December 10, 2006
Bismarck Public Library, Room C
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In Attendance
Brian Beattie, Loren Carson, Bob Christensen, Jason Doerr, Dale Heinert, Dennis Kemmesat, Mark Liebig, Bob Scarlett, Anita Thomas, Marian Voeller, Bill Walz, and Pete White.

Meeting Summary
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the feasibility of successfully undertaking 'safe zone' legislation and/or a repeal of the sidepath rule, and to discuss and decide upon specific outreach activities associated with 'Bike to Work Week’ for 2007.

Traffic laws pertaining to bicycles on North Dakota roadways were discussed with specific emphasis on the sidepath rule (39-10.1-05). The sidepath rule is stated as follows: “Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and may not use the roadway”. Violation of the sidepath rule may result in a fine not to exceed $5.00 (39-10.1-01). Questions were asked as to what a ‘useable path’ was, which seemed open for interpretation based on the type of riding undertaken. There was also discussion about what may happen if the rule was repealed. What alternative would we suggest in its place? Concerns were raised regarding probable issues that would emerge with a repeal of the rule (e.g., Would there be a minimum speed a bike rider must maintain on the road while adjacent to a path? Would there be an age restriction on who may ride on the road next to a path?). Given these issues, the general feeling of the group was to not undertake a repeal of the sidepath rule, but to instead seek out the potential for developing ‘Safe Zone’ legislation.

‘Safe Zone’ legislation was briefly discussed. Similar legislation assumed to have been developed in Texas apparently has yet to be passed into law. Utah, however, has some type of ‘Safe Zone’ rule that entitles cyclists to a given distance from automobiles. Details on this rule will be researched and presented at the next meeting.

Potential activities to promote ‘Bike to Work Week’ (BTWW) were shared and discussed. Activities include:

• Development of two educational brochures, one on bike safety and another to promote BTWW.
  
• Contact the Parks and Recreation departments in Bismarck and Mandan to promote BTWW.
  
• Send promotional material for BTWW to Human Resource contacts in large companies throughout
Bismarck and Mandan (a list of potential companies/organizations was developed).

• Promote BTWW through schools to target younger cyclists, with an emphasis on bike safety. The ‘Safe Routes to Schools’ program is a possible funding outlet for this endeavor.
  
• Highlight BTWW through traditional media outlets (radio, TV (morning and noon programs; Channel 12), and NDCF website).
  
• Create information sheets outlining commuting routes for Bismarck and Mandan.
  
• Provide information to would-be commuters on how to choose a good bike route and how to ride certain types of roads.
  
• Seek endorsement of BTWW by mayors Worford and Lamont.
  
• Promote BTWW through the Bismarck Tribune via an editorial and/or a story in the Lifestyle section.
  
• Seek out support from the Bismarck Police to help with bike safety education.
  
• Promote BTWW at the Great American Bike Race (GABR) in April.- Promote BTWW at various health fairs prior to May 14th.
  
• Enter a ‘Commuter Bike Group’ in the ‘Band Night Parade’, held in Bismarck in late April. Promote BTWW by handing out brochures along the parade route.
  
• Investigate and utilize BTWW resources developed by League of American Bicyclists. The League has a useful brochure addressing bike commuting issues that would be very helpful for our efforts.
  

Include the city-wide bus system (CAT) in BTWW (as the buses are capable of transporting bikes).

Of the items outlined above, an initial effort will be put forth to, 1) develop educational brochures, and 2) create information sheets outlining commuting routes. Mark Liebig and Anita Thomas will head up the effort to develop drafts of the brochures, while Brian Beattie, Dennis Kemmesat, and Dale Heinert will work on the commuting route information sheets. Individuals interested in helping either workgroup are encouraged to do so.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 22nd, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Bismarck Public Library (Room C). Agenda items for the meeting include review and discussion of ‘Safe Zone’ related legislation developed in Utah as well as presentations by the brochure and commuting route workgroups.