At a public hearing on Monday, the Vancouver City Council voted to adopt a 2011-2016 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) that fails to dedicate any transportation funding to bike projects. The decision is a missed opportunity for the Vancouver Bike Program.
Vancouver will discontinue funding for bikeways and bicycling safety improvements, as well as improvements for pedestrian travel. The city has also ended its ADA Curb Ramp Program and the School Zone Safety Program.
The Vancouver Bike Program had previously been allocated a relatively minor sum of $50,000.
The decision to cut all funding for the program came as a surprise to many community members. Mayor Tim Leavitt and the City Council heard testimony in support of the Bike Program from several community members, including representatives from BTA, Bike Me! Vancouver, and the Clark County Bicycle Advisory Board. BTA advocate Gerik Kransky specifically recommended that $200,000 be dedicated to Vancouver bicycling.
In an overview of the Vancouver Department of Transportation for the year 2009, the percentage of bike and pedestrian related collisions to total collisions is cited as a key indicator of the department’s performance. The percentage of these collisions is increasing every year. When an expressed goal of the Vancouver Department of Transportation is to decrease the frequency of bicycle and pedestrian involved collisions, it is especially disappointing that all safety programs for active transportation have lost their local funding.
Though the adoption of TIP without bicycle funding is a major setback for bicycling improvements in Vancouver, there are still measures that supporters of the Bike Program can, and should, take.
Make sure that bike and pedestrian improvements are part of approved roadway projects in the TIP. A considerable amount of money has been allocated toward approved roadway projects, but the TIP does not identify which of those projects include bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Vancouver City Council should specifically point out those projects so we can ensure that bike and pedestrian improvements are not overlooked.
Pay attention to the Capital Budget process. As the City of Vancouver sets their biennial budget, a strong presence at these meetings and hearings will send a powerful message as to where funding should be directed.
Urge Vancouver elected officials to pursue federal and other funding sources. Jack Burkman represents Vancouver on JPACT, the committee that determines how regional flexible funds are allocated. Look to him to support funding at or above current levels for active transportation and complete streets projects at the hearing on July 8.
