Walkability and Bikeability – Above Green

(4 points)

Intent

To ensure accessible, connected and safe walking and cycling infrastructure to improve public health and reduce environmental impacts.

Requirements

Design sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks that are unobstructed and barrier-free for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users and people with low vision. Comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or relevant national or local guidelines for 100% of sidewalks, bikeways and crosswalks. AND Design at least 90% of the total street length within the city or community as per the following requirements¹ or meet the national, state or local regulations on designing of streets, sidewalks and bike lanes:

For street segments with speed limit up to 9 miles per hour (15 kilometers per hour), no segregation of either pedestrians or cyclists is required.
For street segments with speed limit more than 9 miles per hour (15 kilometers per hour), provide walkways on both sides separated by a physical buffer to ensure safety of pedestrians.
For street segments with vehicular speed limit less than 18 miles per hour (30 kilometers per hour), protected bike lanes are not required. However, demarcate the bike lanes.
For street segments with vehicular speed limit more than 18 miles per hour (30 kilometers per hour), provide exclusive and protected bike lanes.

AND Achieve at least four of the following requirements for 90% of total street length:

Sidewalks must be at least 10 feet (3 meters) wide for retail or mixed-use blocks and for all other sidewalks it should be a minimum of 5 feet (1.5 meters)². One-way bike lanes should be a minimum of 5 feet (1.5 meters) and two-way bike lanes should be a minimum of 8 feet (2.5 meters).
Provide shade from trees for at least 40% of all sidewalks and bike lanes for the users. Additionally use other locally appropriate amenities for providing shade. Such amenities include buildings (e.g., arcades, awnings, cast shadows), freestanding structures (e.g., shade shelters at intersections and public transport shelters), and vertical wind and solar screens (e.g., walls and lattices)³.
Design roads to ensure high degree of connectivity by providing prioritized connectivity ratio⁴ of 1 or higher in the circulation network.
The pedestrian sidewalks and crosswalks must be a continuous network and devoid of cul-de-sacs. For exceptions, include a pedestrian or bicycle through-connection or crosswalks for paths with cul-de-sac.
Design roads with traffic calming measures as applicable to limit the speed as per Section 1.2 in Traffic Calming ePrimer by Federal Highway Administration of U.S. Department of Transportation⁵ or in compliance with the state or local regulations.
Limit the length of urban blocks up to 820 feet (250 meters). For block lengths larger than 820 feet (250 meters) provide interconnectivity, through-connections, skywalks or alleys⁶.
Design complete streets for safety and security of all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.

Reference: LEED v4 ND NPD Credit: Walkable Streets