Statewide Bike Ped Advisory Board Issues Annual Report

Legislation passed in 2009 established a Connecticut Bicycle Advisory Board, which reports annually to the Governor, Commissioner of Transportation, and Co-Chairs of the Transportation Committee of the Legislature.  
 
From the cover letter to the report:

• The Governor’s support of improvements in the State’s transportation system is leading Connecticut towards a future focused on multi-modalism and transit. The Commissioner’s support of Complete Streets guiding principles and development of policies related to MAP21 will allow improvements to the State’s transportation system that provide for all users.
  
• The Department has shown clear signs of changing over the last decade from being predominantly motor vehicle orientated, to looking to view transportation projects as opportunities to improve access for transit users, bicycles and pedestrians. These are wonderful improvements, but are not enough. Under the Complete Streets Law all transportation projects must start with the assumption that bicyclists and pedestrians will be accommodated.
  
• Moving forward, transportation planning and roadway changes in the State must be coordinated to focus on Transit Orientated Development. Connecticut’s youth, and future workers we are looking to draw into the State, will look at things such as Active Transportation options, or the quality of one’s life outside of the car, when choosing where to live, work, recreate and raise their families. 
  
• The State must be able to adequately serve visitors and residents by means other than a personal automobile.  Priority therefore needs to be given to moving people by transit over the use of individual automobiles. Connecting people to transit requires infrastructure for Active Transportation, and incentives for Transportation Demand Management (both of which enhance transit by addressing “First Mile” and “Last Mile” connectivity issues) to be integrated into the entire process by which the State designs, builds, allows changes to, and maintains a Complete Transportation System.
• Connecticut has the potential to be a leader in this race if we work together to integrate these principles into transportation guidance documents, and design standards that affect changes to the transportation system.
  
• In support of creating a Complete Transportation System, last year the Board provided specific recommendations that would provide for “accommodations for all users” to become “a routine part of the planning, design, construction and operating activities of all highways.”
  
• The 2012-2013 report documents initiation and progress (or lack thereof) on each of thoserecommendations.  The report further provides additional recommendations for the Department and other “implementers” to follow.
  

Read the Board's Annual Report for 2012-2013 below: