Plans and Programs

PACTS Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Update Preliminary DRAFT Plan Maps

This information is offered to initiate feedback and discussion. Please send all inquiries/commens to Paul Niehoff.

On-road Bikeway, Trail and Pathway Maps

On-road Bikeways – Bicycle lane, Paved shoulder, Shared lane Trails – Regional and Local Shared Use Pathways Conservation, Recreation Facilities and Open Space Rail lines Bus routes Intermodal centers Park and Ride Lots Municipal Growth Areas from approved Comprehensive Plans Schools.

• North: Falmouth, Cumberland, Yarmouth, Freeport, North Yarmouth
  
  • 11 x 17(pdf) or 24 x 36(pdf)
• Central: Westbrook, Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth
• 11 x 17(pdf) or 24 x 36(pdf)
• South: Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Biddeford
• 11 x 17(pdf) or 24 x 36(pdf)
• West: Windham, Gorham
• 11 x 17(pdf) or 24 x 36(pdf)

This information is offered to initiate feedback and discussion. Please send all inquiries/comments to Paul Niehoff.

Maps for each sub-region and the whole region are provided in two sizes: ”24x36” and ”11x24”.

Facilities are shown as either ‘Existing’ (solid line) or ‘Envisioned’ (dashed line).

On-road Bikeways, Trails and Pathways
On-road Bikeways

Three types of on-road bikeways are included on the maps: Bicycle lanes, Paved shoulders and Shared lanes. For each bikeway, a specific type is coded into the map database (but not yet shown).

Bicycle lanes are designated bikeways that have stenciled pavement markings and can have accompanying roadside signs. Bicycle lanes are designated for exclusive or preferential use by bicycles. Local examples are Baxter Boulevard in Portland and Route 88 in Falmouth.

Paved shoulders are a portion of the right side of the road delineated by a white edge stripe. They are not designated specifically for use by bicycles. Local examples are Route 25 between Gorham and Westbrook and Route 1 in Falmouth, Cumberland and Yarmouth.

Shared lanes are roadway travel lanes which are shared by motorists and bicyclists. They often are wider than typical travel lanes (12’) and are called wide curb lanes (13’ to 15’). Local examples are Route 1 in Freeport Village, Main Street in Biddeford and Saco and West Grand Avenue in Old Orchard Beach. Examples of wide curb lanes are Allen Avenue in Portland between Morrill’s and Allen’s Corners.

Shared Use Pathways are intended for multiple types of users including bicyclists and pedestrians. They have a hard surface that serves road bicycles well. Depending upon the type of surface, roller bladers and equestrian users, among others, may also use the pathway. Local examples are the Eastern Promenade trail (right) in Portland, the South Portland Greenbelt in South Portland and the Beth Condon Pathway in Yarmouth.

Trails are intended primarily for pedestrians. They are distinct from pathways by surface type and width, often with a dirt surface and narrower width. The surface is not generally good for road bicycles but most can be used by mountain bikes (where permitted). Trails often serve recreation purposes. Local examples are the Fore River Trail (right) in Portland and the Great Pond Trail in Cape Elizabeth.

Pedestrian Environment:
Regional Commercial Centers Map

The Pedestrian Environment: Regional Commercial Centers map shows a screening of each center against assessment criteria (listed on the map) for how pedestrian-oriented it is. The criteria fall into three categories:

• Pedestrian Safety and Functional needs (are the sidewalks continuous and curb ramps at corners?)
• Pedestrian-oriented Design Considerations (are the intersections compact, sidewalks have street trees and pedestrian-scale lighting, and signs are pedestrian-scale?)
• Urban Design Considerations (are buildings and building entrances oriented to the street, parking lots to the side or rear, and interconnected streets?). Centers are grouped as ‘Poor/Fair’ or ‘Good/Great’ for how well they meet the criteria.

Next Steps: Maps

• Completion of data collection and development (Conservation, Open Space and Recreation Facilities needed for several towns/cities)
• Labeling of major destinations and activity centers
• Completion/verification of coding for on-road bikeways (‘existing’ vs ‘envisioned’ and facility type)
• Incorporating input.

For more information, contact Carl Eppich at ceppich@gpcog.org or call 774-9891.