REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic Operations and Planning
JILL GORMLEY, TE, City Traffic Engineer / Traffic Operations & Planning Manager
Public Works Department, Traffic Operations and Planning Division
CARLA GONZALEZ, Active Transportation Coordinator
Public Works Department, Traffic Operations and Planning Division
SUBJECT
Title
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Semi-Annual Report (October 2021 through April 2022) (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council review and accept the semi-annual report providing an overview of the BPAC activities for the period of October 2021 through April 2022.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) serves to advise the City Council on bicycle and pedestrian matters throughout the City. The goal of the BPAC is to ensure sensitivity to bicycle and pedestrian issues in the design and implementation of all Public Works projects. This semi-annual report will highlight the accomplishments and activities of the BPAC for the period of October 2021 through April 2022. It is the goal of the BPAC to provide the Council a report semi-annually.
BACKGROUND
On October 8, 2002, with a 7-0 vote the City Council established the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). This vote also established the charter and by-laws under which the BPAC would serve to advise the City Council on bicycle and pedestrian matters throughout the City. The goal of the BPAC is to ensure sensitivity to bicycle and pedestrian issues in the design and implementation of all Public Works projects. The BPAC meets monthly and is comprised of a representative for each Council District as well as two (2) Mayoral appointees. There is currently a vacant position in District 1 which has been vacant for two years.
COVID-19 has presented challenges and changes for the BPAC. Meetings have continued to be held via an online platform. However, with the recent lift of COVID-19 restrictions City Council chambers were opened to the public and discussions to resume in-person meetings have occurred. Several events, including Bike-to-Work Day, were also able to resume in 2022.
During the period of October 2021 through April 2022, five task force committees were active and discussed the following topics: strategic planning; revisions to the original BPAC charter, including a change to BPAC’s name to the Active Transportation Plan Committee; development of an educational video for Pedestrian Scrambles; development of educational opportunities for the 2023 fiscal year; Vision Zero; and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Awards. These task force commitments led to the completion of the HAWK PSA and script for a Pedestrian Scramble PSA. In April of 2022, the BPAC voted to nominate Dr. Anthony Molina for the Nickolas Paladino Bicycle Safety Award to be presented during May/bike month.
The BPAC members participated in several bicycle and pedestrian projects and policy updates for the following: Palm/Belmont Class IV; Barstow Class IV project; Travel by Trail!, Fresno Wayfinding Plan; Complete Streets Policy; and the Blackstone/McKinley Grade Separation. Members made recommendations, completed surveys, attended public meetings, and promoted awareness of the projects, policies and updates through social media and their respective networks. The BPAC also provided letters of support for three grant applications that had bicycle and pedestrian components. A complete list of the projects where BPAC provided a letter of support is included in the attached. In February 2022 BPAC members attended the Mayor’s press conference to support the announcement of safety enhancements around Woodward Park to address recent bicycle and pedestrian fatalities on Friant Road.
The City of Fresno was recognized as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly City in November 2019. This is the City’s third designation at the Bronze Level. A continued goal of the BPAC is to assist the City in achieving the Silver Level in 2023. In January 2022, the City announced the hiring of the new Active Transportation Coordinator to help in achieving this goal. Other goals for the next six months include filling the District 1 vacancy and upcoming vacancies, updating the BPAC Charter, Pedestrian Safety Awards, and recommending the City of Fresno adopt a Vision Zero Policy.
Of particular interest to the BPAC are the number of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities occurring within the City limits. Based on monthly activity reports, the following are the number of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities by year:
• 2018 - Pedestrian 25, Bicyclist 5
• 2019 - Pedestrian 20, Bicyclist 3
• 2020 - Pedestrian 29, Bicyclist 6
• 2021 - Pedestrian 22, Bicyclist 3
• 2022 - Pedestrian 8, Bicyclist 2 between October 2021 through April 2022
Per the charter, the BPAC is also tasked with reviewing matters related to walking and bicycling, including the following:
• Providing input into the development and review of the comprehensive bicycle/pedestrian goals, objectives, and policies (i.e., General Plan, Specific Plans, ATP)
• Working with the City to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety
• Reviewing and commenting on the functional classification and physical condition of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Identifying road hazards, obstruction, site access restrictions, and circulation impediments as they affect cyclists and pedestrians
• Identifying the current provisions of bicycle parking facilities within the City and recommend appropriate bicycle technology and locations which would increase use of bicycles
• Reviewing all projects that fall within the City’s jurisdiction insofar as they relate to bicycling and walking
• Evaluating and make recommendations regarding safety issues for all types of bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Making recommendations on capital improvements to increase the use and safety of bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Participating in the review, prioritizing and recommendations of bicycle and pedestrian projects for funding under either Capital Improvement Programs, designated Transportation Development Act Article 3 funds or other district, county, state or federal bicycle and pedestrian grant programs
• Providing input to the City County and Police Department regarding enforcement provisions of the vehicle code pertaining to the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists and pedestrians, bicycle parking security and theft prevention, legislation regarding bicycle and pedestrian travel in the City of Fresno
• Participating in the City’s effort to promote operator awareness and competence through education programs, coordinating with County projects where available
• Participating in the City’s effort to promote bicycling and walking as viable forms of urban transportation and recreation
• Participating in other local, regional or statewide bicycle and walking promotion activities and take a leadership role in planning and implementing Bike to Work Day/Week in May
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the semi-annual report does not qualify as a “project” as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because the semi-annual report does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The semi-annual report has been accomplished within the operating budget of the Public Works Department. There will be no additional impact on the General Fund.
Attachments:
BPAC Semi-Annual Report October 2021 - April 2022
BPAC Letters of Support Project List