HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-08-LBAC-min
APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Thursday, June 8, 7 pm, Room 221, Lexington Community Center
Members Present: Peggy Enders (chair), Bob Hausslein (FoLB chair) John Frey, Bob
Dangel, Laurel Carpenter, Jennifer Melot, Carolyn Levi, Mike Tabaczynski, George
Gagliardi, Richard Canale (Planning Board Liaison)
Guests: Ira Goldman, Nina Hackel
1. Carolyn Levi volunteered to take meeting minutes.
2. The May 2017 meeting minutes were approved.
3. Bike Walk ‘n Bus Week Highlights
Bike Forum at the library: The turnout was fair but could have been better, given
the topic and the speakers. Ira Goldman said he enjoyed the forum but more
discussion with the audience would have made it much better. The Committee
agreed that events such as these are worthwhile, given the community reach.
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Bike Smart Program: 25 4 and 5 graders attended, the police officers were a
great help, and the instructors (Pat Bibbins and Jared Powell) did a good job.
This year the instructors may have talked a little too much; kids can’t take too
much sitting around and listening. Peggy said she hopes over time the Town can
assume more responsibility for the program so it can grow and be sustained.
Commuter Breakfast: Well attended and lively.
The Committee agreed that Bike Walk ‘n Bus Week is worth continuing next
year.
4. Bicycle Accommodations on Town Streets (paving plan): Peggy and Bob Dangel
described the meeting of a subset of members in which were reviewed the DPW
recommendations for bicycle accommodations on streets slated for paving this
season. Comments, including suggested revisions and additions, were forwarded to
David Kucharsky. Laurel talked about Watertown Street and the case for bike lanes
(the DPW has indicated a plan to install bike lanes if there is adequate room);
Richard said that the Planning Board supports the need for bike lanes on the
segment between Pleasant Street and the bridge. The Committee took a formal
vote to recommend that the 5-foot bike lanes on Watertown Street be extended to
the town line; there was unanimous approval. Peggy promised to follow up.
5. BoS Goal Setting: Peggy shared a draft of the input to the Board’s upcoming goal-
setting summit; suggestions were made to improve the focus of the
recommendations. Peggy explained what she understood to be the role of Town
staff in further editing the input received by committees. Richard said that, for the
first time, the goal setting exercise will involve the School Committee; he
recommended that the Committee make a formal request to the SC that bicycle
safety goals and instruction be included in their vision for the next several years.
6. Bike Route Mapping: Peggy mentioned that the 128 Business Council has been
working with a map designer, BikAbout, to develop a bike route map for Lexington to
provide to Zagster bike share renters. Some members have commented that the
draft map contains routes that, although popular with locals, may not be appropriate
to recommend to visitors. The Committee members agreed that a good bike route
map for Lexington should be developed; a “planning party” will be planned for July.
7. Liaison Reports: Richard Canale said he hopes that the Comprehensive Plan
advisory group will be formed before September; the process will likely start with
“visioning”, he said.
8. Other Business:
Carolyn will write to David Kucharsky about the weed problem on Burlington
Street.
Peggy said a Tri-Town Bike Committee meeting is planned for later in June. The
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Arlington bike committee is planning a rolling celebration as part of their 25
anniversary Bikeway celebration. Members agreed that it made better sense to
celebrate Lexington’s anniversary in 2018, since the Bikeway opened a year later
(1993) in Lexington and Bedford.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways/Bike Lexington
1. The Treasurer’s Report was given. The funds for the Abe Shenker bench have been
transferred. Bob Hausslein said he thought the committee had a good cushion
going into snow plowing winter 2017-18.
2. The Bikeway counts took place on Tuesday, May 16 and Saturday, May 20. The
weekday numbers continue to increase, Peggy said, with 1804 trips counted in 8
hours (including 1308 bikes). The Saturday number – which has gotten as high as
4500 trips counted – was 3876 trips, including 2856 bikes. Comments made by
volunteer counters include concerns about the intersections at the Depot and at
Meriam Street: e.g., “accident waiting to happen.” One member commented that
speed tables ought to be installed on the roadways at Bikeway intersections.
3. Discovery Day was well attended; we shared a table with GCC and CLC and gave
out about 80 helmets to kids who came by and talked with many about bicycling,
bike routes, concerns about safety, etc.
Recorder: Carolyn Levi
Editor: Peggy Enders