February 14, 2006

SUBJECT: League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community Program– Authorization to Submit Application

REPORT IN BRIEF

This report recommends that the City Council authorize staff to submit an application for the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Bicycle Friendly Community Program.  The LAB is a national bicycling advocacy organization that has been the leading voice for bicycling for over 125 years.  The Bicycle Friendly Community Program recognizes cities and communities that have taken extraordinary steps to improve bicycling conditions.  Staff has applied and received pre-qualification from the LAB for Sunnyvale to be eligible for certification as a Bicycle Friendly Community.  Staff has reviewed application materials for the certification process and believes that a competitive application can be assembled with a minimum of staff effort.  The program requires the approval of local agency governing board.  Staff and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommend that the City Council approve submittal of a Bicycle Friendly Communities Program application.

BACKGROUND

The Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is an awards program that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle-Friendly Community provides safe accommodation for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation and recreation. The League of American Bicyclists administers the Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign.

The LAB states that communities that are bicycle-friendly are seen as places with a high quality of life. This often translates into increased property values, business growth and increased tourism. Bicycle-friendly communities are places where people feel safe and comfortable riding their bikes for fun, fitness, and transportation. With more people bicycling, communities experience reduced traffic demands, improved air quality and greater physical fitness.

Local agencies must apply to a two phase application process.  The first phase is a generalized community profile, with particular attention to bicycle facilities and programs.  The second part is a detailed audit of engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation and planning efforts for bicycling in the community.  A task force of bicycle experts will review the application and determine the City’s qualification at one of four levels – bronze, silver, gold or platinum.  Local cities that have applied for and been recognized by the program include Palo Alto, Mountain View, Stanford, and Davis.  Applications for the current cycle are due before March 16, 2006.

EXISTING POLICY

The following documents contain policy direction on this issue:

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.5.1. Promote alternate modes of travel to the automobile.

DISCUSSION

City staff have completed the first part of the application process and received a determination of eligibility for the program from the LAB.  Staff have reviewed the Part II application materials and believe that a highly competitive application can be compiled based on the numerous programs and projects that the City has instituted or completed within the past few years. On January 26, 2006 the Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee took action to recommend that Council approve submittal of the LAB Bicycle Friendly Community program for the City of Sunnyvale.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no application fee and no financial reward for successfully applying to this program.  Costs associated with compiling application materials will be absorbed by the Program 115 Transportation and Traffic operating budget.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.  The Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee also held a public hearing on this issue at it’s January 26, 2006 meeting.

CONCLUSION