Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program Update

(August 2006)

Bike-Walk Advisory Council (B-WAC)

TLC convened the first meeting of its Bike-Walk Advisory on July 18th at Minneapolis City Hall.  The Council will advise the TLC Board of Directors on which projects to fund. The B-WAC will also recommend potential infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects to the TLC Board of Directors. 

The 29 members of the Bike-Walk Advisory Committee represent public agencies, neighborhood associations, non-profits, small businesses, and elected officials. The combined talent, experience, and dedication of the members will provide TLC with strong counsel as the program moves forward.

Meetings of the Bike-Walk Advisory Council are open to the public; the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 from 3:15-5:30 PM in Room 319 of Minneapolis City Hall.

Membership List

Minutes to July 18, 2006 Bike-Walk Advisory Council Meeting

Program Status

After more than six months of detailed discussions with federal, state, and local agencies, Transit for Livable Communities (TLC) is moving forward with a $21 million, 4-year federal pilot program intended to reduce dependence on driving by improving conditions for walking and bicycling. On June 1, 2006, TLC’s workplan received formal approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  
  
The Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Project (NTP) was authorized by the federal government as part of the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill. The Minneapolis area is one of four communities serving as a pilot; the other three pilot communities are Sheboygan, WI; Marin County, CA; and Columbia, MO.  Only in Minnesota was an independent non-profit (TLC) designated to carry out the program.

Baseline Data
TLC is working closely with the FHWA’s national office and other pilot project communities to develop a methodology to evaluate and measure the results of this program. The University of Minnesota was chosen to collect and analyze baseline travel data in all four pilot project communities. It will collect initial data in September 2006 and post-project data in September 2010 to determine if the pilot program resulted in greater awareness and increased levels of bicycling and walking. The University of Minnesota will also work with the pilot communities to develop the interim and final reports due to Congress in 2007 and 2010. TLC plans to supplement the University’s work with regular bike and pedestrian counts at several locations, along with other project-specific measurements.

Project/Location Eligibility

Funds can be used for planning, education, promotion, and measurement, as well as for construction of facilities. The program focuses on Minneapolis, with consideration given to adjoining communities providing key access to Minneapolis. Adjoining communities include: Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Lauderdale, MAC/Fort Snelling region, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Roseville, St. Anthony, St. Louis Park, and St. Paul. The funds are available until expended, require no match, and cannot be used for other purposes.

Timeline

TLC anticipates that a project solicitation process will be announced this fall, with major projects selected for funding in early 2007.  

Pro Walk Pro Bike 2006

The 14th International Conference on Walking and Biking will be held in Madison, Wisconsin from September 5-8, 2006. The National Center for Bicycling & Walking's Pro Walk/Pro Bike biennial conference typically attracts more than 600 bicycle and pedestrian program specialists, advocates, and government leaders from around the world. Katie Eukel, Transit for Livable Communities' Communications Associate, will be attending the conference and reporting back to the B-WAC.