2019-01-14-LBAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Peggy said she is scheduled to go before BoS on Feb 4 to present an update on a number of topics: LimeBikes, e-bikes, the current laws, etc. She said that the Tri-Town bike committee group supports allowing pedal-assist e-bikes up to 20 mph on the bikeway. The Committee discussed the national classification system that has been adopted by many states; those standards allow Class 2 e-bikes (with throttle) on shared paths. Omar said that deviating significantly from the national effort would be going against the tide. Peggy said that Galen Mook pointed out that the bikeway towns can develop local rules if it wants. She added that the message to the BoS needs to be that safe on-road bike infrastructure is the important issue — to provide a place for faster riders and accommodate classes of a-bikes that don't belong on trails. Peggy said that, at the tri-town meeting, speed and passing rules were also discussed, The consensus was to urge a speed limit of 15 mph during congested times. The tri-town group was also in support of burma shave signs rather than metal signs. Peggy mentioned Galen Mook's plan to make a video to target "jerk riders" and post it on twitter, Facebook, YouTube. He is asking for financial support from the Friends. Peggy said that the bikeway kiosks — where maps and bikeway information and guidelines would be posted — are still in limbo after several years, even though Town Meeting approved the funding. . Kevin said that posting a speed limit on the kiosks may not be effective, as people may not stop and read. Tom Fortmann said that the message to users really needs to be "adjust your speed to the conditions". Peggy and Omar have been looking into some LimeBike concerns of the Board. Mike said the bikes are very popular in Arlington; he thinks Lexington might just be on the fringe of the LimeBike range, which is why we get more abandoned ones. MassDOT Draft Bike Plan: Peggy said she hopes the BoS are aware of this document and asked Joe if the MassDOT regional goals could inform the town's goals. Budget recommendations in September are informed by BoS goals, he said. Tom Fortmann expressed concern that the data regarding dooring is mostly not reported in general car-bike crash data because the car isn't moving. He expressed the wish that the issue was dealt with by the town in the context of safety; bike lanes that are painted without a buffer zone to protect from dooring are not safe bike lanes. Peggy reiterates need for bike coordinator in town whose responsibility is to focus on and coordinate town department decisions and budget on issues like this. At tri-town meeting, Peggy reported that Terry Gleason wants the three towns to join forces on some kind of middle school bike education program. Liaison reports: