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City bike/pedestrian advisers outline complete-streets focus, connectivity gaps and demonstration projects
Summary
The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee presented an annual work plan emphasizing complete-streets projects, temporary Safe Streets demonstrations, bicycle/pedestrian impact statements for new development, and connectivity fixes in neighborhoods such as College Park Woods and Crystal Springs.
The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) presented its annual work plan to the City of College Park on June 9, asking the council to prioritize complete-streets improvements, temporary safety demonstrations and improved connectivity across the city.
Grants coordinator Rafi introduced the committee; BPAC chair Mark (transcript label: Mr. Sharter) said his group’s top priority is the city’s Complete Streets program and flagged a list of candidate projects for near-term fiscal years including 48th Place and potential Dartmouth and Bodwin work. "Our first priority is your complete streets program," he said, and listed short- and medium-term corridors slated for work.
BPAC also recommended relatively low-cost measures that can be implemented quickly: bicycle racks, bicycle/pedestrian impact statements for new development, Safe Streets for All demonstration projects that use temporary materials to change driver behavior, and targeted connectivity projects to improve pedestrian and bicycle egress from neighborhoods. Chair Mark noted persistent connectivity chokepoints near the IKEA/apartment area and Crystal Springs that leave walking and bicycling routes unsafe or indirect.
Shelby Bird, speaking for the committee and as a College Park Woods resident, urged improvements that let families safely walk to parks and schools in her neighborhood. She said parents drive children short distances because the walking routes are unsafe and that modest infrastructure changes could reduce driving and improve safety.
Council members supported BPAC’s participation in upcoming Route 1 detailed-site-plan hearings, encouraged BPAC to press for bike infrastructure in new developments and to coordinate on traffic engineering for Edgewood (planned repaving) and transit-related connections. Council members also asked staff and BPAC to identify specific bike-rack locations and to consider including electric scooters in future committee scope.
Next steps: BPAC will provide more detailed, prioritized recommendations to staff and council, coordinate with the city engineer for walking tours of priority corridors, and pursue grant opportunities for demonstration projects and bike racks.
