In a surprising move considering their normal stance on city issues, the editorial board of the Austin American Statesman endorsed the Austin 2020 Master Bicycle Plan which is up for consideration at the City Council meeting tonight.

The goal of safety is everyone’s business — those on bikes and those in cars or other vehicles. Too often, cyclists and motorists don’t know the rules of the road that are designed to accommodate both. Often those rules are ignored. That ends tragically with collisions that could be prevented.

That is why we endorse measures in the master plan that would educate the public about safety so that cyclists, pedestrians and motorists know the rules of the road. We know that an increasing number of people are turning to bicycles for transportation as well as recreation. We know that means more crossing of paths between motorists and cyclists. So the master plan is timely.

While they do approve of the concept, the issue of funding is still up in the air. That’s why we all need to show up tonight at City Hall at 6 PM to call not only for the plan’s passage but also a commitment from the City Council to fully fund the plan.