PORTLAND BICYCLE PLAN FOR 2030
Non-Binding City Policy
NCP-TRN-6.07
PURPOSE
WHEREAS, in 1996, the Council adopted the Bicycle Master Plan by Resolution No. 35515, and the City has been implementing it since that time; and
WHEREAS, since 1996 bicycle ridership in Portland has more than tripled as a result of actions described in the 1996 plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Portland is faced with a host of modern problems, including but not limited to: the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the need to accommodate future growth while preserving quality of life for residents; a rise in health problems related to inactivity; and limited funding available for transportation improvements; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, the Bureau of Transportation initiated an update of the 1996 Bicycle Master Plan; and in July, 2008, the Council endorsed the update of the Bicycle Master Plan by authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Oregon to accept a $75,000 Transportation Growth Management grant to partially fund the effort, by Ordinance 182036; and
WHEREAS, over the course of three years nearly 700 people participated in public events related to the update of the Bicycle Master Plan and made hundreds of comments that were incorporated into the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030; and
WHEREAS, the Portland Planning Commission on November 10, 2009, unanimously supported the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 with recommendations for its improvement; and the final draft plan has been revised accordingly; and
WHEREAS, in July, 2009, the Council adopted the City's five-year Economic Development Strategy by Resolution 36714, which establishes the City's intent to make Portland “the most sustainable city in the world”; and
WHEREAS, in October, 2009, the Council adopted the joint City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan, by Resolution 36748, which calls for a twenty-five percent share of commute trips to be made by bicycling by 2030; and
WHEREAS, investing in bicycle transportation addresses numerous City objectives by creating safer streets; reducing the causes of global climate change; promoting a healthy environment; limiting adverse health effects related to inactivity; providing equity and access to viable, affordable transportation options; creating vibrant and livable neighborhoods; and supporting Portland’s economy; and
WHEREAS, investing in bicycle transportation has the potential to achieve the most cost-effective and rapid implementation of transportation improvements to achieve the transportation goals of the Climate Action Plan and other City objectives;
POLICY
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Portland adopts the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 substantially in accordance with Exhibit A and Exhibit B to this Resolution and, by reference, made a part thereof; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council directs the Bureau of Transportation to address the bikeway classification and policy changes recommended in Appendix B of the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 in an update of the City’s Transportation System Plan; and to include in the Transportation System Plan the projects listed in Appendix A of the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council directs the Bureau of Transportation, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, the Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Development Commission to form a finance task force to identify and pursue multiple strategies to increase funding for sustainable transportation and bicycle transportation; and promote the implementation of the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030; and to report back to the Council with preliminary recommendations within nine months; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council directs the Bureau of Transportation to make a report to the Council one year after adoption of the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 regarding progress on immediate action items and progress on setting performance measures and benchmarks; and to make a report to the Council five years after adoption of the plan regarding progress in meeting benchmarks; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council directs the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to use the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 to inform the Portland Plan and Central Portland Plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council directs the Bureau of Transportation to develop a program to fund the project development of, and begin implementing, bikeway projects that meet project selection criteria in the plan, considering grant conditions, funding levels, and needs and requests from across the entire city; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council directs the Bureau of Transportation and Portland Parks & Recreation to develop a program to fund the project development of major off-street trail corridors in concert with Metro’s Intertwine effort so that these projects will be ready for implementation when construction funding becomes available in the future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council directs the Bureau of Transportation to seek funding for development of a complete street design guide that reflects policy guidance on mode emphasis for different street types; and includes updating bicycle design guidelines, pedestrian design guidelines, and guidelines for all other uses of the public right-of-way; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, because East Portland has some of the fastest growing neighborhoods in the City, is accommodating a large number of economically disadvantaged households, and has fewer low-stress bicycle facilities than other parts of the city; the Council directs the Bureau of Transportation to work with neighbors and businesses in East Portland during 2010/2011 to develop a five-year East Portland Bicycle Infrastructure Implementation Action Plan that will include capital projects with integrated education and encouragement activities to ensure high levels of bicycle use by a diverse group of East Portland residents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council directs staff to engage in activities aimed at implementing the remaining recommendations of the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution is non-binding city policy.
Link to Exhibit A: Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 (PDF Document, 28 MB)
Link to Exhibit B: City of Portland Recommended Bikeway Network (PDF Document, 9 MB)
HISTORY
Resolution No. 36763, adopted by City Council February 11, 2010.