Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> At its February 2016 meeting the OUTBoard made recommendations regarding the BSTF <br /> membership, charge and term and forwarded it to the BOCC for review at March, May, and <br /> June 2016 meetings. The BSTF Resolution and members were appointed on June 21, 2016. <br /> Commissioner Renee Price was appointed as a liaison to the Task Force. The Resolution, <br /> which includes the criteria for the BSTF members, the Charge, and the direction to report back <br /> to the BOCC, is provided in the third attachment of the Report. The list of appointed BSTF <br /> members is provided in the fourth attachment of the Report. <br /> Bicycle Safety in Orange County, NC Report <br /> The BSTF met numerous times over a six-month period, with much research and deliberation <br /> resulting in the attached Report with attachments and appendix. The BSTF developed a set of <br /> goals which is provided in the appendix of the Report; evaluated a bicycle crash report for the <br /> County (the fifth attachment of the Report); reviewed existing and new bicycle laws (the sixth <br /> attachment of the Report); and developed possible actions and time and cost estimates (the <br /> seventh attachment of the Report). <br /> Through the process, the BSTF endorsed a public education and awareness campaign directed <br /> at all rural road users. The campaign, "Drive Safely, Ride Safely" is designed to foster mutual <br /> respect and shared interest in road safety, and focuses on the premise that most motorists and <br /> cyclists want to share the road safely. The Report recommends a series of actions centered on <br /> a public education and awareness campaign, improved data collection and measurements, and <br /> traffic safety improvements. This process and the campaign are described in the first several <br /> pages of the Report. <br /> The Report also includes suggestions for implementation and potential actions with estimates <br /> regarding responsible parties, range of expected expense and timeline. The BSTF recommends <br /> the creation of an implementation task force as well as a future task force to study infrastructure <br /> improvements in areas of the County where cycling is especially popular. The implementation <br /> portion of the Report is found on pages 6-10 of the Report. <br /> The BSTF has recommended and requested a budget of $15,000 for FY 2017-18 and <br /> appropriate County staff support to launch the campaign. Cycling advocacy groups and local <br /> civic groups would also be approached, along with other possible partners, to provide volunteer <br /> resources and possible additional funding to assist in implementing the campaign. Additionally, <br /> participation from the County Sheriff and other law enforcement agencies, Orange County <br /> Schools, EMS and others is anticipated to help encourage safe ways to share the road. The <br /> recommended funding request is found on page 10 of the Report. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with this item. The <br /> Planning Department's submitted 2017-18 budget request for the Bicycle Safety Task Force is <br /> $15,000. However, in lieu of incorporating this funding request into the Recommended Budget, <br /> the Manager has instructed the Community Relations Director to collaborate with the Task <br /> Force and Planning Department staff to pursue graphic design and other needs within County <br /> government and to also seek opportunities to work with stakeholders, the Visitors Bureau and <br /> other entities to move the campaign forward. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this <br /> agenda item: <br /> • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY <br />