10. VTA bicycle guidelinesCUPERTINO
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SUNIlVIARY
AGENDA ITEM
1~
AGENDA DATE June 16.2009
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
Adapt a resolution adopting the 2007 Valley Tra~isportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle Technical
Guidelines.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The VTA Bicycle Technical Guidelines (BTG) present standards and guidance for planning,
designing, operating, retrofitting and maintaining roadways and bikeways. They are intended to
improve the quality of bicycle accommodation and to ensure countywide consistency in the
design and construction of not only bicycle projects but all roadways. The BTG are intended to
supplement and augment the Caltrans Highway Design Manual and other manuals, by providing
guidance on when and how to better accommodate bicyclists.
The first edition of ~TTA's Bicycle Technical Guiidelines (BTG) was adopted by the VTA Board
of Directors in September 1999. In 2007, VTA staff engaged in a process to comprehensively
review and update, as needed, each section of the BTG. The updates include substantive changes
as well as formatting, organizational, and editori,~l changes to make the document easier to use.
These changes were incrementally brought before the VTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee (BPAC) for comment. In addition, a BTG Working Group of VTA's Technical
Advisory Committee (composed of three TAC members} reviewed the changes, and comments
were received from the County, numerous cities, ;~nnd the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition {SVBC).
The 2007 BTG expands and updates the 1919 document in several categories based on
frequently-asked questions and on lessons leanzed over the past 7 years. The main new or
expanded topics include:
• Discussion of new policies that have been adopted by federal, state and regional agencies
pertaining to bicycle transportation (Chapter l );
• Expanded discussion of bike-friendly freeway interchange design and new illustrations on
striping bike lanes through freeways uaterchariges (Chapter 5.3);
• Addition of the new Caltrans-approved pavement marking called a shazed-lane marking or
"Sharrow" {Chapter 7.3}for use on roadways that are too narrow for bike lanes;
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Expanded and updated discussion on bike parking, including acceptable bike rack designs,
the many variations of Class 1 parking including those made possible by new technology,
and their advantages and disadvantages (Chapter 10);
Addition of a chapter on bike paths, (Chapter 9) citing the design details that make bike paths
better transportation facilities.
The 2007 BTG was adopted by the VTA Board of Directors at their meeting of December 13,
2007. On April 15, 2009, the Cupertino Bicycle Pedestrian Commission recommended that the
City of Cupertino also adopt the 2007 BTG.
FISCAL IMPACT
The BTG draw from the main state and federal design manuals and are not likely to present an
additional burden on agencies.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution adopting the 2007 Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle Technical
Guidelines.
Submitted by:
`72 r1 C~C.C.C.c CJ/
Ralph A. Qualls, Jr.
Director of Public Works
Approved for submission:
David W. Knapp
City Manager
Attachment A: Resolution No. 09- 0`j~
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DRAFT ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO.09-090
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUN(:II, OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
ADOPTING THE 2007 VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (VTA)
BICYCLE TECHNIC~~L, GUIDELINES
WHEREAS, the Valley Transportation Authority {VTA} Bicycle Technical Guidelines,
adopted in 1999, present standazds and guidance for planning, designing, operating, retxofitting
and maintaining roadways and bikeways; and
WHEREAS, the 2007 Bicycle Technical Guidelines are the first update of the 1999
Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), a working
group of VTA's Technical Advisory Committee, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, the
County of Santa Clara, and numerous cities participated in the development of the 2007 Bicycle
Technical Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the VTA Boazd of Directors :formally adopted the 2007 Bicycle Technical
Guidelines at their meeting of becember 13, 2007.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby adopts the 2007
Bicycle Technical Guidelines.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular :meeting of the City Council of the City of
Cupertino this 16~' day of June, 2009 by the. following vote:
Vote: Members of the City Council
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk
Mayor, City of Cupertino
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