HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-05-2015 - 7-a - Bicycle Safety Resolution and Next Steps 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 5, 2015
Action Agenda
Item No. 7-a
SUBJECT: Bicycle Safety Resolution and Next Steps
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N)
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Draft Bicycle Safety Resolution Abigaile Pittman, 245-2567
Tom Altieri, 245-2575
Craig Benedict, 245-2585
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution supporting public and private efforts to increase safety
awareness between motorists and bicyclists, roadway safety improvements for bicyclists,
and authorizing next steps.
BACKGROUND: At its June 16, 2015 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners
(BOCC) accepted the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Bicycle and
Pedestrian Safety Report and directed staff to return in the fall with information relevant to
next steps. Additional background information from the June 16 meeting, including the full
Report and draft OUTBoard minutes of discussion, may be reviewed online at the following
link: http://server3.co.orange.nc.us-.8088f weblink8/0/doc/38097/Pagel.aspx
As review, the problem statement and goal for the Report is how to further address the
safety of all users of county roads, which are primarily cyclists and motorists. The Report
asks the County to embrace, promote, and in some cases fund programs to further its goal.
Review of Report Recommendations: The following is provided as a summary of the
recommendations included in the Report:
1. Support and utilize the efforts and resources of the existing programs of other
agencies:
• North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) "Watch for Me NC"
bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign
• BikeWalk NC online education class
• Active Routes to School
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• People for Bikes
• Alliance for Biking and Walking
• Carolina Tarwheels
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2. Propose physical safety improvements on county roads:
• Lowering speed limits on some rural county roads
• Work with NCDOT to implement safety shoulders at blind hills and curves on
highly used bike routes
• Work with NCDOT to review its policies concerning the location of rumble
strips when installing them on rural roads
• Posting state laws for cyclists and motorists at high traffic rural spots
• Add Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) approved signage
to alert drivers to watch for cyclists
• Creating an interactive wiki map to identify spots that need safety
improvements
• OUTBoard review of the efforts with NCDOT to improve bicycle infrastructure
3. Enhance enforcement efforts:
• Educational tools for law enforcement
• Posting of state laws for cyclists and motorists
• Coordination with the Sheriff's Department and Highway Patrol
4. Provide public awareness and education
• Public Service Announcement (PSA) posters or videos, and PSA TV and
radio spots
• Pursue tourism or other grants to fund PSAs
• Community events including bike rides or other types of field trips
5. Undertake new programs or enhancing existing procedures within the Orange
County government structure:
• Examine bicycling as an economic development tool
• Include a line item in the budget for funding to use as grant-matching
• Online website information and links to resources for cyclists
• Semi-annual updates and annual written reports from staff
• Dedicating additional staff time to coordinating with efforts to implement
recommendations of the Report
Draft Resolution: The attached Resolution (Attachment 1) has been prepared by staff for
BOCC consideration as a means of recognizing its support of efforts to improve safety on
County roads and moving forward with items for implementation. Considering the
limitations in County regulatory authority, Orange Unified Transportation Board charge, and
staffing and financial costs, many of the recommendations included in the report are more
appropriate for private sector implementation.
Report recommendations for County implementation are supported in the attached
Resolution:
• Forward this Resolution and associated report to NCDOT, the Orange County
Sheriff for consideration of pertinent items, as well as Orange County
municipalities for information and partnership in bicycle safety communications;
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• Begin placing pertinent report items on agendas for quarterly meetings with
NCDOT for discussion and guidance; and
• Create a section of the Planning Department's website specifically for bicycling
and begin placing key maps, plans, safety guidelines, and links to other pertinent
information.
Although the Report suggests that the County create a task force for implementing the
Report, this has not been recommended by staff. Staff is available for consultation as any
private sector implementation occurs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Other than staff time, there is no immediate financial impact
associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals is applicable
to this agenda item:
• GOAL: CREAT A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries,
gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
Efforts to implement the recommendations of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Report will
result in positive outcomes related to the above Goal.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the attached
Resolution (Attachment 1) supporting bicycle safety and next steps.
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RES-2015-059 ATTACHMENT 1
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING BICYCLE SAFETY AND NEXT STEPS
WHEREAS, the issue of bicycle safety has been a topic of interest by various
County groups over the past several years, including discussions by the Orange
Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard), the Board of County Commissioners
(BOCC), and citizen groups; and
WHEREAS, a petition related to bicycle safety was brought forward at the
BOCC's November 6, 2014 meeting during Petitions by Board Members and
subsequently reviewed by the Chair/Vice Chair/Manager agenda team; and
WHEREAS, in response to the petition the County Manager discussed bicycle
safety with Town Managers; the Chair and Vice Chair discussed the topic with
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) representatives at its
regular quarterly meeting; and Planning staff worked with the OUTBoard and a
sub-group to develop recommendations; and
WHEREAS, the charge of the OUTBoard is to advise the BOCC on the planning
and programming of transportation infrastructure improvements and other County
transportation planning initiatives, as directed by the Board; and
WHEREAS, there has been consultation with the Sheriff's Department, the
Highway Patrol, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation on the
issue of bicycle safety in Orange County during the process; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC received the OUTBoard's Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
Report, including recommendations, at its June 16, 2015 meeting; and
WHEREAS, a goal of the Orange County 2030 Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Element is a multi-modal transportation system that is affordable,
available, accessible to all users, and that promotes public health and safety;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners supports all public and private efforts to increase safety
awareness between motorists and bicyclists, as well as the implementation of
roadway safety improvements for bicyclists through County, State, and
Metropolitan/Rural Planning Organization plans.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby thanks the OUTBoard and
sub-group for its efforts preparing a comprehensive list of bicycle safety
recommendations and instructs Planning staff to:
• Forward this Resolution and associated report to NCDOT, the Orange
County Sheriff for consideration of pertinent items, as well as Orange
County municipalities for information and partnership in bicycle safety
communications;
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• Begin placing pertinent report items on agendas for quarterly meetings
with NCDOT for discussion and guidance; and
• Create a section of the Planning Department's website specifically for
bicycling and begin placing key maps, plans, safety guidelines, and links
to other pertinent information.
Upon motion of Commissioner seconded by Commissioner
, the foregoing resolution was adopted this the 5t" day of
November, 2015.
I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange,
North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so
much of the proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on November 5, 20157
as relates in any way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings
are recorded in the minutes of said Board.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day of
, 2015.
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners