2019-04-11-LBAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Suzy Enos commented that some of the newer paths in MA have a 15 mph posted speed limit (like Shining Sea bikeway). Not so much for enforcement, but as a suggestion to ride elsewhere. She also pointed out that Mass Ave is not necessarily a safe alternative for faster riders, however. Howard Cloth talked about the school zone speed warnings and suggested these be installed on the path. People could see a message suggesting they be more careful/slow down. Ross Morrow warned that this may actually cause people to speed (happen s with drivers). Capt McLean said that these devices cost $15K or more. It's best to help people who want to do the right thing to do better; there are some people you won't reach, he said. If speed guidelines are introduced, he said, it's important that there be consistency across the towns. Police can't be the "courtesy police" on the bikeway, he added, saying that he had heard about a bicyclist running a red light in another bikeway town and getting tackled by a police officer. Capt McLean said such a speed limit might perhaps be enforced as a bylaw violation. The bikeway is not a public way so traffic laws can't be enforced on it. The right of way is owned by the MBTA; police do not have jurisdiction for speeding. Bill Widnall said that most people who might be a problem have speedometers, but others pointed out that a-bikes do not always have them. Since it's a commuter bikeway, it is reasonable that people would want to go faster during non-congested periods. He noted that there are a lot of kids on balance bikes who can randomly pull U-turns, etc. Peggy said that a few years back the committee put a letter in the newspaper encouraging parents to help kids learn how to ride bikes someplace other than the bike path. The discussion focused on the need for a courtesy and safety awareness campaign. George mentioned that the red "burma shave" signs are going to be posted soon but expressed frustration that the committee "goes round and round" on these issues without much resolution. Comments on introducing a formal awareness campaign included: • It's a good idea; people don't necessarily realize that the bikeway will be so crowded on the weekends. Could even do PR or editorials to try to spread the message. Need a way to get to the general public. • MassBike wants to make a video using muppets to emphasize courtesy on shared use paths. LexMedia is also interested in putting together videos. • People have flagged Strava segments on the bike path for competition. No way to mark whole bikeway as a hazard/place rides should not be tracked