SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Provide direction on pursuing a Bicycle Friendly Community designation for the City of Clearwater.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Pinellas County MPO (aka Forward Pinellas) is working with the City of Clearwater and other municipalities in the county on developing a Countywide Bike Share Plan. A resolution to support the development of a "Countywide Bike Share Plan" is being brought to City Council as a separate action item August 4, 2016.
A resolution encouraging a Countywide Bike Share Plan lends credence to the City's effort to be a Bicycle Friendly Community. Encouragement and the Resolution are key components toward the goal of a Bicycle Friendly Community.
Attributes of a Bicycle Friendly Community include maintained trails, bike lanes where feasible, complete streets policy, and laws regulating the use of bicycles and motorist respect and are already in place in the City.
City Council would have to establish a Bicycle Advisory Committee that would work under the guidance of a Bike/Ped Coordinator to advise City Council on the resources needed to effectively establish the “Bicycle Friendly Community" designation and make sure it stays productive and viable. This committee would be made up of residents and would address such areas as better education on Bicycle Safety and how to encourage more use of bicycles for daily trips. This committee would also work closely with the Forward Pinellas Advisory Committee on Bicycles and Pedestrian Issues (BPAC). Additionally the committee would be the "Caretaker" of the designation ensuring its continued success.
City Council would have to pass a city ordinance that would augment the state law requiring the appropriate distance of 3 feet from a bicycle when passing or changing lanes.
The designation is made by the League of American Bicyclists, established in 1880 and originally known as the League of American Wheelmen. The term of the designation is four years and is renewed during the year of expiration. Currently there is no cost to become a member but there is a detailed application process and the current deadline is August 9th, 2016. The next time to apply would be in the spring of 2017.
City staff requests guidance from City Council of how they wish to proceed.