House Votes Down Bill that restricts “Road Diets”

College Street in Asheville Improvements

LEGISLATIVE ALERT

The House just unanimously voted not to concur with the Senate version of House Bill 44 . Section 7 of the bill would prohibit “road diets” under certain conditions without consideration of exceptions. The bill language is overly prescriptive and may in effect reduce a community’s ability to optimize safety and congestion relief in a comprehensive manner:

(b) The number of travel lanes may not be reduced to accommodate the addition of bicycle lanes within the existing paved and marked travel lanes of any State highway system street or highway located within a municipality if either of the following conditions exists: (i) the street or highway has an average daily traffic volume of 20,000 vehicles per day or greater or (ii) the action taken reduces the projected road capacity, for a 20-year period beginning at the time the bicycle lane is established, to below a Level D, as defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Highway Capacity Manual.”

Would the pedestrian and cycling safety improvements been permitted on the flagship Hillsborough Street in Raleigh under condition (ii) above – the road currently may be a Level C, and Level D- at peak times. How about College Street in Asheville shown above?

If criteria is legislated, DOT should be given flexibility in the decision making process rather than a strict prohibition.

More Information on HB44

The House conferees will be – Lambeth (chair), Conrad, Ross, McGrady, Hanes, Bell, and Stam, so advocates can contact these House Representatives and express how unwise it would be for this language to remain in the bill. We will let you know who the Senate conferees are as soon as we hear.