Active Transportation

Whether walking to get the mail, biking to school or work, or using a mobility device or other human-scale transportation, many of us are pedestrians or bicyclists at some point during our day. Some people walk or bike for transportation, recreation, to save money, or to reduce pollution. This includes our children and many of our elderly neighbors. MaineDOT and our local communities recognize this and are working collaboratively to give people the opportunity to walk and bike efficiently, and most importantly, safely.

Bike Tours and Walking Information

Explore Maine By Bike - bicycle tours and trails (Offsite)

Benefits of Walking and Biking

• Walking and biking promote healthy living, efficient transportation, and vibrant communities.
• Bicycle-and pedestrian-friendly communities are magnets for tourism and economic development. They reap the rewards of:
  • increased retail sales;
  • enhanced safety;
  • reduced noise and air pollution;
  • less congestion; and
  • less wear and tear on roads.

Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure helps improve Maine’s quality of life and contribute positively to the health, social cohesiveness, safety, economic vitality and quality of entire communities and regions. Perhaps it’s time to start making our communities more walkable, bikeable, and livable.

Maine Bicycle and Pedestrian Laws

Bicycle Laws

• Maine bicycling laws generally give bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators. Bicyclists may use public roads, and they must obey traffic laws such as stopping at red lights and stop signs, yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks and yielding to traffic when entering a road from a driveway.
• Bicyclists must ride with traffic, not against it.
• Bicyclists are expected to ride on the right as far as is “practicable,” but there is a variety of situations in which a rider may legally take a larger share of the travel lane, including setting up for a left turn, proceeding straight where a right turn is also permitted, passing other vehicles, and to avoid obstacles or other unsafe situations.
• Bicyclists MAY ride on designated bike paths and in bike lanes, but they are NOT required to do so, even when such paths or lanes parallel a road. Bicyclists have a right to be on most roads in Maine, but may be prohibited from riding on divided highways and other roads as per local and state ordinances and rules. Bicyclists are not required to ride on shoulders or in bike lanes in Maine.
• Bicyclists must have and use headlights at night, as well as rear reflectors. They also must have functional brakes on their bikes.
• Cyclists under 16 years of age must wear bike helmets.
• In most cases, sidewalk riding is allowed and legal unless specifically prohibited by a municiple ordinance. Please check with your local municipalities.

Maine Motor Vehicle Laws Related to Biking

• Motorists must allow at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists or pedestrians.
• Motorists who are passing bicyclists proceeding in the same direction may not make a right turn unless they can do so with reasonable safety.
• Motorists may cross the centerline in a no-passing zone in order to pass a bicyclist if it is safe to do so.
• Motorists should not unnecessarily sound a horn. Honking your horn when approaching a bicyclist could startle them and cause a crash. Maine law states "a person may not unnecessarily sound a signaling device or horn". (see 29A MRSA, sub section 1903.)
• When utilizing on-street parking, motorists may open car doors only after checking to see that it can be done safely, without interfering with traffic.

Pedestrian Laws

• Pedestrian traffic: When use of a sidewalk next to a public way is practicable, a pedestrian may not walk on that public way.
• Pedestrian on way: Where sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian shall walk facing approaching traffic on the left side of the public way or the way's shoulder when practicable.
• Pedestrians on sidewalks: An operator of a motor vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk.
• Pedestrians in marked crosswalks: When traffic-control devices are not in operation, a motor vehicle operator must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk.
• Pedestrian crossing: A pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle when crossing a way:
  • Other than within a marked crosswalk; or
  • At a crossing controlled by a traffic signal when the signal indicates that vehicles have a Green light
• Pedestrian prohibitions. A pedestrian may not:
  • Cross between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control devices operate, except in a marked crosswalk;
  • Cross an intersection diagonally, unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; or
  • Suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the operator to yield.
• When vehicle is stopped: When a vehicle is stopped at an intersection or a marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross, the operator of another vehicle approaching from the rear may not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
• Due care: Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter or of a local ordinance, an operator of a vehicle shall:
  • Exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian;
  • Give warning by sounding the horn when necessary; and
  • Exercise proper caution on observing a child or any obviously confused, incapacitated or intoxicated person.
• Failure to yield right-of-way to a visually impaired pedestrian. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, an operator who fails to yield the right-of-way to a visually impaired pedestrian who is carrying a cane that is predominately white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or using a guide or personal care dog as defined in Title 17, section 1312, commits a traffic infraction. Notwithstanding section 103, subsection 3, the fine for a violation of this subsection may not be less than $50 nor more than $1,000.

Additional Information

• Maine Bicycling and Pedestrian Laws (PDF)

Ongoing Projects

Mountain Division Trail

• The Maine Mountain Division Trail (MDT) is a 6 mile rail-with-trail built by MaineDOT along the abandoned Mountain Division Rail Corridor connecting the towns of Gorham, Windham, and Standish. This is the first section paved and open of the long-term vision of the Mountain Division Alliance, Portland Trails and the Sebago to the Sea Coalition to connect Portland to Fryeburg for both rail and trail. In accordance with the Rail Use Advisory Council and State Statute, MaineDOT is working toward design and construction of future trail development phases for the Mountain Division Trai between Fryeburg and Standish.
• For more information on the Mountain Division Trail, visit: Friends of the Mountain Division Trail

The Eastern Trail

• The Eastern Trail is a multiuse, off-road trail that is being created as part of the East Coast Greenway. MaineDOT has already constructed sections of the trail in South Portland, Scarborough, and Old Orchard Beach and trail connections to Saco, Biddeford, Arundel and Kennebunk. Other phases of the trail are currently in planning and design. The envisioned 57-mile trail will eventually connect Kittery to Portland and will become a crucial link on the East Coast Greenway’s 3,000-mile route between Florida and the Canadian border.
• For more information visit: Eastern Trail Alliance 

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

MaineDOT strives to make bicyclists and pedestrians an integrated element of our multimodal transportation system. Pedestrians and bicyclists are afforded the ability to safely travel between traffic destinations such as homes, places of work, stores, schools, parks, etc.

The goal of a transportation system is to provide safe and efficient mobility and access for all modes of travel, including pedestrian and bicycle travel. MaineDOT is committed to providing a safe and efficient transportation system for all users.

Bicycle Safety

Bicycling is an age-old American pastime as well as an important mode of transportation. Bicycling is also a recreational and fitness activity enjoyed by children, adults, and seniors—with about 85 million adults and children riding their bikes every year. For some Americans, bicycling is a healthy, clean, economical, and fun transportation alternative. Bicycling enhances your physical health, mental outlook and overall quality of life.

Bicycle Safety Tips

• Wear a helmet
  All bicyclists should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash. When worn correctly, a bicycle helmet can reduce your chances of head injury in an accident. Only use an ANSI / Snell approved helmet designed specifically for bicycling. Once a helmet has sustained any impact it should be replaced. Helmets should also be replaced if they are five years old or older or are left in a hot car. Worn correctly, a helmet should be set just above your eyebrows and be snug on your head so that it stays in place if you shake your head. If your helmet is loose or tilted back exposing your forehead it cannot adequately protect your head. Visit www.nhtsa.gov for more info on how to properly fit your bicycle helmet.
• Obey the Rules of the Road
  Bicyclists are considered vehicle operators; they are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. For more info, please view the Maine bicycling law documents.
  • Maine bicycling law information (PDF)
  • Maine bicycle and pedestrian law summary (PDF)
• Ride with traffic
  Always ride on the right side of the road. Do not pass motorists on the right side. If you approach an intersection with a right turning lane and intend to continue straight, do not enter the right turn lane. Ride with the through traffic. When riding with others, ride single file.
• Regularly inspect and maintain your bicycle
  Bicycles, like any machine, need to be cared for to perform correctly. Be safe and keep your bike tuned up or take it to a bicycle shop for inspection regularly (a professional inspection is recommended every six months). Perform the ABC (Air, Brakes, and Chain) check each time you ride your bike. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, your brakes are working properly, and your chain and gears are functioning.
• Be visible
  When riding at dawn, dusk, or night, remember to wear bright reflective clothing in order to make yourself as visible as possible. While most bicycles are equipped with reflectors, they are not sufficient and rely on the lights of other vehicles to work. Always ride with headlights and taillights visible from at least 500 feet away.
• Be predictable
  Always ride straight and be predictable. Do not weave from side to side, or suddenly move out into traffic. Be alert and plan ahead to avoid obstacles. If the road is narrow for a bicycle and a car to travel side by side, the bicyclist should occupy the lane until it is safe to move back to the right. Always check over your shoulder before changing your lane position. Never weave between parked cars.
• Watch for potential road hazards
  Scan the road 50 to 100 feet ahead at all times for road hazards like drain grates, pot holes, railroad tracks (cross them at right angles), puddles (which may be hiding a pothole), or road debris. Slow down and allow time to maneuver around these hazards and negotiate with traffic. Give yourself three or four feet of room when passing a parked car on the road. Their doors can open suddenly and cause you to crash. Be alert and attentive and avoid parked cars if possible.
• Signal all turns and stops
  As a vehicle driver you must always signal your intent to turn and stop using the hand signals. Look before you make a lane change or turn. Before you maneuver, look behind for traffic, signal your turn and change lane position when clear to do so. Then, when it is safe, execute your turn and proceed to bike in a predictable manner.
• Be prepared for conditions
  Always carry water and appropriate clothing when traveling by bicycle. In the rain, allow yourself extra stopping distance when you use your brakes.
• For More Information
  • Visit the Bicycle Coalition of Maine Safety page. Here, you can view bicycle safety tips, learn about bicycle safety instructors, and view and print safety brochures.
  • Check out the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety’s Bicycle Helmet Safety Guide for more information on bicycle helmet safety.
  • Download our Be a Safe Driver Fact Sheet (PDF)
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Bicycle Safety Resources

 

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education

Through a partnership between MaineDOT and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, trained instructors are available to come to  teach bicycle and pedestrian safety at schools, community events, and local organizations. Presentations include:

• An in-depth presentation on bicycle and pedestrian safety
• An overview of how to be a safe pedestrian
• Handouts for all students and their parents, or adult-specific education
• A program that adds value to Walk and Bike to School events

For more information, visit: Bicycle Coalition of Maine

Pedestrian Safety

Walking is a great way to exercise, recreate, and a great way to get around. The physical and psychological benefits of walking are well documented. Walking helps control obesity, helps prevent heart disease, and contributes to your overall quality of life. When you walk, you have more interactions with friends, family and neighbors than you do while driving. Walking helps you leave a smaller footprint on the environment too. By choosing to walk, you are making a healthy decision for your body, your mind, and your environment. However, as a pedestrian, you are a vulnerable user of the road system. As a user of the road system, you have responsibilities just like motorists.

It is imperative that we all know how to walk carefully so we get to where we are going safely. As a group, pedestrians comprise about 6 percent of all highway fatalities each year. On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 113 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes in the United States. On average, a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle in Maine once a day. In the past five years, there have been 1358 crashes and 51 fatalities involving pedestrians in Maine. In 2008, 4,378 pedestrians were killed in the United States in traffic crashes, according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.

• Maine Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Statistics

General Safety Tips for all Pedestrians

• Look and Listen
  Accidents involving pedestrians occur throughout the year because of pedestrian inattention and carelessness. Always be alert while walking and don’t assume that motorists, bikers and other pedestrians can see you.
• See and be seen - Dress brightly
  • Do not assume that motorists can see you.
  • Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking at dusk, dawn, or night.
  • Carry a flashlight if you are walking at night.
  • Stay out of a driver's blind spot at all times.
  • Make eye contact with motorists when crossing the street.
  • Do not let children play near traffic or cross the street by themselves. Children are small, and drivers may not see them if they run into the street.
• Walk on the sidewalk - Walk against traffic if necessary
  The sidewalk is the safest place for pedestrians to walk. You should always walk on the sidewalk if one is available. If you must walk on or near a road, remember to walk against the flow of traffic. This allows you to see oncoming traffic and to react if necessary.
• When crossing the street, use a crosswalk
  Properly located and warranted marked crosswalks are the safest places for pedestrians to cross the road because they are more visible and motorists are more aware that a pedestrian may be crossing. Maine law requires motorists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. Even though motorists must yield, it is important to wait, look both ways, make eye contact, and proceed only when you know it is safe. When at a crosswalk with a signal, wait for the WALK signal before crossing the street. It is very unsafe to jaywalk diagonally across any intersection. The safest crossing points will have:
  • Enough room for you to stand back from the roadway
  • Crosswalks that are clearly defined on the pavement
  • Crossing signals that indicate when you should cross
  • A crossing guard to stop traffic to allow you to cross
• Allow plenty of time to cross streets
  When crossing the street it is important to allow enough time to cross from one side to the other even when using a crosswalk. A signalized crosswalk usually allows plenty of time to cross the street, however be aware of how much time the signal allows you. A crossing guard gives you as much time as you need to cross the street. Follow these rules when crossing the street:
  • Cross at a cross walk whenever you can.
  • Stop, look left, look right, and look left again before crossing.
  • Cross with a crossing guard’s help when they are available.
  • At traffic lights, wait for the white WALK sign before crossing.
  • Watch for turning traffic at intersections even when using a crosswalk.
  • Wait, watch, and wave. Be certain to wait until all cars have stopped in all lanes and drivers see you before you cross the road. Wave to cars as you cross to thank them.
  • Walk at a constant speed and in a predictable manner.
• Walk defensively
  Don't simply assume that motorists know that by law, pedestrians have the right-of-way. Many of them don't. Be on guard at all times as a pedestrian.
• Don’t be distracted
  As a pedestrian, it is easy to be distracted by your environment, listening to music, talking on a cell phone. However it is important to remain alert and aware of your surroundings in order to remain safe. Pay attention to traffic and other hazards of the road.
• Watch out for cars
  Both pedestrians and motorists have responsibilities when using the roadways. Operating a motor vehicle is very difficult. It is easy to become distracted behind the wheel. Motorist distractions are a primary cause of pedestrian crashes. Therefore as a pedestrian, do not assume that motorists see you. Make yourself visible and don’t assume the right of way.
• Plan safe walking routes
  Some walking routes are safer than others. Use the routes that have the least amount of traffic, the largest sidewalk, the least amount of street crossings and the best lighting.
• Be alert to engine noise
  Parked vehicles pose a major threat to pedestrians. Be aware of cars that have turned on their engines, they will be pulling out soon. Be alert
• For More Information
  • Maine pedestrian laws (PDF)
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Pedestrian Safety Resources

Maine Pedestrian Safety Action Plan

Over the last year, MaineDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have worked on the development of a Statewide Pedestrian Safety Campaign. An in-depth analysis was conducted on motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians, including frequency and contributing factors. This analysis was used to develop target messages for the pedestrian safety campaign. The results of these efforts have the potential to save lives and reduce injuries, and to educate the traveling public on the importance of safe driver and pedestrian behaviors.

If you would like to develop your own pedestrian safety action plan in order to improve pedestrian conditions in your community, check out the Safety Action Plan (PDF) from the Federal Highway Administration.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Links

• Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) 
  Advocating bicycling safety, education, and access in Maine, the BCM works to make Maine accessible and safe for all residents and visitors so they may comfortably and responsibly bicycle. The BCM promotes bicycling for transportation, health, recreation, and fun to enhance our communities, environment, and economy. The BCM offers the Bicycle Safety Education Program, Bicycle Safety Teacher Training, and Bicycle Safety and the Law training for police as part of a contract with the Maine Department of Transportation. BCM also offers Bike Commuting courses for employers and employees, and coordinates nationally certified Bike Ed courses in Maine. In addition to publishing Maine Cyclist and assorted educational handouts for bicycling and walking safety, the BCM maintains a small library of materials. We can direct you where to best find other resources. The BCM website provides assistance with anything bicycling-related.
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Pedestrian and Bicycle Program 
  The Federal Highway Administration is charged with administering federal funds for transportation improvements, and providing technical assistance to localities implementing pedestrian and bicycle projects and programs. Three offices in FHWA address pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The Office of Safety and the Office of Safety Research work together to develop tools and technologies to reduce the number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed and injured on our nation’s roadways. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Program of FHWA’s Office of Human and Natural Environment promotes bicycle and pedestrian transportation accessibility, use, and safety. The FHWA Pedestrian and Bicycle Program issues guidance and is responsible for overseeing that requirements in legislation are understood and met by the states and other implementing agencies.
• National Center for Bicycling and Walking (NCBW)
  The National Center for Bicycling and Walking provides bicycle and pedestrian advocates and professionals, transportation engineers and planners, public health specialists, and others with easy access to the information, training, tools, and experts they need to foster active living through community design.
• National Center for Safe Routes to School (NCSRTS)
  The National Center for Safe Routes to School aims to assist communities in developing successful Safe Routes programs and strategies. The Center offers information on how to start and sustain a Safe Routes to School program, and case studies of successful programs, as well as many other resources.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes through education, research, safety standards, and enforcement activity. The agency collects and publishes state and national crash data, including data on pedestrian and bicycle crashes. NHTSA administers funding to support programs developed and implemented by state traffic safety offices. They also distribute to the general public free educational information and publications focused on many areas of traffic safety, including bicycling, walking, and driving. NHTSA usually communicates through the traffic safety offices rather than directly with neighborhood residents.
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
  The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (initiated and funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration) hosts several Web sites that contain comprehensive information on walking and bicycling issues, and resources for community members and professionals to improve conditions for walking and biking.
   

 Improvements in Your Community

If you have an idea to make the transportation system safer or easier to access for a bicyclists or pedestrians, it is vitally important that you get involved early in the process to make sure that bicycle and pedestrian improvements are an important priority for decision makers at the local, state and national level.

Options for Improving the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Environment in Your Community

• Physical Aspects of the Community: The first group addresses the physical aspects of the community. Facilities that aid walking and bicycling make doing so a more feasible option. For example, sidewalks and bike racks provide benefit to those who walk and bike, increasing the likelihood that people in the community will choose to walk or bike.
• Policy & Planning: The second category pertains to policy and planning processes that help to lay the groundwork for making improvements at the community and regional levels. Whether your intent is to fix the sidewalk in front of your house or to improve the existing pedestrian and bike infrastructure in your community, there is a process involved. Some communities already have established bike and pedestrian plans, or advocacy groups. Other communities are simply in need of someone to get the ball rolling. Either way, getting involved is the first step to getting what you want.

Bike-Ped Infrastructure Improvements

Infrastructure Options

Infrastructure options include sidewalks, street crossings, signage, signalization, shoulders/bike lanes, street furniture and off-road facilities, such as walking and bicycling paths and trails.

Options and Descriptions

• Sidewalks: Provide a separate, safe place for walkers.
• Street Crossings: Improve visibility of pedestrians to drivers and increases the comfort and safety of both.
• Signage: Bright, visible signage raises awareness of the pedestrian environment and provides guidance to pedestrians and drivers alike.
• Signalization: Pedestrian countdown signals indicate the time remaining for pedestrians to cross the street safely.
• Shoulders/Bike Lanes: Benefit pedestrians and bicyclists by providing additional space on roadways and enhancing safety and mobility.
• Street Furniture: Provides a place to rest. May promote social interaction and an increased sense of community.
• Off-Road Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities: Provides a place to rest. May promote social interaction and an increased sense of community.

If your bicycle/pedestrian group would like to request more technical assistance, please contact the MaineDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator.

Create a Bike-& Walk-Friendly Community

To improve the overall environment for walking and bicycling, the stage must be set for good things to happen. Generally, this means that policy and plans must be made and in place to provide proof of a community’s commitment to making bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

While not a requirement for making improvements, plans and policies that support bicycling and walking as part of the overall transportation network are beneficial when applying for funding at the state and federal levels. Not only that, but as city officials, employees, and residents change, plans and policies endure so long as they are supported and can inform and guide decision makers of the priorities of the community.

In order to begin this process, it may be helpful to start a bicycle/pedestrian planning committee. Call your local municipality and ask if any committee currently exists to do bicycle and pedestrian planning. If not, ask your council, selectmen, or planning board to begin such a group. This group can examine the local street and road system to determine the suitability of the existing system to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians and the potential for establishing bicycle/pedestrian facilities. Here are some of the planning efforts and policies that your committee may develop:

Create a Bicycle-Pedestrian Plan

• Many communities have benefited from creating a town-wide pedestrian and bicycling plan. Such plans detail desired routes, phases of implementation and an approach to financing bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Plans are created by city employees, sometimes with the help of consultants, and incorporate input from community members. The development of bicycle and pedestrian plans could be the result of an expressed desire by community members.

Comprehensive Plan

• Comprehensive plans are intended to incorporate all aspects of planning, transportation, economic development, environment, housing, public participation, etc., and provide a roadmap or guidance on how to reach the communities goals in each area. To include mention of the importance of bicycling and walking in all or some of the various sections of a comprehensive plan will help to ensure that the needs of walkers and bicyclists are considered as projects of all types move forward.
• The goal of the MaineDOT and the Sensible Transportation Planning Act (STPA) is to work with communities to improve transportation planning by encouraging interconnected streets and sidewalks in growth areas. This reduces development pressures on the state roadway system, which is designed for mobility, and improves quality of life. If communities grow outward on the transportation system, the result is congestion and loss of the vibrant community villages that we all enjoy.

Transportation Section of Community Comprehensive Plan

The transportation section of a community’s comprehensive plan is where the goals and objectives of a community’s transportation network are detailed. Bicycle and pedestrian needs are mentioned throughout many comprehensive plans, but are addressed mostly in the transportation section. A bike and pedestrian section should include an inventory and evaluation of deficiencies as well as strategies to address identified deficiencies. Timeframes and potential funding sources should also be included.

Create/Improve Ordinances

Ordinances are local laws that pertain to everything from signs to setbacks. Ordinances that help improve the pedestrian environment require pedestrian facilities and compact growth areas, which encourage walkability/bikeability. Examples of types of ordinances that can potentially benefit bicyclists and pedestrians include:

• Sidewalk ordinances – The following is an example of headings used as part of a sidewalk ordinance from the city of Bangor. This particular ordinance allows authorized persons to make changes, designates responsibility for maintenance, and details rules and penalties that pertain to the use and abuse of sidewalks.
  • § 257-1. Alterations; curb installation
  • § 257-2. Snow and ice control and removal
  • § 257-3. Violations and penalties
  • § 257-4. License required to occupy right-of-way
• Bicycle parking – Some communities require that parking for bicycles be provided where parking for automobiles is also available.
• Parking requirements – Many communities that have ordinances regulating parking require that a minimum number of spaces be provided based on the land use or square footage of the building. In the past few years, an argument that parking ordinances should indicate a maximum rather than a minimum amount of off-street parking has been gaining credence. The idea is to shift the focus away from catering to automobiles and more on accommodating pedestrians.
• Design standards – Design standards are one tool that many communities use to ensure that pedestrians are accommodated. Brunswick’s Department of Planning and Development has created design standards for Cook’s Corner. These standards include:
  • Public sidewalks
  • Internal walkways
  • Pedestrian spaces
  • Bicycle facilities
  • Site furnishings
  • Artwork

If a community develops a good transportation plan, and implements ordinances that support the plan, it will have a better chance of receiving state and federal funding assistance for transportation improvements, including sidewalks and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. In addition to an improved transportation system, benefits of good planning can be seen in improvements in the economy, social atmosphere, tourism, open space preservation, and quality of life. It is also important to note that for people who may not have access to cars, including the young, elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged, walking and transit are the only choices for mobility.

Funding Options

Local/Municipal Funding Options

Funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements at the local level is vital to improving conditions within Maine communities. Most of the grant programs require a local match either with actual funding, or materials and labor. In addition, because grant funding is competitive and not nearly enough to make all of the improvements necessary, local funding is imperative to improving bicycle and pedestrian connections. The following is a sample of some of the local funding options that can be used in Maine.

• Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) and Projects
  Many municipalities budget a portion of their yearly CIP budge to sidewalk improvements. Many of the roads that are improved through the CIP also include shoulders and sidewalks that benefit pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Local Bonding
  Many communities have used bonding as a way to make significant improvements to the sidewalk networks. Most often, bicycle and pedestrian groups work with town leaders to bring a potential bond to the voters for approval.
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
  Maine TIF laws allow communities to capture incremental growth in property tax revenue, over a period of time, for reinvestment within the community. TIF revenues provide opportunities to fund local development projects, such as bicycle and pedestrian improvements within a district, and are great sources for local grant match.

State and Federal Funding Options

• Stand-Alone Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects
  If a bicycle and pedestrian connection need is identified and it is determined that the associated road is not scheduled for improvements, a community can work towards funding specifically for a bicycle and pedestrian connection. There is a variety of funding mechanisms that are used to create bicycle and pedestrian connections. The following is a summary of some of the state/federal funding opportunities that communities are using to improve connections for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• MaineDOT Competitive Programs
  MaineDOT funds bicycle and pedestrian improvements in communities throughout the state through its federally-funded competitive programs. The program uses a variety of funding sources to provide funding assistance to communities to improve the quality of the community environment. MaineDOT accepts applications on an ongoing basis. The program provides federal funding assistance for bicycle and pedestrian projects that meet the transportation purpose of connecting neighborhoods, schools, downtowns and village areas. Municipalities that apply to the program must show that the project serves a transportation purpose, has community support, is buildable and environmentally feasible, and will improve safety.
• Maine Department of Agriculture and Conservation: Recreational Trails Program
  This program provides funding assistance for recreational trails in communities throughout the state. The program allows funding for both motorized and nonmotorized trails and requires 20 percent in matching funds. Applications are due in May or June of each year and are due in November.

Bicycle Signage

• Signage for bicycle travel on roads in Maine is important for safety awareness. Signs like Share the Road, Bikes May Use Full Lane, Maine’s 3 ft. Law, and bicycle way finding can help not only raise awareness to motorists that bicyclists should be expected anywhere, but can really make a difference in promoting safe motorists and bicyclist behavior.
• Maine has adopted a set of approved signs for Maine roads to ensure the signage is consistent throughout the state when it comes to the types of signs that municipalities and MaineDOT put on our road system.
• MaineDOT must approve any signage placed on MaineDOT jurisdictional highways, and strongly encourages all municipalities to use these approved signs even on local roads. These signs were developed in coordination with local stakeholders, the Maine Bicycle and Pedestrian Council, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and the Federal Highway Administration.
• To request a sign on a state road, bike route or way finding signage plan approval, please contact Steve Landry, Maine State Traffic Engineer, at 207-624-3632 or your local MaineDOT region traffic engineer.
• To be eligible for approval of a bike route signage plan, the municipality would need to create a detailed signage plan for the proposed signed route, if the route has any MaineDOT jurisdictional roads. The municipality is responsible for the costs of putting up the way finding or bike route signs, unless funding is approved by MaineDOT.
• MaineDOT will be responsible (if funding is available) for the cost of putting up single or multiple safety signs on the state highway system upon an approved request.
•  Approved signage types for Maine roads
  • Sign Templates (PDF)

MaineDOT Complete Streets Policy

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has a long history of providing for the needs of all modes of travel in the planning, programming, design, rehabilitation, maintenance, and construction of the state’s transportation system. Complete Streets policies have a foundation in federal law, guidance, and best practices, and have been signed into law or policy in states and communities throughout the nation.

The intent of this policy is to help ensure that all users of Maine’s transportation system—our customers—including bicyclists, pedestrians, people of all ages and abilities, transit users, and motor vehicle users, have safe and efficient access to the transportation system.

MaineDOT strongly supports a multimodal transportation system, and recognizes that pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, separated facilities, transit stops, ADA-accessible routes, etc., are crucial elements of the transportation system. In addition, a safe, multimodal, and vibrant transportation system is vital to Maine’s economy, and to the community environments which are such an important component to our transportation system.

The MaineDOT Complete Streets Policy; first developed in 2014, and updated in 2024 outlines how MaineDOT and its project partners will consider the needs of all users when planning and developing projects.

• MaineDOT Complete Streets Policy Overview
• MaineDOT Complete Streets Policy (PDF)
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C