2019-06-13-LBAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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street, including large and long driveways and the many side streets along the avenue. On a related topic, Peggy said she thought the bike lanes closer to Pleasant street near the Follen Church are not adequately protected from parked car doors. She thinks a solution needs to be found to provide an adequate buffer in the places where there are adjoining parked cars. Richard said the lane widths should have been 10.5 feet; emergency vehicles only need to put their flashers on to take as much of the road as they want. Should a letter be sent to MassDOT to protest this practice? Yield Signage on the Bikeway: Sgt Callahan said that there is concern about the mixing of Yield and Stop signs along the bikeway intersections; in some places there are both types (e.g., Revere Street). The Committee talked about how drivers who are familiar with the bikeway crossings, regardless of signage, either slow or stop at most intersections. Most bike riders slow down but rarely come to a complete stop if they don't see traffic, especially where the sightlines are good. The idea of 4-way yield signs was floated, or all one-way yield signs. The police seem to favor dispensing with "yield" signs, even though they were recommended by Toole Design at light-traffic intersections (e.g., Revere). Liaison Reports: Richard Canale said that discussions are picking up about improving safety for all modes of travel in the Hartwell/Wood/Bedford Street area. He talked about the funding sources (80% Federal, 20% MassDOT) if the design work is done by Lexington. He talked about proposed roundabouts: 128S and N side; and a bike-safe roundabout at the jughandle on Bedford Street. Richard also talked about the Planning Board review for National Development's project on Watertown Street and the challenge of the narrow road for seniors who might be bicycling or walking to the bus stop. Watertown Street is 40 mph; the bridge is functionally 40. People want the cars to go slower. MassDOT says a speed study may increase the speed limit (apparently the 85th percentile speed on 2A is >40 mph). How to modify road to bring speeds down? Sgt Callahan said that, so far this year, the PD have recorded seven motor vehicle vs bicycle crashes. Several medicals included a woman who died on the bikeway running near Revere Street (no crash, she collapsed). Solar glare was a factor in a driver hitting a bike rider at Woburn on Wednesday. Incidents were reported at Meriam, Hancock, Hayes, Hartwell, Maguire, Woburn Streets. Bedford Police will be patrolling the Narrow Gauge trail, their mile of the MMBW, and the Reformatory Branch with a "rugged golf cart." He commented that half of the people coming out of the police academies are now bike-trained. Peggy commented on the problem at the Depot with cars stopping in the crosswalk that is the bikeway intersection. Attendants from the parking booth will