HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-09-LBAC-min `p}5 MORN
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APPROVED MEETING NOTES
Committee Name: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting: Thursday, November 9, 7 pm, Ride Studio Cafe,
1720 Mass Ave., Lexington
Members Present: Peggy Enders (Chair), Laurel Carpenter, Bob Dangel, Mike
Tabaczynski, George Gagliardi, Jennifer Melot, Bob Hausslein, Lou Savarino, Kevin
Falcone, Sandra Shaw (Recreation Committee Liaison), Joe Pato (Selectman Liaison)
Others Present: Richard Fries, Patria Lanfranchi, et al
"THE MIDDLESEX REVELATION"
Could Massachusetts Become the Netherlands of America?
A MassBike Shop Talk Presentation: Richard Fries
"When people discuss America's most bike-friendly areas, Boston or its MetroWest
suburbs are never in the discussion. But Middlesex County, with more than 200 miles of
bike paths and another 150 in the works, is poised to become the Netherlands of
America. This review of GPS data, state policies, local initiatives, and transportation
infrastructure will outline the amazing opportunities unique to this area. This 45-minute
presentation starts at 7 p.m. with discussion to follow. Light refreshments to be served."
Richard Fries, Executive Director of MassBike, talked about some activities of the Mass
Bike Coalition as well as his vision for improving connectivity and trails in the state.
Here follows some rough notes:
The Omnibike Bill:
Most important is getting 3-foot passing law
Also: funds bicycle education in schools
State of Our State:
Complete Streets (roads for 8 or 80)
SRTS
Mass in Motion
Statewide bike plan
Bikes on the T
Design Exception Review (every MassDOT project has to hit guidelines, including whether there
are ped and bike accommodations...)
The Omnibike Bill
E140006 Design Criteria
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Can an 8 year old boy travel on that road to get flowers for his mother?
Discussion:
Standard signage for bike paths and routes (Ira)
e.g., on bike racks (directions to places of business)
Kids on sidewalks
is there a move to put in more dedicated bike lanes? Richard says, 'there is.'
Slide: Rising Bike Commuting Rates
All US Cities Bicycle Mode Share?
E.g., Somerville 7.4%
Mass Ranked No 4
Bike Friendly State (ranks#4)
What's next for MassBike?
Why do we feel like we don't matter?
Do we train weakness or race strength?
There are more than 250 rail trail projects within 125 miles of Northampton, making this region
the densest network in America.
Background on highway system and the growth of cars
Slide: 21st Century reurbanization
Times Square example -- economic driver of closing streets (TED talk, e.g)
PoP-Ups --try it, if it doesn't work....
Slide: Those crazy millennials
People aged 18 to 35
E.g., drove 23 per cent less from 2001
Used transit and bikes 2x more
Walked 37 percent more
The Revelation: politics are local. With even 3 emails aide would support.
Strava global heat map: Middlesex county
MAPC trailmap: Massachusetts network proposed (Landline, off and on road network)
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Challenge: funding
Bruce Freeman railtrail completed in 32 years, took that long (and it's only 26 per cent done)
Slide: Multi-use path program funding. Transportation planning....
Bigger challenge: culture ("culture eats strategy for breakfast")
21st century: re-humanizing the 'burbs
Bikeway changes culture (a friendly Trojan horse....)
Goal: change suburban culture
Latest MassDOT Projection: map
Networks that Work: Copenhagen? Or Alewife?
MAPC Trailmap Middlesex
Proposed trails and the MBTA: an opportunity
Opportunity: Middlesex County
List
Behold Limburger(the Netherlands)
The Fietsroutenetwerk(accommodations, events, sport cycling, lifestyle cycling, maps....)
The Northeast corridor
what to do (slide)
Fund DCR paths
Fund MAPC landline
Fund a Gap analysis
Etc.
Pass a $1 billion greenway bond bill for 2019
What to do? (Slide)
Bike crash reporting info
Bicycle $100 crash gets written up for scratching car....
Uniform crash protocol
Police and reporting of bike crashes
Meeting adjourned
Recorder: Peggy Enders