The growing popularity and use of bicycles is unquestioned. The Bicycle Institute of America estimated that in 1960, 20 percent of the population of the United States bicycled regularly; by 1970, this estimate had risen to 37 percent. If the percentage of bicycle users continues to increase at its present rate, approximately 60 percent of the nation's population will be bicyclists by 1980.

In Virginia in 1972, there were more than 2,000,000 bicycle users; residents owned approximately 1,400,000 bicycles and approximately 317,000 new bicycles were sold.

This increased use has resulted from a number of factors, including the desire for outdoor recreation, the need to conserve gasoline, and concern about air pollution from motor vehicles. While there baa been an increased use of bicycles by commuters, the larger use is, and is likely to remain, for recreational purposes.

But at the same time, a significant and consistent annual increase in bicycle-motor vehicle accidents has occurred. A total of 2,955 such accidents was reported in the four-year period ending December 31, 1972. Forty-three persons were killed and 2,953 were injured. Provision of adequate safety must be a prime concern in consideration of the overall subject.

Already, the Department of Highways and Transportation is involved in construction of commuter bikeways, and has established guidelines for development of such facilities. It considers construction of such bikeways for commuter purposes an appropriate use of revenue from highway user taxes. However, it has no authority to expend funds for bikeways which are generally recreational in nature and would require an independent right-of-way.

With this brief summary of findings, which are discussed further in subsequent sections of this report, the Department submits the following recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly:

1. Bicycle-riding, for both commuter and recreational purposes, has increased sharply in recent years. Thus, there is a need for greater governmental attention to the provision of safe, adequate facilities for the use of bicycles.

2. The distinction between commuter and recreational bicycle facilities should be clearly recognized.

(a) The Department of Highways and Transportation already is engaged on a limited basis in development of such facilities for commuter purposes, financing them with highway funds in a manner identical to that followed in financing of highway improvements. The Department will continue this policy.

(b) The Virginia Commission of Outdoor Recreation or some other appropriate state agency should be given authority to assist localities in development of recreational bikeways, with these facilities financed from a combination of funding sources.

3. In all instances, the planning of bicycle facilities should be a matter of local initiative, and should remain primarily at the local level. The continuing, cooperative, comprehensive transportation planning process conducted jointly by the Department of Highways and Transportation and the localities will in the future include consideration of bicycle plans for commuter purposes.

4. Adequate provision must be made for maintenance of completed bicycle facilities.

5. A statewide system of bicycle facilities is not recommended at this time due to the physical problem of establishing routes and the complexities of identifying bicycle facilities on a statewide basis.

6. It is not desirable to divert a specific portion of highway user tax funds to finance bicycle facilities. The Department of Highways and Transportation already is utilizing such funds to construct bikeways on a project-by-project basis, and should retain sufficient flexibility in funding to meet genuine public needs.