ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION R. MADISON MURPHY CHAIRMAN EL DORADO JOHN ED REGENOLD VICE CHAIRMAN ARMOREL JOHN BURKHALTER, P.E. LITTLE ROCK P.O. Box 2261 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72203-2261 PHONE (501) 569-2000 VoicE/TTY 711 FAX (501) 569-2400 WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM October 17, 2012 DICK TRAMMEL ROGERS THOMAS B. SCHUECK LITTLE ROCK SCOTT E. BENNETT DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION The Honorable Mike Beebe Governor of Arkansas State Capitol Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Governor Beebe: Reference is made to the League of American Bicyclists 2012 Bicycle Friendly States Ranking released in May 2012. As you are aware, Arkansas was ranked 50 th. You requested that an advisory group be formed to identify strategies to improve Arkansas' ranking. While we believe the ranking does not accurately reflect the progress Arkansas has made to become more bicycle friendly, the enclosed report highlights a plan of action to continue this progress and to more accurately reflect our performance in this area. If you have any questions or need further information, please advise. Sincerely, Enclosure Scott E. Bennett Director of Highways and Transportation c: Highway Commission ORECEPT7 Deputy Director and Chief Engineer Assistant Chief Engineer Planning OCT (Planning and Research PLANNING AND RESEARCH Morril Harriman Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Arkansas State Police Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training Arkansas Department of Health LAWINWORD\TUDOMBIKE PLAN \Governor's Bicycle Advisory Group Transmittal Letter.doc
Governor's Bicycle Advisory Group Report to Governor Beebe GENERAL On May 22, 2012, the League of American Bicyclists released the 2012 Bicycle Friendly States Ranking (Attachment 1). Arkansas was ranked 50 th. At the request of Governor Beebe, an advisory group was formed to identify strategies to improve Arkansas' rating. The Governor's Bicycle Advisory Group (Attachment 2) includes representatives from the following agencies: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Arkansas State Police Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training Arkansas Department of Health As shown on the League of American Bicyclists Arkansas Bicycle Friendly State Report Card (Attachment 3), the top ten signs of success are as follows: People Commuting by Bike (More than 1 %) Safe PassingNulnerable Road User Law Complete Streets Policy Dedicated State Funding Active State Advocacy Group State Bicycle Plan (Adopted 2002 or later) Share the Road Campaign Bicycle Education for Police Bicycle Safety Emphasis in Strategic Highway Safety Plan Top 10 State for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Spending October 16, 2012 Page 1 of 5
PLAN OF ACTION Summarized below is each agency's action plan to achieve a better ranking. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Scott E. Bennett, Director of Highways and Transportation 1. The League of American Bicyclists Survey Form was completed by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) State Bike Ped Coordinator. After the release of the 2012 Bicycle Friendly States Ranking, the survey was reviewed by AHTD Administration. It was determined that, overall, this survey was not answered correctly. The State Bike Ped Coordinator duties have been transferred to another employee. For the 2013 Survey, the Advisory Group will review the questions and answers to ensure that Arkansas is represented correctly and in the best positive light. 2. In June 2012, the Arkansas Highway Commission adopted Minute Order 2012-058 that authorizes AHTD to update the 1998 Arkansas State Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan. This update will be conducted by a consultant. A request for Letters of Interest was advertised on September 10, 2012. It is anticipated that a consultant will be selected by the first of next year. The Department is forming a Bicycle Pedestrian Technical Advisory Committee that will include both public and private stakeholders to assist the Department in developing this plan. It should be noted that on the Arkansas Bicycle Friendly Report Card (Attachment 3), this activity is considered a "Top Tip for Improvement". 3. Arkansas' many bicycle advocacy groups are in the process of forming a statewide advocacy group. AHTD met with representatives from this group on August 30, 2012. Not only will AHTD use this group to represent bicyclists while updating the Arkansas State Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, but will also solicit feedback from this group when completing the 2013 League of American Bicyclists Survey Form. 4. Bicycle safety will continue to be emphasized in AHTD's 2013 update of the Strategic Highway Safety Plan. 5. The Department will continue to administer various Federal-aid programs that make funding available to local agencies for education and infrastructure improvement activities that benefit pedestrians and bicyclists. October 16, 2012 Page 2 of 5
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Richard Davies, Director 1. Working with local bicycle advocacy groups, various Arkansas municipalities and the Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (ADPT) is in the process of creating a comprehensive bicycling manual for the State. This manual will include state and local laws as they apply to bicycling and in particular to bicycling on the road. The manual will also include safety hints for bicyclists. This manual will be made available online. 2. ADPT is currently promoting its second addition of the 16-page bicycling brochure promoting 24 road and mountain bike rides throughout the State. The brochure includes information on other resources for bicycling routes and events in Arkansas. The brochure contains five pages of bicycling information, which is also available on the Arkansas.com website. The availability of this information will be advertised in Bicycling Magazine for Spring 2013. 3. ADPT will continue to use bicycling photos in magazine and television advertisements for Arkansas. Arkansas State Police Colonel Stan Witt, Director 1. In order to increase driver awareness for sharing the roadway with bicyclists the Arkansas State Police (ASP) will add a section to the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide regarding the language as explained in Arkansas statutes. Arkansas Code Annotated 27-51-311 - Overtaking a Bicycle The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a roadway shall exercise due care and pass to the left at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. (1) A person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00). October 16, 2012 Page 3 of 5
(2) A person who violates this section with the violation resulting in a collision causing death or serious physical injury to the person operating the overtaken bicycle shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000.00) in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law. Changes to the study guide will occur during the next scheduled printing of the manual in the Spring of 2013. 2. Curriculum concerning State statutes and bicyclists will be added to the ASP's in-service training and recruit school training in order to effectively educate all State Troopers beginning in 2013. 3. The ASP's Public Information Officer is currently upgrading the ASP's web site. There will be standing safety tips added to the front page of the site pertaining to bicyclists. Completion date Spring of 2013. 4. Five new questions unique to bicycle safety will be added to the Driver License examination for learner's permits. Completion date November of 2012. Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training Ken Jones, Director 1. In the Spring of 2012, it was directed by the office of the Executive Director of the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (Commission) that all Arkansas Basic Law Enforcement Training Courses include extensive training on Arkansas Bicycle Laws. With that directive, it was encouraged that law enforcement instructors stress laws that pertain to motor vehicle operators obligation to yield to bicycle traffic on Arkansas roadways with instructors highlighting the importance of encouraging bicycling and being friendly towards bicyclists in Arkansas. 2. Bicycling was made a part of the basic physical fitness training for new law enforcement officers attending training at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academies. 3. The Commission has plans to start educating current law enforcement officers in Arkansas on safe bicycling and bicycling laws through its various social media outlets and website. October 16, 2012 Page 4 of 5
Arkansas Department of Health Dr. Paul Halverson, Director and State Health Officer 1 The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) will continue to focus on grassroots educational efforts to promote complete street initiatives and strategies. These efforts may lead to local complete street policies being passed at the community level, which in turn supports the implementation of statewide complete street initiatives. 2. The ADH and stakeholders will conduct approximately five walkability and bikeability audits across the state by June 30, 2013. These audits will provide community leaders with short term, intermediate, and long term recommendations based on complete street strategies. The ADH will offer technical assistance on implementing the recommendations and will track the progress achieved by the participating sites. 3. The ADH will conduct five regional train-the-trainer sessions on how to conduct walkability and bikeability audits by June 30, 2013. These trainings will give community members and local leaders the skills to conduct walkability and bikeability audits in their communities. The communities will be provided with all of the resource materials necessary to conduct the audits. CONCLUSION The above detailed Plan of Action by the Governor's Bicycle Advisory Group addresses each of the following League of American Bicyclists evaluation categories: Legislation and Enforcement Policies and Programs Infrastructure and Funding Education and Encouragement Evaluation and Planning The Governor's Bicycle Advisory Group will collectively complete the League of American Bicyclists Survey for 2013 to accurately reflect Arkansas' performance in each of these categories. It is expected that Arkansas' rating will improve significantly in 2013. October 16, 2012 Page 5 of 5
2012 Bicycle Friendly States Ranking Bicycle Friendly State Key: The percent of total points available attained by each state 60-80% 40-60% State Rank Washington 1 Minnesota 2 Massachusetts 3 Colorado 4 Oregon 5 Wisconsin 6 New Jersey 7 Maryland 8 Maine 9 Delaware 10 Illinois 11 California 12 Utah 13 Arizona 14 Pennsylavania 15 Iowa 16 Virginia 17 Vermont 18 Michigan 19 Connecticut 20 Florida 21 New Hampshire 22 Georgia 23 North Carolina 24 Wyoming 25 Tennessee 26 Texas 27 Missouri 28 Nevada 29 Indiana 30 Louisiana 31 South Carolina 32 Legislation & Enforcement Alaska 33 --1. Policies & Programs Scoring Criteria Infrastructure & Funding Education & Encouragement Evaluation & Planning Kansas 34 141.1111 Oklahoma 35 Idaho 36 II= Ohio 37 Mississippi 38 111 11111111111111111 Rhode Island 39 111111111=1 WM South Dakota 40 VIM, 1 Hawaii 41 IPPRIli New York 42 Nebraska 43 Kentucky 44 New Mexico Montana Alabama 47 West Virginia 48 North Dakota 49 Arkansas 50 45 Ilk 46 11111111111 111, Learn more at bikeleague.org/states 'Attachment 1
Governor's Bicycle Advisory Group Arkansas State Parks and Tourism Richard Davies Director 1 Capital Mall Little Rock, AR 72201 501.682.6946 richard.davies@arkansas.gov Arkansas State Parks and Tourism Joe Jacobs Marketing & Revenue Manager 1 Capital Mall Little Rock, AR 72201 Office: 501-682-6923 Cell: 501-707-5989 joseph.jacobsparkansas.gov Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Scott E. Bennett Director of Highways and Transportation 10324 Interstate 30 Little Rock, AR 72209 501.569.2211 scott.bennett@ahtd.ar.gov Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Lorie H. Tudor Assistant Chief Engineer - Planning 10324 Interstate 30 Little Rock, AR 72209 501.569.2241 lorie.tudor@ahtd.ar.gov Arkansas State Police Colonel Stan Witt Director 1 State Police Plaza Drive Little Rock, AR 72209 501.618.8299 stan.wittpasp.arkansas.gov donna.humphries@asp.arkansas.gov Arkansas State Police Major Les Braunns Highway Patrol Commander (Western Region) 1 State Police Plaza Drive Little Rock, AR 72209 501.618-8749 Cell: 501.790.4401 les.braunns@asp.arkansas.gov Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training Ken Jones Director P.O. Box 3106 East Camden, AR 71711 870.574.1810 Cell: 870.310.3536 ken.ionesparkansas.gov Arkansas Health Department Dr. Paul Halverson Director and State Health Officer 4815 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72205 501.661.2400 paul.halverson@arkansas.gov connie.iohnsonparkansas.gov reva.ferguson@arkansas.gov Attachment 2
Loops. of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly State REGIONAL RANKING Governor: Mike Beebe Category Scores [Scoring: 5= High 1= Low] 2 Legislation and Enforcement DOT Commissioner: Scott Bennett 1 Policies and Programs Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator: David "Bud" Laumer 1 Infrastructure and Funding 1 Education and Encouragement State Advocacy Group: N/A 1 Evaluation and Planning Feedback One Bicycle Friendly Success Develop a Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) curriculum for bicycling enforcement both for new officers and continuing education - focus on laws related to bicyclists, interactions between motorists and bicyclists, and bicycle collision investigation. Adopt a statewide Complete Streets policy. The National Complete Streets Coalition has a model state policy and other resources to ensure adoption and implementation. Adopt federal funding project rating criteria that incentivize bicycle projects and accommodations. The state is spending a low amount, less than 0.56 percent, of federal funding on bicyclists and pedestrians. Conduct a share the road campaign creatively addressing the issues specific to your state. Arkansas is one of the least safe places for bicyclists in the country (based on the number of fatalities and bicyclists). Bicycle safety should be a major emphasis for all projects, programs, and policies to address this issue. In general, any question that was answered with "no" should be addressed so the answer can be a "yes" next year. Arkansas' safe passing law is an excellent first step towards becoming more bike-friendly. Top Tip for Improvement Adopt a state bicycle plan and establish a bicycle advisory committee to oversee implementation. 10 Si ns of Success People Commuting by Bike (More than 1%) Safe Passing/Vulnerable Road User Law Complete Streets Policy Dedicated State Funding Active State Advocacy Group State Bicycle Plan (Adopted 2002 or later) Share the Road Campaign Bicycle Education for Police Bicycle Safety Emphasis in Strategic Highway Safety Plan Top 10 State for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Spending The Bicycle Friendly States ranking is based on a comprehensive survey completed by state departments of transportation and state bicycling advocates. It asks 50 questions across 5 categories: Legislation and League of Enforcement, Policies and Programs, Infrastructure and Funding, Education and Encouragement, Evaluation and Planning. The results listed above provide only a snap shot of the full application. They are intended Arno " to offer some ideas for further growth in bicycle friendliness. For more information, visit www.bikeleague.org/states or contact Matt Wempe at (202) 822-1333 or matt@bikeleague.org. Bicyci