The bicycle accommodation design guidance in this chapter is based on the review of national guidelines for the best practices for the design of bicycle facilities and is the governing bicycle guidance document for TxDOT. The continues to be the governing document for specific design criteria that is not contained within this chapter. The may also be considered as resource, and in instance of contradictions, the shall take precedence over the . For further information on FHWA’s position on design flexibility, refer to the August 2013 memo “ ”

On March 11, 2010, U.S. DOT signed a federal policy statement on . This policy statement emphasized that, “every transportation agency, including a state DOT, has the responsibility to improve conditions and opportunities for walking and bicycling.” The statement encourages transportation agencies “to go beyond minimum standards to provide safe and convenient facilities for these modes” on all transportation projects.

Under it states, “Bicycle transportation facilities and pedestrian walkways shall be considered, where appropriate, in conjunction with all new construction and reconstruction of transportation facilities, except where bicycle and pedestrian use are not permitted.”

The TAC and the TTC provide directives for the design of bicycle facilities in the State of Texas

defines micromobility devices and how they may be operated in Texas. On the road, bicyclists and micromobility riders must obey the same traffic laws, traffic signals, and street signs as motorists; however, e-scooters have specific restrictions on which roadways they can operate. E-scooters and bicycles are not considered motor vehicles. Laws and provisions related to bicycle operation apply to moped and e-bike operation.

requires TxDOT to adopt rules relating bicycle use on the roads in the state highway system. specifies that TxDOT must take bicycle accommodation into consideration during the planning and implementation of all construction and rehabilitation projects. specifies that TxDOT will adopt the latest version of the and will continue to review guidelines for design, construction, and maintenance of bicycle facilities with the intent to adopt new guidelines as appropriate.

Accordingly, this bicycle accommodation guidance is based on the review of national guidelines for best practices regarding the design of bicycle facilities and supersedes aspects of the . If a specific design criterion or guidance is not provided herein, see for document precedence.

Bicycle accommodations will be considered “provided” when bicyclists can navigate to logical termini throughout the project limits and have access to desired destinations. For example, a two-way shared use path (SUP) provided on one side of the travel way provides bicycle access along a roadway if there are no logical origins or destinations on the other side of the roadway (or none are anticipated during the lifetime of the project). For situations where a freeway or highway limits street connectivity, it may be necessary to provide bikeways on both sides of the freeway or highway to provide appropriate bicycle connectivity to the community.