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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-12-LBAC-minTown of Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee-09/12/2024 Sep 12 2024 / 7:00 PM / In Person Meeting / Parker Meeting Room ATTENDEES (present in bold) Committee Members: Betty Gau, Ram Reddy, Jim Cadenhead, Suzan Chen, Sarah Hews, Dave Armstrong, Mike O’Connor, Ben Alperovich (Student Liaison) Also Attending: Jerry Michelson, Tom Fortman, Jonathan Bernays, Ross Morrow 1. Approved the July 18 and August 1, 2024 Meeting Minutes 2. Center Kiosk Design - Jerry Michelson, Center Committee Chair presented an overview of the proposed kiosk design at Grain Alley / the current Bike Node on the Bikeway. New location of the kiosk near the new bike repair station is the proposal. Exploring the use of Solar E-Ink signs Asking LBAC for suggestions Content will be Dynamic; Tourism, Businesses Jonathan Bernays suggested it could be a place to charge e-bikes. Funding from ARPA must be used by Dec 31 this year deadline Discussion about other thoughts - Walk Your Bike signs in the Center Adding the Bikeway guideline signs to kiosk Kiosk would be 4ft by 2ft, similar to the one in East Lexington Walking bikes on the sidewalk – a pain point to people in the Center Scooters are reported frequently on the sidewalk A question if students would respond to signs, more education, etc. Maybe more Sandwich boards “Walk your Wheels” in the Center We need to find other ways to bike in the center that are safe for cyclists and students especially, such as a separated bike lane the entire length of the Center Ross stated that there’s no plan for bike lanes in the Center We also discussed installing a Stop sign at Depot parking lot for drivers to stop as they exit and before they cross the bikeway. 3. Student Liaison Introduced our new Student Liaison - Ben Alperovich, a Sophomore at LHS. Ben will work with Dave on a new LHS student bike survey; they will compare it with the survey taken in 2022 that was developed by the LBAC and the student liaison at the time. Sarah suggested adding a new section to the survey that would be relevant to new LHS location. Jonathan Bernays volunteered to help Dave Ben suggests the best way to reach the LHS students to use Instagram instead of Email 4. Bike Parking Guidelines Review https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pXnZ4BHKDDtALF48AAyQjxZ8HYP03iV7Nv012 nNpbIM/edit?usp=sharing Betty gave an update about these new guidelines/rules reviewed and developed by the Bike Parking Working Group (Tom, Dave, Mike, Betty and Jonathan B.) Discussed a Proposed Bike Parking Table Summary - • Proposing 10% for oversized bikes (cargo, e-bikes) • 50% of bike parking should have e-bike charging • We are suggesting to relax the requirement that bikes don’t have to be lifted up – 40% can be lifted maybe 2/3 at grade and 1/3 lifting • The goal is to take it to Town Planning after any suggested changes by LBAC Feedback from the Committee and attendees include: Mike – bike parking – let’s not overprescribe bike parking Have adequate bike parking but don’t be too restrictive to be an obstacle to new buildings Jonathan – it’s important to emphasis to the developers the value of the bike parking is providing to their residents Tom F – the number of regulations are overwhelming; too many rules and laws Sarah – it’s important to have bike parking for the residents; to encourage multiple modes of transportation and biking Suzan – agrees with placement of the bike parking – be more flexible with the number of spaces Concerned with the numbers of length and large bike parking Boston and others towns are forcing the innovation of decker duro bike racks, new innovation Jerry – As a Town Meeting Member I would want to know before a vote – 1. What is the trigger – how many units being developed would require bike parking – the answer is all 2. Are there examples of existing apartment units this size with this that’s working 5. Bikeway Block Party Jim gave an update – Block party is this Sunday 11-4 pm 40 Performers/Facilitators scheduled to include Punk Rock, Rockabilly, Experimental EDM, yoga, and many, many more. 6. Review Planning Board Upcoming Projects 231 Mass Ave - 4 Parcels. Betty summarized the project and Tom’s comments that were emailed to the LBAC. - The Committee agreed with the comments and voted to send these recommendations to the Planning Department. 7. Liaison Reports Ross Morrow, DPW: The bikeway RRFB project is out to bid. Bid opening will be 9/19, and we’ll know then how many installations will go in based on the budget of $225k. It may take another few weeks to get a schedule from the contractor though. BIke Path Center Striping Saturday morning - center line. Cross-walks will be painted next week Hancock intersection – temp situation – not final – the little section will be fixed Pleasant Street – Delayed until 11/15 - Project Completed - the design calls for 5 ft bike lanes in both directions on Pleasant St Bike Path in East Street - Still tree roots Ross is going to check budget for regular maintenance Ross will check Bike Racks in Police Station Hartwell Street - 1 year delay - Back on schedule - Still Design Phase. 10 feet shared on both sides Interchange on 128 - separate Project (MassDOT) Bedford St (from 128 onwards) - 10 feet shared on South. 5 feet on North Sept 23rd an update on Hartwell Ave design – it will be an update on the admin work The interchange itself is a separate project Ross stated that it’s still 6 years in the works Bridge over RT 128 – trying to get MassDOT to pay for it Wood Street - Separate Project - Lincoln labs side Wood Street - Jonathan - No line of sight from Hartwell Maguire St - Lights maybe. Green Striping Lowell Street - MWRA on the Arlington side - Towards Burlington - working on know East Lexington by Battle Road Bikes, the roots on the bikway are terrible It will be paved after MWRA work in 2025 Friends of Lexington Bikeways are painting the roots to warn cyclists. Jim asked if getting root treatments can be scheduled – dig a ditch and work on the roots semi annually, etc. Can we add it to the budget to do root treatments every 2 years? Ross – they do it when they re-pave and dig down 8. Other Business · Next LBAC Meeting: October 10th 7:00 – 9:00 pm (In Person)