2012-02-06-LBAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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maintaining traffic signs and roadway striping should have high priority. Patria Lanfranchi cited the heavy Mass Ave traffic and the need for bicycle parking on Mass Ave near the Ride Studio Café, since the sidewalk is narrow. George Gagliardi said better and more frequent access between Mass Ave and the Bikeway would make it easier for inexperienced cyclists to avoid dangerous traffic points on the avenue. Bob Dangel said this would also help experienced cyclists choose alternate routes through the center, depending on traffic either on the Bikeway or the avenue. There was extended discussion of cyclist safety relative to vehicle parking where the parallel parking dangers (dooring) was compared with angled parking, either head in or out on Mass Ave. Jerry Van Hook questioned whether dedicated bike lanes were better than the alternative of sharrow markings on wider travel lanes. Stew said that one of these was essential in the center given the vulnerability of bikers, squeezed over in heavy traffic. John Frey emphasized that bikes do belong on roads and that must be reflected in any plan. Action items; 1) Stew will work with Patria, contacting town officials about the occasional use of a parking space near the Ride Cafe for bicycles, making use of temporarily arranged bicycle racks within the space. 2) Hank will look into the scope of the new traffic study he mentioned, seeing if it addresses some of the LBAC concerns. 3) Peggy, Stew and Richard will look at the experience of Mass Ave Arlington, the Somerville experience and that in Central Square, Cambridge, as these relate to travel lane reductions in town centers and its impact on flow. DCR Grant for Bikeway User Information: Peggy mentioned that the RFP for a designer to be hired under the three-town DCR Grant (“User Information for the Minuteman Bikeway”) was issued by John Livsey; bids are due by February 12. This grant was awarded to the three Bikeway towns based on a proposal written by the chairs of the Arlington, Lexington and Bedford bike committees. She reminded members that the grant also includes funding for a new Bikeway map; progress on that effort is proceeding, albeit slowly. Plans for Drainage Repairs on the Minuteman Bikeway: Lexington town engineering is scheduling Bikeway work under approved CPA funding, which will require the closure of certain sections for a time uncertain. Alternate pathways will be designated during the work. Root mitigation barrier installations will be scheduled separately. This work must precede Bikeway resurfacing in Lexington. Bikeway Snow Plowing update: Some minor plowing has been done this season. Stew said that the removal of gates and substitution of removable barrels has greatly simplified snow removal at these barricade points. Other Business: Peggy mentioned that Terry Gleason is promoting a multi-town Bike Safety Week for the end of April and has asked the participating towns to promote bike safety with messages on electronic signboards as well as to promote safety through