Related Links

Agenda Item # 13

BOARD MEMORANDUM

FOR DISCUSSION

BACKGROUND:

The Countywide Bicycle Plan, adopted by the VTA Board of Directors in October 2000, is a comprehensive document that serves as a foundation for bicycle planning and program development, as well as for programming bicycle capital projects through a Bicycle Expenditure Plan (BEP). Over the last five years, the Bicycle Plan has become outdated in several ways, and new issues and opportunities have developed that should be addressed in the plan.

For example, since the Bicycle Plan’s adoption, the BEP has been amended three times—most recently in June 2005—and now incorporates all three tiers found in the 2000 plan. In addition, an updated Bicycle Plan is needed to meet the requirements of several state and regional funding agencies. This latter need also aids Member Agencies that rely on the Bicycle Plan to function as their adopted bicycle plan when applying for the state’s Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA), and for local Transportation Development Act (TDA) or Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funding. Therefore, the Bicycle Plan will:

• Revise and update information;
• Consolidate in a single document the current bicycle policies, procedures and BEP projects;
• Review and revise, if necessary, existing components of the plan; and
• Develop new programs in response to new opportunities and countywide priorities.

DISCUSSION:

A Bicycle Plan Update Working Group will assist in the update of the Countywide Bicycle Plan. The working group will include four VTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) members, a member of VTA’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and a representative from the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. It is anticipated that the working group will meet five to eight times during the year to provide advice on local issues, make suggestions for additions to the bicycle plan, and review preliminary work products.

At its February 2006 meeting, the BPAC was asked to review the current Bicycle Plan and be prepared to discuss possible changes and present any new items for consideration. Staff noted that all sections of the Bicycle Plan would have at least minor to moderate revisions; however key focus areas will center on cross-county corridors, new capital projects and their prioritization, bicycle parking, and bicycle education and promotion. In addition, staff recommended the updated Bicycle Plan include new or expanded information on bicycle collisions and safety, BEP program and projects, and coordination with other programs that include bicycle projects.

The BPAC is asked to review the proposed plan outline and schedule for Bicycle Plan Update (Attachments A and B). The draft schedule presented in Attachment B indicates the proposed timeframe for each component of the plan update and when the working group will be asked for input. The draft schedule also indicates tentative dates for public input and other committee interface. The BPAC is asked to provide feedback at the meeting on the discussion areas presented below.

Discussion Areas for this Meeting

1. Review and comment on Countywide Bicycle Plan outline (Attachment A)
2. Review and comment on the draft schedule and opportunities for public input and BPAC input (Attachment B)
3. Concur/suggest new topics to be covered in the update. Examples include:

• Capital projects:
  • Does the cross county corridor network need to be expanded?
  • Expand potential capital project list to include access to transit hubs; barrier crossings (water, railroads, freeways/highways), and connections with adjacent counties?
• Development of a financially-unconstrained projects list;
• Linkages with roadway capital project programs;
• Expand scope of countywide parking issues and solutions;
• Recommendations for bike safety programs; and
• Strategies for education and outreach.

Click here to return to the Board Agenda Index