Planning

Bicycle planning allows institutions to take concrete steps towards transportation sustainability and prioritize improvements in bicycle facilities, policies and programming. Acting as a road map, the planning process ensures that a particular vision for bicycling is realized in a comprehensive, not piecemeal, manner.

CAMPUS BICYCLE PLANS

BICI guides universities as they encourage and accommodate the students, faculty and staff who choose to commute by bicycle. Long- and short-term goals are established based on the institution’s current conditions and its overall sustainability priorities. Stressing cycling as a viable means of transportation is not only a cost-effective way to reduce carbon footprints, but also demonstrates an institutional commitment to supporting environmentally positive choices. Our multi-step planning process can be broken down into three main tasks:

• Analysis - Before drafting any plans, BICI assesses existing infrastructure, policies, and bicycle culture in order to understand and address potential constraints early in the planning process. Information about existing conditions and use patterns of infrastructure, such as bicycle lanes, parking, and programming, is compiled through on-site surveying and mapping tools. Surveying existing and potential bicyclists is also essential to understanding the issues and hurdles that are community concerns.
• Collaboration - BICI presents research and preliminary studies to the client and key stakeholders to collect and integrate feedback on the analysis results. Town-hall and focus group meetings, as well as internet-based surveys, allow the public to give comment and input.
• Results - Using our innovative design and planning methodologies, along with our deep knowledge of real-world cycling issues, BICI communicates the findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner through a visually engaging report. BICI also recognizes the importance of keeping an open dialog with clients after completion to assist with any implementation issues.

GIS MAPPING

BICI uses geographic information systems (GIS) and geodatabases to create maps of all possible transportation modes--including bicycling, walking, public transportation and automobiles—in order to fully understanding the gaps and overlaps of the transportation network. Geodatabases can document distances to and from various points of interest, like neighborhoods to business districts, as well as the amount of time each transportation option requires. Furthermore, GIS maps document infrastructure, such as bicycle and automobile parking locations.

This information can be used by planners to better understand present transportation conditions and to determine current and future priorities. Route mapping helps determine gaps and redundancies through visual analysis. Geodatabasing enables planners and administrators to understand distances between points temporally, not just spatially. This information is essential for planning for future transportation investments.

WAYFINDING

Wayfinding is the process of using spatial information to determine one’s location, one’s destination, and a route to travel between the two. Generally, people construct a “mental map” that allows them to understand intangible space.

BICI designs cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly systems of wayfinding signage. Our design process uses innovative mapping techniques such as a heads up orientation, and a focus on visual language over written language. Transit options, including bicycle lanes, are highlighted, as well as time estimates for walking and biking distances. 3D landmarks help users orient themselves by understanding the built environment, and building a cognitive “mental maps” of the area.