HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-21-LBAC-min
APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Committee Name: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting: April 21, 2016, Community Center
Members Present
: Peggy Enders (Chair), Bob Dangel, John Frey, Mike Tabaczynski,
Carolyn Levi, Bob Hausslein (FoLB Chair), Sandra Shaw (Recreation Liaison), Richard
Canale (Planning Board Liaison), Laurel Carpenter, George Gagliardi. Marita Hartshorn.
Members Absent: None
Review February Meeting Minutes:
The minutes were approved as submitted.
Bike Lanes: East Mass Ave. Corridor:
Peggy updated us on communications between
herself and the town and MassDOT regarding the Committee’s request that a safer design
for the bike lanes with respect to the width of the buffer between parked cars and bikes be
considered. She shared a letter from MassBike executive director Richard Fries, regarding
the width of the lanes.
Minuteman Bikeway Signage Plan:
Peggy reported that a group of Committee members
met to review the Toole Design Group recommendations for Bikeway wayfinding and
gateway signage prior to a meeting with Toole and town staff members. At the meeting,
the group representing the Bicycle Committee recommended changes to the sign plan,
including the elimination of a number of groups of signs. The sign plan will be presented to
Town Meeting in the coming week and is for the 5.5 mile Lexington corridor, including
kiosks, interpretive displays, and mile markers. The LBAC voted unanimously to support
funding of the article with the understanding that the Committee will continue to be
consulted as the plan gets to its final stage.
Bicycle Friendly Community
: Peggy said that the Town’s status as a Bicycle Friendly
Community will need to be renewed in 2017-18. The current entry-level status is Bronze;
Silver status will require that the Town have a stronger commitment to being safer for
cyclists. Unfortunately, the budget for bicycle accommodations – both for maintenance of
existing accommodations as well as new ones -- submitted by the DPW was removed
before it was presented to the Board of Selectmen. Peggy reported that she was assured
by Mr. Pato that the Board was committed to improving bicycle accommodations, and that
this issue will be revisited next year.
Selectmen’s Annual Goal Setting
: Recommendations to the BoS are due from the
Committee by the end of May. The Committee agreed that a strong statement should be
made regarding the need to plan and budget for improving and maintaining bicycle
infrastructure. Sandra and Richard both commented that they believe the strong
perception of cycling as purely recreational – instead of as an important and healthy means
of transportation -- is part of the problem.
The Committee discussed the report of the accident on the Bikeway in Arlington involving a
dog and unreasonable speed. A speed limit on the Bikeway would be difficult to enforce
and should be a matter of common sense.
Peggy mentioned the Arlington would host the upcoming Tri-Town Bike Committee meeting
on Saturday, June 4, and asked for ideas for agenda items.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways:
Treasurer’s Report
The was given. Donations to a fund for a memorial bench for Abe
Shenker are being made through the Friends.
Bikeway Counts
: These are scheduled for Saturday, May 7, and Tuesday, May 10.
Peggy will organize.
Bike Walk ‘n Bus Week:
:
Saturday May 14 League certified instructors Bruce Kulik and Pat Bibbins will lead
thth
the Bike Smart program for 4 and 5 graders at the Community Center. The
committee voted to pay each leader $75 for their work. Peggy, Sandra, Carolyn,
George, and several police officers will work with the leaders. Peter Coleman at the
Recreation Department has been very helpful; this is a good partnership.
Galen Mook will run a Bike Maintenance Workshop on the same afternoon at the
Community Center, the program is paid for by the 128 Business Council.
Arts Off-road/Art Bike Contest at the Visitors’ Center.
Friday May 20: Commuter Breakfast on the Bikeway – Friday morning May 20 at
the Depot, which is national Bike to Work Day. Volunteers are needed to set up,
host, and clean up.
Saturday, May 21: Ladies Ride Out: Building Biking Confidence. Nicole
Waxmonsky will lead this morning program at the Community Center. Laurel and
Jennifer will work with her.
First Annual Lexington Bike Parade, same afternoon. This will be an easy, social
ride around Lexington, led by Jennifer Melot.
Lexington Discovery Day (Saturday, May 28)
: We have 136 helmets to distribute.
Peggy will be out of town and Is looking for someone to organize a Friends table and be
there all day. Richard Canale will be there for at least part of the time.
Carolyn mentioned that would like to reach out to the Asian community to see if we can
assist them in any way, since many are new to the area and ride bicycles for transportation.
Carolyn was encouraged to be in touch with the leaders of CAAL and perhaps the Council
on Aging to see if there’s interest.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Marita Hartshorn: Recorder
Peggy Enders: Editor