On June 9, 2006, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2006-022 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2006-023 Plan Amendment. Title:  Berea Bicycle Safety Training for Elementary School Children Sponsor:  City of Berea Estimated Total Cost: $15,985 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA History/Background: The City of Berea formed a citizens committee called the Berea Bicycle Advisory Committee (BBAC). The BBAC developed a plan emphasizing safety and education. To date the BBAC has installed roadside signs and bicycle racks at various locations throughout the city, painted a bicycle lane on Front Street and developed the Berea Bicycle Safety and Training Program to educate fourth and fifth grade Berea Public Elementary School students. Since its initiation, the BBAC has provided similar training in different formats. The first event occurred in summer 2001, in which approximately 25 students participated. This event involved classroom training only. The city conducted a similar event in summer 2002, which included training and a practice ride and was attended by approximately 25 students. The next event was conducted in 2004 at two elementary schools during the final week of the school year. A total of 128 fourth and fifth grade students participated in the event. The program was repeated in 2005 and included four elementary schools, with a participation of 202 students. In late 2005, the city encouraged two Catholic Schools to participate in the program in 2006. The program is targeted towards fourth and fifth grade students because it has been determined that this is the earliest age at which students are mature enough to ride with motorized traffic on streets. Proposed Project:  According to the sponsor, the purpose of the bicycle safety training program is to educate fourth and fifth grade students in the art of safe bicycling on streets and roads with motorized traffic in an effort to reduce potential bicycle related injuries and deaths, and promote greater use of bicycles as a transportation mode and recreation in Berea. The program will involve: Advance Communication with Parents/Guardians – Information materials, permission to participate, liability release and call for volunteers; Classroom Training – Training booklets and video, bicycle safety check and adjustment, safety maneuvers and bicycle control; On-the-Road Safety Training Practice Ride –to provide students with the opportunity to practice the maneuvers taught in the classroom. Other materials include gifts (e.g. a copy of “From A to Z by Bike” training pamphlet and a T-shirt) and prizes (handlebar bells, bike locks, reflector kits and tire pumps) to the participants. The program would be extended to students at Fairwood, Parknoll, Riveredge and Vivian Smith Elementary Schools and Saint Mary’s and Saint Adalbert’s schools. The total cost to implement the program - based on the 2005 program - is estimated to be $15,985. Eighty percent of the cost ($12,788) can be funded with NOACA Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. Twenty percent ($3,197) of the cost will be funded by the City of Berea. Staff Comment (Summary): Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: Recommend this project go to the Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS) and Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) for consideration. Staff has been in contact with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and is awaiting a determination regarding the project’s eligibility for federal-aid highway funds. At its March 17, 2006 meeting, the RTIS authorized staff to inform applicants that it is unlikely that any new application requesting federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds for 2006-2009 would be approved due to the funding shortfall. Because circumstances may change, we recommend that successful applications requesting funds for 2006-2009 be placed on the Transportation Plan (2010 and beyond). If funding becomes available, proposed projects can be considered for funding on a case-by-case basis. Criteria used by the RTIS for programming a project will include the status of other reservoir projects, project readiness, county targets, type of project, project cost and Board priorities. At its March 17,2006 meeting, the RTIS authorized staff to inform applicants that it is highly unlikely that any new application requesting Transportation Enhancement funds (TE) would be processed at this time due a severe funding shortfall. A Transportation Enhancement Task Force has been formed to provide recommendations on how to process any new TE applications. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: This project is beneficial for the region. Plan/Forecast Team: This effort, while laudable, does not appear to be regional in scope. Committee Review: Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): The BAC supports this project. Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): Accept the Project Planning Review, add the project for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan but not program the project. Project sponsor will be notified of the recommendation. Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC): "We support this type of training. We believe this could be a valuable tool for bike safety in the roads." -Cuyahoga County Engineer If you are a representative of a governmental entity and would like to comment on this project, please email us. Public Involvement: NOACA encourages comments from the public on this proposed transportation improvement project. Please notify us if you would like to be added to our e-mail notification list for future updates.