The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) seeks nominations of businesses that make the extra effort to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice this winter. BPAC wants to acknowledge businesses that are doing an outstanding job of keeping pathways clear.

With winter snow and ice comes challenging and often dangerous conditions on sidewalks in commercial areas. BPAC would like to remind business and property owners in Deschutes County of their responsibility to maintain clear sidewalks.

The public is often not aware of winter sidewalk maintenance ordinances in Sisters, Redmond and Bend. The ordinances aim to protect public safety through the clearing of sidewalks after winter storms. While city ordinance language varies from city to city, the message is the same: business or property owners must clear ice or snow from the sidewalk adjoining their property within six hours of daylight.

Safe Sidewalk Awards will be awarded spring, 2010. Business and property winners will receive a certificate from Deschutes County and acknowledgment from their area chamber of commerce.

Safe Sidewalk business nominations can be sent no later than March 19, 2010 to: Deschutes County Planner, Cynthia Smidt (Cynthia_Smidt@co.deschutes.or.us).

The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is a committee of the Deschutes County Commission that seeks to improve conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians throughout the County.

For more information about the award or BPAC, please visit: http://www.deschutes.org/cdd/bikeandped or call the Deschutes County Community Development Department at (541) 317-3150.