HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-12-LBAC-min APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Committee Name: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location: Thursday, July 12, 2018, 7 pm, Ellen Stone Room
Members Present: Peggy Enders (chair), Bob Hausslein (FoLB Chair),
Bob Dangel, Kevin Falcone, George Gagliardi, Jennifer Melot, Lou Savarino
Members Absent: Mike Tabaczynski
Others present: Sgt. Paul Callahan, Sandra Shaw, Omar Khudari
1. The minutes of the May 2018 meeting were approved.
2. Bike Crash Reporting: Kevin has Bob Dangel's edits to the crash proposal; the
last modifications appear to be from the May meeting. Peggy would like to
formally submit the proposal to the police. Sgt Callahan explained that the PD
has two bike codes in the system - 157 is bicycle crash general, 159 is motor
vehicle vs bicycle. The committee recommendations ask for more refined
coding. Sgt Callahan said he would like to add another "bike involved" code for
medical issue reporting. Sgt Callahan said he talked with his counterpart in
Waltham about their short bike form, but apparently its use was part of a one-
year grant. Peggy said that she had heard that other communities are trying to
improve their bike crash reporting systems, including Cambridge. On another
matter related to crashes, Peggy said that the Board of Selectmen had
expressed concern about the Lexington bike crash rate as reported by the
League of American Bicyclists.
3. Input to BoS Goal Setting: Peggy said she had seen a draft of the BoS
priorities for 2019, and that the development of a bicycle plan was included at
#18 (out of about 50 goals). Michelle Ciccolo was named as point person for
that goal.
4. The Bicycle Friendly Community award to Lexington is again at the entry
(bronze) level. 55 people responded to the League survey of local bicyclists
that was part of the application process. One comment was noted by the
League; i.e., Mass Ave is considered very unsafe by cyclists.
5. Haiku on the Bikeway: Arlington Public Art is leading an effort to paint 10 miles
of haiku poems on the bikeway as part of the 25th Bikeway Anniversary.
Lexington has been asked to contribute $500 to this cause to help hire a
consultant (to cut out stencils) and pay for paint. The committee had
discussions about the proposed font size, about concentrating them around
areas where people naturally slow down around uphills. Artist wants a "sea of
words" but members were inclined to approved just a few for Lexington. Kevin
said there are considerations around what side of an intersection to put them
on. In Arlington, police were concerned about accidents around haikus, but this
has not been an issue. Omar says on the Arlington list, people have mixed
opinions about painting haiku on the pavement. Location were debated (on
straight sections people are going faster but visibility is better). General
agreement that after intersection (not before) is best. Kevin mentioned that
there are no issues with the paint's ability to last. Lou suggested that the haikus
might in some way be used to encourage safe riding. The general consensus
of the committee was that 10 or fewer haiku would be appropriate for
Lexington. Peggy plans to ask DPW and Board of Selectmen for their
approvals.
6. Bicycle Committee Priorities for 2018-19: Lou suggested that the priorities
identified in the input to the BoS goal setting should be the committee's
upcoming action items. Peggy suggested that a new committee chair could
lead the action items exercise next year.
7. Liaison Reports: Sgt Callahan said that the police are getting calls about
abandoned Lime Bikes. Issues with people coming to pick up bikes from the
police station. Two were on the Waltham line this afternoon, one on Fletcher,
one at Woburn. Police are wondering if this violates town bylaws (perhaps
against advertising). Sgt Callahan also mentioned that the Police have blue
and white LEDs coming for new bikes. Bike industry says there is not a lot of
demand to downsize police bike lights.
8. Bob Dangel noted that there will be a Grant St bridge project and Bob noted
location of debris and the new curb cut on the Maple street ramp.
9. Peggy reminded members it is time she stepped down as chair and hopes a
member will step up and have as much fun as she has had.
The meeting was adjourned.
Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways
Treasurers Report: The report was given, noting that the account now includes
slightly under $4K from the Community Endowment of Lexington for 25th
Anniversary expenses related to art and music on the bikeway. The Friends
approved a general sum to earmark for the celebration, depending on need. The
amount will be approved at a later meeting.
Bike Smart during Bike Walk 'n Bus Week: Lou said it was useful, adding that
about 70% of the kids' bikes needed repair, parents wanted more of this. Lou said
he is excited about doing more of this.
25th Anniversary: Sandra showed a sample T-shirt. Debate over logo size. We
are only paying for one color in the current plan. 500 is around $3500. Substantial
debate regarding color etc. "Plate size" logos are desired
Bob will send police a religious pamphlet to encourage them to stop putting them
in the bikeway holders.
Sgt Callahan said he wants to put 6 bikes out at bikeway celebration on
September 29.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm
Recorder: Jennifer Melot
Editor: Peggy Enders