HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-11-LBAC-min.pdfTown of Lexington
Bicycle Advisory Committee 9/11/2025
September 11 2025 / 7:00 PM / Town Hall Parker Room and Hybrid
Members present:
Betty Gau, Jonathan Schwartz, Jim Cadenhead, Dave Armstrong, Suzan Chen, Ben
Alperovich (LHS Student Liaison), Jason Dearling, Jonathan Bernays
Also Attending: Susan Barrett (Lexington Transportation Manager), Ross Morrow
(Lexington Assistant Town Engineer), Nick Dell’Anno (Lexington Police
Department - LPD)
1. Motion to approve August 14th, 2025 LBAC meeting minutes was approved
2. Bike Safety Group update
Betty summarized Lexington List and Facebook discussion takeaways:
— Infrastructure must prioritize safety over blame
— Drivers are the leading cause of traffic fatalities
— Visibility issues at crossings are a major hazard
— E-bike use among youth raises safety and regulatory concerns
— Lexington should lead in setting bikeway standards
Nick confirms that there have been lots of near misses on Muzzy Street. Discussion
followed, with the following points being offered:
— facilities for bikes are needed
— the Transportation Safety Group is concerned about students’ safety getting from the
Bikeway to LHS
— the Worthen Rd bike lane is a #1 priority in the Bike/Ped plan, but we don’t know if it
will be done before or after the new LHS construction is finished. Sometime in 2027 is
likely, and hopefully in first phase to help navigate construction.
— data exists on where students live, and that may be helpful for prediction biking to
school numbers. There was a transportation survey, but it had low participation.
— Grade 2 will get pedestrian safety teaching and grade 4 will receive bike safety
teaching this year
— Bike licenses for kids, and/of e-bikes was discussed, but majority deemed it
unworkable. (Boston attempt to license messengers cited as a failure, and students
would be expected to ignore licensing or just stop biking.) Bike safety skills testing, with
awards like ice cream, was put forward as an alternative, as well as making rules and
regulations more easily accessible.
Nick related his colleagues’ observations of reckless riding, erratic riding, cars on the
Bikeway, delivery vans on sidewalks, trash barrels, poor visibility and lighting,
unleashed dogs. He also notes that since January 1st there have been 10-12 motor
vehicle vs cyclist accidents, 8 motor vehicle vs pedestrian accidents, and 15 accidents
involving two cyclists. Betty notes that faded center line on Bikeway is an issue, while
praising DPW for overall better Bikeway maintenance.
Nick says LPD is working to get more bike patrols on weekends, that patrols are mostly
on the bikeway, and that 17 officers are certified.
There is brief discussion of thermoplastic paint for the bikeway (brighter, but more
slippery), e-bike regulations (where National Park Service may be leading the way), and
how we might identify dangerous zones via near miss and issue reporting, possibly
though apps. Nick notes that there is new guidance for officers about e-bikes, and
discussion follows about how to encourage or enforce safer passing when e-bikes
overtake others on the Bikeway.
Ross explains how sight lines are determined at crossings, and that they are working to
compare Lexington’s crossings to the sight line guidance. Jonathan Bernais suggests
committee members might help document, and Ross notes that implementing the
guidelines will be challenging.
3. Bike Parking Working Group update
Betty notes that the bike rack survey is available for us to fill in, and that the Center
Committee asks us to survey the center on a half school day. Jim suggests we support
the bike corral at the Farmers’ Market, and consider a corral near the bikeway, which
would take one car parking space and provide space for 8 bikes.
Brief discussion follows about whether a corral can be temporary, plowing concerns,
promotion, and petitioning businesses for interest.
4. Bikeway Maintenance
Betty notes that we have already discussed sight lines, paint, vegetation. Ross will ask
about pavement grinding to flatten root upheaves when a new highway person is hired.
He notes that the bikeway is repaved every 5 years, in sections, with Grant St to the
Depot coming. He recommends contacting DPW for issues about the bikeway shoulder.
5. Bike Parking and Review Planning Board By-Law Changes and Projects
Betty reports that the Planning Board is putting it to Town Meeting in March.
6. Liaison Reports
Ross Morrow, DPW
Betty asks for a cost estimate for installing bike racks, as will be needed for the new
high school. Ross will find out about inverted ‘U’ racks.
Ross is asked about the Adams St roundabout. He is looking at concepts like a 4-way
traffic light, noting that a roundabout will require easements.
Regarding the upcoming MWRA work along the bikeway, Ross says it is possible that
reopening the bikeway on weekends is still in the plan, and that there will be continuous
bike lanes on both sides of Mass Ave from Bow St to Maple St. in further discussion of
the project, Ross notes repaving can’t be done until after next Patriots Day, and that
plowing may be tricky.
Regarding the Hartwell/Bedford project, Ross reports that Maguire St may be getting a
traffic light, and that the Kiln Brook bridge will be replaced.
Ross is asked about motion-activated rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) at
bikeway crossings. Ross is not in favor, with concerns that bikers may feel it gives
permission to ride through. He notes that Chelmsford has some, and might give
feedback. Jim also voices concern that, when the RRFB is not flashing, cars will not
look for crossing bikeway users.
Regarding adding an RRFB at Hancock St, Ross notes that there is no money at
present, and that the Hancock RRFB proposal was voted down, and that that Bike/Ped
plan priorities are a consideration. Finally, Jonathan Bernais asks if RRFBs are actually
good for cyclists, with Ross responding that they may not be. Betty relates having
difficulty activating one while on a bike.
Ben Alperovich, High School Student Liaison
Ben reports that bike racks at LHS are packed, as usual, mostly by bikes, and that there
are more bikes than racks. Susan asks if we can apply for more racks now.
Susan Barrett, Town Transportation Manager
Susan reports that Safe Routes To School had its first meeting, and that there was talk
about cars idling, bike racks, and parking in handicapped spaces. She asks for help with
the half day at Center to hand out cards, for counts of bikes and walkers from all
schools, and suggests “walking school busses” where seniors might chaperone.
7. Other Business
Jim reminds us that the Bikeway Block Party is coming up next Sunday 9/14/25. Nick
says he has told the bike officers about it, and that there should be two or three officers
on bikes there.
Meeting adjourned 9:04 PM