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<br />REPORT <br /> <br /> <br />78 <br />Page 1 <br /> <br />April 14,2008 <br /> <br />SUBJECT <br />Update on the Community Working Group on Bicycle/Pedestrian Issues, and <br />recommended next steps <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />1. Conclude the trial period of the Community Working Group on Bicycle/Pedestrian <br />lssues ("Working Groupff) and acknowledge the Working Group's accomplishments. <br />2. Indicate consensus to the question: Does the City Council find that adding an <br />advisory committee to the City's structure provides benefits to the community and <br />nexus to Council priorities that justify additional staffing efforts and associated <br />costs? <br />3. Provide input on the preferred scope of a new Council-appointed Bicycle and <br />Pedestrian Advisory Committee ("Advisory Committee"), including tasks to address, <br />as well as tasks that fall outside the Advisory Committee's scope. <br />4. Appoint three people (one each Council member, Working Group representative, <br />and staff member) to research and recommend the scope, duties, responsibHities, <br />and bylaws of an Advisory Committee. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />In the spring of 2006, Council approved the formation of a pilot Community Working <br />Group on Bicycle/Pedestrian Issues to focus on Redwood City's pedestrian and bicycle <br />mobility needs. The intent was to bring a new base of knowledge, background, <br />experience, and passion to the Cfty's work on bicycle and pedestrian issues. The 18- to <br />24-month trial period is nearing its end and it is appropriate at this time to update <br />Councit, celebrate the Working Group's accomplishments on behalf of the community, <br />and for Council to determine the appropriate next steps. <br /> <br />In 2006 many community members responded to the City's invitation to participate in <br />the pilot Working Group, and staff support was provided for the meetings which <br />commenced in May 2006. The Working Group has met monthly (initially twice per <br />month) to review and work on a variety of bicycle and pedestrian topics including bicycle <br />routes and lanes, bicycle parking, Safe Routes to School, grant opportunities, and <br />potential improvements to the citywide bicycle and pedestrian system. The Working <br />Group's accomplishments include: <br />. Industrial Way: Supported successful community outreach leading to dedicated bike <br />lane striping <br />. Safe Routes to School: Assisted with grant preparation <br />. National 'Walk to School Day": Led, promoted, and participated in this event at one <br />school <br />. San Mateo County Comprehensive Bicycle Route Plan: Analyzed and provided <br />input <br />. City routes and bicycle parking: Researched and made proposals <br />. New General Plan: Successfully served as the City's first Affinity Group for the New <br />General Plan <br />