Monday, September 28, 2015
Approved TDM Plan recommends expanded Bicycle Program and staff
The new position would be "responsible for encouraging walking and biking in Fairfax County, by raising awareness of existing facilities and connectivity, and promoting safe bicycling and pedestrian behaviors." This is in line with recommendations in the Bicycle Master Plan for Bike Fairfax to conduct encouragement and education programs. The existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator positions are primarily involved with development of infrastructure projects.
FABB has been advocating for funding for Bike Fairfax since the Bicycle Master Plan was adopted in October 2014. Funding for the Bicycle Program was eliminated in 2010 so almost no funds are available for non-infrastructure activities. We're very encouraged by this latest development.
FABB has been advocating for funding for Bike Fairfax since the Bicycle Master Plan was adopted in October 2014. Funding for the Bicycle Program was eliminated in 2010 so almost no funds are available for non-infrastructure activities. We're very encouraged by this latest development.
The TDM Plan includes some minor recommendations to strengthen the Bicycle Program by using TDM funds for providing information on bicycle transportation options and distributing bike lights. Those funds could also be used for purchasing bike counters, a major goal of the Bicycle Master Plan.
From the TDM Plan, starting at page 369:
BICYCLE PROGRAM
The Fairfax County Bicycle Program is housed in the FCDOT’s Capital Projects Division. The program’s budget is for capital projects only, and is used primarily for developing bicycle lanes and parking. The countywide Bicycle Master Plan (Phase I for Tysons Corner was completed in 2011)13 includes goals and objectives related to education and outreach. However, without available funding for programming, the Bike Program is looking to develop partnerships to implement outreach and education activities. Over the next few years, the Bike Program hopes to extend the regional Capital Bikeshare system into Fairfax County, starting with bikeshare stations in Reston, Tysons Corner and Merrifield. With the introduction of bikeshare, marketing and education will be even more important. The FCTSG TDM program can help promote bicycling as a transportation option by providing information on bicycle transportation options and bicycle education. FCTSG can also distribute accessories (i.e., bike lights and pant clips) to promote bicycle safety and contact information for the Bicycle Program staff. Another way to support the bicycling in Fairfax County could be to help provide funds for automatic bicycle counters, so that the county can begin to collect data on bicycle (and pedestrian) travel.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Priority: High
This enhancement would fund a dedicated position responsible for encouraging walking and biking in Fairfax County, by raising awareness of existing facilities and connectivity, and promoting safe bicycling and pedestrian behaviors. Fairfax County has invested, and continues to invest in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure through the capital projects program. However, programming around bicycle and pedestrian transportation – which is critical to encouraging use, particularly among new users – is needed. A dedicated bicycle and pedestrian coordinator would support broad marketing of bicycling, including educational events focused on bicycle safety and promotion of a positive culture and attitudes around bicycling and walking, as well as support in establishment of bike sharing in the county.
The Fairfax County Bicycle Program is housed in the FCDOT’s Capital Projects Division. The program’s budget is for capital projects only, and is used primarily for developing bicycle lanes and parking. The countywide Bicycle Master Plan (Phase I for Tysons Corner was completed in 2011)13 includes goals and objectives related to education and outreach. However, without available funding for programming, the Bike Program is looking to develop partnerships to implement outreach and education activities. Over the next few years, the Bike Program hopes to extend the regional Capital Bikeshare system into Fairfax County, starting with bikeshare stations in Reston, Tysons Corner and Merrifield. With the introduction of bikeshare, marketing and education will be even more important. The FCTSG TDM program can help promote bicycling as a transportation option by providing information on bicycle transportation options and bicycle education. FCTSG can also distribute accessories (i.e., bike lights and pant clips) to promote bicycle safety and contact information for the Bicycle Program staff. Another way to support the bicycling in Fairfax County could be to help provide funds for automatic bicycle counters, so that the county can begin to collect data on bicycle (and pedestrian) travel.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Priority: High
This enhancement would fund a dedicated position responsible for encouraging walking and biking in Fairfax County, by raising awareness of existing facilities and connectivity, and promoting safe bicycling and pedestrian behaviors. Fairfax County has invested, and continues to invest in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure through the capital projects program. However, programming around bicycle and pedestrian transportation – which is critical to encouraging use, particularly among new users – is needed. A dedicated bicycle and pedestrian coordinator would support broad marketing of bicycling, including educational events focused on bicycle safety and promotion of a positive culture and attitudes around bicycling and walking, as well as support in establishment of bike sharing in the county.
Labels: bicycle coordinator, bike fairfax, tdm, transportation demand management
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The full cost of automobile transportation
When most people think about the costs associated with driving, they think about the price of the car, and the price of fuel. If they really think about it they include the cost of insurance and registration. What they don't consider are all of the other costs of the automobile transportation system, costs that are usually paid by everyone, not just auto owners.Todd Litman is the executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, a source of good information on alternative transportation options, including the TDM Encyclopedia. He's written an excellent article on these hidden costs of auto dependency:
According to the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey, in 2008 U.S. motorists spent on average approximately $2,700 per vehicle on ownership expenses (purchase, registration, insurance, etc.) and $1,400 on fuel and oil, about $4,100 in total. That year, governments spent $181 billion to build and maintain roadways (more if you include traffic services such as policing and emergency response), or about $730 annually per registered motor vehicle. Less than half of these roadway expenses are paid by motor vehicle user fees, the rest are borne through general taxes.
A typical urban parking space costs $5,000 to $25,000 to construct, resulting in $500 to $1,500 in annualized construction and operating costs. There are estimated to be at least three off-street parking spaces per vehicle worth about $3,000 annually in total per vehicle. This indicates that most vehicles are worth less than the road and parking infrastructure required for their use. For each dollar that a motorist spends on their vehicle, governments, businesses and consumers must spend at least another dollar to provide roads and parking facilities for their use.
Remember that the next time someone says that cyclists don't pay their way. Through general taxes we pay for roads, parking, and all the other hidden costs of auto dependency. What's the solution? Todd has some thoughts:A typical urban parking space costs $5,000 to $25,000 to construct, resulting in $500 to $1,500 in annualized construction and operating costs. There are estimated to be at least three off-street parking spaces per vehicle worth about $3,000 annually in total per vehicle. This indicates that most vehicles are worth less than the road and parking infrastructure required for their use. For each dollar that a motorist spends on their vehicle, governments, businesses and consumers must spend at least another dollar to provide roads and parking facilities for their use.
I am not suggesting that everybody must give up driving altogether. My research and my personal experience indicate that the best transport system is multi-modal: good walking and cycling conditions; good public transit, carsharing and taxi services; and mixed land use to minimize the distances people must travel to reach common services and activities. This is no more "anti-automobile" than a healthy diet is "anti-food," it lets users choose the best mode for each trip.
From BikePortland.Labels: auto dependency, tdm, todd litman
