HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-09-LBAC-min APPROVED MEETING NOTES
LEXINGTON BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, May 9, 2019. 7 pm
Parker Room, Town Office Building
Members present: Peggy Enders (chair), Bob Dangel, Kevin Falcone, Omar Khudari,
Bob Hausslein (FoLB Chair), Lou Savarino, George Gagliardi
Members absent: Mike Tabaczynski, Jennifer Melot,
Others present: Ross Morrow (DPW), Richard Canale (Planning Board Liaison), Ray
Yuan (Recreation Committee Liaison), Matthias Beebe, Sandra Shaw
Discussion of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways
The Treasurer's Report was given. So far, $805 has been donated toward a
memorial for Cary Coovert. There are funds left from one of the grants awarded
for the 25th Bikeway anniversary. Winter snowplowing totaled about $5K.
FoLB Organization: Bob Hausslein summarized, describing his role as
treasurer/bookkeeper. With various income streams, including donations and
grants, it needs careful accounting and an annual report. Fiscal year end April
30; the bylaws have requirements: Standard boilerplate, quarterly meetings, etc.
that are structured for a large organization. He asked whether members thought
FoLB oversight needed more discipline. Omar said he'd like to poke around on
internet to determine membership software, member dues by the board, notice
by mail of annual meeting, there may be free software to accomplish this so that
membership manages itself.
Richard Canale said the group should want to make sure it doesn't jeopardize its
status. Omar said that, according to law, members are whoever pays dues.
Burma Shave Signs: Rob Enders and Bob have put out up 8 sets; 4 sets left.
There are signs at Bow, but all the others east of the center have disappeared.
Ones on west end still there. George explained how he produces the signs with
a template, using VistaPrint and checking sales for good prices. Bob said that
people always thank him when they see him putting out the signs; they are much
appreciated.
Website: Kevin has new domain, will work on the new site after Memorial Day.
Wix system, will enable easy access for editing. Site can allow blog, scheduling,
etc. URL discussion. Will retire old site in June.
Bikeway Cleanup: There were 5 sections, 4 meeting places. One volunteer
showed up (a friend of Matthias). Trash pickup/Garlic mustard. Need to get more
groups involved, given that the bikeway is for everyone. Frustration with
appealing to more new volunteers.
Bikeway Counts: Peggy is scheduling counts at the Depot for May 18 and May
21 . Volunteers will be needed.
Bike Walk `n Bus Week: Lou said there would be events at LPS building
parking lot: Two Bike Smart courses, bike maintenance, and a women's bike
ride. Jennifer is running a bike commuter skill share. Friday 1 May 17:
Commuter Breakfast under awning in back of depot. Volunteers needed. Lou put
out the distance signs.
Discovery Day, May 25: Friends/Bike Committee will have a table, including
free helmets, selling tee shirts, talking with folks about bicycling. Volunteers
needed.
Farmers' Market Bike Corrals: Bob said the bike corrals will be held again this
year on the second Tuesday of each month June through October. He will
recruit help for three shifts, 1 .5 hours per shift.
In a discussion about a possible memorial on the bikeway, Sandra Shaw said
stone is not expensive. She recommended Quincy memorials. Bob will ask
Keith Oh mart about the Rick Abrams bench. Bob and Peggy plan to request
permission to reallocate Blossom Fund dollars to partially cover cost of a
memorial bench. The meeting was adjourned.
The meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee was called to order.
Tri-Town Meeting and Recommendations to Select Board: Kevin said he
thinks the Committee is clear on recommending that Class 2 e-bikes be not
allowed on the bike path. He said the speed limit is harder, it not being easy to
convey a message like "please ride slower from 6-8, 4-6 except during federal
holidays....". Set a cap: slow down. There was talk about electronic detection
signs; the police have them, but not sure they can be used on bike path.
Richard mentioned there is one on Shade Street, triggers going down. Lou said
he thought that 15 mph is "an imperfect but understandable control." Since the
MMBW is not a public way, Ross said white signage cannot be used, but a yellow
speed warning sign would be ok.
In a discussion about the upcoming tri-town meeting, Matthias asked why all
three towns need to have the same regulations/guidelines: What is the right
thing for Lexington, he asked. Kevin said we should present our consensus at
the tri-town meeting. Lou commented that this is a political process: one tries to
work toward a set of common ideas.
After further discussion regarding recommendations, the Committee made a
motion to vote that "Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee is in favor of
recommending to the Select Board that a 15 mile per hour advisory speed
limit be introduced on the Lexington segment of the Minuteman Bikeway to
be discussed with Arlington and Bedford BAC representatives at the June
Tri-Town Bike Committee meeting." The Committee members present
unanimously approved this motion.
The Committee also voted on the following motion: "The Lexington Bicycle
Advisory Committee is in favor of recommending to the Lexington Select
Board that only Class 1 electric drive pedal assist bicycles (i.e., pedal
assist a-bikes limited to a motor powered speed of 20 mph) be permitted on
the Lexington segment of of the Minuteman Bikeway, to be discussed with
Arlington and Bedford BAC representative at the June Tri-Town Bike
Committee meeting." The Committee members present unanimously approved
this motion.
In terms of recommended signage, Lou said that the goal should be a program
that is wrapped together with a campaign for courtesy that maps onto the signs.
Bike Lanes on East Mass Ave: In response to the Committee concerns about
the current painted bike lanes on the east Mass Ave corridor, Ross Morrow said
that MassDOT has to leave the project before they can do anything to improve
the lane striping. He said it was probably not possible this year but asked about
whether the Committee would favor a 4-foot lane with more room between the
parked car doors and the lane. Richard Canale suggested the travel lanes be
reduced to 10.5 feet. Kevin asked if some of the bike symbols could be painted
in the parked car area to highlight the bike lane.
Ross described the plan for introducing 5-foot bike lanes on the uphill side of
Mass Ave on both sides between Worthen Road and Wood Street. A parking ban
would be requested of the Select Board. Ross also talked about waterman work
that is planned on Hartwell Ave; there will be nighttime construction going past
the bikeway. The bikeway crossing would be closed for one night.
The meeting was adjourned.
Recorder and Editor: Peggy Enders