Transportation System Plan 2018-2038

The various alternative strategies have been evaluate d using criteria that were developed to weigh the benefits and im pacts of im plem enting each im provem ent strategy , and to initiate discussion of bicy cle system priorities. Evaluation criteria were deve loped based on existing adopted policies, state TPR requirem ents, and/or factors identified as particul arly relevant for com paring and contrasting the alternative strategies. The evaluation criteria were used to assess the degree that each strategy : • Improved connectivity of the bicy cle sy stem ; • Increased the percentage of arterial and coll ector streets that included bicy cle facilities; • Served key destinations, including TODs, school s, com mercial centers, downtown Medford and major recreation sites; • Improved safety at locations with reported bicy cle accidents; and • Had a potential for reducing reliance on the au tomobile for trip-m aking within the UGB. Table 10-4 presents an evaluation m atrix that summarizes each of these strategies and assesses them in relation to the evaluation criteria. This evaluation not only gauged the im pacts and potential benefits of each strategy , but also served as a prioritization tool leading to the identification of a phased program of improvem ents. Actions Presently about 42 percent of arterial and collector streets within the Medford UGB have som e form of bicycle facilities, like wide shoulders, shared lines, multi-use paths or dedicated bicy cle lanes. Analy sis of the im provem ent strategies and policy criteria along with community input throughout the planning process suggests that Medford’ s bicycle network will be com pleted m ost effectively by placing a greater emphasis on filling gaps and providing new and im prove d connections to schools and activity centers. While not fully satisfy ing as m any criteria as the aforem entioned strategies, enhancing connections to transit routes and the Bear Creek Path are also im portant. Planning for Medford’s future bicy cle sy stem also considered com ponents that contribute to an effective bicycle network. The ODOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan lists several principles of bikeway and walkway planning. The principles include: • Accom modating bicy clists and pedestrians on arterial and collector streets; • Providing appropriate facilities; • Creating and m aintaining a sy stem of closely spaced, interconnected local streets; and • Overcom ing barriers such as freeway crossings, intersections, rivers and cany ons. Improvem ents to the bicy cle circulation sy stem in the City of Medford include the following: • Construct new bicy cle lanes as part of roadway improvem ent projects • Retrofit bicy cle lanes onto existing arterial and m ajor collector streets • Overcom e barriers to bicy cle circulation • Identify future opportunities for m ulti-use paths • Implem ent safety and operational street im provem ents that benefit bicy clists • Create a Bicy cle Advisory Com mittee • Provide bicy cle support facilities • Maintain the bicy cle circulation sy stem Medford Transportatio n System Plan 10-6 Non-M otorized Transportation Plan