Bike Paths & Bike Lanes
- Bike Paths Phase II (Proposed)
- Bike Paths Phase I Criteria
- First Streets Identified and Proposed
- Final Selections of Bike Paths Phase 1
- Bike Lanes
- Sharrows
- Eliminated from Consideration
- Partnerships
- National Bike Month
In 2016 Mayor Ollie Tyler took the bold initiative to move bicycle paths from the planning stages to the implementation phase, including them in her Administrative Action Plan 2015-2017: Roadway Improvement document. Prior to this action, there had been a number of ideas, studies, and plans over the years discussing and laying the framework for future bike paths, including those commissioned by the Northwest Louisiana Council of Government (NLCOG) and supported in the Shreveport-Caddo Master Plan.
Mayor Tyler and cyclists at the Bike Container
The last two years (2015-2016) represent one of the most aggressive citywide street improvement efforts in Shreveport’s history, with the undertaking of 148 street improvement projects at a cost of $45.9 million. In addition to the much-needed road improvements, Mayor Tyler wanted to do more to enhance the quality of life for our citizens and visitors and directed that an operational strategy for the implementation of a Phase 1 Bike Path plan in 2017 be created. In that plan, criteria for the lanes included :
The first streets that met all the criteria and were originally selected to vet to the public were:
The city then conducted two public meetings, one in February and the other in April 2017, as well as set up a dedicated e-mail address to solicit community input regarding the proposed bike path routes. Once all information and feedback from the public and experts were carefully and considerately reviewed and weighed, the plan was modified to the following final product and viewable in detail in the
Collector Street Bike Lanes document:
Bike Path Phase 1 Criteria
First Streets Identified and Proposed
The first streets that met all criteria and were originally selected to vet to the public were:
Final Selections for Bike Paths Phase I
The city conducted two public meetings, one in February and the other in April 2017, as well as set up a dedicated e-mail address to solicit community input regarding the proposed bike path routes. Once all information and feedback from the public and experts were carefully and considerately reviewed and weighed, the plan was modified to the following final product viewable in detail in the Bike Paths Phase I document.
- Streets already identified and funded through the COS 2017 Administrative Action Plan for Roadway Improvements – thus no significant cost other than paint and signage
- Streets previously identified in the NLCOG Shreveport Bicycle Plan – having necessary width (bike planes), traffic count considerations and acceptable speed limits (sharrows)
- Supported by the Shreveport-Caddo Master Plan for “Complete Streets” to provide space for bicycles, pedestrians, automobiles, and transit vehicles
The first streets that met all the criteria and were originally selected to vet to the public were:
The city then conducted two public meetings, one in February and the other in April 2017, as well as set up a dedicated e-mail address to solicit community input regarding the proposed bike path routes. Once all information and feedback from the public and experts were carefully and considerately reviewed and weighed, the plan was modified to the following final product and viewable in detail in the
Collector Street Bike Lanes document:
Bike Path Phase 1 Criteria
- Streets already identified and funded through the COS 2017 Administrative Action Plan for Roadway Improvements - thus no significant cost other than paint and signage.
- Streets previously identified in the NLCOG Shreveport Bicycle Plan - having necessary width (bike planes), traffic count considerations and acceptable speed limits (sharrows).
- Supported by the Shreveport-Caddo Master Plan for "Complete Streets" to provide space for bicycles, pedestrians, automobiles, and transit vehicles.
First Streets Identified and Proposed
The first streets that met all criteria and were originally selected to vet to the public were:
- Centenary Boulevard - Stoner Ave. to Kings Hwy.
- Ockley Drive - Line Ave. to Gilbert Dr.
- Fairfield Avenue - Pierremont Rd. to Southern Ave. and
- Gilbert Drive - Stoner Avenue to Ockley Drive
Final Selections for Bike Paths Phase I
The city conducted two public meetings, one in February and the other in April 2017, as well as set up a dedicated e-mail address to solicit community input regarding the proposed bike path routes. Once all information and feedback from the public and experts were carefully and considerately reviewed and weighed, the plan was modified to the following final product viewable in detail in the Bike Paths Phase I document.
Bike Lanes - "A bike lane is a portion of a roadway that has been designated for preferential or exclusive use by bicyclists by pavement markings and, if used, signs." Bike lanes, 1) Improve conditions for bicyclists on the streets, 2) delineate the right of way assigned to bicyclists and motorists and provide for more predictable movements, and 3) better accommodate bicyclists where insufficient space exists for comfortable bicycling on existing streets.
- Gilbert Avenue from Stoner Avenue to Ockley as a two-lane roadway with two bike lanes for north and southbound movement. The use of Gilbert and connecting to Marshall Street as a future resurfacing will connect this to the downtown area
Sharrows - Share Lane Markings (SLMs), or "Sharrows" are road markings used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. Among other benefits shared lane markings reinforce the legitimacy of bicycle traffic on a street, recommend proper bicyclist positioning, and may be configured to other directional and wayfinding guidance. The shared lane marking is a pavement marking with a variety of uses to support a complete bikeway network; it is not a facility type and should not be considered a substitute for bike lanes, cycle tracks, or other separation treatments where these types of facilities are otherwise warranted or space permits.
- Creswell Avenue from Stoner to Ockley as a sharrow bike type facility for north and southbound movement. This was the addition to the plan as per comments received in the public meeting as well as the online communications
- Ockley Drive from Gilbert to Line Avenue as a sharrow bike type facility for east and westbound movement. The original proposal called for a single bike lane. The consensus of opinion from the public hearing and online comments requested this to be considered as a sharrow facility.
Elimination from Consideration*
Centenary Avenue as a dedicated bike type facility due to no interconnecting bike type facility at the current time. Once other facilities are provided in the future, then reconsideration for a bike type facility will be made. This is consistent with the comments received at the public hearing and from comments on the online suggestions.
Fairfield Avenue from Pierremont to Jordan for use as a bike type facility due to the use of only one bike lane and insufficient roadway width for two bike lanes. This is consistent with the comments received at the public hearing and from comments on the online suggestions
*Although eliminated in the Phase I plan, these streets may be reconsidered in future phases for implementation
Partnerships
The city has partnered with Bike Shreveport and a number of dedicated bike professionals and enthusiasts to ensure that the plan is executed in the best possible way to ensure its success. This includes public education and one of the reasons this page was created. Thus, we will be updating regularly and if you have something you want to share or add, drop us a line via our email.
National Bike Month
May is National Bike Month, and we couldn’t think of a better way to launch the new Shreveport Phase I Bike Paths Plan that by having all proposed roads operational with striping and signage completed by the end of the month. A number of events are coming up in Shreveport to bring awareness to the new bike paths as well as bicycling in general.
Centenary Avenue as a dedicated bike type facility due to no interconnecting bike type facility at the current time. Once other facilities are provided in the future, then reconsideration for a bike type facility will be made. This is consistent with the comments received at the public hearing and from comments on the online suggestions.
Fairfield Avenue from Pierremont to Jordan for use as a bike type facility due to the use of only one bike lane and insufficient roadway width for two bike lanes. This is consistent with the comments received at the public hearing and from comments on the online suggestions
*Although eliminated in the Phase I plan, these streets may be reconsidered in future phases for implementation
Partnerships
The city has partnered with Bike Shreveport and a number of dedicated bike professionals and enthusiasts to ensure that the plan is executed in the best possible way to ensure its success. This includes public education and one of the reasons this page was created. Thus, we will be updating regularly and if you have something you want to share or add, drop us a line via our email.
National Bike Month
May is National Bike Month, and we couldn’t think of a better way to launch the new Shreveport Phase I Bike Paths Plan that by having all proposed roads operational with striping and signage completed by the end of the month. A number of events are coming up in Shreveport to bring awareness to the new bike paths as well as bicycling in general.