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

Browse Search

APPROVED MEETING NOTES LEXINGTON BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 Lexington Community Center, Room 232 Members present: Peggy Enders (Chair), Bob Hausslein (Chair, FoLB), Bob Dangel, Kevin Falcone, Lou Savarino, Jennifer Melot, Omar Khudari, George Gagliardi, Mike Tabaczynski, Joe Pato (Selectman Liaison) Others present: Ross Morrow (Assistant Town Engineer), Matthias Beebe, Tom Fortmann Proposed Bikeway Ramp: The Committee reviewed the request for support of a proposal from Lexington resident Tom Shiple regarding a ramp behind Cary Hall. The design would involved two switchbacks to achieve ADA grade and would cost about $30K. Peggy said there have been several discussions in the past (e.g., design for Center Streetscape included an access point from Mass Avenue in that area) about a ramp in that area, since some bikeway users take that shortcut down to the parking lot behind the town office complex. Comments from Committee members included: Mike Tabaczynski said that we should wait until the Center Streetscape or Police Department design is finalized so the project can be integrated. Bob Dangel said that the ramp wouldn't be negotiable by a bike due to the switchbacks; Mike Tabaczynski agreed, saying that pedestrians will also just walk straight down, so effectively the ramp would just be for people in wheelchairs. Tom Fortmann suggested that a curb cut be made at the end of the existing path; it would save $30K, he said. Another member said that Fletcher Street is not that far away; most would just stay on their bikes instead of dismount. Lou said he thought this was "not a $30K problem," and that "we should express support in the spirit of ADA compliance, but this ramp appears to be a bit of a bridge to nowhere." if coming from the west, someone said, a uniform slope is the way to go and could satisfy ADA and also be negotiable by bicyclists (although it would be a long ramp). Ross Morrow suggested another possibility: an ADA-compliant switchback ramp + a bike-negotiable ramp right next to it. He said that, even if the ADA ramp was not a committee top priority, other voices in town (i.e., Disabilities Commission), may be in favor of it. Joe Pato said that he was not familiar with this request from the disabilities group. Bob Dangel made a motion to table discussion for a few meetings; the majority of committee members were in favor. Advice to the Board of Selectmen: LimeBikes, E-bikes, and Other Issues