Dear Commissioners,

I am responding to Laura Dedenbach's suggestion to eliminate the requirement of certain bike-friendly facilities in larger buildings.  I am also generally commenting on 407.15(b)(4).  You will note I have CC:ed the Gainesville Cycling Club list serve, subscribed to by about 650 mostly County voters, and the City Commissioners of Gainesville, where I live.

Mrs. Dedenbach wrote:

"Section 407.15(b)(4) - page 9: This is not proposed for revision, but I am surprised that the County is requiring buildings 50,000 sq.ft. and over to provide shower, locker, and changing facilities to promote bike commuting.  I don't think it's a bad idea if a company wants to do this, but requiring it is excessive and impossible to enforce."

I don't see how enforcing this has been or would be any more or less difficult than enforcing our current requirements (like ADA compliance, adequate restroom facilities, etc . . . ).  You simply require it in the planning stage and check to see if it was installed and is being used properly afterwards.  As it stands on the books, the County has had no problem with this law.  I see no reason to get rid of it now. 

My understanding is that, in a building this size, such facilities would be of little additional cost to the builder as a percentage of the total.  Since this rule has been in effect, the largest city in the county, Gainesville, has achieved 7th place in the nation for number of bicycle commuters and trips, according to the U. S. Census.  The typical employee in one of these larger businesses or facilities is going to be of a demographic that would benefit the most from commuting to work by bike.

Long term savings in health of employees, reduction of parking congestion, and the public image of the builder or employer would no doubt make up for this, never mind the savings to the environment.    According to my personal use calculations at www.bikecommuters.com, I kept about 4,000 lbs of carbon dioxide out of the air by bicycle commuting last year.

That we are even questioning whether to install such facilities concerns me.  The County needs to live up to a greener image, and this is but one small way to do so.  You are really doing the builders, owners, renters, and all County citizens a favor by keeping this law as it stands.  Fellow club members can get in touch with you at bocc@alachuacounty.us.

Regards,

James Thompson
Advocacy Director and News Editor
Gainesville Cycling Club