Since Transportation is on the agenda, and you're both together in one meeting, perhaps this might be an opportune time to talk about the possibility of drafting a no-idling ordinance for the city limits. Both Idle-Free California and the California Air Resources Board have much information on the harm of idling cars and trucks. Considering the number of trucks idling in the bays of the numerous warehouses in the industrial district alone, it would make quite a difference to the air to limit the number of minutes a car/truck could idle. In Napa County, asthma rates are some of the highest in California. American Canyon also carries the hightes t pollution burden of Napa County. Cars waiting at school pickups is another area to consider. Many cities have already adopted ordinances, including Dublin, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara and Palo Alto. There are several sample ordinances available online as well. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for both commissions to work together to make a recommendation to the City Council.
The most significant aspect of having an ordinance is the ability to put up signage asking people to turn off their engines. Just having signs up, makes a difference. I have quite a bit of material on the subject and would be happy to work with any commission member who would like to extend a proposal to the commission, and finally the city council.
In reviewing the City of American Canyon’s bike parking standards, we urge you to ask staff and council to improve the standards accordingly:
1. Adopt the CalGreen VOLUNTARY Bike Parking codes (A4.106.9) for residential developments. Currently the state-mandated Green Codes apply to non-residential developments only. CalGreen also includes Voluntary measures in Appendices. These standards are not requirements, but are often adopted by local municipalities through the ordinance process. Adopting the Voluntary bike parking codes would implement bike parking requirements at multi-family buildings, for which no requirements currently exist.
2. Modify the existing CalGreen Bike Parking code for short-term parking at commercial buildings (5.106.4.1.1) so that 1) bike parking will be placed no more than 50’ from the building entrance (the code currently calls for no more than 200’) and 2) the exception for additions and alterations is removed. Instead add: “A minimum of 2 bike parking spaces shall be added in the event of any new additions or alterations.”
The Association of Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals, whose standards the League of American Bicyclists uses to evaluate Bicycle Friendly Cities, recommends bike parking placement within 50’. This is important now as more expensive e-bikes and other micromobility devices are selling well and can and are replacing car trips. However, if users do not feel bike parking is safe—if parking is far away, around a corner, or lacking a line of sight—they will be less likely to select this more environmentally-friendly method of travel. The world of biking has changed dramatically and quickly, and bike parking needs to evolve accordingly.
We ask, too, that you urge the City to adopt bike-friendlier lane widths that emphasize safety over speed. Currently lane widths are 12’ on local roads, which is the same width as is designated for 6-lane arterials. Narrowing lanes on residential roads to 10’, and on collector roads to 10’ or 11’, allows for emergency response and helps calm traffic. Where appropriate, it can create space for more separated bike facilities, too—a win-win for safety and active transportation.
Please note, though Attachment 5 in the staff report references the 2012 Bike Plan, the 2020 Bike Master Plan was adopted as a General Plan Amendment and so is the guiding document.
Good evening commissioners
Since Transportation is on the agenda, and you're both together in one meeting, perhaps this might be an opportune time to talk about the possibility of drafting a no-idling ordinance for the city limits. Both Idle-Free California and the California Air Resources Board have much information on the harm of idling cars and trucks. Considering the number of trucks idling in the bays of the numerous warehouses in the industrial district alone, it would make quite a difference to the air to limit the number of minutes a car/truck could idle. In Napa County, asthma rates are some of the highest in California. American Canyon also carries the hightes t pollution burden of Napa County. Cars waiting at school pickups is another area to consider. Many cities have already adopted ordinances, including Dublin, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara and Palo Alto. There are several sample ordinances available online as well. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for both commissions to work together to make a recommendation to the City Council.
The most significant aspect of having an ordinance is the ability to put up signage asking people to turn off their engines. Just having signs up, makes a difference. I have quite a bit of material on the subject and would be happy to work with any commission member who would like to extend a proposal to the commission, and finally the city council.
Greetings OSATS & Planning Commissioners:
In reviewing the City of American Canyon’s bike parking standards, we urge you to ask staff and council to improve the standards accordingly:
1. Adopt the CalGreen VOLUNTARY Bike Parking codes (A4.106.9) for residential developments. Currently the state-mandated Green Codes apply to non-residential developments only. CalGreen also includes Voluntary measures in Appendices. These standards are not requirements, but are often adopted by local municipalities through the ordinance process. Adopting the Voluntary bike parking codes would implement bike parking requirements at multi-family buildings, for which no requirements currently exist.
2. Modify the existing CalGreen Bike Parking code for short-term parking at commercial buildings (5.106.4.1.1) so that 1) bike parking will be placed no more than 50’ from the building entrance (the code currently calls for no more than 200’) and 2) the exception for additions and alterations is removed. Instead add: “A minimum of 2 bike parking spaces shall be added in the event of any new additions or alterations.”
The Association of Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals, whose standards the League of American Bicyclists uses to evaluate Bicycle Friendly Cities, recommends bike parking placement within 50’. This is important now as more expensive e-bikes and other micromobility devices are selling well and can and are replacing car trips. However, if users do not feel bike parking is safe—if parking is far away, around a corner, or lacking a line of sight—they will be less likely to select this more environmentally-friendly method of travel. The world of biking has changed dramatically and quickly, and bike parking needs to evolve accordingly.
We ask, too, that you urge the City to adopt bike-friendlier lane widths that emphasize safety over speed. Currently lane widths are 12’ on local roads, which is the same width as is designated for 6-lane arterials. Narrowing lanes on residential roads to 10’, and on collector roads to 10’ or 11’, allows for emergency response and helps calm traffic. Where appropriate, it can create space for more separated bike facilities, too—a win-win for safety and active transportation.
Please note, though Attachment 5 in the staff report references the 2012 Bike Plan, the 2020 Bike Master Plan was adopted as a General Plan Amendment and so is the guiding document.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kara Vernor, ED, Napa County Bicycle Coalition