Regional Bicycle Barriers Study

Technical Addendum Update (May 2019)

The Regional Bicycle Barriers Study (RBBS) Technical Update was completed in May 2019.

• RBBS Tech Addendum (PDF)
• RBBS Final Barrier & Crossing Areas for viewing on Google Earth Pro (ZIP)
• RBBS Appendix Table A2: Bicycle Barrier Crossing Area Rank Scores (PDF)

Final Report and Appendices (March 2018)

The Regional Bicycle Barriers Study (RBBS) was completed in March 2018.

• RBBS Final Report (PDF)
• RBBS Executive Summary (PDF)
• RBBS Appendix A: Focus Group Summary (PDF)
• RBBS Appendix B: Crossing Point Scores Summary Table (PDF)
• Barrier Crossing Point Dataset (kmz zip file)

Tech Memos and Supporting Information (March 2018)

• Tech Memo 1: Preferred Spacing of Barrier Crossings
• Tech Memo 2: Scoring Methodology and Results
• Attachment 1: Crossing Point Scores Table  
• Barrier Crossing Point Dataset (zipped KMZ)

Background

Key results from the Regional Bicycle Barriers Study have been included in the draft TPP update. Further results will be incorporated in a future update and made available for the 2020 Regional Solicitation after a review and adjustments are made to local planned barrier crossing points by the Metropolitan Council and its transportation agency partners. This study represents a major step to identifying and addressing critical bicycle transportation links<, which will work toward achieving one or more of the following goals:

1. Close a gap in the RBTN or connect a local bikeway to a major regional destination
2. Improve continuity and connections between jurisdictions (on or off the RBTN)
3. Improve or remove a physical barrier (on or off the RBTN)

This Regional Barriers Study focused on goal three above by identifying prime locations for new or improved barrier crossings, and included goals one and two in the analysis to identify those locations.

The purpose of this study was to assess existing bicycle crossing opportunities of regional barriers (defined as rivers and streams, railroad corridors, and freeways and expressways). The impact that these barriers with too few crossing opportunities have on continuity in the RBTN and local bicycle networks was a primary focus of the study. The final report prioritized locations for improvements to existing barrier crossings and new bridge or underpass crossings.

The Met Council coordinated with a Technical Advisory Work Group to review and discuss specific study elements throughout its duration.

Interactive version and maps

We developed an interactive version of the Regional Bicycle Barrier Study results. The interactive mapping application allows users to examine specific areas of the region.