TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Noel Pfeffer, City Attorney
DATE: January 5, 2016
Title
RESOLUTION 05-16 SUPPORTING SENATE BILL 904 SPONSORED BY FLORIDA STATE SENATOR MARIA SACHS FOR DISTRICT 34 THAT AMENDS CHAPTER 335, SECTION 65, FLORIDA STATUTES TO REQUIRE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR-POWERED, IN-ROAD LIGHTS IN CERTAIN BICYCLE WAYS
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve Resolution No. 05-16 supporting Senate Bill 904 Sponsored by Florida State Senator Maria Sachs that amends Chapter 335, Section 65, Florida Statutes to require installation of Solar-Powered, In-Road Lights in bicycle ways.
Body
Background:
The attached Resolution 05-16 provides support for Senate Bill 904, which is sponsored by Florida State Senator for District 34, Maria Sachs. This amendment to Section 335.065, F.S. requires the installation of solar-powered, in-road lights in certain bicycle ways that are established in, or within a specified radius of, an urban area.
Currently, Section 335.065, F.S. does not require in-road lights to be installed in bicycle ways. If passed in the 2016 Legislative Session, the amendment to Section 335.065, F.S. would require solar-powered, in-road lights to be installed in all bicycle ways that are established on or after July 1, 2016, in, or within a one mile radius of, an urban area in conjunction with the construction, reconstruction, or other change of any state transportation facility. These in-road lights will improve the nighttime visibility of bike lanes and bicyclists and reduce the risk of roadway departure crashes by making the bike lanes visible for drivers at a greater distance.