HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-12-LBAC-min.pdfTown of Lexington
Bicycle Advisory Committee 6/12/2025
June 12 2025 / 7:30 PM / Town Hall Parker Room
Members present:
Betty Gau, Tom Shiple, Jim Cadenhead, Dave Armstrong, Suzan Chen, Sarah Hews,
Ben Alperovich
Also Attending: Susan Barrett (Lexington Transportation Manager), Mark Sandeen
(Select Board), Jason Dearling
1. Motion to approve May 8, 2025 LBAC meeting minutes was approved
2. Bikeway signage request for Adams St and Valley Rd tennis courts
Background information provided, including that we have signage guidelines for the
Bikeway already, that people are biking to play pickle ball, and that the pickle ball
league wants bike racks and signage on the bikeway. The question is whether LBAC
approves signage.
Points made were that…
— Signs are already on the path for other things, so one more is not a problem. There
are already signs for Valley Road, and Waldorf has signs to the meadow
— Signs for pickle ball may not be necessary, as the players probably already know
where the courts are, but signs are still OK to have
— More signs on the Bikeway is better
— We want the signs to follow the guidelines for directional signs
— Select Board has to approve
3. Depot temporary bike lane closure and detour for mural project
Betty worked with the Economic Development office and Friends of Lexington Bikeway
to develop a consensus on a detour. Betty provided background:
— The artist is working some hours per day when the can, and will be taking six weeks
to complete the mural
— Because of this the police did not want a permanent detour around the Depot, Betty
worked with the Economic Development office to create a temporary lane over the brick
section behind the Depot. The Economic Development office agreed to put up the
warning signs, cones and barriers when the artist is working.
— Tables and chairs were removed to make way for the current cone-marked shifting of
the bike/pedestrian lane away from the columns.
Tom Shiple reported having biked through the zone without issue, and that the detour
was a commonsense solution. Others noted that people need to proceed through that
area slowly, and that pedestrians tend not to follow the detour anyway. Also, that there
has been feedback to remove the second row of cones (closest to the Depot building)
and that more detour signage might be good. The consensus was that the present
solution is working well.
4. Bike parking and review Planning Board bylaw changes and projects
Lexington High School project planning:
Tom Shiple reported that the playing field side of Worthen Road, from Waltham Street
to the skate park and including the proposed 10-foot path, is included in the LHS
building project, as opposed to being a DPW project. This means that it might be 2029
before the 10-foot path is completed. Mark Sandeen noted that the fields may still be
worked on for another year after that.
Betty Gau noted that construction traffic is a safety issue that the path was meant to
help. Mark Sandeen suggested bringing in Select Board to advocate, and exploring
whether the path can be moved earlier in the project.
There was further brief discussion about the proposed bike parking at the new high
school, with Mark Sandeen saying that room can be saved for addition bike racks to be
added.
Bike parking regulations and bylaw changes:
Tom Shiple reported that he and Betty met with the planner who indicated that the
bigger changes are looking good for approval. The changes would apply to any project
requiring a “major site plan review”. Nothing has been voted on yet.
Changes would include:
— E-bike charging at 25% of spaces. (Mark Sandeen noted that newer batteries are
10x less fire prone.)
— Bike parking changes, to 50% in 2-level lift-assist racks, 10% being 10’x3’ cargo bike
spaces, and 40% being 6’x2’ inverted ‘U’ racks at grade.
— Long term resident parking can’t be too far away, and there must be bike parking as
close as the closest car space.
Mark Sandeen noted that LBAC can advocate for these changes, and that they should
be voted on this Summer.
Discussion returned to the high school project. Mark explained that “add alternates” for
the project are approved by their priority, so we must advocate that additional bike racks
be made a top priority. Ross Morrow may be able to estimate the cost of additional
racks. Dave Armstrong asked about the risks involved with having too few racks,
resulting in bikes locked in unsafe places like signposts and railings.
5. Liaison reports
Susan Barrett reported that:
— In August the MBTA will be increasing the frequency of bus service on the 62 and 76
routes, and going later into the evenings. In addition, the weekend 62/76 combined
route will be ended.
— Maisey and Watson resource dog playing cards are now available
— “Walk Your Wheels” trading cards are in consideration
— There was a Safe Routes to Schools celebration event, with certificates awarded by
the state.
— The upcoming June 21st Bike Rodeo has 113 signups.
Betty asked about having LBAC liaisons to the Transportation Advisory Committee and
the Sustainability Committee. Mark suggested that going to every one of these meetings
would not be necessary, and that having LBAC “points of contact” might be a better
approach. Tom Shiple volunteered to attend the TAC meetings and report back to the
Bike Committee on a regular basis. Betty agreed to contact the TAC chair to suggest
Tom as the Bike Cmt point of contact.
Mark also noted that the Adams roundabout process is about to start, and suggested
asking Ross Morrow when LABC should chime in.
6. Other business — Bikeway Block Party, Friends of Lexington Bikeways (FOLB)
report, volunteer opportunities
Betty reported that she has been getting emails about the Bikeway maintenance, with
vegetation being a big issue. She said a follow-up letter may be needed. Susan Barrett
suggested sending a formal request to Transportation Safety Group through the town
website.
Jim Cadenhead reminded that the Bikeway Block Party is scheduled for September
14th, and is looking for volunteers. He also reported that Diamond Middle School won
the Dawes Cup, but that they also have more students who live closer to the school,
which has caused some to question the fairness of the competition.
Sarah would like more speed bumps!
Susan Barrett would like to promote a “week without driving”.
Meeting adjourned 9:22PM