Bicycles and Air Quality |
The Air District is a strong proponent of cycling as a means to reduce motor vehicle travel and vehicle emissions. We encourage you to ride - and please be sure to wear a helmet and ride safely! Table of ContentsThe
Environmental Benefits of Bicycling Bikes are a very environmentally friendly means of transportation - no tailpipe emissions, no evaporative emissions, no emissions from gasoline pumping or oil refining, and zero carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Bicycling also means less water pollution (many people don't realize that motor vehicles are a significant source of water pollution as well as air pollution). And, bikes are quiet, so they don't contribute to noise pollution. Cycling
to Reduce Motor Vehicle Trips and Emissions Cycling
for Short Trips to Reduce Cold Start Emissions Air
District Efforts to Promote Cycling Funding
for Bicycle Projects The California Bicycle Coalition provides a comprehensive Guide to Bicycle Project & Program Funding in California. The Air District provides funding to implement new bicycle infrastructure primarily through the Bicycle Facility Program (BFP) . Launched in spring 2007, the BFP awards grants to public agencies to promote cycling as a means to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. The BFP funds physical bicycle improvements such as developing new bicycle paths, lanes and routes, and installing bicycle parking infrastructure. The BFP focuses on projects that have a high potential to improve bike access to transit stations, employment centers, shopping districts, and schools and colleges. Bicycle-related projects are also eligible for funding through the Air District's Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) County Program Manager Fund , a grant program administered in coordination with the county congestion management agency in each of the nine Bay Area counties. The Air District has a history of supporting bicycle projects. From 1996 through 2006, the District has awarded over $33 million in funding for bicycle projects throughout the Bay Area. This funding has helped provide commuters with hundreds of miles of bikeways; thousands of bicycle lockers at activity centers and bicycle racks on city streets; bicycle racks on transit buses; and attended bicycle parking facilities at various BART and Caltrain stations.
Bike to Work Day
Bicycle Safety
Training for on-road cycling skills is also available at Bicycle Solutions. Safe Routes to Schools Program promotes walking and biking to school through education and incentives and addresses parents' safety concerns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also has advice on getting to school safely. Bicycle Safe offers a list of the most common bicycle/car collisions and how to avoid them. Safe Moves offers bicycle safety education for children at 408-374-8991. Government
Resources Via its 511.org site, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) provides comprehensive information about bicycling in the Bay Area, including the MTC Regional Bicycle Plan. Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Toolbox Caltrans design standards for bicycle lanes and paths. Caltrans guidelines re: Pedestiran and Bicycle Facilities, including the text of Deputy Directive 64 (DD-64) which requires Caltrans to consider the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians in its projects and operations. The Federal Highway Administration has produced several reports on bicycling and walking, including Improving Conditions for Bicycling and Walking: A Best Practices Report. You can view a complete list of FHA publications on bicycling. Pedestrian and Bicycling Information Center Bicycle Advocacy Groups The Bay Area Bicycle Coalition provides information on bicycle issues and links to local bicycle advocacy groups and cycling clubs throughout the Bay Area. The California Association of Bicycle Organizations provides information regarding bicycle access to transit, bicycle touring, bicycle maps, and more. Contacts Dave Burch, Sr. Environmental Planner (415)749-4641 dburch@baaqmd.gov |
|||||
Disclaimer Email comments | ||||||