During the May 23 Regular Assembly Meeting, Assembly Members Daniel Volland, Anna Brawley and Karen Bronga introduced AO 2023-65, an ordinance to promote safety, equity and access to infrastructure for bicyclists and vulnerable road users. The public is invited to give testimony on the ordinance during a public hearing at the June 6 Regular Assembly Meeting.
“It’s only fitting that we introduce this legislation during Bike Month,” said Member Volland. “As proposed, the ordinance implements recommendations from the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) to amend local laws that criminalize bicycle use. We aim to improve active transportation networks, so that all residents travelling without a car can arrive at their destination safely.”
The ordinance proposes changes to Title 9 – Vehicles and Traffic in Anchorage Municipal Code (AMC) which impact the safety of vulnerable road users, including:
Defining active transportation terms in code.
The ordinance would establish new terminology, “Vulnerable Road User,” to include pedestrians, wheelchair users, bicyclists, scooters, etc.
Legalizing bike-friendly behaviors on the road.
The ordinance would legalize behaviors to allow bicycle users to use roadways differently than cars and other vehicles.
The ordinance would legalize the “Idaho Stop,” in which bicyclists are allowed to yield rather than stop at stop signs, and the “Dead-Red,” which allows bicycles to proceed through a red stop light if the light doesn't change after two minutes.
The ordinance also expands the restrictions on what modes of transportation are allowed in a bike lane so that any vulnerable road user other than people walking may use a bike lane: wheelchairs, e-scooters, etc.
Establishing tools for municipal transportation professionals to implement in future projects.
The ordinance would add definitions for “Protected Bicycle Lanes,” “Cycle Tracks,” and “Buffered Bicycle Lanes” so that future investments into safe active transportation infrastructure, increasingly common in other cities, have clear design parameters. Along similar lines, the ordinance adds a design feature to new projects to include signage that reinforces an existing rule for drivers to give vulnerable road users 3 feet of space.
Removes fines for bicycle equipment regulations.
The ordinance would eliminate municipal fines for bike-related citations, including riding without a lamp, without a bell, without a helmet and without a valid bicycle registration.
“Across the country, bike laws are disproportionately enforced against people of color and low-income people riding bikes, especially where bike-friendly infrastructure is lacking,” said Member Brawley. “While protective equipment, like helmets and bells, can prevent serious injury, it is unnecessary and ineffective to maintain fines that financially penalize users.”
“This ordinance is our opportunity to change the culture of transportation in Anchorage for the better,” said Member Bronga. “I hope we create a safe, enjoyable environment so that more families use active transportation, or modes of transportation that get people moving by foot and on wheels, in their daily routine.”
AO 2023-65 is scheduled for public hearing at the next Regular Assembly Meeting on June 6, 2023. You are invited to share input on this change:
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CONTACT
Daniel Volland | District 1
daniel.volland@anchorageak.gov
Anna Brawley | District 3
anna.brawley@anchorageak.gov
Karen Bronga | District 5
karen.bronga@anchorageak.gov