HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-13-LBAC-min APPROVED MEETING NOTES
LEXINGTON BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, September 13, 2018, 7 pm Ellen Stone Room, Cary Hall
Members Present: Peggy Enders (Chair), Bob Dangel, Lou Savarino, George
Gagliardi, Kevin Falcone, Joe Pato (Selectman Liaison)
Members Absent: Bob Hausslein, Mike Tabaczynski, Jennifer Melot
Others Present: Sandra Shaw, Paul Callahan, Omar Khudari, Stefan King (Medford),
E-Bikes, LimeBikes and Other Bikeway Issues: Advice to the Board of
Selectmen:
Peggy opened the meeting by saying that the Board of Selectmen has asked the
Committee for advice and recommendations on a number of issues that have
been raised regarding new bicycle technologies and impacts on Lexington and
the bikeway. Kevin summarized complaints that have arisen around the growing
proliferation of abandoned LimeBikes, the growing popularity of a-bikes generally
and questions about whether they should be permitted on the bikeway or other
town trails, and the increasing congestion on the bikeway coupled with
complaints about behavior and speeding.
Joe Pato said that some residents are concerned about the proliferation of
dockless bikes: what are the expectations for returning bikes to their home
territories? If this becomes a problem of abandoned dockless bikes, what might
the town choose to do to address the problem? In terms of electric-assist bikes,
he said, what controls are appropriate? Finally, in terms of behavior on the bike
path, concerns are growing about faster (and sometime dangerous) riding. What
should be done to control that?
Peggy reminded the Committee that Massachusetts General Laws (Chap 90/
Section 1 B) state that "...Motorized bicycles...shall be excluded from off-street
recreational bike paths." This law has not been updated to reflect the new
electric bicycle technologies and was likely written in the days of gas-powered
bicycles (mopeds). Federal law does a better job, where "low speed electric
bicycles are exempt from classification as motor vehicles providing they have
fully operable pedals...and a top motor-powered speed of less than 20 mph..."
and is thus classified as a "bicycle."
Kevin read a note from Mike Tabaczynski, regarding the NE Mountain Bike
Association (NEMBA) position on e-bikes, where NEMBA has ruled, "no electric
bikes on any trails." Mike went on to say, "As far as our committee... this is an
area where we do not have the resources or knowledge to make any detailed
decisions about local bike path policy concerning electric bikes....we should
encourage the state to adopt standards defining electric assist vs electric
motorcycle similar to what other states and countries have and recommend those
standards be applied to bike path policy in town, namely electric assist with no
throttle and limited speed is OK, electric motorcycles not OK...."
A note from Jennifer Melot was read, where she points to the California e-bike
standards, which would limit a-bikes to class 1 (pedal-assist) and 2 (throttle on
demand, limited to low speeds). "I think e-bikes provide significant benefit to
ordinary people in the suburbs with longer distances to cover...people with
disabilities...we shouldn't discourage people from using them...." Jennifer went
on to write that, "...if we're going to add a rule to the bikeway, then it should be
related to passing distance, not passing speed. Why not have a (say) three-foot
passing rule?" Jennifer argues that, "Unlike a speed limit this would address the
safety concerns IMO, which seem to be caused more by close passes then by
speed."
Jennifer recommends that the Committee should take the opportunity to "really
push the selectmen on the issue of creating a real bike network. That is the
salient issue here. There is No where else for people to ride in town that
remotely compares to the safety of the minuteman, so everyone from roadies to
toddlers cram on [to it]. We really need continuous protected bike lanes on
Waltham Street and Mass Ave; we should widen and connect Lower Vine Brook
to the minuteman...."
Kevin said that the bikeway should post a 15 mile/hour speed limit. This would
require coordination first among the three-town bike committees and then with
their respective boards of selectmen. The Arlington bike committee hopes to
gather data on average bikeway speeds, using borrowed counting equipment.
The Bedford bike committee may use a speed gun borrowed from their police
department.
Sgt Callahan said that the Committee should keep in mind that, currently, a bike
collision anywhere on the bike path when it's not at an intersection is handled as
a medical; crash data along the bikeway is not collected. Peggy said she hopes
this changes with improvements to the data collected about bike incidents.
Peggy said that she has been in touch with Pete Sutton (MassDOT bike/ped
coordinator) as well as with Senator Barrett (who has expressed interest) and
MassBike. Evidently, the RMV is looking into the issue of classifying various
categories of e-bikes. Joe Pato said the Committee report to the BoS should
include information about current status of things at the state level.
Omar commented that the Committee should have a clear message that "electric
bikes are a good thing." The town should promote them in a huge way, he said,
in order to get people out of cars and on bikes. The town needs to take
leadership and say that we believe in multi-modal transportation and are building
the roadway infrastructure to accomplish this. The bike path is a separate
question, he said. "Why do we struggle with mixing bikes and pedestrians? It's
not a bike path or a sidewalk: it's both. If it's a place for pedestrians, then bikes
should go real slow."
Other comments included:
• We should tell the Selectmen what we know: educate them.
• When conditions are congested, no one should be riding fast on the bikeway.
That should be at least a posted guideline.
• The report should strongly recommend the the Town appoint someone on
town staff to serve as Bicycle Program manager (as we have recommended
often in past years); with general responsibility for coordinating all aspects of
bicycling in Lexington; It's not just speed limits, it's different times of the day,
it's weather dependent, etc.
• Outline the current situation for the BoS with 5-6 bullet point
recommendations;
• This boils down to a campaign about signage. Good examples from the
Shining Sea bike video; signage encouraging good behavior, e.g. Should
have a sign, "don't be a jerk."
• "Street Fight," book about the NYC experience over the issue of shared
roadways;
• Paul asked about user-ship of dockless and docked bike rentals. Many may
not know the rules of the road, and most don't ride with helmets.
• Bob Dangel said that the current infrastructure spreadsheet should be
improved to acknowledge e-bikes. He said he is surprised that docked bike
companies haven't taken "legal issue" with dockless bikes.
• Kevin said that the current LimeBikes app reminds users not to leave bikes
out of the territory.
• How and when do dockless bikes get retrieved? Peggy understands that
LimeBike was planning to staff up to improve their retrieval of out-of-territory
bikes.
• Lou suggested that either they move it, or the user removes it; otherwise, we
extract a fine.
• Bird scooters can go 35 mph.
• Joe commented that the flip side is that Lexington should be encouraging
people to come to town. Should we provide a bike corral for dockless bikes?
Other Business:
• Stefan King, a bicycle commuter from Medford, said he was concerned about
pinchpoints: "the lack of space between where the cars want to be and where
have to be." He said that the roadway improvements to Pleasant Street
have created a "nozzle" on his way to work, that where the new sidewalk has
been installed, a foot of roadway has been lost — the new curbstone has
produced "an effective width reduced by about 3 feet." He talked about the
dangers of right-angle curbstones generally, since the absence of a curbstone
allows a rider to ride to the edge of the roadway. He had written to the town
engineer, he said, and was told the roadway wasn't narrowed for the sidewalk.
• Peggy said that the Committee has in the past discussed the benefits for
bicyclists of berms versus right angle granite curbs with the town engineer.
For a number of reasons, the Town favors granite curbs (berms don't last long
with plows, a right angle curb keeps cars off the sidewalks, etc.).
• Peggy urged members to sign up for one of the world cafe events being
hosted by the Comprehensive Planning group. Members suggested that a set
of talking points be used for the meetings — focusing on the
recommendations provided to the Board of Selectmen at their goal setting
summit (e.g., protected bike lanes; bike safety education, etc.)
• Sgt Callahan said 11 events are scheduled between this week and
Thanksgiving. There are 26 officers, the department is down13 people.
Officers are completing a week of bike training. He said there are two codes
for bikes in the pro phoenix system. 157 and 159. 11 have been recorded on
159. 157 bike general (9). He wants to add a "bike involved" code. Peggy
said she hoped the department will add additional codes as recommended by
the Committee.
The meeting was adjourned.
Recorder and editor: Peggy Enders