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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda- 05-01-2018 12-5 - Information Item - Memorandum - Update on Activities of the Bicycle Safety Implementation Subcommittee (BSIS) of the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard)PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director Administration (919) 245-2575 (919) 644-3002 (FAX) www.orangecountync.gov 131 W. Margaret Lane Suite 201 P. O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Abigaile Pittman, Transportation/Land Use Planner Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor DATE: May 1, 2018 SUBJECT: Information Item - Update on Activities of the Bicycle Safety Implementation Subcommittee (BSIS) of the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Background The BSIS of the OUTBoard was formed by the OUTBoard in June 2017 to begin implementation of the “Drive Safely, Ride Safely” Campaign developed by the Bicycle Safety Task Force (BSTF) through its work in 2016-2017. Funds for the Bicycle Safety Campaign were provided in FY 17/18, $10,000 from the General Fund and $5,000 from the Visitors Bureau Occupancy Tax. The Campaign is designed to foster mutual respect and shared interest in road safety between motorists and cyclists. First year tasks include motorist and cyclist education, with local signage and messaging that focuses on common-sense safety, and sharing the road. Recommended safety practices 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. Campaign Logos A primary component of cohesive Campaign messaging involves establishing a Campaign brand that will assist the public in becoming more familiar with messaging based on seeing an identifiable logo displayed on various informational pieces. The logos shown at the end of this memo were developed with assistance from the Orange County Community Relations Department and recommended by the OUTBoard and it’s BSIS as the ‘Drive Safely, Ride Safely’ Campaign logo. The design concept is based on the overall vision of the Campaign messaging and each version is intended for specific applications. The vertical version of the logo is intended to be used on planned local road signage and other messaging such as brochures, posters, branded swag (promotional merchandise), and video public service announcements (PSAs). The horizontal version of the logo was developed for use on smaller more rectangular types of messaging such as bumper stickers. The black and white version of the logo was developed for use on small branded swag items such as pens and reflective bike straps, where it will be more visible and cost- effective. 1 Campaign Video PSAs Filming of four (4) bicycle safety video PSA’s began on March 10, and March 17, and continued on April 14-15. The Video Club teacher, Andrea DeGette and her students at Cedar Ridge High School assisted in the development of the video storyboards, and filmed and edited the videos. Several video professionals have also committed their time and equipment to the productions, and there are a number of community volunteers and members of the OUTBoard and former BSTF that have contributed to the effort as well. Some well-known local persons appear in the videos including Vice Principal Paulson from Cedar Ridge High School, Mayor Tom Stevens of Hillsborough, Commissioner Renee Price, and the Spoke’n Revolutions youth cycling group from Carrboro. The videos will be approximately 15-second PSA’s with the following themes: 1. ‘It’s Never Too Early’ addressing teaching young children about bicycle safety and that when passing a bicyclist in a passing or no-passing zone, the operator of the passing vehicle must allow four (4) feet of space or change lanes; 2. ‘Reluctant Driver’ addressing that when safe for the cyclist to do so, a cyclist can facilitate being passed by pulling over to the right; 3. ‘Emergency Vehicles’ addressing that cyclists must always pull over and stop for emergency vehicles using its sirens and lights; and 4. ‘Passing Groups’ addressing that riding two abreast is legal in North Carolina and can often create more motorist visibility of cyclists and shorten the passing distance needed. Several screen shots from the videos, including written messages about applicable laws, will be provided for display on monitors in County office buildings that feature various PSAs. Campaign Website An Orange County Bicycle Safety Website, linked to the County’s website, will be created. Website content will be populated by the BSIS members. The website design, outline, placement and monitoring has been discussed at length with the Community Relations Department. It is anticipated that the website will provide information on the Bicycle Safety Campaign, bicycle safety laws, Campaign social media links and feed, downloadable brochure, video PSAs, and links to various bicycle organizations. Campaign Road Signage The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) permits the placement of bicycle safety signs on NCDOT right-of-way, but signs may not be posted on the same support as its signs. The Campaign signs will be metal and present the Campaign logo. Ultimately, encroachment agreements will be required for the NCDOT road signs, subject to Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approval prior to submission. The number of signs will be determined by the budget. Approximately 7-8 signs will be co-located with proposed Rural Buffer signs. Ultimately, there could be up to 50 bicycle safety signs at entry points to the County and frequently used bicycle routes. Campaign Posters and Brochures Designs for Campaign posters and brochures are being reviewed and will be developed by the Community Relations Department. At least one poster directed to each of four (4) 2 targeted audiences would be designed as follows: 1) Generic; 2) Drivers; 3) Riders; and 4) Children. They would be designed to complement each other. Media First year budget funds have been made available for social media ads on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Funds have been also made available for print and/or radio ads as well (WCHL Radio, News of Orange, etc.). Audio PSAs will be put out on WCOM Radio. Branded Swag A modest amount of branded swag (promotional marketing items) will be purchased to promote the campaign. The BSIS chose to emphasize the more permanent messaging provided by road signage and video PSAs. Bike Rodeo/Bicycle Helmet Initiative Sheriff Blackwood has obtained numerous bicycle helmets from NCDOT and other grant sources. He has agreed to assist the BSIS with a Bike Rodeo for children this year. The exact date and details are still to be worked out. Campaign Launch The Campaign Launch will be June 5th with a presentation to the BOCC. The video PSAs will be shown, and several participants from the Cedar Ridge Video Club will also be recognized. A request for the Campaign sign encroachments may also be on the June 5 BOCC agenda. ‘Drive Safely, Ride Safely’ Campaign Logos Vertical Version of the Campaign Logo 3 Black and White Version of the Campaign Logo Horizontal Version of the Campaign Logo 4