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Liberty Lake earns Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community rating; next steps outlined
Summary
City staff and commissioners said Liberty Lake received a bronze Bicycle Friendly Community award and reviewed recommended next steps including a bicycle network master plan, a complete streets policy and expanded education programs.
Liberty Lake received a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community rating, city staff told the Parks and Arts Commission on Feb. 3, and officials outlined steps the city can take to improve bicycle safety and access.
The award matters because it is a formal recognition program with categories that include engineering, education, encouragement, evaluation and planning, and equity and accessibility, city staff said. "We got the bronze award," Katie Farris told commissioners, and the application reviewers supplied a list of recommended improvements for the next several years.
The nut graf: The recognition provides a roadmap commissioners and staff said they plan to use: develop a bicycle network/master plan for city roadways, adopt a complete-streets policy so bike facilities are included during street projects, adopt design guidance for bike facilities and expand school- and adult-focused bicycle education and encouragement programs.
In discussion, staff and commissioners emphasized practical next steps. Farris summarized reviewers’ recommendations, which included developing a citywide bicycle network and a design manual for bike facilities, improving bike parking, continuing and expanding in-school bicycle safety instruction and offering adult bicycle education for motorists. Farris also said reviewers suggested a “guaranteed ride home” program for employees who bicycle to work.
Commissioners noted the new public works director’s involvement: staff said the public works director has been copied on the materials and will be briefed to coordinate engineering and implementation. Farris said she expects to bring elements of the report to City Council as part of an upcoming briefing.
Tom Solberg, a resident, praised the staff work that led to the award and told commissioners the recognition restores momentum. "We are officially a bike friendly community," Solberg said during public comment.
Ending: Commissioners said the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and staff will organize follow-up work this spring and identify leads for each recommendation. No formal vote was taken on the report itself during the meeting.
