PedNet Advocacy Pays Off
Bicycle Harassment Ordinance Upheld, Residential Speed Limits Lowered to 25mph
The PedNet Coalition achieved two policy successes at the August 17 Columbia City Council meeting. More than a dozen PedNet supporters attended the meeting and testified during public input on ordinances regarding bicyclist harassment and reduced neighborhood speeds.
The Bicycle Harassment Ordinance, Section 16-145 of the City Code, was originally passed by City Council on June 15. At that time, the council made a motion to increase the protections outlined in the ordinance by including pedestrians and wheelchair users as well. But, three weeks later, Fourth Ward Councilman Jerry Wade put forth a motion to suspend the ordinance, stating “There is a significant polarization going on between bicyclists and drivers. The ordinance will substantially contribute to that.” There had been some strong, negative reaction to the ordinance but, after consideration, PedNet board and staff members decided that retention of the ordinance, along with educational efforts to address the polarization, was in the best interests of the PedNet mission.
In the final agenda for the August 17 meeting, the proposed motion to add pedestrians and wheelchair users the Bicycle Harassment ordinance came before the motion to suspend the ordinance. In spite of public support for expanding the ordinance to all non-motorized users, the council voted to table this issue with a 4-2 vote. During public input for the second item, many bicyclists urged Council to retain the ordinance and testified to benefits experienced during the two months it has been in effect, while no one spoke in favor of suspension. After strong statements from Third Ward Councilperson Karl Skala and Mayor Darwin Hindman, the motion was defeated with only Mr. Wade and Second Ward Councilperson Jason Thornhill supporting suspension.
Another important issue on the August 17 agenda was an amendment to City Code 14-223 to reduce residential street speed limits to 25mph citywide. The actual decision to reduce the speed limits was uncontroversial, and most discussion concerned the time line for changing the signs, with the Public Works department favoring a seven year implementation period to save on installation costs. Council members felt this was too long of a delay, and voted instead to allocate more funds and have all signage in place within two years. Some neighborhoods will receive larger signs with yellow borders and the words "KID-FRIENDLY."
PedNet is very pleased with the outcome of these two council items and looks forward to the inclusion of pedestrians and wheelchair users in the Harassment Ordinance.
