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

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REQUEST FOR FUNDING, AN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE, AND 14 A COMMITTEE TO STUDY IMPROVEMENTS TO INFRASTRUCTURE The Bicycle Safety Task Force requests that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners appoint an implementation committee and set a line item in the 2017/2018 budget that will allow for the completion of the short term items and the beginning of the ongoing post-launch activities in the chart above. With the cost estimates presented in the above table in mind, we would suggest a line item of$15,000 for the year 2017/2018. We would also request that the BOCC have the implementation committee report back to the BOCC in January or February 2018 to give an update on funding and progress, and to bring a line item budget request for 2018/2019. While much time is listed as County Staff time, we feel there may be opportunities to work with other groups in the area to facilitate some of the programs. In addition to funding, we request that the BOCC, should the report from the BSTF be accepted and approved, form the implementation committee as soon as possible in order to have some of the staff only items addressed (such as slogan/signage/launch planning) and ready to roll out as soon as the new fiscal year begins. A design for the signs and other advertising materials will require lead time, and we would hope that the launch of the campaign could occur before the end of summer. Finally, we request that the BOCC form a committee to study improvements to infrastructure, which was outside the scope of this committee. CONCLUDING REMARKS The Bicycle Safety Task Force provided a diverse group of citizens a chance to discuss from many different viewpoints laws and safety measures pertaining to cyclists and motorists sharing the road. All agreed from the onset that it was a small group of cyclists and motorists that caused most of the problems. The challenge, therefore, remains how to get necessary information to those who need it, and how to bring changes in attitudes so that all can use our beautiful county roads in harmony. The Task Force has considered many different outlets for getting information out. We have included churches, restaurants, schools, public centers and buildings, the media, cycling groups, advocacy groups and rural groups. We have suggested signage that can be posted on individual mail posts (similar to the "Community Watch" signage). We have ideas for events as well as for ways to utilize social media. The BOCC has shown its interest in safer roads by the creation of this Task Force. We are asking the Board now to continue that commitment with funding and staff time. We believe that if we can educate people on the laws, get all to follow them, AND promote positive behaviors, we can make Orange County one of the best—and safest–places in our state for cycling, and that our campaign can work as a model for other counties.