formalized in 2021. Planning agencies were afforded a five-week open period for submitting requests to add new, or to extend or modify existing, RBTN corridors and alignments. Update proposals were evaluated based on measures developed in the RBTN Guidelines and Measures Study and described in detail below. Through this official update process, 27 new or revised RBTN routes were recommended for approval. All of the recommended changes were incorporated into the Transportation Policy Plan through an Administrative Modification approved by the Metropolitan Council on January 26, 2022. 
 
This process for updating the RBTN will be conducted every two years and ahead of each Regional Solicitation cycle to distribute federal transportation funds. The next opportunity for local agencies to propose updates will be in late Spring of 2023.

RBTN Evaluation Measures

The 2021 RBTN Guidelines and Measures Study developed a set of measures to facilitate the evaluation of RBTN change proposals submitted by local agencies. These include measures of route directness, corridor spacing, connectivity, social and economic equity, and proximity to population/jobs. Detailed descriptions for each measure, along with guidelines for their application, are provided in the Measures Summary Tables below. For more information about the development of these measures, please see the RBTN Guidelines and Measures Study, please see the RBTN Guidelines and Measures Study, Phase I Technical Memorandum (PDF)

Measures Summary Tables

Description
Guidelines
Destination Proximity
Measure: Net change in proximity to regional destinations and transit nodes.
Proximity measured using a 1/10-mile buffer for alignments and includes points within the corridor bandwidth (½-mile in core cities, 1-mile bandwidth outside core) for corridors.
Evaluated based on overall impact to regional destination connectivity, ranging from high benefit to none or adverse impact.		 Regional Destinations and Transit nodes:
  • Metropolitan Job Centers
  • Regional Job Centers
  • Subregional Job Centers
  • Colleges & Universities (2000 + enroll)
  • Large high schools (2000+ enrolled)
  • Major Sport & Entertainment Centers
  • Highly-visited Regional Parks (> 400k/yr)
  • Existing transitway stations
  • Planned transitway stations
  • Park & rides (200+ spaces)
  • Bus transit centers
  • Bike & ride centers
 
Out-of-Direction Ratio
Measures two RBTN route distances relative to each other to indicate comparative efficiency of two routes.		 Ratio = proposed RBTN route length divided by nearest existing RBTN route length.
Recommended maximum ratio = 2.0

Description
Guidelines
Spacing Buffer Method
Compares buffers of existing and proposed routes to determine the extent to which the proposed route overlaps with buffers of existing parallel routes, or fills existing gaps between RBTN routes. RBTN route buffers are based on preferred minimum spacing distances between RBTN alignments and corridors that vary with Met Council community designation types.
  • Significant overlap should not occur (except in cases where routes converge like in CBDs or suburban development centers)
Preferred minimum spacing between RBTN routes1:
  • Urban Center cities: ½ mile
  • Urban cities: ¾ mile
  • Suburban communities: 1 mile
  • Rural areas: 2 miles

1 As determined through meetings with the RBTN Guidelines and Measures Study's technical advisory work group.

Description
Guidelines
Connectivity to Regional Bicycle Barrier Crossings: Number of new direct connections to existing/planned regional barrier crossings with proposed RBTN change.
  • Additional connections are viewed favorably
  • Net number of direct connections should not be reduced for RBTN shifts
Continuity between Adjacent City or County Bikeway Networks: Number of newly connected city/county bikeway networks with proposed RBTN change.
  • Additional connections are viewed favorably
  • Net number of direct connections should not be reduced for RBTN shifts
Connectivity with Local Bikeway Networks: Number of new intersections with local bikeway networks with proposed RBTN change.
  • Number of intersections should not be reduced
  • Net change in networks accessed should not be reduced for RBTN shifts
Connectivity with State and Regional Trails: Number of new intersections with state and regional trails; does not include intersections with other RBTN routes (e.g., regional trails already designated on the RBTN).
  • Number of intersections/connection points should not be reduced

Description
Guidelines
Access to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and People in Poverty: Measures BIPOC and below poverty threshold populations within 1 mile of existing & proposed RBTN routes to determine net difference with the proposed change.
  • Measure only applies to proposed RBTN shifts
  • BIPOC and below poverty threshold populations with access to RBTN should not be reduced
Qualitative Agency Self-Assessment of Benefits to Disadvantaged or Vulnerable Populations:  Qualitative measure of benefits to BIPOC, people in poverty, seniors, youth, & disabled individuals resulting from proposed RBTN addition or change.    
  • Proposals that improve access or conditions for BIPOC communities and people in poverty are viewed favorably
  • Access and conditions for these communities should not be reduced

Description
Guidelines
Proximity to Population & Jobs: Measures the sum of existing and planned (i.e., projected) population and jobs per square mile within a ½-mile of the proposed RBTN alignment or corridor centerline.
  • Measure applies Urban Center, Urban, Suburban, Suburban Edge, and Emerging Suburban Edge communities
  • Initial target guidance based on empirically derived values and Council/BPPDG input
Minimum recommended densities:
  • Urban Center cities: 5,000 pop. + jobs per square mile
  • Urban cities: 3,000 population + jobs per square mile
  • Suburban group communities: 1,300 pop. + jobs per square mile
Activity per Mile Ratio: Measure assessed for proposed extensions & additions connecting suburban communities and/or rural centers through rural areas. The activity ratio equals the sum of jobs and population within a ½-mile of the proposed alignment or corridor centerline divided by the length of the route.
  • Measure only applies where significant route segments are proposed through rural areas
  • Initial target guidance based on empirically derived values and Council/BPPDG input
Minimum recommended ratio:
  • 800 population + jobs per linear mile

Contact

Steve Elmer, Bicycle Planner
Steven.Elmer@metc.state.mn.us