Here's a fun video of the route to the new Harrahan Bridge: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151418209164562

The Harahan Bridge bicycle and pedestiran project across the Mississippi in downtown Memphis will open a major cross-country bicycle corridor.
See how this route fits into the United States Bicycle Route System.

The project has received funding through a Tiger IV Stimulus grant. This pedestrian/bicycle connection will be a huge boon to downtown Memphis, but also to all folks interested in long distance cycling.  The Mississippi River has long been a major obstacle as was evidenced by the recent cross-country trek by the Safe Routes expedition.

Attachments:

File	File size
Ride For Safe Routes Mississippi Blog	46 Kb

2013 sees Arkansas move up to 37th.  http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/#map

As a response to the 2012 League of American Bicyclists' state rankings, bicycle advocacy leaders from across the state have organized to change Arkansas' poor showing.  The first meeting of core organizers was Friday, June 29, 2012 in Conway, AR.  Two Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks representatives attended, and the BCO's Advocacy Director has been working diligently to keep this group moving forward.  One of our highest concerns for 2012 is making sure bicyclists are considered in our state's transportation funding priorities.

The League of American Bicyclists' ranking report HERE

Arkansas' Personal Report Card HERE (alternate link HERE)

Arkansas' Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator's Report HERE

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, through which all Federal funds flow, has released a Preliminary Draft of their spending plan for 2013-2016.

This is a long document--156 pages.  It has the same information organized many different ways. To look for Washington and Benton Country projects skip to page 91 (as numbered) or page 129 (as printed) to find projects sorted by County.

What can you tell about the various expansions, new construction or transit projects?  Do you see a project planned near your home or workplace?  Would you like to know if that project contains adequate Complete Streets Provisions encouraging an attractive comfortable active commute?

You can ask about provisions for Active Transportation Planning, Active Transport Maps, Signage, bicycle parking, bicycle lanes and spot street improvements, bicycle education, sidewalks, crosswalks, mass transit etc by writing to:

Lorie Tudor
Assistant Chief Engineer - Planning
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
P. O. Box 2261
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203
Telephone: (501) 569-2241

Our local Metropolitan Planning Organization has published it's own 2013-2016 Draft Plan.  See page 2-5.

Experience has revealed that new roadway construction produces fewer jobs per dollar than transit spending, maintenance spending and active transportation project spending (like multi-use trails).  Smart Growth America has published a clear report summarizing how the individual states compare as far as transportation spending and job growth.

Recent Lessons from the Stimulus:  Transportation Funding and Job Creation contains a few clear charts showing

AHTD Rumble Strip Policy adopted April 4, 2012

Thanks to the many bicyclists who reponded to the BCO's request for Cyclist Input, the new AHTD Rumble Strip Policy includes bicyclist-oriented compromises.

Attachments:

File	File size
AHTD_Rumble_Strip_Section.pdf	47 Kb
AHTD_Rumble_Strip_Studyweb.pdf	787 Kb
LKelly_RumbleStrip_INPUT.pdf	74 Kb
AHTD_RumbleStripPolicy	51 Kb

October 24th, 2010, Sunday afternoon at approx 2:45pm a Springdale Sergeant flashed blue lights and pulled over a cyclist driving lawfully on Highway 71.  The sergeant informed the cyclist that he was not allowed to bicycle on State Highways....

Attachments:

File	File size
Arkansas Driver's License Manual 2007	2507 Kb
Sharing the Road with Bicycles	145 Kb

This AR State MAP shows roads color-coded according to traffic volume.

The AR Trails Council has made a request to put two major AR soft-surface trails on the State Highway Map. 

You can support this request with an email to the Highway Department at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or Pedaling.com has a searchable road ride database with maps and descriiptions.  The Northwest Arkansas routes are listed HERE. 

Choose the "read more" link for info on a Two-week bicycle tour of Arkansas.