1	Council Conference Session September 12, 2006
2	Biking Toward a Healthier and More Livable Community in Norman
3	Ad hoc Committee’s Charge Created in September, 2005 Charged with, “reviewing the 1996 Bicycle Transportation Development Plan, the progress towards its goals, and make recommendations to additionally encourage and support biking, both recreational and for transportation, and to consult with and forward those recommendations to the Transportation Committee, Parks Board and Greenbelt Commission.” (City of Norman Resolution #R-0506-47)
4	Findings from the 1996 Plan A good foundation Resulted in extensive on-street bike routes in Norman with signage. Recommended no striped lanes due to cost and unclear success ratio. Good pocket-size information-filled map. Called for 5-year review (10 years ago).
5	A Different World in 2006 Much higher gas prices. Population growth in Norman, especially children and OU students who ride bikes. More auto traffic due to population growth makes bikes even more attractive alternative. Reduce pollution/congestion. Public health is more up-front. Obesity on the rise, even in children (prime bike riders) Park and ride options are up, now that CART has racks on all buses in the fleet.
6	Besides the review of ’96 Plan Worked with ACOG to hold Norman’s first Bike to Work Day observance (5-19-06) Began Application for Bicycle Friendly Community designation (from LAB) Working with CART, OU A&E Services, ODOT, ACOG and multiple user groups on bike issues. Working to identify bike hazards on existing routes in Norman.
7	Concurrent to Ad hoc’s Work City of Norman has budgeted monies for FYE 07 and FYE 08 for bicycle projects. Committee has worked with Parks and Recreation and Traffic Divisions of City to recommend bike route improvements. Proposed additional bike parking at public areas (like downtown), installation of bike-sensitive traffic sensors, and modification of bike route signage to include “share the road” signs
8	The Main Point 1996 Plan listed 10 action items to improve biking in Norman. 8 were tried and either did/did not work out. Point #10 was to, “ adopt an on-going bicycle transportation planning process” Ten years later, that same goal is now the major issue to Norman’s cycling culture. Reviewing other Communities, all have a long history of Bicycle Committees/Boards that have made cycling a permanent factor in those cities’ growth and civic identity.
9	So. . . . . . The Ad hoc Bicycle Advisory recommends that Norman establish a permanent Bicycle Committee, housed under the Transportation Committee This will both fulfill the major missing goal of the 1996 Plan and follow the example of other Bicycle Friendly Communities.
10	Membership Cycling/Transportation organizations (BLN; CART) Health promotion organizations (NRH, YMCA) University of Oklahoma (students/faculty/staff). Caveat: Students can serve optional 1 year terms. Businesses (bike shops and otherwise) Environmental Awareness groups (ECAB, Norman Land Trust, Sustainability Network) Public Schools and PTA’s City of Norman departments and committees (traffic, parks & rec, planning, greenbelt, etc). Have city staff serve ex officio with no set term. Law Enforcement Agencies (NPD, OUPD, Sheriff)
11	Major Duties Need a permanent committee because it became obvious that the multitude of needs of the biking community are far too broad to resolve with an Ad hoc Committee However, we do break most of the current tasks down for the committee into either: 1. Infrastructure or 2. Education issues Main emphasis is to get away from the perception of bicyclists as just racers in spandex. Most are average Joes and Janes (and their kids).
12	Infrastructure Issues Find safe routes across I-35. Always be on top of this with City Staff and ODOT in bridge design. Review ordinances and development standards to insure proper bike signage, parking, traffic design and signalization (commercial & residential) Re-visit the striped bike lane concept on major arterials to augment existing routes. Make sure Safe Routes to Schools initiative includes bikes, not just foot traffic. Be a part of Greenbelt and all other Community Dialog meetings to keep bikes in future planning.
13	Education Issues Be a hub for programs reaching out to the elementary and middle schools especially. Promote Bike to Work/School Days, Wellness Programs, Bike Safety Programs, Helmet Use, etc. Conduct Bike Traffic Census and other programs that would help planning for bikes. Produce maps, public information programs and share the road campaigns (Get to residents and new OU students). Be available to help produce bicycle friendly workplace initiatives, business partnerships for events and programs and lifelong cycling campaigns. Stay current on national trends.
14	Final Assesment The best way to avoid reaching the same conclusion about bikes every 10 years would be to act now to create a permanent Bicycle Committee in Norman and have its members act as the conduit through which recreational, commuter, and sport cyclists can keep in constant contact with this city’s growth as it happens; and not as an afterthought.
15	Questions and Comments