HB 57-BICYCLE PROGRAM    1:34:34 PM CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 57, "An Act authorizing municipalities and nonprofit organizations to sponsor a program to encourage the safe use of bicycles as a mode of transportation, and amending the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to include administration of state funds appropriated for that purpose." 1:35:01 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 57, labeled 27-LS0315\B, Kane, 2/18/11 as the working document. There being no objection, Version B was before the committee. 1:36:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON, Alaska State Legislature, explained changes contained in the proposed committee substitute Version B. He referred to page 2, to lines 1-2 of HB 57, which read, "(2) educate the public on the safe use of bicycles and traffic laws relating to bicycles and motor vehicles." This language was in response to the committee's desire to have education a prominent feature, and to allow people to apply for grants. He referred to page 2, and line 7, which read, "(2) to establish safety and education programs described in (a)(2) of this section." This language allows for the grants just mentioned. He referred to page 2, lines 19-20, which read, "(2) educating the public on the safe use of bicycles and traffic laws relating to bicycles and motor vehicles." Additionally, the dates of the program survey in the bill are changed. He referred to page 3, line 14, of HB 57, that the date changes from 2011 to 2012, and on page 3, line 18 of HB 57, the date changes from to 2012 to 2014. 1:37:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN recalled viewing advertisements on bicycle laws. He asked whether the department will air additional media announcements or would use the same media campaign. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that not all communities have television as the most available form of media. The bicycle education programs may be accomplished by using flyers. Thus, villages may have different programs than those offered in cities such as Anchorage. 1:39:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ asked whether any small business bicycle shop owners have contacted the sponsor. She related she has received feedback and expressed concern over the potential competition between businesses and local government. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON related he heard from Mr. Peter Roberts, Downtown Bike Rental in Anchorage. Some shops in his district in Homer are supportive of the bill since it will encourage and promote bicycle use and users will upgrade to better bicycles. He said it is a mixed bag and he acknowledged that some tourism related businesses expressed concern that a community program could negatively impact their business. However, there are numerous ways, including building bicycle racks and storage to enhance bicycle ownership, repair, and upgrades. He pointed out that one thing he is also trying to promote are bicycle trailers so people can transport groceries. He related that some equipment can make bicycles safer so they can be used as a "mode of transportation." He stated that municipalities are not trying to compete with the tourism industry. However, numerous communities do not have bicycle shops or bicycles of the type that can be used as a mode of transportation. He suggested people tend to use bicycles and then want better models. 1:42:58 PM JEFF OTTESEN, Director, Division of Program Development, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), offered a brief comment. He recalled that at the last hearing he stressed the importance of bicycling to Alaska. Alaska is one of the leading states in terms of its citizens using bicycles for commuting. He offered that the DOT&PF's only suggestion was to clarify that education was permissible. 1:43:35 PM DERRICK REYNOLDS, Owner, Cycle Logical, stated that he lives in Homer and owns and operates Cycle Logical, a small bicycle repair and retail shop. He said he fully supports HB 57. He offered his belief that he understands the cycling community in Homer. In the past five years he has witnessed a growing number of cyclists ranging from children to dedicated cyclists and commuters. He explained that most people express concern over the lack of safe roads. He agreed with their concern. He said the simple solution is to outlaw cars! He offered his belief that the quickest way to reduce the number of cars and trucks on roadways would be to encourage more people to ride bicycles. He agreed HB 57 would not create a bicycle path along every road but it could help fund a community bike garage for people to use, perhaps allowing them to check out a bicycle. People may be able to check out a grant funded trailer, lock, signage, or bike rack. People could shop and return the trailer to the garage. Similar bike share programs exist nationwide with considerable success. He acknowledged the concern but as a business owner believes that the program will help grow his business. He reiterated that he understands the rental aspect, but most people who want to rent a bicycle to obtain the "state of the art" features and a bike share program may not offer the high end bicycle features. He explained he lives in the community and represents the cycling group. He stated that several groups are actively working to improve conditions for cyclists in Homer, all of whom have shown a commitment to cycling. Cycling is a growing trend. He thinks this is an important bill to pass. He thanked members for considering it. In response to Chair P. Wilson, Mr. Reynolds responded that he has not specifically contacted the city council for funding for cycling programs. 1:48:13 PM CHASE WARREN, Homer Cycling Club, stated that he has worked for Cycle Logical for nearly two years. He related that he has commuted primarily by bicycle for five years. He fully supports HB 57, he said. This bill could significantly increase the safety on our roads, not just for cyclists. 1:49:06 PM CATRIONA LOWE, Member, Homer Cycling Club, stated she is a resident of Homer and a long time cyclist. She is also a member of the Homer Cycling Club. This nonprofit group was formed in 2010 to improve conditions for bicyclists at the local level and to establish bicycle routes and mountain bike trails, host group rides, to organize events such as races, and to promote bicycling as an environmentally friendly and healthy choice. She offered her belief that HB 57 holds great potential for Alaskans. Using non motorized transportation such as bicycles impacts lives in so many beneficial ways that even relatively small amounts of money invested will have positive impact. One thing she especially likes about HB 57 is that it allows each community to develop their own programs to best meet the local needs. One of the biggest needs in Homer is education for both cyclists and motorists on rules of the road. The bill could be used to provide classes and workshops. She uses her bicycle year round. She has commuted over 60 percent of the days in 2011 and driven her car 670 miles thus far. Her bicycling has personally reduced her fuel costs, wear and tear on the roads, and on her vehicle. She encourages her children in grades 4 and 8 to ride their bicycles as much as possible. It provides independent transportation, trips to the library and beach, and a fun means to get exercise. Her children are in the minority since many parents are worried about safety. She advocates the state to provide funding as government provides a central role in creating a seamless, safe transportation infrastructure, including bicycle transportation infrastructure. 1:51:17 PM MS. LOWE provided statistics, such as that bicycling and walking provide 12 percent of the trips Americans make, but only cost 1.5 percent of transportation funding. Bicycles keep us healthy, get us from point A to point B, save us from high gas prices, make our air cleaner, and our roads less congested. Bicycles are great for health, good for communities, and provide a solution for many key societal challenges. Cost effective investments in bicycling will boost the economy, help individuals and the state save money, can help reduce challenges such as obesity and road congestion, and benefit individuals, communities, our state, and ultimately the nation. She offered her belief that the state should invest in solutions that solve multiple problems and "I think bicycling fits the bill." 1:52:10 PM MICHAEL NEECE, City of Homer Economic Development Advisory Commission, echoed Ms. Lowe's position and points. He is a member of other groups that support bicycle use and public transportation. He rides all the time and does not own a car. He suggested a little more effort on the road shoulders would be great during the winter. He hoped that this bill would help elevate and educate people about bicycling. He offered his support for HB 57. 1:53:36 PM CHAIR P. WILSON asked whether Homer has any bike paths. MR. NEECE related that Homer has one. He related that he served on the Global Warming Task Force in 2006-2007 and that task force worked to address bike paths. He pointed out the one bike path is on Easton Road about two miles long. He lives on Kachemak Drive, which does not have a bike path and is a treacherous route. The community would like to develop more. 1:54:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked whether he uses studded tires on his bicycle. MR. NEECE answered no as studded tires sometimes provide a person a sense of false security. He related that he either walks or rides and pays attention to drivers. 1:55:15 PM PETER ROBERTS, Owner, Downtown Bicycle Rental, stated that he has listened to the testimony and has heard many assumptions. He stated that the sponsor acknowledged that a chance for competition exists. He asked how much competition and business owners should lose before businesses have lost too much. He recalled a Homer resident implying it would be better to have a government run the bike share program because the bike rental service would be better. He seemed to imply that bikes provided by government would almost be unsafe bicycles. He asked whether the program would anticipate insurance and liability issues if someone is injured on one of the government sponsored bicycles. He said many questions have arisen and the issues do not seem to have been thought through. He recalled a similar bill was introduced two years ago and the bill sponsor and cosponsor knew he was opposed to the bill yet he was not informed of this bill several days ago. It seemed to him that members should vote no, the bill should go back to the drawing board, and the sponsor should consult with affected constituents prior to introducing legislation like this. MR. ROBERTS emphasized that there is a lot wrong with this bill. He said, "I will wave the flag for bicycling higher than anybody that has testified so far. I rode my bike to this hearing and there's no dispute about how great bikes are." The issue is whether the government should intervene to change peoples' behavior. The education aspect of the bill is good but giving free maintenance, bikes, and trailers needs to be removed. He suggested some testifiers think that it would be better if government provided the trailers. He suggested the testifier fill that niche himself. "That's the American way. I'll bet you anything that he would do a better job. There would be better availability of the trailers, and maybe if he's lucky he'd earn a profit and pay some taxes. And that would help the economy," he said. He suggested that private enterprise should provide the bicycles and trailers and increase competition. He urged the committee to vote no and fund infrastructure instead. He stressed that government should fund bike racks and trails, and make it more interesting for people to commute. He highlighted that increasing trail safety and creating better routes would provide incentives for bicycle commuters. 1:59:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked Mr. Roberts what the impediments are to more people using bicycles. MR. ROBERTS responded that he attended a conference several years ago in Anchorage and the experts indicated the impediment to bicycling is due to a lack of infrastructure. Commuters need the right routes. If people cannot afford bicycles, government could use "Bucks for Bikes" vouchers to patronize an existing business. He stressed that infrastructure is the number one issue, and the second would be to support voucher programs. 2:00:54 PM CHAIR P. WILSON announced she would leave public testimony open. [HB 57 was held over.]