Several months ago, I submitted a request to discuss creating a bicycle/pedestrian committee in College Park. Many other towns have similar committees. Thanks to the residents who brought up this idea to me.
Creating a Bike/Walk Committee is to improve ease of travel, encourage green modes of transportation, and reduce unnecessary car use. It also makes the case that a committee would facilitate sustained municipal and community engagement in bicycle and pedestrian issues and help to focus the discussion on infrastructure planning and improvements to achieve results.
Staff agrees that the creation of a Bike/Walk Committee would be a positive step in raising the profile of alternative transportation issues in the City and that it should also address micro-mobility vehicles. Possible work plan items or charges for the committee could be:
• Development of City-specific bicycle and pedestrian policies
• Assist with the preparation of a City Bikeway Master Plan
• Review and comment on proposed Capital Improvement Projects to ensure that bike/ped needs are prioritized
• Help to evaluate and assess bikeability and walkability equity in the City
• Promote bike/ped safety in the City
• Provide letters of support for grant funding for bike/ped infrastructure
• Review opportunities under new federal infrastructure funding
• Recommend projects associated with new development through Bicycle, Pedestrian Impact Studies
• Participate in bicycle planning with other jurisdictions and agencies (M-NCPPC, UMD, ATHA, other municipalities)
• Participate in bike/ped events such as Bike to Work Day, Walktober, Walk Maryland Day, and Bike Safety Month
• Obtain membership in bike/ped advocacy groups such as the American Pedestrian Bicycle Association (APBA)
• Attend local and regional bike/ped conferences
• Advise on micro-mobility issues such as Veoride
By creating a Bike-Walk committee, College Park will join similar regional committees. The City of Rockville, Frederick, and Hagerstown, Maryland have each established committees as well as other cities (Costa Mesa, CA , South Hadley, MA ) across the United States.