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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBakersfield BTP Ch 5 Recommended ProgramsRecommended Programs Alta Planning + Design |5-1 5. Program Recommendations Of the Five Es of bicycle planning, four are related to programs: encouragement, education, enforcement and evaluation. Programs will complement engineering improvements such as bike paths, lanes and routes by giving Bakersfield residents the tools they need to safely and confidently use the bikeway network. All of the Five Es work together to enhance the bicycling experience in Bakersfield. The following section presents recommended programs to support the vision and goals of this plan. The recommendations include continuation of those the City currently administers and those identified by the community, as well additional programs that have proven to be popular and effective in other bicycle-friendly cities. 5.1 Encouragement The following programs are designed to encourage community members to ride bicycles. Through the public outreach process, community members identified encouragement programs as a way to increase bicycling mode share and reach the goals outlined in this plan as well as in the Sustainable Initiatives Plan. Community recommended programs include car-free streets and employer-based programs. 5.1.1 Safe Routes to School Program Helping children walk and bicycle to school is good for children’s health and can reduce congestion, traffic dangers and air pollution caused by parents driving children to school. Safe Routes to School programs use a "5 Es" approach; using Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, and Evaluation strategies to improve safety and encourage children walking and biking to school. The programs are usually run by a coalition of city government, school and school district officials, and teachers, parents, students, and neighbors. A Bakersfield Safe Routes to School program will be a key element to implementing this Plan, especially considering the high numbers of bicycle collisions involving children under the age of 18. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City pursue grant funding to develop and implement a Safe Routes to School program. Resource Guide: National Center for Safe Routes to School: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/ Student bicycle education classes teach bicycle traffic safety and the rules of the road City of Bakersfield | Bicycle Transportation Plan 5-2 | Alta Planning + Design 5.1.2 Kern Green Kern Green is a local non-profit committed to protecting the environment through education and awareness. The organization encourages businesses, schools and individuals to integrate green practices in daily work and professional life. In addition to providing interesting facts and figures through their website, Kern Green helps local employers become Certified Green Businesses, hosts community recycle drives, and partners with local schools to educate students and hold fun awareness events. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City work closely with Kern Green to promote bicycling as a viable and effective tool to improving the environment, including having the Kern Green website include information about bicycling as a way to reduce Bakersfield’s carbon footprint. 5.1.3 Bicycle Helmet Giveaway In several cities, the local police department and their respective Police Activities League (PAL) host free bicycle helmet giveaways for children. Some departments even give helmets to children who are observed bicycling without one, provided they have their parents sign and return a “citation” issued by the officer. The State of California’s Office of Traffic Safety offers grants to purchase bicycle helmets for giveaways. The Police Activities League (PAL), a non-profit organization within the Police Department, continues to give away helmets from the same OTS grant. PAL’s intention is to reinforce laws requiring safe bicycle use and promote trust between police officers and children. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City coordinate with the local PAL to organize a Bicycle Helmet Giveaway. This Plan recommends a bicycle helmet giveaway program (photo courtesy of Bike Bakersfield) 5.1.4 Bike to Work Day Bike to Work Day is a region wide event promoting bicycling to work and is typically the third Thursday in May. Bike Bakersfield organizes Bike to Work events throughout the area, and the City of Bakersfield encourages staff to participate through a group ride and raffle prizes. Among the most popular components of Bike to Work Day are energizer stations, where volunteers set up a table with promotional items, coffee and snacks along popular bicycle commuting routes during the morning and afternoon commute hours. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City consider sponsoring a Bike to Work Week. The week’s lineup of events can include a Bike to Work Day celebration downtown with Pedal Pools (group rides), raffles and prizes, and speeches from Council Members or the Mayor. The type of events held can be developed through community input. Recommended Programs Alta Planning + Design |5-3 5.1.5 Employer-Based Encouragment Programs Though the City cannot host these programs, it can work with or provide information to employers about commuting by bicycle. Popular employer-based encouragement programs include hosting a bicycle user group to share information about how to bicycle to work and to connect experienced bicyclists with novice bicyclists. Employers can host bicycle classes and participate in Bike to Work day. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City collaborate with employers to implement bicycle related programs. 5.1.6 Launch Party for New Bikeways When a new bikeway is built, some residents will become aware of it and use it, while others may not realize that they have improved bikeway options available. A launch party is a good way to inform residents about a new bikeway and can also be an opportunity to share other bicycling materials (such as maps and brochures) and answer questions about bicycling. It can also be a media-friendly event, with elected official appearances, ribbon cuttings, and a press release that includes information about the new facility, other existing and future facilities, and any timely information about bicycling. Sample Program: When a new bikeway is built, the City of Vancouver throws a neighborhood party to celebrate. Cake, t-shirts, media and festivities are provided and all neighbors are invited as well as city workers (engineers, construction staff, planners) who participated in project planning and implementation. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City host a launch party for all high priority projects recommended in this plan as well as inform the public of all new bikeways through its website and social media outlets. 5.1.7 Car-Free Street Events Car-free street events have many names: Sunday Parkways, Ciclovías, Summer Streets, and Sunday Streets. These are periodic street closures (usually on Sundays) that create a temporary park that is open to the public for walking, bicycling, dancing, hula hooping, roller-skating, etc. Car-free street events promote health by creating a safe and attractive space for physical activity and social contact, and are cost-effective compared to the cost of building new parks for the same purpose. Sample Programs:  Los Angeles’ CicLAvia: http://www.ciclavia.org/  San Francisco Sunday Streets: http://sundaystreetssf.com/  Oakland’s Oaklavia http://oaklavia.org/media  New York City Summer Streets: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/  Portland Sunday Parkways: http://portlandsundayparkways.org/ Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City consider organizing a local open-streets event. Specific locations for this and other events can be developed through community outreach and support. Closing streets for a car-free community event creates a temporary park for walking, bicycling, skating, dancing, etc. City of Bakersfield | Bicycle Transportation Plan 5-4 | Alta Planning + Design 5.1.8 Bicycle Friendly Community The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) recognizes communities that improve bicycling conditions through education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation programs. Communities can achieve platinum, gold, silver, or bronze status or an honorary mention. Bicycle friendliness can indicate that a community is healthy and vibrant. Like good schools and attractive downtowns, bicycle friendliness can increase property values, spur business growth and increase tourism. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City pursue Bicycle Friendly Community status. This Plan is a valuable resource for completing the LAB application efficiently. The following link provides detailed information about the application process. http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/communities/ 5.2 Education Education programs are designed to improve safety and awareness. The needs analysis (including community input and collision analysis) identified a need for education programs. Community members identified education classes as a way to reduce conflict and encourage more bicycling. Bicycle related collision data shows that in addition to engineering improvements, education about riding on the right side of the road and how to comfortably ride in traffic may reduce bicycle related collisions. A sampling of recommended education programs is below. 5.2.1 Youth Bicycle Safety Education Classes Youth bicycle safety education provides children with knowledge and training about safe and proper bicycle use Typical school-based bicycle education programs educate students about the rules of the road, proper use of bicycle equipment, biking skills, street crossing skills, and the benefits of biking. Education programs can be part of a Safe Routes to School program. These types of education programs are usually sponsored by a joint City/School District committee that includes appointed parents, teachers, student representatives, administrators, police, active bicyclists and engineering department staff. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City pursue a Safe Routes to School Program that includes annual youth bicycle safety education classes. The City should consider the need for multi-lingual instruction Sample programs:  League of American Bicyclists: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/courses. php#kids1  Bicycle Transportation Alliance – Portland, OR: http://www.bta4bikes.org/resources/educational.php Recommended Programs Alta Planning + Design |5-5 The City of San Mateo dedicates a page of its website to bicycle information 5.2.2 Bicycle Rodeos Bicycle rodeos are events where police officers teach children safe bicycling skills and the rules of the road. Bike Bakersfield has been providing bike rodeos for kids since 2005. In 2012, the Kern County Sheriff’s Activities League hosted a bicycle rodeo and helmet giveaway for 100 children. Recommendation This Plan recommends the City work with Bike Bakersfield, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Police Department to continue the Bicycle Rodeo program on an annual basis. 5.2.3 Bicycle Resource Website Many cities in California host a bicycle resource website. These websites typically provide a bicycle map of the City, bicycle parking locations, and information about the local Bicycle and/or Pedestrian Committee and local advocacy groups. Recommended components of the resource website include:  Dynamic bikeway and bike parking map  Advertise all bikeways after implementation  Bicycling tips including information on how to: o Carry items using baskets and panniers o Properly lock a bicycle o Ride in the rain with help from fenders and rain gear o Tips can also include information on the importance of bicycle lights and reflectors.  Bikeway maintenance and repair phone number  Driver speed feedback sign request forms  Bicycle events calendar  Education and skill class information This Plan also recommends that the City’s website provide bicycle-related information in Spanish and other languages. Sample websites:  Los Angeles Department of Transportation Bicycle Services: http://www.bicyclela.org/  Bike Santa Clarita: http://bikesantaclarita.com/  City of San Mateo, CA: http://www.ci.sanmateo.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=2118 City of Bakersfield | Bicycle Transportation Plan 5-6 | Alta Planning + Design 5.2.4 Bicycle Safety Campaign A marketing campaign that highlights bicyclist and pedestrian safety is an important part of creating awareness of bicycling and walking in Bakersfield. This type of high-profile campaign is an effective way to reach the public, highlight bicycling and walking as viable forms of transportation, and reinforce safety for all road users. A well-produced safety campaign will be memorable and effective. One good example is the Sonoma County Transit “You’ve got a friend who bikes!” campaign. It combines compelling ads with an easy-to-use website focused at motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. This type of campaign is particularly effective when kicked off in conjunction with other bicycling/walking events or back to school in the fall. The safety and awareness messages should be displayed near high-traffic corridors (e.g., on billboards), printed in local publications, broadcast as radio and/or television ads and be available in Spanish and other languages. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City pursue grant funding to implement a bicycle safety campaign. Sample program: Sonoma County (CA) Transit: http://www.sctransit.com/bikesafe/bikes.htm 5.2.5 Share the Road Outreach and StreetSmarts Share the Road outreach is a way for the City to actively disseminate the rules of the road in person to residents. One way to conduct outreach is for the City to conduct “checkpoints”. Working with volunteers from a local advocacy group and the police department, officers could stop motorists and bicyclists to offer a brochure on the rules of the road as they pertain to motorists and bicyclists. An example of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s Share the Road Checkpoints can be found at the link below. Recommendation The City may also consider tabling at a Farmer’s Market or street fair to conduct Share the Road outreach. Much like the checkpoints, the City could distribute Share the Road brochures and present illustrations of common misconceptions motorists and bicyclists have of one another. On a citywide scale, the City could start a StreetSmarts media campaign, similar to those in San Jose, Marin, Davis and other California cities. Developed by the City of San Jose, StreetSmarts uses print media, radio spots and television spots to educate people about safe driving, bicycling and walking behavior. More information about StreetSmarts can be found at the link below. http://www.getstreetsmarts.org/ Bicycle safety campaigns increase the general public’s awareness of bicycling and can be used to promote safe roads by and for all users Recommended Programs Alta Planning + Design |5-7 Adult bicycle skills courses can ensure that bicyclists have the information and skills they need to avoid hazards and follow the law 5.2.6 Adult Bicycling Skills Classes In addition to employer hosted classes, community members can also particpate in private bicycling skills classes. The most common program is the League of American Bicyclists courses (including Road I, Road II, and Commuting), taught by League Certified Instructors. Courses cover bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on- bike skills, crash avoidance techniques, and traffic negotiation. Occasional courses are already organized by Bike Bakersfield. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City provide funding and support to Bike Bakersfield or a similar group to host adult bicycling skills classes on a bi-annual basis, at minimum. The City may also highlight local or nearby courses on its bicycling website. The City should advertise the courses in multiple languages and use responses to the advertisement to determine the need for multi- lingual instruction. Sample programs:  League of American Bicyclists: http://bikeleague.org/programs/education/courses.php 5.2.7 Senior Bicycle Education Classes Senior bicycle education programs help older adults either re-learn bicycling or learn how to bicycle with less agility. Seniors who are no longer able to drive may still be able to bicycle shorter distances on either a regular two wheeled bicycle or an adult tricycle. The Portland (OR) Parks and Recreation Department hosts a free senior tricycle program that provides tricycles to senior centers and takes folks on guided rides. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City collaborate with interested agencies, health departments, and senior centers to evaluate interest and implement multi-lingual senior bicycle education classes. Sample Program:  Portland Senior Tricycle Program http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=34772&a=155167 City of Bakersfield | Bicycle Transportation Plan 5-8 | Alta Planning + Design 5.3 Enforcement Enforcement programs enforce legal and respectful use of the transportation network. The bicycle related collision analysis and community identified needs indicate enforcement programs will help educate both motorists and bicyclists about the rules and responsibilities of the road. The following outlines recommended enforcement programs for Bakersfield. 5.3.1 Bicycle Patrol Police bicycle patrols not only increase the mobility of officers in dense areas but also provide law enforcement officers with an opportunity to display safe and legal bicycle skills. Bicycle patrols also show the community that the City is engaged in sustainable transportation. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City institute regular bicycle patrols in the Downtown area and along the Kern River Bike Trail. 5.3.2 Speed Feedback Signs Speed feedback signs display the speed of passing motor vehicles, assuming that motorists will slow down if they are aware of their speed. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City include information on how to request a speed feedback sign on its bicycling resource website. 5.3.3 Targeted Enforcement Targeted enforcement involves the focused efforts of police officers on a particular issue or specific location. For example, the Police Department may conduct pedestrian stings at locations where pedestrians and motorists conflict and do not comply with traffic signals. Similar strategies may be applied to areas with bicycle traffic. Recommendation This Plan recommends that the City coordinate with the Police Department to conduct targeted enforcement stings at locations known for noncompliance with traffic laws and at high conflict or high bicycle-related collision areas. Recommended Programs Alta Planning + Design |5-9 5.4 Evaluation Evaluation programs help the City measure how well it is meeting the goals of this plan and the Metro General Plan, and evaluation is a key component of any engineering or programmatic investment. 5.4.1 Annual Count and Survey Program Evaluation programs measure and evaluate the impact of projects, policies and programs. Typical evaluation programs range from a simple year-over-year comparison of US Census Journey to Work data to bicycle counts and community surveys. Bicycle counts and community surveys act as methods to evaluate not only the impacts of specific bicycle improvement projects but can also function as way to measure progress towards reaching City goals such as increased bicycle travel for trips of one mile or less. Recommendation This Plan recommends, at a minimum:  Before and after bicycle, pedestrian and vehicle counts on all roadway projects.  Annual community survey to evaluate bicycling activity, impacts of bicycle programs and facilities and to measure the City’s progress towards reaching its goals. The City may consider the use of automatic count technologies for bicycle count efforts. In-pavement loop detectors accurately count on-street bicycle activity and infrared counters can count bicycle and pedestrian activities on paths. The City may also produce an annual report or ‘report card’ on bicycling activity. Annual reports developed from count and survey efforts can help the City measure its success towards the goals of this Plan as well as those of the Metro General Plan. City of Bakersfield | Bicycle Transportation Plan 5-10 | Alta Planning + Design This page left intentionally left blank.