Bike Trails and Routes « Bike Friendly Richardson

March 17, 2012 • 9:00 pm 1

Trail Rules and Guidelines Proposed

From the City of Richardson’s weekly newsletter:

The City Council is considering rules and guidelines that would improve safety on Richardson’s growing network of trails.

The proposed rules are similar to those in effect for City parks. They include prohibiting motorized vehicles on trails, requiring pets to be on a short leash, requiring users to travel at a safe speed and requiring bicyclists to yield to pedestrians.

Suggested guidelines for trail courtesy and safety include passing slower users on the left, keeping to the right side of the trail, listening for other trail users who may be approaching, yielding when entering or crossing trails and wearing a properly fitting bicycle helmet.

Once in effect, rules and guidelines will be posted on the City’s trails web page, included on printed trail maps and displayed on signage which will be installed along the trails.

There are more than 30 miles of trails in Richardson, and more than 18 miles of additional multi-use trails are planned.

Click the link below to watch Monday’s City Council discussion:
http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/03122012-1061/#4

This is a great move for safety on our trails. Even though this is still under consideration by the City Council, trail courtesy should already be practiced by cyclists.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff, Trail Guidelines, Trail Rules

February 4, 2012 • 9:46 am 1

Portion of Breckinridge Trail Closed

From the City of Richardson newsletter:

Today, the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department closed a portion of the Breckinridge Trail in Breckinridge Park due to erosion damage. The impacted section is located at the pedestrian bridge between park entrances A and B. A timeline for repairs is still being determined, and it is unknown at this time when the trail may re-open.

Alternate routes are available in the park for trail use.

Click here to download a larger map.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff, Trail and Road Hazards, Breckinridge Trail

January 20, 2012 • 5:00 pm 1

Spring Creek Trail is Re-Opened

According to this week’s newsletter from the city:

Repair work on Spring Creek Trail has been completed by the contractor ahead of schedule, and other than some cleanup work still taking place over the next several days, the trail is open for all users once again.

The trail was closed in three phases beginning Jan. 3, and the rehabilitation work along the 1.1 mile section had been expected to last until Feb. 7. The City contractor removed and replaced concrete trail sections that had been damaged by tree roots and shifting soil.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff, Trail and Road Hazards, Richardson, Spring Creek Trail, Trail Repair

January 20, 2012 • 9:10 am 6

New Bike Route Signs On Collins

I noticed these last night and thought I would share. The new signs – that I’ve seen so far – are placed on Plano Road (approaching Collins) and on Collins, between Plano Road and the Central overpass.

I wonder if these are place holders until they get money to finish out the painted bike lanes on Collins.

View From Plano Road Facing South (to Collins intersection)

View of Collins - Westbound

Filed under: Bike Change, Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff, Bike Route Signs, Collins Blvd

January 18, 2012 • 8:27 pm 1

Plano On-Street Bicycle Signs and Routes

Hello there, bergerandfries with my first BFR posting. Our friends in Plano have kicked off a project to make Plano easier to ride by bicycle! Plano has a great off street Multi-Use Path system, but now they are implementing On-Street bicycle signs and routes.

A map can be found at here (pdf).
An excerpt from Plano’s Website at: City of Plano’s On-Street Bicycle Routes

What will the signage be?
The signage is in accordance with the Texas Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a code that regulates traffic signage at the state level, ensuring that all traffic signage is consistent. This code also dictates how signs are placed in terms of location and frequency and how they are displayed. Most of the signage is green and white guidance signage. This regulatory sign below tells both the cyclist and the motorist that the cyclist has the right to occupy the whole travel lane.
Cyclist Right to Whole Lane
Guidance signs show the Plano logo, a bicycle symbol and the route number you are on. Some directional signs show which way to turn to intersect with another bicycle route.
Route 90 Sign

What do the numbers mean?
For example, the numbers 90, 88, 70 and 37 above are route numbers. The routes are numbered because they are often not one single through street but a combination of several different streets making up the route.
The numbering system mimics our nation’s interstate highway system. Odd numbers indicate north-south routes. The odd numbers are smaller on the west side of the city increasing as you move eastward starting with 5 and ending with 97. Even numbers indicate east-west routes. The even numbers are smaller on the south side of the city increasing as you move north starting with 2 and ending with 90.

What can Richardson folks do to help?
Plano Bike Route #97 leads directly into Richarson North Star Rd, which on the Richardson Bike Plan is a future signed on-street route too. You might remark to City of Richardson that it’s time to get moving on North Star Rd marking. These signs can really helps Richardson folks to get around Plano if they don’t know the best places to cycle on-street. And if you stop in any Plano businesses, even if the signs are not up yet, please thank them for being on the Plano Bike Route #xxx and ask when are they getting a bike rack!

Filed under: Advocacy, Bike Trails and Routes

January 13, 2012 • 6:41 am 8

Trail Hazard Alert – Ice On Owens Trail

BFR friend Mike Freiberger sent us a note warning us of some dangerous ice conditions on the Owens Trail just west of the bridge (GPS coordinates N32.985141,W-96.690661). Based on these coordinates, it’s the part of the trail between Lookout Park and Sherrill Park Golf Course. According to the city, the problem is a drainage issue. The Parks and Recreation Department is assessing how best to rectify the drainage problem. Very soon the problem will be corrected.

Until then, with these freezing days ahead of us, please be careful out there. Watch out for ice, not only on the Owens Trail, but anywhere water might be collected. If you see any hazards within the city parks or trail system, please let the city know.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, Trail and Road Hazards, Trail Hazard Alert

December 30, 2011 • 10:32 pm 6

Spring Creek Trail Looks Worse Than I Thought

Last week the City of Richardson announced that they would be closing off portions of the Spring Creek Trail for repairs. Since I typically ride the west section, from the Routh Creek Parkway ramp to the Central Expressway underpasses, I didn’t know the extent of the wear and tear on the trail.

I took a spin thought the entire length this morning and discovered that it was much worse than I thought. Here are some pics of just a few areas marked for repair:

Seeing the extent of this wear makes me glad the city is working – proactively – to keep it maintained and safe for those using it. Yet, another great reason to live in Richardson.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff, Richardson, Spring Creek Trail, Texas, Trail Repair

December 22, 2011 • 8:58 pm 7

Spring Creek Trail To Close For Repairs

Here is the notice from the city about some trail closures:

Starting January 3, 2012, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department will begin rehabilitation work on the Spring Creek Trail in north central Richardson. The trail is located between Central Expressway and Plano Road, south of Renner Road, and meanders through the Spring Creek Nature Area.

The trail will be closed in three phases (see map below) between January 3 and February 7. The closures will allow City contractors to tear out and repour concrete trail sections damaged by growing tree roots and shifting soil.

Weather permitting, work along the 1.1 mile section of trail should take about five weeks.

Although this will be a small inconvenience, we’re glad the city has decided to do it. This show’s the city’s commitment to keep the bicycle infrastructure maintained and it’s users safe. We’ve started to notice some wear and tear on the trail, so we’re glad this is getting done before it gets worse.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff, Spring Creek Trail, Trail Repair

December 22, 2011 • 7:09 am 0

Doing My Rounds

Sometimes I find myself in a rut, taking the same rides around town, heading to the same destinations. I like that this routine has helped me become more confident on the road, simply by being familiar with the surroundings and conditions of those routes. However, I don’t like that this routine has made unenthusiastic, even bored, about my view.

I decided to switch it up this past weekend and go a different route. Also, to make the ride ‘different’ for me, I did another ride with a partner – my daughter. Sure enough, that’s all it took to get out of my rut.

Filed under: BFR Misc, Bike Trails and Routes

November 12, 2011 • 6:42 am 3

Spring Creek Trail Extension Officially Open

© City Of Richardson - (Council Members Amir Omar and Scott Dunn, Collin County Commissioner Cheryl Williams, Mayor Bob Townsend, Congressman Sam Johnson, Council Member Kendal Hartley, Mayor Pro Tem Laura Maczka and Council Member Mark Solomon)

If you’ve been following us for the past couple of years, we kept you updated on the progress of extensions of the Spring Creek Trail. These new extensions provide safe passages under Central Expressway and Renner Road.

This past Thursday was the ribbon cutting that officially opened the trail extension.

From the city newsletter:

City Council Members, staff and local officials celebrated the opening of the Spring Creek Trail extension at a ribbon cutting ceremony held Thursday.

The new extension is a 1.3 mile, 12-foot wide concrete trail that extends the popular Spring Creek Trail north under Renner and US 75 and ends at Alma Road and the George Bush Turnpike. The trail also travels south following Prairie Creek under US 75 and then turns north to connect with the Renner Trail (see map below).

The wide, concrete trail accommodates multiple uses including walking, jogging, biking, strolling and in-line skating. Federal, state, county and local dollars helped to pay for the design and construction of the trail that allows users of the trail system a safe passage under busy roadways.

Quite frankly, after such a long time coming, we’re surprised that it was such an understated event. You’d think the city would be proud of it’s accomplishments and make a bigger P.R. event out of it. Regardless, it’s here and it’s open. Enjoy.

To see all the coverage of this trail extension development, click on the links below:

Spring Creek Trail – Including Under Central and Under Renner Road Connections:
Trail Construction – 03/11/2010
Under Construction-Two Bike Trails Under Central Expressway- 04/03/2010
More Trail Construction Pics – 05/08/2010
Trail Construction Moving Forward Nicely – 06/13/2010
Trail Construction Update Pics – 07/25/2010
More Trail Progress – 08/21/2010
New Guard Rail – 08/28/2010
More Trail Progress – Towards The Central Underpass – 09/26/2010
Central Underpass – Progress On The West Side – 11/28/2010
More Trail Progress – Retaining Walls Under US75 – 12/05/2010
Trail Under Central Progress – More Gabion Walls – 02/13/2011
Trail Under Central Progress – West Side Ramp – 03/06/2011
Spring Creek Trail: North Of Renner Road – A Progress Report – 04/02/2011
Trail Under Central – Serious Progress - 04/17/2011
Took A Ride Under Central Expressway Today - 04/23/2011
Updates To The Central Expressway and Renner Road Underpasses - 05/09/2011
Spring Creek Trail – Central and Renner Road Underpass Updates - 06/11/2011
Trail Under Renner Road – Progress - 07/28/14
More Renner Road Underpass Progress - 08/14/2011
Renner Road Underpass – Retaining Wall Progress - 08/27/2011
Major Progress With The Trail Under Renner Road - 09/18/2011
Trail Under Renner Progress – Forms Are Up, Cement Is Being Poured - 10/03/2011
Trail Under Renner Road Is Complete - 10/08/2011