Statement to the Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Board May 25, 2005

Rick Price, Tuesday, May 25, 2005

484-8489; Rick@ExperiencePlus.com

As a consumer I’m finding the bureaucracy a maze and not very responsive when I have an issue or question about bicycle issues, policies or problems in Fort Collins. So I’d like to ask you two questions: how do you gather input from the bicycling and walking public for parks and recreation issues. And, whom should I call when I have a question about these issues in town?

Suggestion #1: I’d like this committee to go on record as encouraging the city to unfreeze and fill the position of Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator in the upcoming budget round.

It doesn't really matter where this position is placed within the City. It could stay in Smart Trips, pass to Transportation Services or Traffic Planning, come into Parks and Recreation or even be housed in the City Police Department. But I’d ask that you think about the following as you consider this.

Suggestion #2: Recommend that the City create a citizen's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.

This board could be a sub-committee or a Task Force created by a standing board (the Transportation Board comes to mind) or it could be a separate board. Its role would be to advise existing boards (including this one) and city offices on policy issues relative to bicycling and pedestrian policies and programs. Agencies that would benefit include: Smart Trips; Transportation Services, Traffic Planning, City Police, the Air Quality Board, Parks and Recreation, the Senior Center, Poudre R-1 school district, CSU, businesses with Commuter Bicycle Coaches, the Neighborhood Resource Office, the Youth Activities Office and others.

A citizens Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board would represent recreational groups, business groups, bicycle commuters, motorists, different age constituents (students - both K-12 and CSU or Front Range), retirees, and others. Such an advisory board would help to gather input from the community, help with outreach and education in the community, and assist city boards and departments in setting policy and creating programs.

Suggestion #3: I ask that you recommend that both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator and the Advisory board (or task force) be charged to help improve communication about bicycling and walking policies and programs in Fort Collins by building on existing programs for alternative transportation, by building a communications network to assure there is adequate citizen input in the planning and policy development process, and to link existing boards and city agencies together in this network to create valuable synergy among all constituent groups.

I believe that such a new and simple structure (involving little expenditure of new funds, just reinstating the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator) will spur innovative thinking that will take what city staff and citizens have built and imagined over the last 30 years to an even higher level over the next 30 years. That includes not just maintaining but improving the quality of life in Fort Collins at a time when resources are becoming scarce, population pressures are increasing, traffic congestion is getting worse, and the population ages.

Thank you.