Memorandum

Lawrence-Douglas County

Metropolitan Planning Organization (L-DC MPO)

TO:	David L. Corliss, Lawrence City Manager
FROM:	Jessica Mortinger, L-DC MPO Transportation Planner
CC:	Scott McCullough, Lawrence, Douglas County Planning and Development Services Director Todd Girdler, L-DC MPO Senior Transportation Planner
DATE:	February  15, 2011
RE:	City Ordinance 17-114– BAC Recommendations

On November 16, 2010, the Bicycle Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend changes to Ordinance 17-114. 

Adopted in 1997, Ordinance 17-114 prohibits: “any person riding a bicycle upon any street, alley or sidewalk to ride abreast of any other person riding upon another bicycle.”

This city ordinance is more restrictive than the state ordinance for riding abreast which states that cyclists may ride no more than two abreast. County roads fall under the state law: “Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.”

The BAC discussed the existing ordinance and determined the following:

· The law prevents riders from riding two abreast when there is no vehicular traffic on a roadway. This prevents riders from passing and being able to safely communicate with each other.

· The more restrictive city ordinance hinders group rides where riders are in the process of leaving the city limits as quickly as possible to roads where they can ride two abreast under state law.

· The BAC agreed that a change in this ordinance would create a more bicycle friendly community.

MPO staff consulted the Lawrence Police Department representatives for their support to this change. LPD was supportive of removing the local ordinance and defaulting to state law. They support the efforts of the BAC to continue to improve and encourage bicycle rideability in Lawrence and Douglas County.