Assembly Member Joe Nation
Introduces Important Resolution

On May 16, 2002 (the official California Bike-to-Work Day), Assembly Member Joe Nation (D-San Rafael) introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution Number 211, relative to integrating walking and biking into transportation infrastructure. This advisory measure encourage all cities and counties to implement the policies of the California Department of Transportation Deputy Directive 64 and the United States Department of Transportation's design guidance document on integrating bicycling and walking when building their transportation infrastructure. The resolution is sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition.

ACR 211 passed the Assembly Floor by a 55-7 vote on June 13. Prospects seem good that ACR 211 will also pass through the Senate.

Special thanks to Assemblyman Nation for being a true leader in promoting bicycle and pedestrian safety. Below please find the text of the Resolution:

WHEREAS, Bicycling and walking contribute to cleaner air; and

WHEREAS, Bicycling and walking provide affordable and healthy transportation options for many of the 10 million Californians who do not possess a driver's license; and

WHEREAS, The State Department of Health Services has declared that more than 40,000 Californians annually die from causes related to physical inactivity; and

WHEREAS, The United States Centers for Disease Control has determined that changes in the community environment to promote physical activity may offer the most practical approach to prevent obesity or reduce its co-morbidities. Automobile trips that can be safely replaced by walking or bicycling offer the first target for increased physical activity in communities; and

WHEREAS, Bicycling and walking contribute to safeguarding our coast from offshore oil drilling and enhance California's energy independence and national security by reducing our reliance upon imported oil; and

WHEREAS, Designing roads for safe and efficient travel by bicyclists and pedestrians saves lives; and

WHEREAS, Bicyclists and pedestrians pay sales taxes which provide for the majority of local transportation spending; and

WHEREAS, Local demand for funding from the Bicycle Transportation Account, the Safe Routes to School, and the Transportation Enhancement Activity Programs far exceeds available moneys; and

WHEREAS, The best use of limited financial resources is to include bicycle and pedestrian elements into roadway projects where feasible; and

WHEREAS, Bicycling and walking reduce traffic congestion in California; and

WHEREAS, In February 2000, the United States Department of Transportation issued a design guidance statement titled, "Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel: A Recommended Approach-A United States Department of Transportation Policy Statement on Integrating Bicycling and Walking into Transportation Infrastructure;" and

WHEREAS, In March 2001, the California Department of Transportation issued Deputy Directive 64 titled "Accommodating Non-Motorized Travel" which states that "The Department fully considers the needs of non-motorized travelers (including pedestrians, bicyclists and persons with disabilities) in all programming, planning maintenance, construction, operations, and project development activities and products. This includes incorporation of the best available standards in all of the Department's practices. The Department adopts the best practices concepts in the US DOT Policy Statement on Integrating Bicycling And Walking into Transportation Infrastructure;" now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That in order to improve the ability of all Californians who choose to walk or bicycle to do so safely and efficiently, the Legislature of the State of California hereby encourages all cities and counties to implement the policies of the California Department of Transportation Deputy Directive 64 and the United States Department of Transportation's design guidance document on integrating bicycling and walking when building their transportation infrastructure.

Note: Caltrans Deputy Directive 64 can be seen at: http://www.calbike.org/pdfs/caltransdir.pdf, and the USDOT document can be viewed at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/Design.htm

Click here to read the related press release