VI.
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Continuing Programs
Citizen
Bicycle Advisory Committee
There are a number
of reasons to maintain an active citizen-led advisory committee, the
least of which is maintaining a direct line of communication between
a municipality's "customers" and the agencies charged with
responding to community needs. The Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committeeís
(CBAC) function is not only to represent the more visible and active
bicyclist community, but also to advocate for increasing the viability
of bicycling as a mode of transportation and recreation in the City
as a way of providing a broader range of travel options for all citizens.
The CBAC acts
as a forum for developing consensus on priorities for improving conditions
for bicycling and finding specific solutions for identified problems.
Working in cooperation with City agencies, the CBAC legitimizes the
concerns of the bicycling public and broadens the constituency for
the Cityís public-service programs. CBAC members also act as moderators
to change in agency/program staff lending continuity in a changing
environment.
The Committee's
mandate for action should come from a proclamation of the Mayor and
City Council, and should include the following tasks:
- Assist
in the development of the City's bicycle and pedestrian specific
policies, as well as other policies that affect the conditions for
bicycling in the City;
- Oversee
the implementation of the City's Bikeway Master Plan, and report
progress toward completion;
- Review
current and proposed CIP projects to ensure bicycle needs are incorporated
into design and construction when appropriate; and
- Deliver
updates on the needs and desires of bicyclists in the community,
with recommendations for action.
A City staff liaison
should be appointed to the committee to provide communication between
agency staff and the committee. The committee should consist of eight
to ten members, representing a broad range of bicyclist types. The
committee should convene regularly scheduled meetings throughout the
year, and should prepare a yearly progress report on implementation
of this Bikeway Master Plan, as well as recommendations for change.
Task Force For Implementation
An interagency
task force for implementation would include the department staff responsible
for the identified actions in this report:
- Supervisor,
Department of Recreation and Parks;
- Supervisor,
Department of Public Works;
- Supervisor,
Public Information;
- Chair,
Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee; and
- Supervisor,
Office of City Manager.
These members
would meet regularly to track progress on action items, coordinate
resources and efforts, and review items of common concern and interest.
The results of these meetings would be provided to the City Manager,
City Mayor and Council, and the Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Regular Public Involvement/Outreach
As a part of providing
its educational and public information campaigns, the Department of
Recreation and Parks should institute a regular channel of communication
for receiving comments and ideas for change in the Bikeway Master
Plan. This might take the form of brochure/questionnaires as used
for the plan development process, informal meetings, etc.
In addition, the
department is encouraged to conduct an annual open house on bicycling
in the City. This could coincide with the development of the annual
Progress Report by the Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee. A workshop
format similar to the charrette could be used to channel input.
Other Programmatic Recommendations
The institution
of a Spot Improvement Program will help provide information on existing
conditions and concerns from citizens to implementing agencies. The
City of Portland Oregon uses printed index cards, distributed though
local bicycle retailers and the public information office to gather
this input.
By responding
to these often minor requests, the City significantly reduces its
exposure to liability from maintenance failure. The City's Maintenance
divisions use this information to help program maintenance activities,
not specific to bicyclists, but for all roadway users.
What It Will Take To Make This Plan Successful
Achieving the
vision, goals, and objectives is not a result of the planning process.
Success in improving conditions and increasing use depends on three
basic ingredients:
Public
involvement in the planned use of public resources.
The
implementation of planned actions by City Departments.
The
support of public policy decision-makers and stakeholders
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