AGENDA #3a(1)
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to: |
Mayor and Town Council |
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from: |
Perri Morgan, Chair, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board |
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subject: |
League of American Bicyclists, Bicycle Friendly Communities Designation |
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date: |
February 23, 2009 |
The Chapel Hill Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board is petitioning the Town Council for support in applying for the Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) campaign sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. A benefit in applying would be to provide the Town with information on how it compares with other communities with regards to being bicycle friendly.
The League of American Bicyclists state that the Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) campaign is an awards program that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling. A bicycle friendly community provides safe accommodation for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation and recreation. Attachment 1 is information on the League of American Bicyclists and Bicycle Friendly Communities campaign. Attachment 2 is a list of municipalities currently participating in the BFC campaign.
As the Bicycle and Pedestrian Board begins updating the Town Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan, the BFC campaign could provide insight on bicycling strengths and weaknesses of the Town. The League of American Bicyclists has set up a two part application process to be completed online. If the League of American Bicyclists approves Part I of the application, the Town would submit Part II. Town staff and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board have prepared draft responses to questions in Part I. The League of American Bicyclists has the following designations: Honorable Mention, Bronze, Silver, and Gold level. A designation is given after Part II is submitted. Most BFC participants periodically report to the League of American Bicyclists on new bicycle facilities and investments made in their jurisdictions.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board would like to submit Part I of the application (and Part II when appropriate) to the League of American Bicyclists to find out how the Town compares to other bicycle friendly communities as the Board prepares to update the Town Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.