HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-18-2021; 8-l - Bike Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 18, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-1
SUBJECT: Bike Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Draft Proclamation Nishith Trivedi, Transportation Planner,
919-245-2582
Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning
Supervisor, 919-245-2579
Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 919-
245-2592
PURPOSE: To consider approval of a proclamation recognizing May 2021 as Bike Month.
BACKGROUND: May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists
and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. National Bike Month was first celebrated in
1956. The overall goals of National Bike Month are to showcase the many benefits of bicycling
and to encourage more people to try bicycling.
The Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) continues to advocate for multimodal
travel throughout Orange County. Over the past few years, it has conducted numerous education
events informing the public about bicycle opportunities. Considerable research and other articles
have been published demonstrating the health benefits of bicycling as a commute mode to work,
including:
• Forbes Magazine - New Research Indicates Cycling To Work Has Extraordinary Health
Benefits
• Harvard Medical School - 5 Benefits-of-cycling
• PubMed Central (PMC) US National Library of Medicine - Cycling: Health Benefits and Risks
The OUTBoard and Orange County Transportation Planning Staff have provided a proclamation
recognizing May 2021 as Bike Month.
OUTBoard — April 21, 2021
• Recommended the BOCC consider the Proclamation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
2
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the proclamation and
authorize the Chair to sign.
Attachment 1 3
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
BIKE MONTH - May 2021
Whereas, the bicycle is a viable and environmentally sound form of transportation and
active transportation is an important part of addressing our climate emergency; and
Whereas, thousands of North Carolinians experience the joys of bicycling year-round, but
especially during the month of May through educational programs, races, commuting
events, trail work days, charity events, or just getting out and going for a ride; and
Whereas, bicycling is an inexpensive form of travel that can be utilized by all ages, and
Whereas, bicycling activities and attractions have great potential to have a positive impact
on Orange County's economy and tourism industry and to stimulate economic
development by making the state attractive to businesses and residents who enjoy the
outdoors and healthy lifestyles; and
Whereas, creating bicycle-friendly communities improves health,well-being,and quality of
life, to boost community spirit, to improve traffic safety, and to reduce pollution and
congestion; and
Whereas, May has been declared National Bike Month by the League of American Bicyclists
every year since 1956; and
Whereas, communities throughout Orange County and North Carolina will be promoting
bicycling as a leisure activity and as an environmentally-friendly alternative to the
automobile during the month of May 2021; and
Whereas, the education of bicyclists and motorists as to the proper and safe operation of
bicycles is important to ensure the safety and comfort of all road users; and
Whereas, Orange County funded and completed a Bicycle Safety Campaign to raise
awareness of how motorists and bicyclists can best coexist safely on the road, and
Whereas, Orange County encourages bicycling and has marked bicycle routes through the
county; and
Whereas. Bike to Work Day is always the third Friday in May, Bike to Work Week is the
week of Bike to Work Day, and May is National Bicycle Month;
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the Board of Orange County Commissioners hereby
recognizes the month of May 2021 as Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month;
Be it further proclaimed that the Board of Orange County Commissioners recognizes May
as Bicycle Month and urges all who support bicycling to support locally planned
bicycling events and urges all road users to share the road safely.
This, the 18th Day of May, 2021.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board