The program includes a variety of project planning and safety related activities to improve bicycling and walking in our communities. The program considers funding the construction of new projects for sidewalks, bicycle trails and paths as well as promotional programs including bicycle safety for children and distributing bicycle helmets.
The Volusia TPO’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Program encompasses the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan, bicycle & pedestrian projects, community safety related programs, BPAC Master Planning Assistance for Smaller Communities and the Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Program.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
The BPAC consists of 19 voting members made up of private citizens. Non voting members consist of city representatives, highway and transportation planners, professional engineers, and those technical personnel made available by the various municipalities.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan
The Volusia TPO’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Comprehensive Plan incorporates the planned bicycle/pedestrian networks as provided by the local jurisdictions, the Volusia County Proposed Trails Network, Volusia TPO staff and BPAC members.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects
The Volusia TPO provides assistance to local governments by providing federal funds to help plan, design and build sidewalk/trail projects. The Volusia TPO uses XU federal funds to hire consultants to perform bicycle & pedestrian feasibility studies for projects on the XU List of Prioritized Bicycle/Pedestrian Projects. Federal funds are combined with local matching funds to program projects in the Florida Department of Transportation’s 5 year work program through the construction stage.
Community Safety Related Programs
As part of its efforts to develop and expand a network of safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities, the Volusia TPO has authorized the Bicycle and Pedestrian School Safety Review Study. The study is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), with input from the Volusia County School Board and local governments. The primary goal of the study is to provide recommendations for safe, connected and well-maintained pedestrian and bicycle facilities to encourage students to walk or ride bicycles to school. A secondary goal of the study is to encourage planning efforts that include analysis of long-term cost tradeoffs related to bicycle and pedestrian safety. While safety is the primary concern, the lack of safe routes to school has a financial impact as well. A third goal of the study is to provide a general understanding of costs associated with constructing sidewalks.
The Bicycle & Pedestrian School Safety Review Study assessments have been completed on over forty-five (45) elementary and middle schools and new school sites to date.
The Volusia County Bicycling Map for the Experienced Cyclist was the first county wide bicycling map. It was completed by the BPAC and Volusia TPO staff in 2009. The map was developed in cooperation with the Florida Bicycle Association, Florida Freewheelers Bicycle Club, Bike Florida, Inc and local governments in Volusia County.
The Bicycle Safety Awareness Decal (It’s The Law Decal) promotes Florida Statute 316.083 (1) – a statute that states the driver of a vehicle passing a bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle must pass the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle at a distance of at least 3 feet. Decals are displayed public and private vehicles alike.
The Walk and Ride Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Video is a Volusia TPO project funded by the Florida Safe Routes to School Program and produced by WDSC-TV Channel 15. The video and accompanying public service announcements promote safe practices for walking and biking. English and Spanish versions of the video are available.
The Volusia TPO conducts Bicycle Safety Awareness Programs that include fitting bicycle helmets. Bicycle helmets are purchased by the Volusia TPO and awarded by the Bicycle Helmet Promotion Grant from the Florida Department of Health. The bicycle helmets are fitted and donated to individuals free of charge. Over the past 6 years, the Volusia TPO has fitted over 4,000 bicycle helmets. The helmets are fitted at public events such as the Volusia TPO Annual Safety Awareness Day, Port Orange Family Days Festival and the Volusia/Flagler Safe Kids Coalition – Safe Kids Summer.
The Volusia TPO participates in and provides technical support for bicycle rodeos. Equipment for setting up and running rodeos is owned by the Volusia TPO. This equipment includes cones, ropes, miniature stop signs, visual obstacle posters, instructional videos and materials.
Workshops promoting bicycle and pedestrian safety are hosted by the Volusia TPO. The workshops are interactive and provide the latest information to engineers, planners, law enforcement personnel, safety professionals and interested citizens.
BPAC Master Planning Assistance for Smaller Communities
The TPO is starting a program to provide Master Planning Assistance for Smaller Communities in 2011. The program is aimed at the communities of Beverly Beach, Flagler beach, Lake Helen, Oak Hill and Pierson. The BPAC and TPO staff will be working with these communities to help them develop bicycle & pedestrian master plans for adoption by their governments. The master plans will identify bicycle & pedestrian projects that can be submitted for the TPO’s Annual Call for Projects.
Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Program
The TPO is starting a program to enhance pedestrian safety in 2012. The Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Program will be a collaborative effort between the TPO, Center for Education and Research in Safety (CERS), local law enforcement agencies and local governments. The purpose of the Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Program is to increase awareness of pedestrian safety laws and decrease crashes involving pedestrians crossing streets and intersections.