2018-09-13-LBAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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area where we do not have the resources or knowledge to make any detailed decisions about local bike path policy concerning electric bikes....we should encourage the state to adopt standards defining electric assist vs electric motorcycle similar to what other states and countries have and recommend those standards be applied to bike path policy in town, namely electric assist with no throttle and limited speed is OK, electric motorcycles not OK...." A note from Jennifer Melot was read, where she points to the California e-bike standards, which would limit a-bikes to class 1 (pedal-assist) and 2 (throttle on demand, limited to low speeds). "I think e-bikes provide significant benefit to ordinary people in the suburbs with longer distances to cover...people with disabilities...we shouldn't discourage people from using them...." Jennifer went on to write that, "...if we're going to add a rule to the bikeway, then it should be related to passing distance, not passing speed. Why not have a (say) three-foot passing rule?" Jennifer argues that, "Unlike a speed limit this would address the safety concerns IMO, which seem to be caused more by close passes then by speed." Jennifer recommends that the Committee should take the opportunity to "really push the selectmen on the issue of creating a real bike network. That is the salient issue here. There is No where else for people to ride in town that remotely compares to the safety of the minuteman, so everyone from roadies to toddlers cram on [to it]. We really need continuous protected bike lanes on Waltham Street and Mass Ave; we should widen and connect Lower Vine Brook to the minuteman...." Kevin said that the bikeway should post a 15 mile/hour speed limit. This would require coordination first among the three-town bike committees and then with their respective boards of selectmen. The Arlington bike committee hopes to gather data on average bikeway speeds, using borrowed counting equipment. The Bedford bike committee may use a speed gun borrowed from their police department. Sgt Callahan said that the Committee should keep in mind that, currently, a bike collision anywhere on the bike path when it's not at an intersection is handled as a medical; crash data along the bikeway is not collected. Peggy said she hopes this changes with improvements to the data collected about bike incidents. Peggy said that she has been in touch with Pete Sutton (MassDOT bike/ped coordinator) as well as with Senator Barrett (who has expressed interest) and MassBike. Evidently, the RMV is looking into the issue of classifying various