The Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Committee,
(or "B.P.A.C."), is a newly created citizen's advisory
committee. It currently consists of seven mayorally appointed
members; three community citizens, two city council members and
two city employees. BPAC was created out of a desire to ensure
that bicycle and pedestrian issues were considered when transportation
issues/ideas arise. Its current charge, (as issued by the mayor),
is to do the following:
1) Monitor the progress and participate as interested citizens
in the various stages of city and state transportation projects
in and around Berea to ensure that bike paths and sidewalks are
given appropriate consideration in the design and construction
of the improvements;
2) Act as a channel for communication between the City and interested
citizens concerning these projects and related bike path and
sidewalk issues;
3) Ask for and review available information that clarifies and
explains the proposed projects;
4) Suggest a basic outline or design for a long term bike path
and sidewalk improvement plan for the city of Berea; and
5) Provide suggestions and support for the phased construction
of a bike path from Harrison Court to Indian Fort.
While the group has no decision making power, it is designed
to act as a way to communicate with the public, to make suggestions,
and promote public participation in governmental transportation
decisions.
Currently, BPAC has been focusing much of its attention on the
bike path from Harrison Court to the Indian Fort area. It is
hoped that in the short-term this path will be used as a recreational
tool, both by townspeople and by the tourist industry. In the
long-term the trail is also viewed as the beginning of a larger
attempt to link all areas of Berea together so that transportation
by biking/walking will be a possibility. (Reported by Becca Parrish,
BPAC member)
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