A county committee wants to capitalize on the fiery debate over bike lanes on State Road A1A to garner support for safer trails for cyclists and pedestrians on other roads.

     At its monthly meeting Thursday, the county's bicycle, pedestrian and greenways advisory committee discussed ways to become more visible in the community and raise awareness of the health benefits of biking and walking.

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     The group plans to hold meetings this year in the northern, southern and western parts of the county to draw attention to its efforts. Next month, the committee will sit down with Palm Beach County Engineer George Webb to go over suggested tweaks to county standards on bike lanes and sidewalks.

     "If we achieve our goals, we increase our effectiveness," said bike and pedestrian coordinator Raphael Clemente. "It all boils down to quality of life."

     After working for years in relative obscurity, the group last year jumped into the middle of the controversy over bike lanes along A1A in Delray Beach . The committee recommended 5-foot lanes where room is available, but the Metropolitan Planning Organization opted in favor of the city's "consensus plan" that calls for 3-foot-wide shoulders, except for the eastern section of road in front of the public beach.

     The state will hold a public meeting next month before making a final decision.

     One of the group's major objectives this year is to encourage the county to let Clemente review plans for all road projects and offer comments on bike facilities and walkways.

     Clemente works for the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is technically not a county agency. The county engineering department does not have a bicycle and pedestrian specialist on staff.

     Clemente, who was hired in 2003, is analyzing bicycle and pedestrian crashes in the county to look for trends that can be used to improve safety. Preliminary results show that in 33 percent of bike crashes the rider was on the wrong side of the road.

     "Bike lanes encourage people not to be on the sidewalk and to ride in the proper direction," he said.