News & Resources
City Releases New Guidelines for Temporary Bike Access Routes in Construction Areas
The City of Philadelphia Department of Streets and Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) released its Temporary Bike Access Routes (TBAR) Guide for developers and any other entity carrying out construction activities that interfere with existing bike facilities in the public right-of-way.
“The goal of the TBAR guide is to provide guidance to protect people biking with safe accommodations in active construction zones without being diverted into traffic or onto sidewalks, said Kristin Del Rossi, Commissioner of The Department of Streets. “This is our city’s first standard and guideline for accommodating people biking during street construction.”
The TBAR guidelines are set by the City of Philadelphia for those completing survey, design, or construction work within the public Right of Way. The core purpose of the TBAR Guide is to ensure temporary bike facilities are installed that contain better or equal quality facilities and features of the existing facility whenever possible. Bike infrastructure guidance included in the guide: side paths, parking separated bike lanes, separated bike lanes, and painted bike lanes.
The Department of Streets issues permits for construction-related street closures, which now include language about TBAR requirements. If a closure permit application includes impact to the travel lanes – including bike lanes – contractors may be required to submit a Maintenance and Protection of Traffic Plan (MPT). The required MPT plans for each project must document how the impacted bike lane will be accommodated.
The TBAR Guide provides a list of requirements that all projects shall meet and design guidance for common roadway construction scenarios. Some of the requirements include:
1. Temporary bike facilities must guide people biking past the work zone rather than closing the facility itself and detouring onto another street.
2. Temporary bike facilities must remain clear of any hazards, including construction equipment, vehicles, debris, etc.
3. Temporary bike facilities must be established when construction commences. In the event of emergency work, the requirements must be met within three (3) days.
Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in fines or rescission of permits.