7A - "Courtesy is Contagious" Safety Education / Public Outreach Campaign
CITY OF BOULDER
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD
NON-AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE: May 13, 2402
SUBJECT: "Courtesy is Contagious" Safety Education / Public Outreach Campaign Update
TO: TAB Members
FROM: Tracy Winfree, Public Works Director for Transportation
Michael Sweeney, Traffic Operations and Planning Coordinator
Marni Ratzel, Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Planner
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this item is to update the Board on the proposed safety education and public
outreach campaign initiated to address issues related to congestion and existing conflicts between
users on Boulder's pathways and roadways. Staff will launch the "Courtesy is Contagious"
campaign to encourage responsible trail usage on paths and foster a better understanding between
roadway users at intersection crossings.
BACKGROUND:
During fall 2001, a public process was initiated to consider a recommendation amending the
Boulder Revised Code to permit the use of electric-assisted, pedal-powered bicycles (herein
referred to as "electric-assisted bicycles") on off-street bicycle facilities. Congestion and existing
conflicts between path users was cited as a primary concern expressed by affected Board and
community members opposed to permitting electric-assisted bicycles as an additional use on the
path system. Additionally, several citizens have contacted staff to inquire about the rules and
regulations governing pedestrian and bicycle right- of- way while crossing intersections. In
response to these concerns, staff has recommended that an educational outreach campaign be
launched to encourage responsible trail usage on paths and foster a better understanding between
roadway users at intersection crossings.
The "Courtesy is Contagious" campaign is intended to raise public awareness and educate users
on their rights and responsibilities when traveling on Boulder bike pathways and roadways,
facilitate a reduction in the number of bicycle-related and pedestrian-related injuries, and create
more livable neighborhoods by encouraging more people to bicycle and walk. The campaign
will utilize print materials, the city Web site and a team of Bicycle Ambassadors to promote the
benefits of safe bicycling to all roadway users-- pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Print
advertisements and flyers publicizing select safety messages will be aimed to encourage courtesy
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among the various pathway and roadway users and to convey the rules of the road. The Bicycle
Ambassador program will be modeled after an existing program instituted in the city of Chicago,
currently in its second year.
During the 2002 peak bicycle and pedestrian season (June - September), staff proposes to employ
two part-time, temporary Bicycle Ambassadors to create a presence in the community and
exchange information between the city and the community. The Ambassadors will set up
displays at scheduled public events and at high traffic pedestrian and bicycle spot locAtions.
Their aim will be to distribute information and invite the public to discuss any of the many
aspects of bicycling and walking (such as safety, route choice, rider rights and responsibilities)
about which they want to learn more.
Some of the services provided by the Ambassadors will include:
• distribution of safety materials and bicycle maps
• instruction for commuters on how to bike to work / school
• instruction for motorists and bicyclists on use of bike lanes
• demonstrations on use of RTD bus bicycle racks
• guidance on helmet fittings
Bicycle Ambassadors will be experienced in bicycling in urban traffic conditions so that they
may set a safe and smart example for others to follow. Working with the Boulder Police
Department, staff will prepare the Bike Ambassadors on how to educate bicycle riders, motorists,
pedestrians and non-cyclists on all aspects of safe and responsible road and path use. Training
will include relevant aspects of the Boulder Revised Code and Colorado Bicycle Manual, bicycle
handling and helmet safety techniques, and effective communication skills.
The Bicycle Ambassador program will draw from positive experiences of the city of Chicago's
Bicycling Ambassadors Program to promote messages of specific topic areas aimed to achieve
the project goals. The city of Chicago received very positive feedback for circulating literature
explaining such focus points as off-street safety and how to use on-street bike lanes, and for
posting signs saying "Bike Riders: Want Respect? Give Respect!" The Ambassadors also set up
signs along the bike path with friendly reminders such as "Before passing, say `on your left"' and
"Slow down when approaching crowded areas." Attachment A outlines a list of potential topic
areas by target audience and messages.
NEXT STEPS:
Staff plans to initiate the educational outreach campaign. The aim is to launch the campaign in June
as a component of Colorado Bike Month and Walk and Bike Week. Staff anticipates that the time
frame for reconsidering an ordinance for electric-assist bicycles would be one year to 18 months.
Please direct any comments or questions to Marni Ratzel by e-mail at ratzelm@ci.boulder.co.us or
by telephone at 441-4138.
Attachment:
A. "Courtesy is Contagious" potential topic areas
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ATTACHMENT A:
"COURTESY IS CONTAGIOUS"
POTENTIAL TOPIC AREAS
Topic Target Audience Messages
Share the Road Motorists Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in
crosswalks, using streets with bike lanes;
turning safely; watching for bicycles before
opening car doors
Bicyclists Enter crosswalk at walking speed, yield to
pedestrians in crosswalk
Pedestrians Practice safe skills when crossing
intersections
Share the Path Bicyclists Give audible alert "passing on left" when
approaching slower moving path users
Pedestrians Keep right unless passing
Bicycling Safety Adult and teen bicyclists Using bike lanes; sharing the road and the
(for adults) path with other users; traffic and path
positioning; using RTD bus bike racks
Bicycling Safely Child bicyclists Making sure your bike works properly;
(for children) sharing the sidewalk with pedestrians;
watching for hazards at intersections;
signaling; fitting and wearing a helmet
Using Your Bike Adult and teen bicyclists Carrying objects on your bike; choosing the
More and non-bicyclists safest routes; how to dress for all kinds of
weather
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