Alexandria BPAC – 2018 Year in Review and Looking Ahead

[CaseyKane50]

2018 Year-in-Review & Looking Ahead

Members identified a few highlights of our 2018 work promoting walking and biking

• Adopting a BPAC Strategic Plan and action to implement the Plan (see below)
• Expanding ACPS’ Safe Routes to School Program, including Bicycling in the Schools (BITS) curriculum, to 11 schools in the 2018—2019 school year
• Leading and participating in numerous successful volunteer events, including five Bike Rodeos for Alexandria youth with Phoenix Bikes and VéloCity Bicycle Coop , International
Walk to School Day with Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and Alexandria Families for Safe Streets (AFSS), and Bike to Work Day with various partners
• Partnering with City Transportation staff, for example, posting Trail etiquette signs, providing safety education via Operation illumination, conducting trail measurements,
providing walking and biking safety concerns to City staff prior to street paving/resurfacing
• Partnering with Alexandria Families for Safe Streets, for example, highlighting safety issues on Seminary Road near Francis C. Hammond Middle School and participating in
Alexandria’s first International World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
• Unbounded energy and teamwork of BPAC members and others promoting walking and biking and advocating for policy and infrastructure changes to make Alexandria streets safe.

.. and Key Walking and Biking efforts that we are looking forward to:

• Building upon each of the 2018 accomplishments listed above, plus, …
• Improved communications and outreach via BPAC’s new Twitter account, https://twitter.com/AlexandriaBPAC, and BPAC’s inaugural newsletter in February 2019
• Roll-out of BPAC’s new bicycle mentoring program in January 2019
• Outreach in advance of WMATA’s Summer 2019 six-station Metrorail shutdown
• Expanding ACPS’ Safe Routes to School Program, including the Bicycling in the Schools (BITS) education, to 16 schools in the 2019-2020 school year
• Conducting at least seven bike Rodeos for Alexandria Youth in Spring 2019

Special thanks to our many partners, including

• Local government: City of Alexandria, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), and Alexandria Police Department (APD)
• Local community: Alexandria Spokeswomen and Alexandria Families for Safe Streets (AFSS), and the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria (PHA)
• Local businesses: Phoenix Bikes, VéloCity Bicycle Coop, Spokes, Etc. and Conte’s
• State and Regional: Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) and the Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF)
• … and to many more who have helped promote walking and biking and street safety

We look forward to partnering for even greater accomplishments in 2019!

Mission

Alexandria BPAC promotes walking, biking, and other active transportation, and advocates for infrastructure, policy, and cultural changes that create a safe, accessible, and livable city for all.

Vision

The City of Alexandria has a safe and connected network of streets, trails, and related facilities that are filled with people walking and biking.

Guiding Principles

A. We believe that to create inclusive and safe active transportation, we must be honest, strategic, thoughtful, and respectful of the needs and desires of all people in Alexandria.
B. We believe in proven, fact-based solutions that enable all people to walk and bike safely.
C. We believe that walking and biking are enjoyable, practical and healthy modes of transportation and recreation that result in a more livable community.
D. We believe that to effect change city-wide, we must prioritize equity, diversify our membership, and create opportunities for members to meaningfully engage in our work.

Priorities

1. Promote walking, biking, and other active transportation

a. Develop plans for and participate in Safe Routes to School (SRTS) activities,
b. Lead bike rides
c. Mentor people interested in learning to bike-commute or riding recreationally
d. Provide volunteers for City-sponsored events and activities, e.g. Operation Illumination, Bike to Work Day, Earth Day, Metro shutdown planning

2. Advocate for infrastructure changes that create a safe, accessible, and livable city for all

a. Actively participate in Small Area Plan development and other opportunities to ensure plans and policies incorporate safe walking and biking facilities.
b. Advocate for funding for Non-motorized Transportation in general, and for Complete Streets and Vision Zero programs in particular
c. Advocate for implementation of City plans and policies, e.g. Complete Street Policy, Bike and Pedestrian Master Plans, and Vision Zero Action Plan
d. Conduct outreach to help Alexandria residents better appreciate the benefits of proven infrastructure measures, such as Leading Pedestrian Intervals, and Road Diets

3. Advocate for policy and cultural changes that create a safe, accessible, and livable city for all

a. Propose changes to Virginia laws, e.g. Vulnerable Road User legislation and Automated Speed Enforcement

Where to Find Us
Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Bradlee Safeway Meeting Room, 3526 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302. All BPAC meetings are open to public.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandriaBPAC
BPAC Web Page: https://alexandriabpac.wordpress.com

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