Sedona may be the test pilot for a state-funded program intended to increase bicycle and pedestrian safety awareness.

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety recently awarded funding to the Arizona Department of Transportation for the development of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign.

The program, which will focus on education and motivating positive behavioral changes, was one of many state programs competing for funding that originated at the federal level through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

With the funding, Michael Sanders, ADOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian program coordinator, said the program is now ready to be implemented, although on a smaller scale than originally planned.

Members of the program’s steering committee, which included residents of the Phoenix metro area, had hoped to expand the program statewide to

essentially replicate the program currently in place in the Tucson area, but due to limited funding, they’ll scale the operation back a bit, according to Sanders.

ADOT is looking for one or two small Arizona communities to host pilot programs, he said.

Sanders said it is ADOT’s intention to work with small communities that have the interest, the need and the resources to develop successful programs, so that there will be something to show the governor when it comes time to consider continuing or even expanding the campaign.

ADOT is particularly interested in working with communities that may have been underserved by state and federal funding for areas relating to bicycle and pedestrian safety in the past, Sanders said.

“I think it would be really tremendous if we were able to do this here in the Verde Valley,” said Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition President Daniel Paduchowski. “We have a huge need for increased awareness.”

Few people have any idea that laws like Arizona Revised Statue §28-735, a state law requiring motorists to allow at least three feet of space when passing bicyclists on the road, even exist, Paduchowski said.

On the other hand, many bicyclists neglect to stop at stop signs and often travel on the wrong side of the road, Paduchowski said.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign could be helpful in getting good information out to the public.

When construction along Hwy. 179 is completed, the number of bicyclists on the road is likely to increase, Paduchowski said, so it’s important for both motorists and bicyclists to know the rules and be able to share the road.

People need to be aware that bicyclists are out there. They’re not trying to create traffic issues. Most are just trying to stay healthy and cut down on air pollution, Paduchowski said.

He intends to contact Sedona Mayor Pud Colquitt and City Manager Eric Levitt to discuss possibly bringing the ADOT program to Sedona.

Randy Victory, founder of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition, also intends to contact officials in Cottonwood, according to Paduchowski, who believes Camp Verde and Clarkdale officials may also be receptive.

“It’s something our community could really benefit from,” Paduchowski said.

With an expected launch in early 2008, Sanders said ADOT is currently accepting letters of interest from Arizona communities.

Statements and letters of interest may be submitted to Michael Sanders at ADOT Transportation Planning Division, 206 S. 17th Ave., mail drop 310B, Phoenix, AZ 85007, or by e-mail to msanders@adot.gov.

For more information about the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign, visit www.azbikeped.org.

Tyler Midkiff may be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 122, or e-mail to tmidkiff@larsonnewspapers.com.