Good Reads--My reference shelf

These are reports or books I have found useful in my work with the Non-Motorized Travel Advisory Council (NMTAC). I'm a retired librarian. Forgive me, I can't help myself from recommending these to all NMTAC members, City and County staff, and others interested in improving the safety and convenience of bicycling and walking in Helena.

The plans, from Portland, Minneapolis, Oregon, and so forth, represent the best current thinking in designing for safe and convenient bike and pedestrian transportation. Helena may not have millions of people or dollars, but the process, the design and engineering disciplines represented by these reports can and should inform our progress.

• Portland Bicycle Plan For 2030. Prepared by a steering committee, with consultants Mia Birk, Alta Planning + Design and the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation. Adopted by Portland's City Council February 2010. PDF file.
• Minneapolis Draft Bicycle Master Plan (August 2010). Updates the 2001 Bicycle Master Plan. PDF file.
• Berkeley Pedestrian Master Plan. PDF.
• Bicycling in Berkeley (including links to bike plan) PDF.

Helena’s Transportation Plan includes a Chapter 6: Non-Motorized Transportation, which in 2004 was written to guide the City and County.

• Greater Helena Area Transportation Plan - 2004 Update (especially Chapter 6: Non-Motorized Transportation). PDF file.

Other Montana communities have developed bicycle and pedestrian programs.

• Bozeman Web site.
• Billings Web site.
• Missoula in Motion, Missoula Bicycle / Pedestrian Program Two web sites.

Mia Birk's book, available soon at Big Sky Cyclery, is an often amusing, always inspiring account of her time in Portland, Oregon’s, during the early days of Portland's becoming ‘a world-class bicycling city.’

• Birk, Mia. Joyride: Pedaling Toward A Healthier Planet (book, available at Big Sky Cycles or Amazon.com)
• Mia Birk, Alta Planning + Design and the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation. Web site.

Oregon’s statewide plan includes lots of very clear descriptions of engineering standards and can be a useful surrogate for the discipline's gold-standard AASHTO Bicycle Guide and AASHTO Pedestrian Guide. PDFs.

I will update this list with your suggestions.

Thinking About Complete Street Costs

Complete streets:

• Often more economical to build then traditional car-only streets
• Streets are less expensive to build right the first time
• At most adds a small increment to costs
• Reduces overall transportation related costs
• Improves citizens’ health and lower health-related costs
• Reduces environmental costs
• Adds value to business districts and neighborhoods
• Contributes to a more livable, economical community for all
• Summary

Sample letter of support of a complete streets ordinance

Just in case you were interested in writing a letter in support of a complete streets ordinance, here is a sample letter (written by another CS supporter). Obviously, you may or may not want to cut and paste this, en mass, into your letter, but I have been asked to post this sample letter to aid those seeking help with their letter, and in support of a complete streets ordinance in Helena. /s/ Bruce

Letterhead

Date

Helena City Commission

316 North Park Avenue

Helena, MT 59623

To Members of the Helena City Commission: Mayor Smith, Commissioners Cartwright, Ellison, Elsaesser, and Thweatt 

[Your Name] supports passage of a Complete Streets Ordinance for the City of Helena. 

COMPLETE STREETS--Key Points

The Main Point: We want people to be healthy and to be able to travel safely and conveniently in our community.

Complete Streets:

• is a concept that affects the way transportation agencies and communities approach every street project to assure safe access for all users.
• provide people of all ages and abilities options for moving safely around their community. 
• safe, convenient and fun for non-motorized users.
• are good for your health
• are good for your wallet
• are good for the environment 

NMTAC Enabling Resolution (transcription)

RESOLUTIONS OF THE CITY OF HELENA, MONTANA

RESOLUTION NO. 19549

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A NON-MOTORIZED TRAVEL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF HELENA

WHEREAS, the City of Helena has adopted a non-motorized transportation plan as part of the Greater Helena Area Comprehensive Transportation Plan; and

WHEREAS, Chapter Six of the Plan calls for the establishment of a citizen advisory council to advocate for and ensure implementation of the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Helena City Commission recognizes that non-motorized transportation such as bicycling and walking are popular, non-polluting means of personal transportation and recreation; and

DRAFT : CITY OF HELENA COMPLETE STREETS ORDINANCE

[This is the draft forwarded by resolution to the City Commission, by the Non-Motorized Travel Advisory Council, 14 September, 2010. This draft is the result of over a year's work by NMTAC members, City staff, and interested Helena citizens. NMTAC anticipates that before the Commission has a chance to review and act upon this draft Complete Streets Ordinance, that this draft will be reviewed by City staff for both formatting and substance. Interested parties should address their queries to NMTAC staff, or to NMTAC's Chair.]


DRAFT : CITY OF HELENA COMPLETE STREETS ORDINANCE

Version 9.12.2010

AN ORDINANCE relating to Helena’s Non-motorized transportation plan and City Growth Policy, stating the policy and intent of the City of Helena to provide complete streets for all users of city streets. 

Date of Draft: September 12, 2010 

References/Related Documents: Related Resolutions of BOH (Resolution of Support for Local, Statewide, and Federal Initiatives That Promote Transportation and Land-Use Policies and Practices That Promote Good Health), Non-motorized transportation plan, City Growth Policy, Helena Climate Change Task Force Action Plan 2009. 

Goals: Promote healthy lifestyles by creating convenient opportunities for physical activity

We hope to work with the Health Department toward a public campaign promoting cycling and walking as, among other things, promoting personal health and fitness

This campaign will encourage walking and bicycling as alternatives to driving, and as a means of commuting, etc., as well as the creation of facilities to support convenient and effective use of non-motorized transportation.

Goals: Improve the convenience of walking and cycling

Much of our advice to the Commission will be based on the notion that if biking and walking is perceived as convenient, Helena will become increasingly a city of cyclists and pedestrians, with all the attendant benefits that attend a bicycle- and pedestrian friendly community.

See ‘Project Scoring Criteria’ for the Advisory Committee’s means of evaluating projects. [link here, Site in progress 10/26/2009]

Goals: Educate the public on the benefits of non-motorized travel, and the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists

Educate the public on the benefits of non-motorized travel, and the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Toward this objective, we will work with other City, school, and non-governmental entities to devise an education/marketing program to “… [teach] cyclists of all ages how to ride safely in any area for multi-use paths to congested city streets as well as teaching motorists how to share the road safely with cyclists…” From League of American Bicyclists Web site

We will request that the City Commission encourage the Helena Police and the Helena bicycling community to establish better connections and communications; and for the Police to target enforcement to encourage cyclists and motorists to safely share the road.

Goal: Connect destinations through a network of non-motorized travel corridors

One means of increasing the convenience and utility of walking and biking is to enjoy a network of linked, efficient, non-motorized bike paths. These protected routes would be fed by, and feed, marked bike routes; which in turn, would be fed by, and feed, City streets friendly to cyclists and pedestrians. Essentially our plan is to link destinations (schools, workplaces, recreational sites, clusters of retail establishments) with convenient bike or pedestrian routes.

Objectives

One of our objectives is to “Connect destinations through a network of non-motorized travel corridors.” Immediate plans include improving the existing Centennial Trail (currently running east—west, parallel to the railroad tracks, extending from Kendrick Legion Field to Joslyn Street). Desired improvements include:

Extending the trail west to Spring Meadow Lake State Park
Improving road crossings and grades
Maintaining surface, including on temporary route north of planned Centennial Park
Improving signage

Goals: Promote Helena as a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly place to live and visit

Promote Helena as a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly place to live and visit. We will ask the City to work toward obtaining a ‘Bicycle Friendly’ designation from the League of American Bicyclists

From the League’s Web site:

The Bicycle Friendly Communities Campaign is an awards program that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle-Friendly Community provides safe accommodation for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation and recreation.

Benefits include: encouraging improved public health, reduced traffic demands, improved air quality and greater physical fitness. In addition, bicycle-friendly towns are often seen as places with a high quality of life… translating into increased property values, business growth and increased tourism. (Paraphrased from League’s
Web site) http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/about.htm

Goals: Encourage walking and cycling as alternatives to driving, and as a means of commuting, etc.

Activities will include asking City departments to implement a process and a methodology for evaluating traffic calming, bike and pedestrian projects proposed by community and staff. This includes, Fall 2008:

Referring a review of Benton Avenue bump-outs to Public Works, with possibly cutting back to allow easier passage by cyclists and automobiles

[Completed 2009] Referred a review of McHugh Lane speed calming dips to Public Works, with possible replacement by snow-plow friendly traffic-calming/bike friendly bumps.

Goals: Improve accessibility and promote use by all Helenans, including persons with disabilities, etc.

Special attention will be placed on improving accessibility and promote use by all Helenans, particularly definable groups of commuters such as students, employees commuting to work, persons with disabilities, etc.

Goals: Improve the safety of walking and cycling

This process includes engineering safe routes and facilities, educating cyclists and motorists to more safely share our streets, and enforcement. It is our intention to work with City departments, exploring the concept of a ‘complete streets ordinance’, and determine if some or all of this design philosophy might have utility for Helena.

“Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and bus riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street.” (Completestreets.org) Many communities have adopted a Complete Streets ordinance. http://www.completestreets.org/index.html

Additionally, we will ask the Commission to continue to encourage inter-departmental planning and cooperation as it pertains to planning, constructing, improving, and maintaining bicycle and pedestrian facilities. There is a departmental overlap of bicycle-pedestrian facilities-related responsibilities. For instance, the Centennial Trail crosses City streets, circles the solid waste transfer station, and traverses parks lands. Ongoing planning, constructing, improving, and maintaining the Centennial Trail requires the participation and coordination of a number of City departments.

Advisory Council's Role and Mission

Helena—A Pedestrian- and Bicycle-Friendly Community
The Non-Motorized Travel Advisory Council’s Role
September 14, 2008

Our committee’s mission is:

To enhance and expand the walkability and bikability of Helena through the development of a safe, convenient and accessible network of corridors that serves to improve connectivity, promote alternatives to motorized travel, and enhance Helena’s appeal as a healthy, pedestrian and cyclist-friendly place to live and play.

While we are primarily focused on strategies and projects to benefit bicyclists and pedestrians, a bike- and pedestrian-friendly Helena can also be car-friendly. We are working with various City departments to build ‘complete streets’, that is, streets and paths that make it convenient to get where you are going – regardless of whether you are driving, cycling, or walking.

A bike- and pedestrian-friendly Helena will be a healthier, less expensive, and more enjoyable place to live. The key is making cycling and walking a more convenient and safe means of getting around.

When, for instance, it becomes more convenient for more Helenans to ride a bike or walk to work, school, or the grocery store; we’ll end up getting more exercise, and saving money on gas and auto repair.

More cyclists and walkers (and fewer cars) mean less congested streets, smaller parking lots, and fewer greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. Walking or biking around town is friendlier too; slowed down a little bit, we have more of an opportunity to chat with neighbors and others out of their car’s cocoon, under our beautiful Montana sky.

To quote and lightly paraphrase Oregon’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 1995, page 3:

Walking is the most basic form of transportation. Everyone is a pedestrian, including persons using wheelchairs and other forms of mobility assistance. Transit or automobile trips begin and end with a walk. Walking is often the quickest way to accomplish short trips in urban areas.

Bicycling is the most energy efficient form of transportation ever devised, getting the energy equivalent of up to 1,500 miles per gallon (according to an MIT study). People who walk or ride bicycles are the most vulnerable road users, being less protected from the weather and more likely to be injured in a collision with a motor vehicle; they must often use facilities that were designed primarily for automobiles.
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/planproc.shtml

Working with other City and County departments, neighborhoods, and civic groups, we hope to make Helena a friendlier place to ride bicycles and to walk.