2015 Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Sitka Alaska
2015 Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Sitka, Alaska – May 7 FHWA Alaska Division
About… • USDOT initiative to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. § Safer Streets § Safer Communities § Safer Policies • Facilitate relationship building between stakeholders, practitioners, and the public. • Engage practitioners who are not typically focused on bike / pedestrian safety.
Why Sitka? • Twice awarded bronze “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists, “Walk Friendly Community” from Pedestrian-Bike Information Center (PBIC) • Community planning / involvement § Federal (NPS, USFS, WFLHD, etc. ) § State (AKDOT&PF) § Local (City & Borough of Sitka, Sitka Trail Works, Sitka Tribe, and other advocates) FHWA Alaska Division Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
FHWA Alaska Division
FHWA Alaska Division Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
Walking segment 1 – Sitka Seawalk The Sitka Seawalk is a separated path along Sitka’s beautiful waterfront that provides access to the harbor and a variety of recreational, historic, and cultural resources. FHWA Alaska Division Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
Map of walking segment 1 The first walking segment is highlighted by the blue and grey dotted line in the map along the Sitka Seawalk, which was completed in 2013. FHWA Alaska Division Page 7 of 13 Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
Inlaid brick pattern helps “brand” the Seawalk. Maps, kiosks, restrooms, and pedestrian signs are along the route. FHWA Alaska Division Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
Walking segment 2 – Totem Park to Alaska Raptor Center • The Sitka National Historic Park, locally referred to as “Totem Park”, provides access through a short pedestrian only path to Sawmill Creek Road and the Alaska Raptor Center, close by. FHWA Alaska Division Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
Sitka National Historic Park “Totem Park” FHWA Alaska Division Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
Crossing to get to Raptor Center FHWA Alaska Division Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
Bicycle Segment – Halibut Point Road (HPR) is approximately 7 miles from the Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal at the north end, into downtown Sitka and represents Sitka’s main thoroughfare. Assessment participants cycled 4 miles roundtrip on a segment of HPR. FHWA Alaska Division Page 12 of 13 Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
Biking Halibut Point Road Leading participants on our bicycle segment. Paul Wistrand, FHWA Alaska Division, on his folding bicycle. FHWA Alaska Division Last Updated: 10/18/2021 2: 44 PM
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