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Action Plan
for Bicycle Friendly Communities
We, the undersigned Mayors and municipal
elected officials, make decisions every day 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.
Cities
across the globe are managing diverse issues such as pollution,
congestion, traffic safety, accessibility, social inclusion, and
economic growth. Increasing urbanization and sprawl is generating
extra demand for quality public spaces and recreation opportunities.
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.
Solutions to these many challenges are equally
diverse and complex. This Charter recognizes one policy initiative
that addresses these challenges and contributes to many of the solutions
necessary to improve the quality of life in cities: increasing the
percentage of trips made by bicycle by making communities more bicycle-friendly.
We recognize 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.
Reduce congestion by shifting short trips (the
majority of trips in cities) out of cars. This will also make cities
more accessible for public transport, walking, essential car travel,
emergency services, and deliveries.
Save lives by creating safer
conditions for bicyclists and as a direct consequence improve the
safety of all other road users. Research shows that increasing the
number of bicyclists on the street improves bicycle safety.
Increase opportunities for residents of all ages
to participate socially and economically in the community, regardless
income or ability. Greater choice of travel modes also increases
independence, especially among seniors and children.
Boost the economy by creating
a community that is an attractive destination for new residents,
tourists and businesses.
Enhance recreational opportunities,
especially for children, and further contribute to the quality of
life in the community.
Save city funds by increasing
the efficient use of public space, reducing the need for costly
new road infrastructure, preventing crashes, improving the health
of the community, and increasing the use of public transport.
Enhance public safety and security
by increasing the number of “eyes on the street” and
providing more options for movement in the event of emergencies,
natural disasters, and major public events.
Improve the health and
well being of the population by promoting routine physical activity.
Therefore we, the undersigned
Mayors and municipal elected officials, are committed to taking
the following steps to improve conditions for bicycling and thus
to realizing the significant potential benefits of bicycling in
our community. We hereby adopt the following Action Plan
for Bicycle Friendly Communities:
1. Adopt a target level of bicycle use (e.g. percent
of trips) and safety to be achieved within a specific timeframe,
and improve data collection necessary to monitor progress.
2. 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. Local
cyclists should be involved in identifying maintenance needs and
ongoing improvements.
3. 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)
4. 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).
5. Ensure all city policies, plans, codes, and
programs are updated and implemented to take advantage of every
opportunity to create a more bicycle-friendly community. Staff in
all departments should be offered training to better enable them
to complete this task.
6. Educate all road users to share the road and
interact safely. Road design and education programs should combine
to increase the confidence of bicyclists.
7. 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 crashes.
8. Develop special programs to encourage bicycle
use in communities where significant segments of the population
do not drive (e.g. through Safe Routes to Schools programs) and
where short trips are most common.
9. Promote intermodal travel between public transport
and bicycles, e.g. by putting bike racks on buses, improving parking
at transit, and improving access to rail and public transport vehicles.
10. Establish a citywide, multi-disciplinary
committee for nonmotorized mobility to submit to the Mayor/Council
a regular evaluation and action plan for completing the items in
this Charter.
“We will promote safe and
environmentally friendly cycling and walking by providing safe infrastructure
and networks…” World Health Organization Charter on
Transport, Environment and Health, 1999.
“The
US Conference of Mayors calls on cities and communities to promote
increased safe bicycle use for transportation and recreation…”
US Conference of Mayors, 2003.
For the City of:
.....................................................
Signature
....................................................
Name
Print, sign, and mail to:
League of American Bicyclists
Attn: Let's Get Moving
1612 K St NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006
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