2. Goal, Objectives & Policies

This section outlines the goal and objectives that will serve as guidelines in the development of the Regional Bikeway System. Goals provide the context for the specific objectives and policy actions discussed in the Bicycle Transportation Plan. The goals provide the long-term vision and serve as the foundation of the plan.  Goals are broad statements of purpose that do not provide specific descriptions of the objective, while policy actions provide a bridge between general policies and actual implementation guidelines, which are provided in the following sections.  As with the Plan recommendations, none of the Goals or Objectives are funded at this time.  This Transportation Plan and the goals, objectives, and policy actions herein do not mandate any specific action by the Humboldt County Association of Governments or the local jurisdictions; however, they are reflective of their interest in improving bicycling conditions in Humboldt County.

“If we are to meet the goals of doubling the current levels of bicycling and walking in the United States while decreasing by 10% the number of crash-related injuries and deaths, coordinated and committed effort must be put forth at every level of government.” -National Bicycling and Walking Study, Federal Highway Administration 1994

2.1 PRINCIPAL GOAL Ensure that bicycling is a convenient, safe, and practical means of transportation throughout Humboldt County for all area residents and visitors. Non-motorized transportation is gaining reputability across the nation. The many benefits of bicycling, both personal and to the community, provide the justification for increased attention to the bicycle as a legitimate mode of transportation. Bicycling can provide enjoyment, improve public health, and reduce air pollution, traffic congestion, parking demand, energy consumption and the cost of personal transportation. 2.2 Objective 1.0  The Regional Bicycle Network Define a comprehensive regional bikeway network. Policies 1.1        Develop a cohesive system of regional bikeways that provide access to and among major activity centers, public transportation, recreation, and other destinations. 1.2        Ensure all regionally funded transportation projects consider enhancing bicycle transportation, as consistent with Caltrans Deputy Directive 64. 1.3        Ensure the bikeway network serves bicyclists of a wide variety of abilities. 1.4        Encourage bicycle-friendly design on all streets and roadways through new technologies, “best practices” standards, guidelines, and innovative treatments where appropriate on new roadways and multiuse paths. 1.5        Encourage the adoption of ordinances requiring onsite bicycle facility development within all new large commercial and residential development and redevelopment. 2.3 Objective 2.0  Multimodal Integration Develop and enhance opportunities for bicyclists to easily access other modes of transportation. Policies 2.1        Encourage transit providers to promote, provide, and maintain convenient and secure bike parking facilities at transit stops and transportation centers. 2.2        Facilitate multimodal transportation by encouraging local and regional transit agencies to accommodate bicycles on all forms of transit. 2.3        Improve bicycle access to transit with directional signage. 2.4 Objective 3.0  Comprehensive Support Facilities Encourage the development of comprehensive support facilities for bicycling. Policies 3.1        Encourage the adoption of ordinances requiring bicycle parking and storage for all new development and redevelopment. 3.2        Encourage the adoption of ordinances requiring shower and locker facilities for new developments and major redevelopments over 15,000 sq feet. 3.3        Encourage local employers to provide indoor bicycle parking for their employees. 3.4        Establish and maintain a bicycle (non-motorized) advisory committee to ensure ongoing maintenance and monitoring efforts that support the implementation of the regional bikeway system. 2.5 Objective 4.0  Bicycle Education, Promotion, and Safety Develop public outreach materials to emphasize bicycle safety and the positive benefits of bicycling. Policies 4.1        Encourage and support the creation or expansion of comprehensive safety awareness, driver education, cyclist education and diversion training programs for bicyclists and motorists. 4.2        Promote bicycling as a healthy transportation choice, both physically and environmentally.  4.3        Support and encourage grassroots efforts to enhance non-motorized transportation 2.6 Objective 5.0  Funding Sources Encourage the pursuit of non-motorized transportation funding to the maximum degree plausible to facilitate early implementation of priority elements of this Bicycle Plan. Policies 5.1        Encourage multi-jurisdictional funding applications to implement the regional bikeway system. 5.2        Develop a prioritized list of countywide improvements along with detailed cost estimates and identify appropriate funding sources for each project. 5.3        Encourage the formation of reliable local, regional, and state funding sources, which can be used to leverage federal funds. 5.4        Encourage the local jurisdictions to include bikeway improvements in their Capital Improvement Plans. 2.7 Objective 6.0  Planning Continue to support bicycle programs with ongoing planning. Policies 6.1        Ensure ongoing planning efforts that support projects in the Regional Bicycle Plan. 6.2        Update the Regional Bicycle Transportation Plan in accordance with the California Bicycle Transportation Act, and in coordination with Regional Transportation Plan updates, to chart progress in developing the system and respond to changing circumstances. This page intentionally left blank