Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-14-LBAC-min,SUS Mopes! pQ` 1775 `�(3 APRIL 11- � k/NG'V APPROVED MEETING MINUTES Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee Thursday, September 14, 7 pm, Room 221, Lexington Community Center Members Present: Peggy Enders (chair), Bob Dangel, Jennifer Melot, Carolyn Levi, George Gagliardi, Richard Canale (Planning Board Liaison), Paul Callahan (Police Liaison) Members Absent: Bob Hausslein, Laurel Carpenter, Mike Tabaczynski, John Frey Guests: Lou Savarino, Kevin Falcone, Zachary Sherman 1. Jennifer Melot volunteered to take meeting minutes. 2. The June 2017 meeting minutes were approved. 3. Peggy mentioned that this will be Carolyn's last meeting as a Committee member and said she hoped Carolyn would continue to participate in and out of meetings as a valued member of the Friends. New member applications have been received. 4. Highlights from the July 12 Tri -Town Meeting: a. Ebikes on the Bikeway: Discussion of current Massachusetts General Law governing "motorized bicycles." Richard Fries, who had been present at the July meeting, recommended that, in the short term until the laws can better reflect the increase in e -assist bikes, a speed limit be introduced on the Bikeway. There was little enthusiasm for that idea, and enforcement would be difficult. Peggy said she had brought the issue to the Transportation Safety Group. b. 25th Anniversary Bikeway celebration: Peggy said that nothing is likely to happen this year aside from what Arlington is doing. There is some talk in Lexington about combining an "Open Streets" event with a Bikeway celebration. Peggy invited members to join her on a ride with Tri -Town bike committee chairs to talk about a joint celebration next year. c. Bikeway signage: Arlington is looking into doing mileage markers and perhaps some signage. Bedford has issued a survey of users about the Bikeway. 5. BoS Goal Setting Summit Outcome: Peggy recapped the input the Committee had provided to the Selectmen for the Goal Setting in June: improving bicycle safety education for children; continuing improvement of bicycle infrastructure on roadways; and ensuring that a bicycle plan is part of the Town's comprehensive plan. In the final goal outline released by the BoS, the bicycle plan recommendation is explicit in the top priorities section; and bicycle safety and infrastructure is part of a priority for complete streets. Very good news, members agreed. The suggestion for considering protected bike lanes on Hartwell Avenue should continue to be promoted. 6. Liaison Reports: a. Richard mentioned that King Street Properties proposes to expand their operation where Cubist used to be. $1 M for infrastructure improvements is ,SUS Mopes! pQ` 1775 `�(3 APRIL 11- � k/NG'V part of the Transportation Mitigation package. The Town will decide how these funds are to be spent, and wants to put a signal at the intersection of Hayden and Waltham Streets. This may provide an opportunity for bike accommodations on Waltham, and Richard encouraged the Committee to speak up about its importance as a benefit to Hayden Avenue bicycle commuters, schools in the area, etc. He also suggested this be promoted at TSG, as well. b. Although there are no applicants from LBAC to serve on the Comprehensive Plan advisory board, Richard encourage the Committee to attend and to provide input in the meetings. c. Peggy said that, at the recent TSG meeting, Maguire Road will be signalized with bike lanes. There was also a discussion of using one of the radar guns to record speeds on the Bikeway. d. Sgt Callahan talked about recent bicycle crashes. There were two in September: Mass Ave near Independence, and on Marrett Road near Follen. There were medical transports, but he had no further information. On July 1, he said, two cyclists crashed into each other on the Bikeway near the DPW. Finally, a woman on Worthen Road drove through the Bedford intersection toward the Bikeway on Camelia Place. She hit a tree and didn't go onto the Bikeway, but it was close, since there is no barrier at the Bikeway intersection. 7. Other Business: The Zagster Bike Share has been reviewed by the Tourism Committee and HDC; the sign cannot face Mass Ave owing to aesthetic concerns. Bedford has been looking at a bike share without docking stations (V -Bike). Watertown Street will have bike lanes after it is paved (10 foot lanes with 5 foot bike lanes); MassDOT has painted sharrows on the Route 2 bridge. Peggy said that the Maple Street ramp will not have a curb cut at the entrance; MassDOT prefers that users access the sidewalk closer to the gas station on Mass Ave. Bob Dangel described an incident at the Bow Street intersection where an angry motorist was unhappy that another motorist stopped for a cyclist. Peggy said TSG received a suggestion from a Bikeway user that the large plastic barrels remain year-round at the Bikeway intersections. The meeting was adjourned. Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways/Bike Lexington 1. The Treasurer's Report was given. 2. Bike Smart Program: Peggy said that the Friends, working with the Recreation Department and the Police, will offer a second Bike Smart program this year, on September 23 at the Community Center. Bruce Kulik from Medford will lead the program. ,SUS Mopes! pQ` 1775 `�(3 APRIL II- � k/NG'V 3. Tri -Town Practice Ride: Chris Tonkin in Arlington has organized a practice ride starting in Bedford on September 23 to give the bike committees a chance to talk about a joint 25th anniversary celebration. All are welcome to join the ride. 4. Farmers' Market Bike Corrals: The bike corral this month was very popular, lots of folks came to park and/or chat with the volunteers. The last valet is scheduled for October 10. Recorder: Jennifer Melot Editor: Peggy Enders