27 CAR § 70-101 – Bicycle facility accommodation policy

(a)
1. (1) Accommodation of bicycles will be given due consideration when:
  1. (A) A proposed highway project is on a route that has been designated as a bicycle route by a locally adopted bicycle plan or master street plan; and
  2. (B) The Arkansas Department of Transportation concurs that the route should be a designated bicycle route.
2. (2) Coordination with local jurisdictions may be necessary to determine the recommended accommodations.
(b) Bicycle accommodations on routes that have not been designated as bicycle routes by a locally adopted bicycle plan or a master street plan will be considered if the local jurisdiction will provide the required additional funds.
(c)
1. (1) When bicycle accommodations are to be made on routes with an open shoulder section, the paved shoulder will be used to accommodate bicycles.
2. (2) Shoulder widths shall conform to the widths recommended in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Green Book.
(d)
1. (1) When bicycle accommodations are to be made on routes with a curb and gutter section, the bicycle lane will be in accordance with recommendations in the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities.
2. (2) Generally, a bicycle lane width of four feet (4’), measured from the lane edge to the edge of the gutter, will be considered.
(e) If local or regional design standards specify bicycle facility widths greater than the standards noted above, the additional right-of-way and construction costs associated with the greater width shall be funded by the local jurisdiction that adopted the higher design standards.
(f)
1. (1) Shared use paths (joint pedestrian/bicycle facilities separated from the roadway) are used primarily for recreational purposes, and as such will not normally be considered for bicycle accommodation on the state highway system.
2. (2)
  1. (A) Exceptions will be considered when the local jurisdiction specifically requests the shared use path.
  2. (B) In such cases, the minimum shared use path width shall be ten feet (10’) and the local jurisdiction shall:
(i) Bear any additional right-of-way and construction costs required for the shared use path; and
1. (ii) Assume all future maintenance of the facility.