BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to prioritization of bicycle projects; adding a new section to chapter 47.05 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that bicycles are an essential feature of the state's multimodal transportation system and that it is in the state's interest to promote bicycling as an effective alternative to the single-occupant automobile. The legislature also finds that bicycle travel without appropriately safe bicycling facilities can be dangerous and result in serious injuries to bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. Therefore, the state also has an interest in promoting safe bicycle travel.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 47.05 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department's bicycle projects must be divided into urban and rural categories, and each project within those categories must be prioritized according to the criteria and point system in this section.

(2) For urban areas the maximum allowable points for each criterion are a follows:

(a) Connection to the existing bicycle facility system: 10 points. More points shall be given to projects providing missing links or connections to the existing system.

(b) Points awarded for the project's impact on bicycling shall be awarded as follows:

(i) Population: 10 points;

(ii) Current bicycle activity: 10 points;

(iii) Proximity to a college or university: 10 points;

(iv) Proximity to an employment center: 10 points;

(v) Access across or around a natural or man-made barrier: 10 points.

More points shall be awarded to projects creating the most bicycle use.

(c) Urgency of safety improvements: 20 points. More points shall be awarded to projects in locations where accidents are frequent.

(d) Points for other safety considerations shall be evaluated by using the following:

(i) Existing shoulder width: 10 points;

(ii) Lane width: 10 points;

(iii) Average daily traffic: 10 points.

(e) If the project appears on the department's bicycle advisory committee list it shall receive 5 points.

(f) If the project appears on the state trails plan developed by the interagency committee for outdoor recreation it shall receive 5 points.

(3) For rural areas the maximum allowable points for each criterion are as follows:

(a) Existing shoulder width: 10 points. More points shall be awarded to projects on roads with narrow shoulders.

(b) Lane width: 10 points. 10 bonus points shall be awarded to a project where the road lane is less than twelve feet wide.

(d) Truck traffic: 10 points. Bonus points shall be awarded to projects on roads where at least ten percent of the vehicle traffic are trucks.

(e) Distance from urban area: 10 points. More points shall be awarded to projects closer to urban areas.

(f) Length of the proposed project: 5 points. More points shall be awarded projects whose distance is longer.

(g) Connection to a rural activity center, such as a school or park: 5 points. Bonus points shall be awarded to projects serving an activity center.

(h) Built-in conjunction with another department project: 5 points. Bonus points shall be awarded to those projects that are able to reduce costs by coordinating planning and construction with another department project.