Western Piedmont Bicycle Plan

Initial Survey ResultsOctober 22nd, 2013

AgeQuestion 1

Female

Male

GenderQuestion 2

Employment Status Question 3

County of ResidenceQuestion 4

City or Town of ResidenceQuestion 5

Bicycle OwnershipQuestion 6

Bicycle Use

Never

Rarely (5-6 times/year)

Occasionally (1-2 times/month)

Frequently (1-2 times/week)

Regularly (5-7 times/week)

Seasonally (I only ride in warmer months)

Question 7

Average Distance of Bicycle Trips

I don't ride

Under 2 miles

2-5 miles

6-10 miles

11-20 miles

Over 20 miles

Question 8

• Fiets Maan Racing Team• League of American Bicyclists• Bikes Belong• Hickory Velo Club• Caldwell County Pathways• Morganton Cycling• USA Cycling• International Mountain Bicycling Association

Club, Organization, or Advocacy Group Membership

Question 9

Reasons for Regularly Riding

Question 10

Important Route Factors Question 11

Discouraging Factors Against Riding OftenQuestion 12

• Usually round trips all over Unifour - all counties• Lightning Cycles Shop in Conover• Granite Falls• Lake James Loop• Downtown Lenoir• Downtown Hickory• Grocery store• Greenways• Baker's Mountain• Virginia Creeper Trail• Wilson’s Creek• The globe

Common DestinationsQuestion 13

Most Used Roads for Transportation

• Jamestown Road• Hwy 18• Enola Rd. (Burke)• Sanford Dr/Fleming Dr (Burke)• Power House Rd.• Morganton Blvd.• Hwy 121• Lenoir Greenway• Hwy 127 (Hickory/Catawba)• Union Street (Morganton,

Burke)• Harper Ave. (Lenoir, Caldwell)

• Carbon City Road• Hwy 70• Sterling St. (Morganton)• Burke- Independence Blvd• 1 Ave SW (Hickory, Catawba)• Hwy 321 Blowing Rock Blvd.• 29th (Hickory)• Harper Ave.• 4th Street – (Hickory/Catawba)• Meeting Street (Morganton,

Burke)• West Ave. (Lenoir, Caldwell)

Question 14

Most Used Roads for Recreation

• Black Oak Ridge• Highway 126• Business Hwy. 70 (Burke)• Greenway, Burke County• Sterling St• Saint Mary's Church Road• Bost Road-Piedmont Rd-Greenway• Morganton Greenway• Piedmont Road• Wildlife Access• Springs Road, Hickory (Catawba)• Connelly Spring Rd.

• Enola Road (Burke)• Powerhouse Rd• Sanford Dr/Fleming Dr (Burke)• Brown Mountain Beach Road

(Wilson Creek)• NC 126 (Burke and McDowell)• Union St• Hwy 126• Johns River Road• Falling Creek• Teague Town (Alexander)• Bethany Church Rd. (Conover)

Question 15

• Highway16 South• Highway 64 (Burke)• Independence Blvd. (Burke)• Saint Mary’s Church Rd.• Bost Road-Piedmont Road• Enola Rd. (Morganton) • Highway 70• Enola Road (Burke)• Highway 127 – North and South (Catawba and Alexander)• Highway 16 (Alexander)• 1st Ave SW (Catawba)• Benfields Landing Rd. (Burke County)• Highway 18 South (Burke)

Roads Dangerous for CyclingQuestion 16

Challenges for BicyclingQuestion 17

Most Important Improvements Question 18

Most Important Improvements, ContinuedQuestion 19

• Wear bright colors• Ride single file• Respect drivers • Wear reflectors• Use mirrors• Obey laws of the road• Use front and rear lights• Ride in bike lanes and allow traffic to pass• Use road during low traffic times• Observe traffic regulations• Learn the rules and laws pertaining to bicyclists

Actions Bicyclists Can Take to Make the Road SaferQuestion 20

• No distractions and stay alert• Slow down• Pass cyclists at safe speed• Be observant• Obey laws of the road• Watch for cyclists• Treat bicycles as vehicles• Give bikes space when passing

Actions Motorists Can Take To Make The Road Safer

Question 21

Strategies for Infrastructure Improvement

Make improvements on major traffic corridors that

offer the quickest routes between destinations.

Establish alternate routes away from the major traffic corridors in

order to avoid heavy motor vehicle traffic.

Establish a network of off-road bicycle paths that connect

destinations.

Concentrate on spot improvements at intersections, bridges, and other site-

specific locations.

No improvements are needed.

Question 22

Funding Options for Bicycle InfrastructureQuestion 23

Most Important Benefits or Uses of a Regional Bicycle SystemQuestion 24

• “I appreciate the fact that someone is seeing the need to take a closer look at this in our area.”

• “I see a lack of shoulders on roadways as the largest hurdle for any bike routes or increase in bike traffic.”

• “Please remove the gravel from the roads. Gravel is dangerous for all bicycles and motorcycles. Keep designated bike lanes clear of gravel, debris and parked cars. Teach drivers not to honk at cyclist.”

• “Bicycles are a public nuisance..... they should be banned from the greenway entirely. Nothing but a bunch of inconsiderate IDIOTS...”

Final Comments

Question 25