Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan

Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition Strategic Plan 2012

PDFStrategic Plan 2012 PDF

VISION:

By 2017, bicycling is an everyday, mainstream activity in communities across Sonoma County. Bicycling is recognized, accommodated and funded as a legitimate and essential mode of transportation. Sonoma County residents embrace a healthy and active lifestyle that includes safe and convenient active-transportation options. As a result, Sonoma County communities enjoy lower health-care costs, a cleaner environment and more transportation choices. Sonoma County is a national model for innovative bicycle-friendly transportation facilities and programs.

MISSION:

The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition promotes bicycling for transportation and recreation and works to educate the community about bicycle safety and the benefits of cycling, including good health and protecting the environment.

Organizational Strategy O-1:

Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition is a robust, financially sustainable organization with capacity to carry out the SCBC mission.

  • Action O.1.1: Increase SCBC membership to 3,000 through an ongoing membership drive targeting areas of the County and segments of the bicycling community that are underrepresented in the current SCBC membership.
  • Action O.1.2: Recruit Board members who are eager to be actively engaged in fundraising, events, and advocacy.
  • Action O.1.3: Develop sufficient cash reserves to provide long-term fiscal stability.
  • Action O.1.4: Cultivate partnerships with state, county, and municipal governments and advocacy organizations with goals that complement SCBC's mission.

GOALS:

  • 1) Sonoma County has a transportation network, public policy, and patterns of development in which bicycling is a viable and appealing option for all.
  • 2) Sonoma County has a culture where bicyclists of all ages feel safe when traveling in Sonoma County.
  • 3) Sonoma County is recognized as a world class location for recreational and competitive bicycling.
  • 4) Sonoma County public health organizations recognize the positive health benefits of bicycling and are directly involved in transportation and land use decisions.

Goal 1:

Sonoma County has a transportation network, public policy, and patterns of development in which bicycling is a viable and appealing option for all.

Strategy 1.1: Advocate for development of bicycle facilities having countywide or multi-jurisdictional significance.

Action 1.1.1:

Support development of the following major bicycle projects:

  • 1. The Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) project bicycle path connecting Cloverdale to Larkspur in Marin County.
  • 2. The Santa Rosa Community Connector bicycle and pedestrian bridge across Highway 101.
  • 3. Class I bikeways connecting all nine cities in Sonoma County.
  • 4. The Sonoma Valley Trail, adjacent to Highway 12, connecting Santa Rosa to Sonoma.
  • 5. Class II bicycle lanes on Stage Gulch Road / Highway 116 between Petaluma and Sonoma.
  • 6. Preservation or replacement of the Kenilworth overpass in Petaluma
  • 7. The Sonoma County segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail along San Pablo Bay.
  • 8. New off road bicycle trails and Class I and II bikeways in West County as part of Sonoma County Regional Parks to develop new bicycle trails as part of their West County Gateway project.

Strategy 1.2: Support the Cities and County in implementation of their bicycle plans by developing political support for projects and helping to secure funding necessary to build bicycle infrastructure.

  • Action 1.2.1: Review and comment on development projects and provide comments on how projects can best support bicycling.
  • Action 1.2.2: Increase the share of short trips (under 3 miles) taken by bicycle from 1.1% to 10% by 2017.

Strategy 1.3: Encourage development and passage of strong, relevant legislation and regulations on behalf of bicyclists.

  • Action 1.3.1: Work with Cities, the County, and the Sonoma County District Attorney's office to develop and adopt an anti-harassment ordinance similar to that codified by Los Angeles.
  • Action 1.3.2: Advocate for passage of Senator Lowenthal's 3-foot passing law (Senate Bill 910), or similar legislation that establishes an objective, measurable standard for vehicles passing bicyclists.
  • Action 1.3.3: Attend meetings of all local, regional, and state decision making bodies whenever decisions that affect bicycling are being considered.
  • Action 1.3.4: Work with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and local representatives to preserve funding for bicycle projects that may be reduced in the future by the proposed "Plan Bay Area".
  • Action 1.3.5: Participate as a member organization of the Caltrans District 4 Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Strategy 1.4: Ensure local and regional governments always consider the interdependence between development and transportation when making land use decisions.

  • Action 1.4.1: Identify and promote land use policies that reduce dependence on automobiles and increase transportation options for all.
  • Action 1.4.2: Work with transit agencies serving Sonoma County to make sure bicycles can be accommodated on buses, and secure bike parking is available at most major bus stops and transit hubs.
  • Action 1.4.3: Work with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority /Regional Climate Protection Authority (SCTA/RCPA) to develop countywide standards for evaluating and mitigating transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Action 1.4.4: Work with SCTA/RCPA to develop countywide standards for evaluating and mitigating impacts to bicyclists and the bicycle transportation network for projects subject to environmental review (CEQA).

Goal 2:

Sonoma County has a culture where bicyclists of all ages feel safe when traveling in Sonoma County.

Strategy 2.1: Create a culture where drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians treat each other with courtesy and respect, with crash rates reduced by 50% of the current rate by 2017.

  • Action 2.1.1: Work closely with local and state law enforcement agencies and the League of American Bicyclists to develop an effective training program for bicyclists.
  • Action 2.1.2: Continue to provide and expand bicycle street skills courses in Sonoma County.
  • Action 2.1.3: Supply information to driver education providers regarding how to share the road with bicyclists.
  • Action 2.1.4: Develop an advertising campaign to educate the public of everyone's rights and responsibilities on the roads.

Strategy 2.2: Expand the demographic and social range of people involved in bicycle advocacy.

  • Action 2.2.1: Meet with environmental, labor, social justice, and other advocacy groups in Sonoma County to identify opportunities for collaboration.
  • Action 2.2.2: Reach out to bicyclists who have not previously been engaged in advocacy, such as BMX and off-road riders, triathletes, and competitive recreational bicyclists.
  • Action 2.2.3: Engage the Latino community by expanding the diversity of programs and stylization of advocacy to promote development of bike culture in areas such as Roseland and Sonoma Valley. SCBC will provide outreach materials in Spanish and have at least one native Spanish speaker on staff.

Strategy 2.3: Establish regularly scheduled beginner level rides ("Fun Rides") in various locations throughout Sonoma County. Provide mechanical support, mentors, and street skills instruction to make the events as enjoyable as possible for beginning cyclists.

  • Action 2.3.1: Identify sustainable funding sources for Fun Ride social bike ride events.
  • Action 2.3.2: Meet with local communities to identify the best time and location for Fun Ride social bike ride events.
  • Action 2.3.3: Partner with local bike shops to support Fun Ride social bike ride events.

Strategy 2.4: Develop and implement a marketing plan to promote bicycling as an everyday activity.

  • Action 2.4.1: Produce public service announcements on radio, television, billboards, and print media to raise public awareness of the benefits of bicycling.

Strategy 2.5: Expand Safe Routes to School to include as many school districts in Sonoma County as possible.

  • Action 2.5.1: Develop sustainable funding to support Safe Routes to School programs.
  • Action 2.5.2: Work with City and County public works departments to identify opportunities for infrastructure and non-infrastructure grants that improve safety for students.
  • Action 2.5.3: Assist local agencies in applying for Safe Routes to Schools grants.
  • Action 2.5.4: Promote Safe Routes to Schools programs through events such as Walk and Roll to School Day and bicycle rodeos.
  • Action 2.5.5: Expand Safe Routes to Schools programs to middle and high schools.

Strategy 2.6: Expand SCBC's valet bicycle parking program so that secure bicycle parking is available at all major events in Sonoma County.

  • Action 2.6.1: Meet with promoters of major public events that currently do not yet provide valet bicycle parking, such as the Sonoma County Fair, to identify what is necessary to make valet bicycle parking available.
  • Action 2.6.2: Establish local groups to provide support and staffing for valet bicycle parking throughout the county.
  • Action 2.6.3: Obtain a van capable of transporting bike parking equipment and the SCBC bicycle fleet to bike rodeos, and providing support for "Fun Rides".
  • Action 2.6.4: Minimize valet bicycle parking equipment size and weight to make transportation and setup easier and reduce minimum staffing requirements.

Goal 3:

Sonoma County is recognized as a world class location for recreational and competitive bicycling.

Strategy 3.1: Encourage the Cities and County to apply for Bicycle Friendly Community certification by the League of American Bicyclists. Achieve Silver certification for at least one city by 2017.

  • Action 3.1.1: Educate City and County staff, tourism bureaus, and chambers of commerce on the advantages of certification and advocate for improvements needed to achieve certification.

Strategy 3.2: Work with the Cities and County to create a unified permitting system that will create a "one-stop", streamlined application process for large bicycle events and tour operators.

  • Action 3.2.1: Coordinate communication and outreach between local government, event promoters, and tour operators.
  • Action 3.2.2: Assist the Cities and County in securing funding for a countywide event coordinator position.

Strategy 3.3: Enhance national and international recognition of Sonoma County as a destination for bicycle tourism.

  • Action 3.3.1: Support efforts to keep Tour of California stage in Sonoma County.
  • Action 3.3.2: Develop a marketing campaign for bicycle tourism in Sonoma County in partnership with tourism bureaus, and chambers of commerce.
  • Action3.3.3: Encourage Regional Parks to promote Sonoma County as a bicycling destination.

Goal 4:

Sonoma County public health organizations recognize the positive health benefits of bicycling and are directly involved in transportation and land use decisions.

Strategy 4.1: Collaborate with the County Department of Health Services to develop an Active Living Task Force for Sonoma County. An Active Living Task Force would implement the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention public health strategy of creating active community environments to improve public health.

Strategy 4.2: Establish a partnership between SCBC and the Department of Health Services.

Strategy 4.3: Create a coalition of organizations to support development of an Active Living Task Force.