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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-18-LBAC-min APPROVED MEETING MINUTES Committee Name: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee Date, Time and Location of Meeting: February 18, 2016, Community Center Room 217 Members Present : Peggy Enders (Chair), Bob Dangel, John Frey, Mike Tabaczynski, Carolyn Levi, Bob Hausslein (FoLB Chair), Sandra Shaw (Recreation Liaison), Richard Canale (Planning Board Liaison) Members Absent : Marita Hartshorn, Laurel Carpenter, George Gagliardi Others Present : Jennifer Melot, Tom Fortmann, Steve Hill, Elaine Ashton Review January Meeting Minutes: The notes were approved as submitted. Master Plan for Bikeway Signage (update): Peggy reported that a meeting with the Toole Design Group to give LBAC members a chance to review the proposed Master Plan for Bikeway Signage is being scheduled for late March. The CPC has approved the funds being requested for Bikeway wayfinding; the request will be considered at Town Meeting. Bike Accommodations and Town Budget (update): Peggy reported that the Board of Selectmen reviewed the DPW request for roadway bike accommodation (paint for new symbols as well as for maintenance of existing sharrow and bike lane markings) that had been removed from the budget request submitted to the BoS. Two members voted to replace the item in this year’s budget request, but the majority wanted to defer consideration until the next fiscal year. Budget funds to maintain existing markings, however, will be available this coming year, according to the Town Manager. Sharrows for Concord Avenue, Hill Street, and Wood Street, will be done, according to a conversation Peggy had with John Livsey. Boston Metro Bike Committees Meeting: Peggy, Laurel, Bob Dangel, and Jennifer attended this meeting in Arlington on February 6. The goal of the meeting was to increase cooperation and information sharing among regional bicycle advisory committees. Jennifer talked about her map of regional bicycle facilities and asked if any LBAC members were interested in the LAB certified instructor program. Bike Lanes on Hartwell Avenue and the East Mass Ave Corridor Project: The DPW engineers have informed the Committee that they are looking at options to improve the left turn lane into the Landfill at Hartwell Ave and Maguire Road, including the option of eliminating the bicycle lane between the Bikeway and Maguire Road in order to gain streetspace. The Committee agreed with bicycle commuters who are very much against removing the bicycle lane for safety reasons that other solutions should be offered, including speed humps or taking space to the right of the roadway. Peggy said that this situation was discussed at the Transportation Safety Group, and she provided TSG with emails outlining the resistance to eliminating the bike lane as well as a solution offered by Bob Dangel. The DPW may commission Stantech to study the options, she said. A bicycle count of regular commuter traffic would help underscore the case for keeping the bike lane. Peggy reported that members of the Committee met with John Livsey and Dave Cannon to discuss improving the design of the bicycle lanes and sharrows proposed for the East Mass Ave Corridor project to improve bike safety. Bob Dangel described the proposal for lane, buffer, green, and sidewalk width options.The Town Engineers suggested that the proposal be included as part of the municipality’s comments on the 75% design plan, expected in late April. Some members and guests at the meeting were uncomfortable about waiting to ask for design changes, so Peggy agreed that a letter would be prepared and forwarded to BSC and Town staff outlining the proposal. Sign options were also discussed. The Town plans to remove the crosswalk at Ellen Dana Court to encourage bikeway access through Waldorf School instead. Extending bike accommodations along all of Mass Ave cannot be part of the East Mass Ave Corridor project, but it is an important additional project that the Committee will urge the Town to fund in parallel with the corridor project. Liaison Reports: Richard reported that the Grain Mill Alley project has been approved by the CPC. He shared the current design for the Bikeway node, which includes bike racks, a bike repair station, and a kiosk. Other Business: Peggy reported that DPW Director Bill Hadley has approved the placement of three or four pedestrian crossing stanchions at Revere, Hancock, and Woburn street intersections of the Bikeway. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm. Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways Treasurer’s Report: Snow plowing donations have continued to come in. There have been about 6 plowings. Some chronic Bikeway water management problems were discussed. Future Directions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways: Adopting a new name for the group was discussed, including “Bike Lexington” and “LexBike.” Also discussed: improving outreach and a good mailing list to recruit advocates and new leadership; social events with a purpose; importance of improving bicycle safety information and education through work of this group. Free food events. Recruit during Commuter Breakfast and other Bike Walk ‘n Bus Week events. Engaging better with folks who park at the Farmers’ Market corrals. Affiliating with a local bike shop for free or discounted clothing with “Bike Lexington” logo. Alternating meeting months with the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Recorder: Mike Tabaczynski Editor: Peggy Enders Next LBAC/FoLB meeting: Thursday, March 10, 2016