Bill Ostrem, Anne Bretts and I had the opportunity to take in the Center for Transportation and the Environment’s teleconference on “Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Strategies: From SAFETEA-LU to Safe Routes to School.” Panelists made a very compelling case that encouraging biking and walking as viable transit options is an integral part of creating healthy, livable communities, and is good environmental, health and economic policy. The teleconference will be archived and will be viewable online or by ordering a DVD.

Thanks to Ross Currier of the NDDC for arranging use of the Carleton Language Center satellite downlink facility, and Cynthia Shearer of the Language Center for handling the technical side of the connection.

The teleconference provided excellent background information for a first discussion with the Northfield Park and Recreation Advisory Board concerning steps the community can take to become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Anne Bretts and I will be making a brief presentation and discussing next steps with the PRAB at their meeting next Tuesday evening at City Hall (7 p.m., 2nd floor conference room).

Key information we took away from the teleconference included the fact that there is now a federally funded Safe Routes to School program,

with a Minnesota Safe Routes to School State Coordinator, technical assistance and other resources. In addition, technical resources and funding are available from the Minnesota Department of Transportation as part of the federal SAFETEA-LU legislation of 2005.

We plan to discuss the following items with the PRAB on Tuesday evening:

1.Promoting non-motorized transit to build a healthier, more livable community
2.Connections with the greenway corridor planning process
3.Specific steps that might be taken:
a.Establish process for designating bicycle and pedestrian routes
b.Develop maps of designated routes
c.Bike lane striping and signage
d.Development of other bike/pedestrian facilities (e.g. bike parking hubs, distance
markers, etc.)
e.Develop “Safe Routes to School” program (formal programs being developed nationwide,
with US Federal Highway Administration assistance, to encourage and enable more
walking and biking to schools), in partnership with the Northfield Public Schools
f.Participate in the League of American Bicyclists’ “Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign”
4.Federal and state funding and technical assistance available to assist with the above
5.Establishment of a permanent City non-motorized transportation committee

Anyone interested in the above issues is encouraged to join us next Tuesday at the PRAB meeting.