Agenda - 05-02-2017 - 7-c - Bicycle Safety Task Force (BSTF) Report and Next Steps

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THE REPORT 6 Summary In mid-2016, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC)formed a Bicycle Safety Task Force, charged to provide recommendations to improve road safety for cyclists and motorists in the unincorporated areas of Orange County. The task force consisted of cyclists, community advocates, public safety and transportation officials, school leaders, and county staff. After six months of research and deliberation, the task force is recommending a public education and awareness campaign targeting all rural road users. The campaign, "Drive Safely, Ride Safely" intentionally shifts from hostile motorist/cyclist conflict toward the premise that most motorists and cyclists want to share the road safely. It is designed to foster mutual respect and shared interest in road safety. During its study, the task force discovered that many motorists and cyclists do not know the laws that pertain to cycling, including new state laws designed to allow safe passing. The group felt that education on laws and best practices was paramount, especially those relevant to motorists passing cyclists and to large groups of riders, two key areas identified by the task force. Anecdotally, the group also learned that the reports available through NC DOT and Orange County EMS likely under-report crashes and other incidents involving cyclists. The task force recommends a series of actions designed to improve rural road safety, centered on a public education and awareness campaign, improved data collection and measurements, and traffic safety improvements. The recommendations include: • Motorist and cyclist education, with local signage and messaging that focuses on common-sense safety and mutual respect. Campaign will emphasize safe passing, the importance of motorists and cyclists yielding to emergency vehicles, best practices for large groups of riders, and safety equipment for bicycles. • Instituting improved data collection and measurement about road incidents involving cyclists, as well as improved data counts on all types of road users. • Improving traffic signals to be triggered by bicycles as well as cars, and recommendations that align with the County's adopted Safe Routes to Schools. The task force also recommends the creation of a future task force to study infrastructure improvements in areas of the County where cycling is especially popular. A budget of$15,000 and appropriate County Staff support is requested to launch the campaign. Cycling advocacy groups and local civic groups will be approached, along with other possible partners, to provide volunteer resources and possibly additional funding to assist in the campaign. The plan anticipates participation from the County Sheriff and other law enforcement agencies, Orange County Schools, EMS and others to help encourage safe ways to share the road.