PORT TOWNSEND — With enforcement of a bicycle helmet law in Port Townsend about a year off, a proposed comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian safety program was given to the City Council on Monday.
The program will focus on four major areas: engineering, education, encouragement and enforcement, said City Manager David Timmons during the council meeting at the Port Townsend Fire Station on Lawrence Street.
Timmons drafted the program by order of the council — which last May rescinded a controversial helmet law passed six months earlier — but said it will not be implemented immediately.
“It takes time to restructure or reprioritize our system,” Timmons said.
“The key to carrying out any initiative is going to be the staff support that we can allocate.”
He said he’s looking at a two- to three-year timeline for the program to take effect and to have adequate time to gauge its effectiveness.
To obtain grants to improve bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly access, city officials will have to act quickly.
By Sept. 20, a grant application for the state Department of Transportation’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program is due.
The council agreed to pursue such a grant on Monday.
It would increase the safety of existing crosswalk on Sims Way near Hendricks Street, including installation of an overhead crosswalk signal linked to the existing in-pavement lighting system.
In addition, the grant would create a bicycle safety class that travels from school to school. All students within a certain grade level would attend.
Bicycle helmet giveaways
Also, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue and Port Townsend Police Department officials give out bicycle helmets and safety instruction to classes, service groups, clubs and individuals.
Julie Mathews, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue community life safety officer, said Monday that through a joint effort with Port Townsend Police Department, about 500 free helmets have already been given to local community members.
The grant would also entail an already-aggressive traffic enforcement stance on Sims Way and propose an emphasis on yielding to pedestrians, with the possibility of a undercover “pedestrian sting” operation.
Two solar-powered vehicle speed radar signs are also proposed.
The estimated amount of the grant to be sought is $106,026.