18.3.8 Utility Considerations

Addressing utility location may not be practical in retrofit situations where minimal reconstruction is anticipated. In those cases, care should be taken to ensure utilities will not present a hazard to bicyclists.
In new construction or substantial reconstruction presents opportunities to proactively address utility placement. Careful consideration of utilities within a roadway corridor can minimize potential utility conflicts with bicyclists and ensure adequate maintenance access for utility owners. The following should be considered:
  • Avoid locating utility covers and large ventilation grates within bikeways to maintain a smooth bicycling surface and minimize detours during utility work. Where unavoidable, utility covers and large ventilation grates within bikeways should be:
    • Smooth and flush with the bikeways surface;
    • Minimizes the need for avoidance maneuvers by bicyclists; and
    • Skid resistant to prevent a crash hazard.
  • Locate poles and fire hydrants outside a minimum of 2-ft from bikeways.
  • Bikeways retrofitted within an existing roadway may require realignment of traffic signal heads and detection equipment.
  • Where bikeways are collocated with overhead lines, designers should be aware of required clearances from both poles and overhead conductors, and ensure that site elements such as bridges, railings, retaining walls, signs, and bicyclists’ operating envelope remain outside of the required clearances.