FHWA Policy Memorandums - Associate Administrator for Program Development |
ACTION: Designation
of Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators within State Departments of Transportation |
Date: January 17, 1992 |
Associate Administrator for Program Development | HPD-1 |
Regional Federal Highway Administrators |
Over the last year and a half, FHWA has taken a leadership role in encouraging consideration of the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians by States and localities in highway projects. The new Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) offers increased opportunities for accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians as legitimate users of the transportation system.
Section 1033 of the new legislation requires the creation of a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator position within each State Department of Transportation. Federal funding for this position may be derived from funds available from apportionments made under Sections 104(b)(2), Surface Transportation Program, or 104(b)(3), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.
Each State, in consultation with the division offices, should initiate recruitment actions to fill this position. Where States already have bicycle/pedestrian coordinators in place, no further action is required to fill the bicycle/pedestrian coordinator position. In these cases, funds authorized by 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(2) or 104(b)(3) may be used for the position. In the remaining States, the bicycle/pedestrian coordinator position should be established and filled as soon as possible. We strongly encourage States to consider establishing a full-time bicycle and pedestrian coordinator position; however, we recognize that a full-time position may not be necessary in some States.
The Federal share for funding the bicycle/pedestrian coordinator positions shall be 80 percent with a 20 percent State matching funds requirement. For less than a full-time position, Federal funds would be available for 80 percent of the percentage of the position actually spent on bicycle and pedestrian responsibilities.
The ISTEA states that the responsibilities of the position include:
"promoting and facilitating the increased use of nonmotorized modes of transportation, including developing facilities for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists and public education, promotional, and safety programs for using such facilities."
We have attached copies of a document prepared by the Bicycle Federation of America entitled "Bicycle Coordinators and Programs: Why, How, What and Who." We would particularly direct your attention to the chapters "What does a bicycle coordinator do?", and "Who would make a good bicycle coordinator?" We have also attached a listing of the qualities useful for the coordinator and a listing of typical duties. These documents should be passed along to the States for their information.
In addition to the qualifications listed in this publication, an interest in and a commitment to the use of nonmotorized transportation modes is an important qualification for the coordinator position. The coordinator should be a program manager with specific responsibility for bicycle and pedestrian programs and activities, and have sufficient authority to work effectively with other elements within the State.
We would ask that each FHWA division office inform us of the name of the present bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for each State or the new individual as soon as these positions are filled. Please forward this information to Mr. Tom Weeks, Chief, Planning and Programming Branch, (HEP-12).
Attachments
Attachment 1
Attachment 2