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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-14-LBAC-min Town of Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee-3/14/2024 Meeting Minutes March 14, 2024 / 7:00- 9:00 PM / Virtual Meeting on Zoom ATTENDEES Committee Attendees: Tom Shiple, Jim Cadenhead, Mike O’Connor, Sarah Hews, Suzan Caihbxuan, Betty Gau Also Attending: Ross Morrow, Dawn McKenna, Jonathan Bernays, Tom Fortman, Mike Tabaczynski, Cynthia Pfeiffer Betty Gau opened the LBAC meeting and welcomed everyone. 1. Approve February 8, 2024 Meeting Minutes The Committee vote unanimously to approve the February 8, 2024 meeting minutes. Approved. 2. Update on Battle Green Project Design presented by Ross Morrow. Mr. Morrow provided the two items that are being reviewed. They are proposed by the abutter resident of the roundabout. • Request to eliminate (all or some of) the bike ramps at the roundabout (this started as request to remove the detectable warning panels, but those are required, so can’t remove those without removing the ramps) • Request to remove the cross walk on the Hancock St leg of the roundabout. People looking to cross Hancock would then have to use the bikeway crossing (which we’re hoping to upgrade to “S” curves this summer) The traffic pattern is in its final state now. We have the geometry back up to its final condition. There are concerns over the design by the abutting resident. The DPW was asked to look at eliminating the bike ramps as part of the roundabout design. The bike ramps were specifically requested to be included in the roundabout by this Bicycle Advisory Committee. Mr. Morrow displayed the current plan, highlighting the bike ramps. There are 4 bike ramps on roundabout. The abutter has claims that there is too much impervious paving that was created as part of the roundabout. The abutter proposes eliminating impervious pavement. Betty Gau noted that the Commission on Disability already reviewed these two proposed changes to the roundabout and voted unanimously to maintain the roundabout as it is currently designed. Tom Shiple stated that he was not part of the bike committee when the bike ramps were discussed but he did a site visit to look at them. He did not realize the bike ramps were part of the design. He understands that not all people feel comfortable riding through the roundabout. His first reaction was that the ramps were overkill. He stated that he observed that the roundabout lane is very narrow and too narrow for a car and a bike at the cross walk section of the roundabout. He stated that he has concluded that the current bike ramps are absolutely necessary. Sarah Hews: I am in full support of the bike ramps but don’t understand why it’s a problem. Ross Morrow: The DPW prefers that the design stays as is. They were told by the abutter that the panels that are required on the ramps, look odd and don’t follow with Battle Green Master Plan. Sarah Hews: For the safety of cyclists, it is necessary to have the ramps that provide an alternative for those cyclists that do not feel comfortable or safe riding around the roundabout alongside the cars. The bike ramps are for the bikers and the pedestrian crossings are there for the public to use. The ramps are for our most vulnerable users and are necessary. Ross Morrow: We were told by the abutter that the panels look odd and the town is not used to having them because the bike raps are not as common in town. The abutter is concerned that the ramp is skewed and there might be confusion with pedestrians to accidentally use the ramps. The panels have to be there per disability regulations. Mike Tabaczynski: The design is very well done and the green line (shown on Ross’s design diagram) forces a very sharp turn onto the sidewalk without the ramps. A long wheel-based bike, cargo bikes, longer bikes such as recumbents would have a very hard time going on the pedestrian ramp. We should keep the bike ramps. Regarding the extra plantings that will be added soon he commented that they should not compromise site line visibility. The addition of the plantings is not that many square feet. Jonathan Bernays: The roundabout ramps as designed and the crosswalk approach is funneling pedestrians who are very close to traffic. It is not practical as a cyclist to make the sharp turn onto the crosswalk ramp. He stated that he is concerned about the funneling the traffic around the roundabout and then having cyclists have to funnel into the crosswalk. The bike ramps are the most practical. Dawn McKenna introduced herself as a resident at 9 Hancock Street right on the roundabout and the abutter who has made the proposals to change the roundabout design by eliminating the 4 bike ramps and the Hancock Street crosswalk. Dawn stated that no one else knows the traffic pattern on the roundabout better than her since she lives right there. She has a lease with the town for the land her house is on and it’s on the Battle Green site. The roundabout has impacted her and her family very negatively. Dawn contacted the Select Board and walked through the roundabout with each Select Board member to explain her concerns. Dawn also noted that these proposed design changes also came from suggestions by some of the Select Board members. There are a lot of things happening in a small amount of space here. There are crosswalks and ramps at each area. So, there’s double access places at each intersection. She has a big concern that the raised panels on the bike ramps will confuse a visually impaired person who might accidentally think it is a crosswalk ramp. She also stated that there is not that much pedestrian traffic in this area. Dawn also stated that regulations say that bikes cannot be ridden on the Battle Green. Jim Cadenhead: He is addressing this issue and proposal in terms of safety. The main people we are trying to focus on for the ramps are those who are not comfortable traveling through the roundabout. These are little kids, seniors, and others who are not comfortable riding in the road. That’s who we are talking about with safety. When we talk about safety, we are talking about our most vulnerable road uses who could potentially get squashed by large metal cars and we are telling them it’s an eye sore or potentially someone is uncomfortable with this design option. Jim agrees that the design does seem very busy but we should prioritize the safety of our most vulnerable road uses. Jim said that he votes for kid’s safety over the busyness of the area. Dawn – in terms of the Commission on Disability (COD) and what was presented to them she was not present at their meeting but COD Chair Victoria Buckley will discuss it more with Dawn. There was an hour conversation at the Feb 12th Select Board meeting to hear her concerns. Dawn stated that the guidelines on bikes being prohibited from riding on the sidewalks in the Battle Green area is in the Battle Green Master Plan rules and regulations which is under the purview of the Select Board. Dawn noted that she watches the traffic flow going through the roundabout and has only seen 1 student ride through the roundabout. Dawn suggests students use the bikeway to avoid the roundabout. Jonathan Bernays: Stated he has a concern about how to ride a bike ¾’s around the roundabout. Ross explained how to ride through it with the ramps and crosswalks. Using the crosswalk system. Jonathan asked if there is a way to put an indicator on the bike ramps to tell handicapped people what they are to avoid any confusion which is a concern of Dawn’s. Dawn added the comment that anyone who is not comfortable using the roundabout can use the bikeway to avoid it. Sarah stated that in terms of using it or not using it, the roundabout is a new thing in town and will take a while for people to get used to it. LBAC members, we should think about how to educate the community on how to cycle through the roundabout. Sarah continued that in terms of using the bikeway to avoid the roundabout, to use the bikeway, it only goes in one direction which is East/West so we need to consider our students who want to get different directions such as from the bikeway to their school. The current ramps help cyclists navigate the roundabout when they can’t use the bikeway. Tom Fortman: I agree if you are going to go westbound from the center you can go up on the sidewalk and the ramps are helpful. Using the crosswalks would be difficult to navigate on a bike. Dawn wanted to explain the urgency and why it’s coming up now. The work on the roundabout was done in the fall and into the winter. The road resurfacing is still to be done soon this spring so if the ramps are to be removed now is the time to do it. A motion was made: Motion: LBAC endorses maintaining the bike ramps at the roundabout on Bedford St. contingent upon approval by the Commission on Disability (COD). The motion was seconded and a vote was taken. All voted approved; unanimously voted to pass the motion. Ross noted that the DPW has also incorporated these bike ramps into Pleasant St roundabout and the designer felt it was important to include them. The next item introduced by Ross is the proposal to eliminate the Hancock Street Crosswalk. This crossing has a big skew by the bikeway. The DPW will be adding an S curve to slow down riders and users as they approach Hancock Street and the roundabout. The S curve would push the crosswalk. Dawn provided some context for the proposal for the elimination of crosswalk. In her opinion, for disabled persons the crosswalk is dangerous. Where the DPW put the sidewalk people walk directly into Dawn’s fence and garden. In addition, there are now 3 crosswalks in that area. Dawn discussed how the crosswalk is dangerous in her opinion. She has almost fallen and that has caused a PDST situation for her. What about the people who live there. It affects her personal situation. Jonathan Bernays questions why the Bicycle Advisory Committee is discussing a crosswalk. Tom replied that per Jonathan’s comment if the LBAC should be discussing the crosswalk, it’s a good question. Without the crosswalk pedestrians and cyclists will cross the road even without the crosswalk because its human nature trying to cross there. Pedestrians and cyclists will likely not go all the way down to the bikeway crosswalk but will unsafely cross the road where it’s easier and closer. Tom stated that he feels like the crosswalk will be used and it should be maintained. Mike Tabazynski said that no one will make the detour to the bikeway. It’s human nature to travel on the easiest path. It’s a long way to the bikeway to corss. There are simply not enough crosswalks in town in general. People often run across the street between crosswalks and there are just simply not enough crosswalks. Removing the cross walks might increase safety for Dawn but not for anyone else in the community. Jonathan Bernays commented that we are worried about safety for travelers other than cars. The new speed limit in that area is 20 mph. Are we doing anything to slow the traffic down? Is there any traffic calming being done here? Ross answered yes. Traffic calming is a part of the design there and cars are slowing down. The roundabout design incorporates traffic calming. There are no more additional traffic calming planned for this area at this time. Mike O’Connor asked what Ross recommends here. Ross answered that from a design standpoint it is recommended to have crosswalks at all 4 points of the round about as it is currently designed. There was a question about bikes ramps for riders – Ross explained how to use the ramps, crosswalks to get around the roundabout. Tom suggested we should vote on this crosswalk to let the Select Board know the Bicycle Advisory Committee reviewed the proposal and discussed it. The following motion was made and seconded: Motion: LBAC endorses maintaining the crosswalk on Hancock Street as part of the Bedford Road/Hancock Street roundabout. The Bicycle Advisory Committee voted all in favor with one abstention to endorse maintaining the crosswalk on Hancock Street as part of the roundabout. Dawn stated that there is more emphasis on conflicting interest and not on what is actually happening. She asked everyone to think about keeping the bike fly overs. Tom asked Ross to display the slide showing the bike ramps with green arrows to address the contradiction brought up by Dawn. The slide with the green arrows displays the sharp turn a cyclist would be required to make in order to use the crosswalk ramp to access the sidewalk if the bike ramps were not there. 3. Review of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at Bikeway Intersections Ross presented: The sum of $250,000 funding has been approved to install RRFBs at bikeway crossings of public right aways that are not signalized. There are 8 roadway crossings on the Minute Man Bikeway and the Depot parking lot driveway and the Seasons Four driveway, which has a stop sign so is not appropriate to put RRFB there. The town has hired TEC engineering company to evaluate and design the RRFBs at the crossings. Ross has asked Betty to send out a short survey for RRFB prioritizations and he received the following feedback. The reason Ross is prioritizing the crossing locations is because there is a strong possibility that we can’t put RRFBs at all locations based on the funding. They will try to use solar panels on the RRFB’s and they will include black posts. Need to vote here’s what the LBAC recommends. TEC consulting criteria for the RRFBs included site visits and poor visibility was taken into account if solar could be used. ATE – Ross’s column in the survey – Fletcher street was a lower priority because of the new police station. Sarah discussed how Meriam Road is dangerous because of parallel parking and visibility so a beacon would help but removing one parking spot would be more helpful for the site line. She stated that Revere St. is heavily trafficked with kids biking to Diamond School. She thinks the criteria for placing the RRFBs should be visibility and if it’s a major route for kids biking to school. Suzan stated that she strongly endorses this project. Woburn Street is especially needed and should be a priority. Jim agrees with Woburn Street being a priority and also Revere St should be higher because people drive up quickly there and we should be prioritizing kids routes riding to school. Dawn – in general she supports installing these RRFBs where they are needed. Police data is important in the context and putting one at Hancock St. is unnecessary. Dawn wrote to Chief Mclean and asked for the crash data at Hancock Street. She was told that in last 3 years there have been no accidents at Hancock street and the bikeway. In 2019 there was one accident there at night. Dawn stated that given the balance of historical district she does not support an RRFB at Hancock St. Dawn also noted that the flashing light of the RRFB will shine right into her living room. Dawn fully supports the Revere Street location of the RRFB and suggests that we please check the data. Jim – a single accident with a human should not be stood for. We should not say just because 2 people have been hit by cars then we should not prioritize it. Everyone always hears about Hancock Street intersection with the bikeway being an issue. all the time Jim does appreciate that this is all a big change for Dawn and must be off putting. We are always receiving feedback that Hancock St is a priority. Tom – How would the RRFB light be experienced during the daytime? At night how does the light travel. Visible during the day. Mike T – is there such a thing as adjustable flashers? Mark agrees that Revere St should be higher priority. Ross – on Monday the Select Board will get the DPW rankings. LBAC should give our opinion on the rankings. Once they are collected. 4. Bike Parking Guidelines and By-laws Tom explained that a Working Group has been formed with Betty, Mike O’Connor and Dave Armstrong and Tom will lead the group. Tom will set up a date for the initial meeting. He invited any interested parties to join the group but we have the maximum number of LBAC members already in the group (which is 4 per Open Meeting Law guidelines). Resident Jonathan Bernays offered to be on the Working Group. The Working Group goal is to have a draft plan by mid-summer, then socialize the ideas with relevant committees in town. The end goal is to present the plan at All Town Meeting in 2025. The Working Group’s goal is to make sure the bike parking by-laws and regulations are up to date, modern and comprehensive. 5. Liaison Reports • Select Board – Mark Sandeen did not have anything to report tonight. • Student Update – Arnav Arora was not in attendance. • Transportation Manager – Susan Barrett provided an email with her update. • TSG – Ram Reddy was not in attendance • Planning Board – Tom Shiple told the committee that there were not updates from the Planning Board but provided the following update: Tom is on the Site Safety and Security Focus Group for New High School Building Project. At the last meeting, 125 suggestions were collected and Tom thought it was encouraging that many suggestions covered multi-modal transportation. There were suggestions around creating bike lanes and considering parking in Lincoln Park. ================= Added to explore multi-modal transportation Lincoln Park – explore parking opportunities Question on high school onsite versus offsite – scope – what about recommendations for offsite? What about a bike lane? The lead architect says it’s common to push out the recommendations back to the town with the goal for offsite having to be worked together. Mark said he want them to focus on how to do e-bike parking = there is education needed for the general public on how ebikes are different. If we are really going to encourage people to go to school not in their single car then e-bikes are even more important. Mark - Need to build ebike parking into the new high school. Mike asked about how to learn more about e-bike parking design. Mark – right now we designing bike parking where it’s almost too crowded for reg bikes. Ebikes are larger Mass fire services are getting against litium power batteries and Planning Board Liaison Tom Shiple reported: Condominium being planned for development on the corner of Edgewood Road and Meriam Street; there will be 10 units of housing. This project must go through a site Plan Review and there are bike parking regulations: bike parking must be protected from the elements. This is the check list that the developer filed. The development contractor said that bikes just need to be put in the garage. Tom claimed they are not adhering to the town bike parking regulations – bike parking should be separated from any motor vehicle. The garages are not large enough to include bike parking. In addition, short term parking should be publicly accessible. Tom shared a section of the Biking by-laws Mark Sandeen suggested we should add this item to an LBAC agenda – with notes to go to the Planning Board with our suggestion. We discussed adding this to the April 11th 2024 agenda. Mike O’Connor asked why does LBAC care about how bikes are parked? Tom replied that since bike parking regulation is on the books the LBAC should try to get it enforced. 6. Other Business • Friends of Lexington Bikeways Update Jim reported on the Bikeway Block Party which is being planned for September 15, 2024. A team has been assembled and they are working to attract performers. Local businesses are getting involved and it’s turning into a big event. There are many parks along the Bikeway that will be used for the various activities. The Tough Ruck Event will take place on the Bikeway Sunday April 14th. The organization was given the guideline again and Betty had a phone conversation with the event manager to review the guidelines. Jim brought up the Bike accident on March 5th at School Street and Mass Ave. An elementary student was riding their bike on the sidewalk of Mass Ave on the way to Hastings School was hit by a large car in the crosswalk of School Street. The bike was crushed but the cyclist was unharmed. The police arrived and there was a no-fault citation. The police determined that the student was riding a bike in a crosswalk and did not have the rights afforded by a pedestrian. On March 5th – a student was cycling down Bedford St by the DPW and was run over while crossing in the crosswalk – police came and sited as a no-fault accident. Should the LBAC be actively working to support to hold drivers accountable. Mike T – MassBike is working on laws to help cyclists. There was a suggestion that LBAC compose a letter to MassBike explaining and we are in favor of such laws. Mark Sandeen suggested we add this issue to a meeting agenda. Jim – if we are not providing our kids a safe way to get to school through a gauntlet of cars – and putting the onus on them – that’s our failure. Jim announced that he is going to the National Bike Summitt in DC next week. The Tour de Cure event organization is having a kick-off celebration on May 4th and will promote bikeway block party. The meeting was adjourned.