HomeMy WebLinkAboutConstituent Letter - Mail Packet - 12/9/2014 - Memorandum From Olga Duvall, Transportation Board, Re: Support Letter For Bicycle Master PlanCC: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Memorandum
To: Olga Duvall, Chair, City of Fort Collins Transportation Board
From: Sylvia Cranmer, Chair, City of Fort Collins Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date: 12/2/2014
Re: Recommendation to adopt the City of Fort Collins 2014 Bicycle Plan
On behalf of the City of Fort Collins Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), I would like to formally
endorse the vision, direction and strategies laid out in the 2014 City of Fort Collins Bicycle Master
Plan. Since the 2008 Bicycle Plan update, our community has grown significantly along with the
number of bicyclists in town. It is imperative the current Bicycle Plan stays ahead of growth, insuring
pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists travel safely and efficiently through community corridors. The
benefits reaped by a strategically well-balanced transportation system are tremendous and self-
evident. In Fort Collins, bicycling is a major segment of the transportation system (growing larger
every year) therefore we support the adoption of the 2014 Bicycle Plan by City Council.
The bicycle is a primary and desired means of transportation, as well as a form of recreation for
thousands of Fort Collins residents. It is an integral part of daily life and the local cultural experience.
Bicycling in Fort Collins accommodates and encourages all ages and all levels of cycling ability – so
much so that in 2013, the City of Fort Collins was designated a Platinum Bicycling Community by the
League of American Bicyclists. The 2014 Bicycle Master Plan will help to shape the future of bicycling
in Fort Collins and envisions Fort Collins as a world-class city for bicycling – ultimately helping us gain
the next level of bicycling notoriety. This plan will build upon all of the great things about biking in Fort
Collins and will establish a blueprint for achieving the City's vision. Specifically, the plan focuses on
several key elements:
A strategic and cost-effective approach for increasing the safety, comfort and accessibility of
bicycling for a wide audience in Fort Collins
The 2020 Low-stress Vision Network is innovative and leverages the already low-stress
(comfortable) streets for bicycling (rather than busy arterials), connecting them through
intersection improvements and a way-finding system
State-of-the-art practices for bicycle infrastructure, policy and programming
A data and safety driven approach
Outreach to the “Interested but Concerned” portion of the bicycling population – people who
like to bicycle more but may not feel safe
Innovation and evaluation through a deliberate protected bike lane pilot project program
Recommendations to strengthen community partnerships in order to expand reach and
effectiveness of bicycle programs
The 2014 Bike Plan includes feedback from large, diverse entities gathered from community bike
rides (FC Rides!), an online survey with over 1,000 responses and a WikiMap, public open-houses,
targeted stakeholder visioning workshop and events, and presentations to organizations, City Boards
and Commissions, and City Council Work Sessions. The BAC has been actively involved in the
process, i.e.routine staff updates/presentations and public Open House involvement. It is apparent
through this comprehensive outreach process that bicycling safety and convenience for all ages and
abilities are of value not only to the BAC, but to all the citizens of Fort Collins.
We hope you agree the 2014 Bike Plan is vitally important to our community, and deserves
Transportation Board and City Council support.