Threat to cyclists by rumble strips

The following is a press release by the League of American Bicyclists from 1-14-2000.

Bicycling on America's Roads is Facing an Increasing Danger!

The League needs your help to protect our rights to the road.

The Problem

Rumble strips are increasingly being installed on roads around the country, including rural roads and bicycle routes frequently used by cyclists. Rumble strips are gouges ground into the shoulders of roads, of various widths and depths, designed to arouse sleepy drivers.

While these strips may reduce the frequency of run-off-the-road accidents for motorists, they are an increasing safety hazard for cyclists and are depriving cyclists of roads and shoulders they need and want to ride on. Shoulders with rumble strips are often unridable, forcing cyclists out into traffic, and the strips frequently appear with no warning to the cyclist coming downhill or around a bend. A number of cyclists have already been injured, some seriously, and an increasing number of roads frequented by cyclists are becoming dangerous or unpleasant to ride on.

Within the past few years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has started aggressively pushing states to install rumble strips on their roads. The type and design—how deep, how much of the shoulder to take up, which roads to install them on—is left up to each state. Some states? designs and applications create less of a danger for cyclists than others.

While we recognize that rumble strips can be an important safety device for motorists, it is also important to develop a design standard for strips that do not injure or kill cyclists. In addition, rumble strips should be installed only in places where they are needed—and not in places where there is little or no run-off-the-road crash problem.

Although there has been research done on the effect of rumble strips on motorists, there has been very little research on the impact on cyclists. We believe that the FHWA should stop promoting the installation of rumble strips on roads that cyclists use until further research has been done, and until a design standard that is good for both motorists and cyclists has been developed.

What you can do

The League of American Bicyclists has been actively working on this problem, meeting with the head of the FHWA and Congressional leaders, and working with FHWA staff to encourage further research and a safer design standard for cyclists. But we need your help and backing to strengthen our efforts.

Please write a letter (not e-mail) TODAY to the Federal Highway Administrator, with a copy to Congressman James L. Oberstar, ranking member of the Transportation Committee, who is assisting the League with our efforts.

Your letter can be brief, but personal letters are more effective than form letters. If possible, include reasons you are concerned, your background in cycling, and any problems you have encountered with rumble strips. Be sure to include your address so that you get a reply.

Please urge the FHWA to:

1. Conduct research on a design standard for rumble strips that is bicycle-friendly

2. Limit installation to interstates until a bicycle-friendly design is developed

Send a copy of your letter to the League, and we will make sure that it is circulated to other key people at FHWA and in Congress. If possible, send copies to your own Senators and member of Congress.

Addresses are as follows:

Thank you for your help and support. We will keep you informed about the progress of the campaign, and the results of our efforts. We know that when you enjoy smooth, rumble-strip-free shoulders and great bicycle rides, you will be happy you took a few minutes to write these letters!