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HomeMy WebLinkAbout22 - Task Force on Cycling SafetyCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No, 22 September 22, 2009 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: City Manager's Office Dave Kiff, City Manager 9491644 -3002 or dkiff @newportbeachca.gov SUBJECT: Resolution 2009 -_ - Task Force on Cycling Safety ISSUE: Should the City create a short -term task force to address safety issues associated with bicycling in Newport Beach? RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt Resolution 2009 -_ relating to the Task Force on Cycling Safety; 2. Appoint Council Members representatives on the Task Force, with DISCUSSION: and to serve as the Council's as the designated Chairperson. In recent months, confrontations and accidents involving cyclists and autos have occurred, in one case resulting in the death of a cyclist on Ridge Park Road in the Newport Coast. At the September 8, 2009 City Council meeting, Council Member Gardner asked that the City convene a "task force" including cyclists, city officials, and others concerned about traffic issues involving cyclists and autos. The Task Force would return to the full City Council with any recommendations for improving traffic safety involving cyclists and autos. The issues that the Task Force could address include, but are not limited to: • Encouraging cyclists to go more slowly (at the speed limit) down steep hills such as Ridge Park Road, San Joaquin Hills Road, and Vista Ridge Road and along flat but speed- controlled areas such as Ocean Front Walk (8 mph) and Back Bay Drive (speed limit = 15 mph and often exceeded by groups of cyclists); • Encouraging cyclists to observe proper road etiquette, including not rolling through red lights and stop signs and not riding more than 2 abreast; • Recommending ways to make key areas of town more cyclist safe, such as Coast Highway in CDM; • How to better identify safe cycling routes, including "Share the Road" signs, more bike lane designations; Task Force on Cycling Safety September 22, 2009 Page 2 Improving auto drivers' knowledge of the rights of cyclists on public roads per the California Vehicle Code; Improving basic courtesy between cyclists and auto drivers; and How the City can best maintain existing and future bike trails. The Task Force would be short -term, expiring at the end of March, 2010. Environmental Review: The City Council's approval of this Agenda Item does not require environmental review. Public Notice: This agenda item may be noticed according to the Ralph M. Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the item). Submitted by. J Da e I ff City W16nager Attachments: Resolution 2009- Task Force on Cycling Safety September 22, 2009 Page 3 RESOLUTION 2009- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TASK FORCE ON CYCLING SAFETY WHEREAS, Newport Beach prides itself on being a location where outdoor exercise, including cycling, is promoted and encouraged; and WHEREAS, safer roads for cyclists may encourage more cyclists to commute through town to work and to shops; and WHEREAS, auto traffic and cycling can co -exist in our community provided that drivers and cyclists obey the law and exercise common courtesy towards each other; and WHEREAS, the Newport Beach City Council believes that a short -term Task Force involving various members of the community, including the cycling community, may be able to develop ways to better encourage cyclists and auto drivers to coexist; now, therefore be it RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Newport Beach that it hereby creates the Task Force on Cycling Safety to study various ways of improving cyclist safety and better relations between cyclists and drivers. ADOPTED this 22nd day of September, 2009. EDWARD D. SELICH Mayor of Newport Beach ATTEST: LEILANI BROWN City Clerk Task Force on Cycling Safety September 22, 2009 Page 4 TASK FORCE ON CYCLING SAFETY: Established by Resolution No. 2009 -_, adopted on September 22, 2009. MEMBERSHIP: TERM: The Task Force shall be composed of two (2) members of the City Council; three (3) members of the cycling community who reside in Newport Beach; one (1) citizen representative from Corona del Mar; one (1) citizen representative from the Newport Coast; and one (1) citizen representative from the Balboa Peninsula or West Newport Beach. The representatives of the cycling community and of the identified neighborhoods shall be appointed by the Mayor with confirmation by the full City Council. The Mayor shall appoint the Task Force Chair. All meetings of the Task Force shall be noticed and open to the public. The Task Force shall sunset on March 31, 2010, unless extended by action of the City Council. PURPOSE & RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties of the Task Force shall be to make recommendations to the City Council as to: 1. Improving the safety of streets and highways for cyclists, including but not limited to additional bike lane designations and "Share the Road" signs; 2. Ways to encourage the cycling community to be fully respectful of autos, pedestrians, and all traffic laws (including speed limits especially along Ocean Front Walk, Back Bay Drive and in the Newport Coast, red lights, stop signs, and their obligation to ride no more than two abreast during group rides); 3. Ways to encourage auto drivers to respect cyclists' right to use roads, including educational programs using existing City publications.