Title
A Resolution Designating the Month of June to be Bike Month in the City of Colorado Springs
Body
From:
Karen Palus, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Jeff Webb, Senior Grants Analyst
Summary:
The City of Colorado Springs enjoys a strong culture of cycling. From recreational cyclists enjoying our urban and back-country trails to committed bicycle commuters riding to work and school, we are blessed with an active population that takes full advantage of the many biking opportunities in our city. In recent years, the League of American Cyclists has designated Colorado Springs as a Silver-rated “Bicycle Friendly City” in recognition of the City’s strong cycling culture and expanding bicycle infrastructure network. Our city has over 150 miles of off-street bike paths, 140 miles of mountain bike trails and 110 miles of on-street bike lanes. Additionally, Colorado Springs is the official training site for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic track cyclists, home to several nationally renowned cycling companies and is the chosen city for many world-class cyclists. One sign of cycling’s popularity among citizens young and old is that the Pikes Peak Greenway, Colorado Springs’ primary north-south trail, registers over 330,000 trail users per year.
A recent Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments study found that the local cycling industry employs more than 370 residents annually; that 80,000 cyclists visit and stay overnight in our region each year; and that the direct economic impact of cycling in our region is over $27,850,000 per year. Nation-wide 12 of the 15 fastest growing cities, 7 of the top 10 cities by educational attainment, and 13 of the 15 most popular cities for millennials were recognized as “Bicycle Friendly Cities” by the League of American Cyclists.
Building upon our culture of cycling, the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments is completing a Regional Non-Motorized Transportation Plan for our region. At the same time, the City has initiated an update of the Bicycle Master Plan that will support further development and improvement of cycling infrastructure across Colorado Springs. These documents, along with the enthusiasm, support, advocacy, and knowledge of bike riders, will help to guide the continued development of cycling in Colorado Springs into the future.
This Resolution designating the month of June to be Bike Month in Colorado Springs is therefore a celebration of cycling in Colorado Springs. It celebrates the wonderful cycling assets the City currently enjoys, it applauds the contributions cycling can make to health, economic development and quality of life in the City, and it recognizes the support given by so many citizens to make Colorado Springs a great bike city.
Previous Council Action:
None. However, in 2014 the City of Colorado Springs joined the Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Towns and Cities Campaign recognizing the importance of supporting opportunities for physical activity. Designating June Bike Month would be highly complementary of the goals of the HEAL campaign.
Background:
Colorado has declared June to be Bike Month at the state level. For many years the City of Colorado Springs has taken part by supporting Bike to Work Day rides and celebrations across our community. This year’s Bike to Work Day event will take place on June 24, 2015 and is expected to be one of the largest events in our history of participation. In celebration of this event, as well as supporting the continued growth of cycling in Colorado Springs, it is proposed that City Council designate June to be Bike Month in Colorado Springs.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Board/Commission Recommendation:
On May 19, 2015, the Active Transportation Advisory Committee (a subcommittee of the Citizens’ Transportation Advisory Board) voted in unanimous support of declaring June to be Bike Month in Colorado.
Stakeholder Process:
For many years the City of Colorado Springs has participated in Colorado Bike Month and has helped to organize a very popular Bike to Work Day bike ride each year. This year’s Bike to Work Day ride will be one of the largest ever in Colorado Springs and will take place on June 24, 2015. Additionally, the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments is completing a Regional Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and the City has initiated an update of the Bicycle Master Plan that will support continued development and improvement of cycling infrastructure across Colorado Springs. In recognition of stakeholder support for these initiatives and to celebrate the continuing contributions of our many citizen cyclists, this Resolution proposes to declare June Bike Month in Colorado Springs.
Alternatives:
Council is being asked to pass a Resolution designating June Bike Month to support and celebrate the contributions of cycling in Colorado Springs. Council may alternatively elect not to pass this Resolution.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move approval of the attached Resolution designating the month of June to be Bike Month in the City of Colorado Springs.
Ordinance Language
N/A