Bicycle & Pedestrian Program

 Crosswalk Safety - Making Our Streets Safer 

(The City of Gainesville Public Works Bicycle/Pedestrian Program provides staff liaison services to "BPAB")

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HISTORY

The BPAB has its roots in a citizen movement for safe bicycle and pedestrian access to schools. The Board has adapted with the needs of the community and with the changes in accepted philosophies of bicycle facility planning. The impetus for the Board came from a school PTA and focused on off-street bicycle facilities. As interest and awareness of bicycle issues grew in Gainesville, the focus of attention expanded to include the needs of adult bicyclists, particularly college students. Throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s, the accepted design philosophy for bicycle facilities was to provide off-street paths for bicyclists. Research, and an improved understanding of bicycle safety issues lead to a national movement favoring in-street bicycle facilities as the preferred treatment to accommodate bicyclists. The Board adjusted with this change and worked to incorporate in-street bicycle facilities as standard provisions of roadway improvements. The 1990’s and 2000’s have seen a renewed interest in developing local off-street bicycle facilities as shared-use paths on rights-of-way separated from the roadway system.

OVERVIEW

Duties And Structure Of The Board The Board shall study and make recommendations to the City Commission, the County Commission, and the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) on all matters concerning planning, implementation, and maintenance of policies, programs, and facilities for the safe and efficient integration of bicycle and pedestrian transportation into the Gainesville Metropolitan Area and Alachua County transportation systems. This shall include, but not be limited to, the design of roadway bicycle facilities, shared use paths, sidewalks, jogging paths, hiking trails, bicycle parking, and the enforcement of motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle safety regulations. The Board will make recommendations to the Commissions and the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) regarding budgetary matters in connection with its duties.

The BPAB consists of citizen volunteers who have a special interest and expertise in bicycle and pedestrian issues. The City Commission, County Commission, and MTPO each appoint four members. In addition, the City Commission works with the University of Florida to appoint a student adjunct member each fall. Since the board members are appointed by different agencies, each agency may have different guidelines, attendance policies, and other procedures, which apply to members. Applicable resolutions and guidelines are contained in Appendix A of this document.

Staff Support The Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Board is primarily staffed by the City of Gainesville Public Works Department. City staff maintains the board’s attendance record, mailing list and applicant pool, prepares and records board correspondence, minutes and agendas, and makes meeting room arrangements. The County Public Works Department, FDOT and MTPO also have staff assigned to the B/PAB who may attend meetings to present agenda items from their organization. The B/PAB has members appointed by the City Commission, County Commission and MTPO. Board appointments, vacancies and resignations are managed by the County Clerk’s Office, City Clerk’s Office or the MTPO staff for their designated positions on the board.