(A) The city’s education and outreach programs are designed to raise awareness of walking and bicycling, connect city residents to existing resources and educate them about safety issues surrounding walking and bicycling.
(B) The following sections describe recommended programmatic measures to enhance walking and bicycling in the city. Estimated costs are displayed as low ($), moderate ($$) and high ($$$), as actual costs can vary widely based on specific program details. Key target audiences include motorists, current and potential (interested) bicyclists and walkers, students, children and families, school personnel and employees (through employer programs).
Bike Rodeos
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Bike Rodeos
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Cost | $ |
Key elements | Drop-in event aimed at teaching kids basic skills and safety rules; often organized by Police or Fire Departments; can include free or low-cost helmet distribution |
Partners | Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department |
Potential funding sources | Bike shops (in-kind donations); transit agencies and local news outlets; traffic safety foundations and grant programs; hospitals and insurance companies |
Primary agency | City of Joseph Fire Department |
Sample programs | |
Target | Children and youth |
Time frame | Fall and spring, annually |
(C) (1) Bicycle rodeos are events that include bicycle safety checks, a safety talk that includes rules of the road and the importance of wearing a helmet, and the interactive learning experience of riding through a “chalk street” course.
(2) Bicycle rodeos usually focus on children ages five through 14.
(3) The rodeos allow young bicyclists to learn and practice skills needed for competent bicycling in a protected environment.
Adult Cycling Skills Education
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Adult Cycling Skills Education
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Cost | $ |
Key elements | On-bike skills training for adult cyclists |
Partners | Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department |
Potential funding sources | Bike shops; transit agencies and local news outlets; traffic safety foundations and grant programs; hospitals and insurance companies |
Primary agency | City of Joseph Fire Department |
Sample programs | League of American Bicyclists skills courses: http://bikeleague.org/programs/education/courses.php |
Target | Current and potential adult cyclists |
Time frame | Flexible (one-time or on-going) |
(D) Most bicyclists learn to ride a bike when they are children, and do not have the opportunity to learn riding skills or safe road positioning. Adult bicycle skills training is an excellent way to improve both cyclist confidence and safety. Any training should include a significant on-bike section.
(E) (1) The League of American Bicyclists has developed a comprehensive bicycle skills curriculum considered the national standard for adults seeking to improve their on-bike skills. Various classes are offered, including basic and advanced on-road skills, and commuting (as well as driver education and youth courses). The local League of American Bicyclists chapter offers “StreetSmarts Cycling” classes, where participants can learn how to safely operate a bicycle under various conditions, and learn about bicyclists’ rights and responsibilities. There are currently three League-certified instructors within 100 miles of the city.
(2) Contact the League of American Bicyclists to schedule a course with these instructors.
Share the Road Campaign |
Share the Road Campaign | |
Cost | $ - $$ |
Key elements | Implement an education campaign targeting unsafe motorist, bicycle and pedestrian behavior |
Partners | Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department, Joseph Fire Department |
Potential funding sources | Federal and state safety grant funding |
Primary agency | City of Joseph |
Sample programs | |
Target | Residents and tourists who drive through the city |
Time frame | Spring, annually |
(F) (1) Share the Road programs seek to remind road users that bicyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles are legal road users. While laws for bicyclists, pedestrians and passenger vehicles may differ, all groups share the responsibility to use the road safely and respect the rights of other users.
(2) The city should work with the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department to implement a Share the Road campaign focusing on motorist behaviors that endanger cyclists and pedestrians. This includes issues such as failure to yield to bicyclists and pedestrians, speeding and passing too closely to bicyclists. The Share the Road campaign should also include information for cyclists and pedestrians on what it means to be safe, responsible and courteous road users.
(3) A Share the Road campaign can include the following:
(a) Safety literature for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians outlining Oregon Vehicle Code information and a code of safe conduct for all road users;
(b) Share the Road safety checkpoints in which volunteers stop motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and highlight safe road sharing using safety literature;
(c) Police checkpoints in which traffic violations are administered for road users exhibiting unsafe behavior; and
(d) Share the Road presentations at local community group meetings to highlight the importance of traffic safety.
Police Education Courses |
Police Education Courses | |
Cost | $ - $$ |
Key elements | Pedestrian and Bicycle Law Enforcement Training Course includes a “How Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes Happen”, “Education on Pedestrian Laws and Bicycle Laws” and “Crash Investigation and Reporting”. The course can be open to all law enforcement entities for a fee, which covers instruction and materials |
Partners | City of Joseph |
Potential funding sources | Federal and state safety grant funding |
Primary agency | Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department |
Sample programs | http://www.massbike.org/police/ |
Target | Law enforcement agencies |
Time frame | Spring, annually |
(G) (1) The city should work with the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department to provide bicycle traffic education to police officers focusing on the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists and the practice of proper bicycle positioning techniques in traffic.
(2) Bicycle traffic education should be integrated into trainings for all Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department officers.
(3) In addition to developing awareness of the challenges of maneuvering a bicycle in traffic, a bicycle safety training course should provide a list of guidelines to assist with bicycle-related collision reports.
(4) This helps ensure valuable documentation of information for public health studies regarding injury prevention. A League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor should administer the bicycle safety training.
(5) There are currently three League-certified instructors within 100 miles of the city.
Safe Routes to School - Phase 1 |
Safe Routes to School - Phase 1 | |
Cost | $$ |
Key elements | Bicycle and pedestrian audit of infrastructure at elementary schools; recommended route maps |
Partners | ODOT, parent groups at schools, school neighbors |
Potential funding sources | Federal Safe Routes to School grant funding; local, state or national health grants (e.g., Robert Wood Johnson Active Living by Design grants) |
Primary agency | Joseph School District |
Sample programs | Portland Safer Routes to School Program: http://www.trans.ci.portland.or.us/saferoutes/ |
Target | Parents, schoolchildren, administrators, City of Joseph staff |
Time frame | Spring |
(H) (1) Helping children walk and bicycle to school is good for childrens’ health and can reduce congestion, traffic dangers and air pollution caused by parents driving children to school. Robust Safe Routes to School programs address all of the “Five Es” (Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and Evaluation).
(2) (a) The city and the Joseph School District should work with ODOT and Wallowa County to implement the first phase of a Safe Routes to School Program. This phase will use a walkabout (also known as a bicycle and pedestrian audit) to assess walking and bicycling conditions of streets adjacent to city schools. Parents, students, neighbors and city planners and/or traffic engineers should be invited to join in the walkabout.
(b) Safety concerns, issues and ideas should be recorded.
(3) After the bicycle and pedestrian audit is conducted, parent maps for each school showing recommended routes to reach school, along with high-traffic intersections and routes to avoid, should be produced and distributed.
(4) As a final step, an initial infrastructure improvement plan should be produced for each school, including cost estimates and a prioritized project list. This infrastructure improvement plan will serve as a blueprint for future investments, and can be used to apply for further grant funding.
Bike and Walking Maps |
Bike and Walking Maps | |
Cost | $$ - $$$ |
Key elements | Clear symbology, designations and services attractive for cyclists and walkers, good selection of routes |
Partners | Wallowa County, Northeast Oregon Economic Development District |
Potential funding sources | Bike shops (in-kind donations); transit agencies and local news outlets (donated ad space); traffic safety foundations and grant programs; hospitals and insurance companies |
Primary agency | City of Joseph |
Sample programs | |
Target | Current and potential cyclists and walkers |
Time frame | One-time, with regular updates; can happen at any time |
(I) (1) One of the most effective ways of encouraging people to bike and walk is through the use of maps and guides showing that the infrastructure exists, to demonstrate how easy it is to access different parts of the community by bike or on foot, and to highlight unique areas, shopping districts or recreational areas. Bicycling and walking maps can be used to promote tourism, encourage residents to walk or promote local business districts. Maps can be city wide, district-specific or neighborhood/ family-friendly maps.
(2) The Joseph Chamber of Commerce has created an Art Walk: Bronze Sculpture Display brochure. The Chamber could enhance this brochure by creating a walking map highlighting historic Joseph and its amenities including walking and bicycling facilities. This map could be distributed at the information kiosk on Main Street near City Hall, the Wallowa County Museum and other places attracting residents and visitors.
Joseph Bike and Walk Central Website |
Joseph Bike and Walk Central Website | |
Cost | $ - $$ (depending on design and scope) |
Key elements | Resources, maps and map orders, safety, events, groups |
Partners | Local bicycle advocacy groups and enthusiastic cyclists, Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Wallowa Mountain Institute, Northeast Oregon Economic Development District, Cycle Oregon, Travel Oregon |
Potential funding sources | Low cost; may not require outside funding |
Primary agency | City of Joseph |
Sample programs | Velo Quebec website: http://www.velo.qc.ca/english/home.lasso |
Target | Current and potential cyclists and walkers |
Time frame | On-going |
(3) The Joseph Bike and Walk Central website should contain:
(a) A list of all bicycling and walking groups, including clubs, racing teams, hiking and advocacy groups;
(b) Information about current projects and how to get involved (e.g., public meetings, comment periods);
(c) Maps and brochures (links to online maps and brochures, where to find in-person and how to request mailed materials);
(d) Links to laws and statutes relating to bicycling and walking;
(e) Links to all relevant local jurisdictions and their contacts (e.g., the city, Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office and the like);
(f) Information about cycling and walking events (e.g., rides, walks, classes, volunteer opportunities);
(g) A list of local bike shops, including phone number and address; and
(h) Relevant phone numbers (e.g., hotlines for pothole repair, parking enforcement, bike rack installation request and the like).
(4) The website may also feature:
(a) Events calendar;
(b) Request form for route planning assistance;
(c) Message boards;
(d) Blog featuring stories and news;
(e) Photo galleries from events and submitted by readers; and
(f) Popular ride routes.
(5) Note that these additional features may increase the cost to set up and maintain the website.
(6) A one-stop bike and walk website would not be difficult to set up, but would only be successful if the site is both easy to use and updated regularly. Corners should not be cut in either design or in maintenance of the site and its information. All website content should be reviewed annually for accuracy.
Complete Streets Policy |
Complete Streets Policy | |
Cost | $ |
Key elements | Policy language that creates streets to work for all users, including drivers, freight, walkers, cyclists and transit riders |
Partners | Bicycle advocacy groups, health organizations, etc. |
Potential funding sources | Low cost; may not require outside funding |
Primary agency | City of Joseph, Wallowa County |
Sample programs | http://www.completestreets.org/ |
Target | Planners and engineers |
Time frame | One-time; can happen at any time |
(J) (1) Complete streets policies direct transportation planners and engineers to consistently design roadways with all users in mind (e.g., motorists, transit riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, older people, children and people with disabilities). There are many ways to implement complete streets policies. Once a policy is in place, training is recommended for professionals whose work will be affected by the policy (e.g., planners and engineers).
(2) Guidance from the Complete Streets Coalition.
(a) The principle.
1. Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street.
2. Creating complete streets means changing the policies and practices of transportation agencies.
3. A complete streets policy ensures that the entire right-of-way is routinely designed and operated to enable safe access for all users.
4. Transportation agencies must ensure that all road projects result in a complete street appropriate to local context and needs.
(b) Elements of a good complete streets policy.
1. Specifies that “all users” includes pedestrians, bicyclists, transit vehicles and users, and motorists, of all ages and abilities;
2. Aims to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected multi-modal network;
3. Recognizes the need for flexibility: that all streets are different and user needs will be balanced;
4. Is adoptable by all agencies to cover all roads;
5. Applies to both new and retrofit projects, including design, planning, maintenance and operations, for the entire right-of-way;
6. Makes any exceptions specific and sets a clear procedure requiring high-level approval of exceptions;
7. Directs the use of the latest and best design standards;
8. Directs that complete streets solutions fit in with context of the community; and
9. Establishes performance standards with measurable outcomes.
Perform Annual Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts |
Perform Annual Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts | |
Cost | $$ - $$$ |
Key elements | Annual bicycle and pedestrian user counts and surveys at set locations to provide for evaluation over time |
Partners | Wallowa County, bicycle advocacy groups, health organizations and the like |
Potential funding sources | Oregon Department of Transportation |
Primary agency | City of Joseph |
Sample programs | National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/study/) |
Target | N/A |
Time frame | Annually |
(K) (1) Many jurisdictions do not perform regular bicycle user counts. As a result, they do not have a mechanism for tracking ridership trends over time, or for evaluating the impact of projects, policies and programs.
(2) It is recommended that the city perform and/or coordinate annual counts of bicyclists (and pedestrians if desired) according to national practices. The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project has developed a recommended methodology, survey and count forms and reporting forms and can be modified to serve the needs and interests of individual jurisdictions.
(3) If desired, further bicycle and pedestrian data collection opportunities may be pursued as well, including:
(a) Include before-and-after bicycle/pedestrian/vehicle data collection on priority roadway projects;
(b) Insert bicycle/pedestrian survey questions into any existing travel mode or city audit survey instrument;
(c) Require counting of bicyclists/pedestrians in all traffic studies; and
(d) Purchase National Household Travel Survey add-on.
Promotional Events to Encourage Walking and Biking |
Promotional Events to Encourage Walking and Biking | |
Cost | $ |
Key elements | Sponsor events that create a low-barrier of entry for people to “try” walking and bicycling |
Partners | Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Wallowa County, event organizers, bicycle advocacy groups, health organizations and the like |
Potential funding sources | Low cost; may not require outside funding |
Primary agency | City of Joseph |
Sample programs | WalkBikeMarin, Way to Go events: http://walkbikemarin.org/documentsAA/TGcalendar0616.pdf |
Target | Joseph residents |
Time frame | On-going |
(L) (1) In many cases, the decision to drive rather than walk or bike is guided by habit. People often choose what is familiar to them: driving. Encouragement programs help shift peoples’ driving habits by providing a fun environment for them to “try” walking. Encouragement programs are one of the most cost effective ways of getting people out walking and biking.
(2) (a) It is recommended that the city promote events to encourage and support walking and biking.
(b) Events may include city-sponsored walking tours of new projects and development, recreational walks, historic walks, car-free days, Walk and Bike to Work and School days, and walks and rides to Chief Joseph Days.
(3) The city should also encourage organizers of existing events to promote walking projects and biking to the event.
(Ord. passed 6- -2009)