Kimberly Sanders
Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator
Email: Kim.Sanders@ardot.gov
Phone: (501) 569-2020

News:

New 11^th Edition Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) – New in this addition are changes to improve the accessibility and safety of vulnerable road users.  Of note among the many provisions is that the “Share the Road” sign is no longer in the MUTCD.  The IN ROAD (W16-P) plaque or IN STREET (W16aP) plaque has replaced it.  These plaques must be mounted with a warning or regulatory sign.  Also, the “Bikes May Use Full Lane” sign has been removed and replaced with “Bikes Allowed to Us Full Lane.” (R9-20)

U.S. Bike Routes 80 and 51 now through Arkansas– The designation of USBR 80 in Arkansas is from the Tennessee state line to North Little Rock.  It is the first USBR segment designated in Arkansas and the first segment of USBR 80 designated in the country.  A feasibility study for route selection was completed by the consulting firm Crafton Tull.  The Study was funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control Prevention through the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Division of Family and Preventive Medicine-Center for Health and Education’s SPAN (State Physical Activity and Nutrition) team.

If you start this trek from Tennessee (Memphis) you will enjoy a beautiful ride along the Harahan Bridge (or Big River Bridge) over the mighty Mississippi River from Memphis Tennessee to West Memphis, Arkansas.  From there you will start your journey in Arkansas on the Big River Trail.  Along the scenic and rural settings are the historical downtowns of Marianna, which is the home of the James Beard Award winning Jones BBQ, Clarendon, Stuttgart, and England.  Amenities such as camping and southern cuisine can be enjoyed in various hub communities along the route.  The journey ends at the foot of the world’s first longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge, The Big Dam Bridge that spans the Arkansas River between North Little Rock and Little Rock.  

The designation of USBR 51 in Arkansas is from the Missouri state line to Alma, Arkansas.  This is the first USBR 51 segment designated in Arkansas.  It is the northern most segment that will eventually connect to the Louisiana border.  Approximately 35 miles of this route follows along the Razorback Greenway.  A separated trail system that serves as a transportation spine for both Washington and Benton Counties.  The Razorback Greenway connects will connect touring cyclists to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and other amenities.    

The terrain is the Boston Mountain range at the foot of the Ozark Mountains.  The ride is adjacent to a beautiful overlook including the scenic Lake Fort Smith flanked by rustic cabins and picknick areas.  Depending on your direction of travel, it could be an uphill climb as you move north or a downhill slide southbound.  From the Missouri border the route moves south through some of Arkansas most urbanized areas while also being in the backdrop of some of the most scenic vistas for cycling.  As the route continues south of Fayetteville on state highway 70, the setting turns rural as you move through smaller more quaint communities of West Fork, Winslow and Mountainburg.  This phase of the USBR 51 will terminate in Alma, Arkansas.  

If you have had the opportunity to ride either of these or any of the USBR routes. Adventure Cycling would like to hear from you. Please visit this survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N62DRPF and give your thoughts. There are 25 questions and they should take about 5 – 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will be kept anonymous. The survey will be open until July 30. Later this Fall Adventure Cycling will share the results of the survey and we will post them here or provide a link.

NHTSA Proposes New Vehicle Safety Standard to Better Protect Pedestrians

Would require passenger vehicles to be designed to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries.

Submit Your Photos for the NRT Photo Contest Deadline December 15

JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT! Get out on a designated NRT and take/submit your photos! American Trails sponsors the annual contest for photographs of designated National Recreation Trails (NRT) across the country. Our annual contest provides awards in several categories and shows off entries (and previous winners) on the NRT website. The deadline is December 15 of each year. Be sure to search the NRT Database to confirm your photo is on a designated National Recreation Trail.

Winners receive a Trail Boss mug, Happy Trails coaster, stickers, and a certificate, as well as recognition on the American Trails website and in our Trail Tracks eNewsletter.   Email nrt@americantrails.org with any questions.

Call for Bicycle & Pedestrian Advocates

Several states in the region have non-profit coalitions that advocate for bicycle and pedestrian programs, policies, and infrastructure. Examples include the Oklahoma Bicycle Society, the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Foundation, Bike Texas, Bike Walk Tennessee, and Bike Walk Mississippi.

In 2015, a group of bicycle and pedestrian stakeholders organized to form Bike/Walk Arkansas. While initial steps were promising (agreement on governance structure, selection of officers, identification of action items, multiple meetings, etc.), that effort stalled, and the group has not been active since 2015.

I am looking for a core group of people to help me get a statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy off the ground.  We may have communicated with you last year during our previous efforts which, unfortunately, didn’t materialize. 

This effort will be a different approach.   I am looking for inspired volunteers and I’m asking you if you would be willing to join me in a planning committee to spread this advocacy across the state. 

Our discussions will center around Mission, Vision, Goals, 501c (3), building Membership and Branding. 

Please let me know you would like to participate in making Arkansas a safe and accessible place to bike and walk. 

Resources and Links

Documents

League of American Bicyclists Ranking
Bicycle Suitability Map (under development)
Bike and Pedestrian Transportation Plan
Bike and Pedestrian Policy
Arkansas Traffic Rules for Cyclists
FHWA Bicycle & Pedestrian Policy Statement
Arkansas Bicycle Guide