Committee flags construction detours, signage and mapping as barriers for bicycle users

Residents and committee members described frequent problems when construction blocks segments of the shared-use network and when detour signage is placed at the point of closure rather than farther upstream. A resident said signs placed only at the closure force cyclists who have already committed to a route to turn back unexpectedly. Why it matters: inadequate detour signage and the absence of bicycle-specific detour routing can strand visitors and casual cyclists, reducing trust in the network and creating safety exposures. Planner (city staff) said the city will review the traffic control plan expectations and the Complete Streets guidance to confirm whether the detour and advance-notification requirements are adequate for bicycles and pedestrians. Staff noted the city is piloting a GIS-based closure feed (an Esri-driven tool) that can surface closures in navigation systems; staff will evaluate whether that feed can incorporate bicycle-appropriate detours and event closures (for organized races) as well as construction. The committee discussed how wayfinding ranked relatively low in the survey responses but had wide variance in votes; a committee member noted wayfinding is most useful once a coherent, higher-comfort bicycling network is already established. Staff said they will examine signage and detour expectations in the traffic-control standards and consider a recommendation in the plan to clarify upstream advance notice and bicycle-specific detour routing. Ending: staff will review traffic-control standards and pilot GIS closure feeds for bicycle routing; the committee asked staff to return with recommended updates or clarifications for detour signage and required advance notification.