Little Rock, AR Action Plan to Establish a Bicycle-Friendly Community
Little Rock,
AR,
US
Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 9/5/06
Source File: http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/weblink7/DocView.aspx?id=26636
Text:
RESOLUTION NO. 12,339
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT AN ACTION PLAN TO ESTABLISH A BICYCLE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the City of Little Rock's Mayor and Board of Directors regularly make decisions affecting the health and safety of our residents, the efficient conduct of commerce and delivery of government services, and the long term quality of life in our communities, and
WHEREAS, cities across the country are confronting and managing diverse issues such as pollution, congestion, traffic safety, accessibility, social inclusion, and economic growth, and
WHEREAS, increasing urbanization and sprawl are generating extra demand for quality public spaces and recreation opportunities, and,
WHEREAS, a renewed emphasis on security and the costs of dealing with the emerging epidemics of obesity and physical inactivity are stretching limited resources even further, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock recognizes that increasing bicycle use can improve the environment by reducing the impact on residents of pollution and noise, limiting greenhouse gases and improving the quality of public spaces, and
WHEREAS, increasing bicycle use can reduce congestion when short trips (the majority of trips in cities) are taken using bicycles rather than automobiles. Increased bicycle use will also make cities more accessible for public transport, walking, essential car travel, emergency services and deliveries, and
WHEREAS, research shows that increasing the number of bicycles on the street improves bicycle safety and it therefore can save lives and improve the safety of all other road users by creating safer conditions for bicyclists and,
WHEREAS, bicycle use can also boost the economy by creating a community that is an attractive destination for new residents, tourists and businesses, and
WHEREAS, bicycle use enhances recreational opportunities, especially for children, and further contributes to the quality of life in the community, and
WHEREAS, bicycle use can save City funds by increasing the efficient use of public space, reducing the need for costly new road infrastructure, preventing collisions, improving the health of the community and increasing the use of public transportation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
Section 1. The City of Little Rock is committed to taking the following steps to improve conditions for bicycling and, thus, to realize the significant potential benefits of increased bicycling in our community. We hereby adopt the following action plan for bicycle-friendly communities:
- A. Adopt a target level of bicycle use (e.g., percent of trips) and safety as goals to be achieved within a specific time frame, and improve data collection necessary to monitor progress toward those goals.
- B. Provide safe and convenient bicycle access to all parts of the community through a signed network of on-and-off-street facilities, low-speed streets, and secure parking by involving local cyclists to help identify needs for maintenance and needs for various improvements.
- C. Establish information programs to promote bicycling for all purposes, and to communicate the many benefits of bicycling to residents and businesses (e.g., with bicycle maps, public relations campaigns, neighborhood rides, a ride with the Mayor).
- D. Make the City a model employer by encouraging bicycle use among its employees (e.g., by providing parking, showers and lockers and establishing a city bicycle fleet).
- E. Ensure City policies, plans, codes, and programs are updated and implemented to take advantage of every opportunity to create a more bicycle-friendly community and offer staff in all departments training to better enable them to complete this task.
- F. Educate road users to share the road and interact safely using a combination of safe road design and education programs that will to increase the confidence of bicyclists.
- G. Enforce traffic laws to improve the safety and comfort of all road users, with a particular focus on behaviors and attitudes that cause motor vehicle-bicycle collisions.
- H. Develop special programs to encourage bicycle use in areas of the City where significant segments of the population do not drive (e.g., through Safe Routes to Schools programs) and where short trips are most common.
- I. Promote inter-modal travel between public transport and bicycles (e.g., by putting bike racks on buses, improving parking at transit stations, and improving access to rail and public transport vehicles.
- J. Establish a citywide, multi-disciplinary committee for non-motorized mobility to submit to the City a regular evaluation and action plan for completing the items in this Resolution.