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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.14.22 TAB Agenda 4 Safety Stops LegislationC I T Y O F B O U L D E R TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: February 14, 2022 AGENDA TITLE: Consideration of a Recommendation on HB22-1026, Regarding Regulation of Persons Approaching Controlled Intersections Who Are Not Operating Motor Vehicles, aka the Safety Stop Bill PRESENTERS: Erika Vandenbrande, Transportation and Mobility Director Carl Castillo, Chief Policy Advisor EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: State legislation, designated as HB22-1026, has been introduced to allow persons not operating a motor vehicle, including pedestrians and operators of low-speed conveyances, as defined in the bill, to make a so called “safety stop,” rather than a full stop, under certain circumstances when approaching an intersection that is controlled by a stop sign or a traffic control signal. The Transportation Advisory Board (“TAB”) is asked to consider this bill and to make a recommendation to the City Council’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on what position, if any, the city should adopt with respect to it. The options to recommend range from Support, Support with Amendments, No Position, Oppose Unless Amended or Oppose. Council’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will use that recommendation to determine whether and how the city should attempt to influence the bill’s outcome. While the bill is scheduled to be considered in the House Transportation and Local Government Committee on the afternoon of February 15, the day after TAB’s meeting, there will nonetheless be future opportunities to impact it as its moves through the legislative process. BACKGROUND: The city tracks bills introduced before the Colorado General Assembly and relies on the City Council’s Policy Statement on Regional, State and Federal Issues, and the city’s Chief Policy Advisor, to determine when and how to engage in advocacy. Advocacy can involve direct requests of the city’s state legislators as well as coordinated lobbying campaigns with the city’s regional partners and intergovernmental organizations it is member to (e.g., Metro Mayors Caucus, Denver Regional Council of Governments, Colorado Municipal League). The Colorado General Assembly’s Transportation Legislation Review Committee met over the summer and fall of 2021 and developed recommendations on legislation to introduce in the 2022 session. One recommendation led to the introduction of HB22-1026, a bill sponsored by Reps. Gray (D) and Hooton (D) and Sen. Winter (D). This bill was considered to create a safer way for 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 4 Safety Stops Legislation Page 1 of 3 low profile, non-motorized road users to cross at intersections when they have the right of way. According to Bicycle Colorado, a prime backer of this bill, research shows that the safety stop: • Reduces interactions between motorists and bicyclists in intersections. • Reduces crashes in intersections. • Increases the visibility of bicyclists in the intersection. • Reduces the number of bicyclist-only injuries associated with starting and stopping on a bicycle. HB22-1026 would amend and expand on existing law which currently gives local governments the option to adopt an ordinance specifying that a person riding a bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or electric scooter to make a safety stop, rather than a full stop, under certain circumstances when approaching an intersection that is controlled by a stop sign or a traffic control signal. The bill amends this law to make the requirements uniform statewide for most persons approaching a controlled intersection who are not operating a motor vehicle. It would effectively allow people on “low-speed conveyances” to treat stop signs as yield signs and treat stop lights as stop signs. The Policy Statement does not contain language that would dictate what position the city should adopt with respect to HB22-1026. The most closely related positions, listed below, could arguably be used to justify either a position of support or opposition. 38. OPPOSE THREATS TO LOCAL CONTROL AND HOME RULE AUTHORITY Several bills are introduced each session that threaten to erode local powers. As a general matter, the city believes that local problems need local solutions and that the current authority and powers of municipal governments to make decisions on matters related to land use, zoning, personnel, municipal courts, fees and sales tax, should not be further eroded. Legislation threatening local control that does not further interests otherwise specified in this Policy Statement or that are not otherwise recognized by City Council as highly contentious, will be opposed by the city. 63. ENCOURAGE “COMPLETE STREETS” THAT ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE USING ALL MODES OF TRAVEL The city supports legislation that furthers the concept of “Complete Streets” where modes are interconnected, and a complete set of options are made available to improve efficiency and mobility for all. The city also supports legislation that promotes sustainable transportation solutions recognizing energy sources, impacts of vehicle miles traveled, connections to land use, urban design, and increased accessibility for all. 67. FURTHER THE CITY’S VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN The city’s Vision Zero Action Plan includes a travel safety objective aimed at eliminating crashes resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. It reflects a national and worldwide approach to innovate and use a data driven, interdisciplinary approach to improving 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 4 Safety Stops Legislation Page 2 of 3 safety for people using all forms of transportation throughout the community. The city would support state or federal policy changes in furtherance of this objective, including ones that: a) Expand municipal authority to operate red light or photo radar cameras to enforce traffic safety and oppose any new limitations b) Prohibit use while driving of mobile electronic devices unless through a hands-free device c) Lower blood alcohol content levels for DUIs, and d) Require mobile phone manufacturers or carriers to offer technologies that reduce inappropriate use while driving. Given the lack of clear direction from city council and the Policy Statement, and TAB’s expertise with such matters, City Council’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met on January 25 and asked staff to bring the matter before TAB and to request a recommendation. ANALYSIS: TAB may wish to consider the impact that HB22-1025 would have in Boulder and whether it would bring about the safety improvements that the bill’s backers promise. Arguments in favor of opposing the bill are that the city should retain the authority to determine how it regulates controlled intersections, especially given the unique aspects of the city and the high number of college-aged students riding bicycles. Arguments in favor of supporting the bill are that when bicyclists are able to get out of the intersection and away from that conflict zone before a potential crash can even occur, their safety improves and that applying this regulation statewide would decrease confusion. Action Requested of Board: Suggested Motion Language: Motion to recommend to City Council’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee that the city adopt a position of [Support, Support with Amendments, No Position, Oppose Unless Amended or Oppose] with respect to HB22-1026. 02.14.22 TAB Agenda 4 Safety Stops Legislation Page 3 of 3