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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-08-LBAC-min.docxTo n of ...exilington Bicycle Advisory Committee 1/8/2026 January - 2 2 / 7: IPIM / crown Hall Parker Room and Hybrid Members present: Betty Gau, Jonathan Schwartz, Jonathan Bernays, Suzan Chen, Jhm Cadenhead, Dave Armstrong, Sarah Hews, Jason Dearling, Ben Alperovlch (LHS Student Llalson) Also Attending: Mike Tabaczynskl, Mark Sandeen (Select Board raison), Susan Barrett (Transportation Manager) Guests: N/A 1. Approve November 13th, 2025 LBAC Meeting Minutes Motion was approved. 2. Approve December 3rd, 2025 Meeting Minutes was approved Motion was approved. 3. Review Committee Goals In our Nov 13th meeting we discussed our committee goals and tentatively settled on the following 3 goals: 1. Develop a town strategy on E -bike management, oversight and education. This goal will include the implementation of a community and school education campaign on safe bike riding and safe E -bike riding in town with a public forum and use of the Town of Lexington weekly link newsletter. We are discussing this tonight on the agenda and will continue working on this throughout the fiscal year, ending in June. 2. Review the Bike/Ped Plan and support funding for the design of highest priority projects in the Bike/Ped Plan, with construction funding to follow. Page 64 starts the description of the 5 highest priorities 3. Update the Town bylaw for bike parking requirements for different types of property uses. Ongoing work by Tom, Dave, Jonathan and Betty 4. Review LPD's Electric Bike Information Brochure Betty - Nick (LPD liaison) isn't attending tonight's meeting. Sarah presents the sample brochure as a rough draft. Betty - notes inconsistency on helmet requirements language Sarah - notes good information in the brochure, but says when there's so much information it's important to have the most important things pop. Jonathan Schwartz - agrees, citing need for key callouts Jason - supports idea of more concise brochure. Jim - not sure that a brochure is best approach. Likes hands on learning, or a quiz that shows/encourages actual learning. Betty — let's confirm that the info in brochure the right info Jonathan B - isolating what we want to change is most important. Key audience is parents, since kids already know a lot. Mark Sandeen - "know which class of e -bike..." would be better than " know whether your kids is on an e -bike or an electric motorcycle" Betty - we need both. Fast and short info, like e-moto versus e -bike. Jonathan Schwartz - brochure doesn't handle e-motos really. Looks like `class 3', so [a parent might think] that's all right"? Susan Barrett - Brochure has too much information, people won't read it. FOLB (Friends of Lexington Bikeways) brochure is readable, with key info and images. Recommends asking Nick (LPD liaison) to work with Julia and Taylor in communications dept. They may be able to help brochure communicate better. Betty took the action to contact Nick, Julia Flood and Taylor to work on a social media post and the brochure from the LPD. Sarah - So much information to learn. Small nuggets are better to spur parents to research. Don't treat this as our only chance. Jonathan Bs - top speed is the important thing. 20 or 28. Secondarily, does it have a throttle? Mark Sandeen - notes huge phenomenon of people reacting to e -bikes. Lots of don'ts. Asks how to communicate that we do want people on e -bikes? Notes need for a balance. Betty - notes that Tri -Town meeting made the same points. Sarah — maybe have brochures for each age group? Susan Barrett - notes that the brochure has language public doesn't understand, like "DOT approved" and "Pubic Ways" Jim - notes "class 3" is still not recognized in Massachusetts. So those e -bikes not defined, and not legal unless registered with RMV. Jonathan B - describes simpler definitions based on top speed. Suzan Chen - notes that cyclists also can ride fast. Jim - classes are based on the mechanical governance of the bike. The brochure, right now, might be useful for the LPD themselves. Other people need different treatments, like Julia and Taylor might help with it. Jason - Spring is coming, so we should get something out soon. Jonathan B - notes that class 1 e -bikes not allowed on sidewalks, which is not good for kids going to school. Jonathan Schwartz - that's technically true but not enforced... Betty - notes that there are complaints about regular bikes on sidewalks. Sarah - asks, is it [e -bikes not being allowed on sidewalks] the expectation that adults use e - bikes, or that the bikes are heavier? Notes that on an e -bike your mind can wander more. Susan Barrett - the state micromobility committee would be working on this. Mark Sandeen - likes Jonathan B's (speed -based) description Jonathan Bernais - as a one -pager Examination of MMC document (Special Commission of Micromobility - Guide for Speed -Based Tier System) Sarah - Operational requirements table is examined. Seems initially well organized and presented. Jonathan B - notes the state "micro -id decal" required for some types Jim - not tamper -proof, so do we recommend licensing and inspections? Betty - we need to ask them about the micro ID. Sarah - powered micromobility is in wrong row on travel allowances slide. Jim - sidewalks have visibility problems for cars, so higher -speed devices should not be on sidewalks. Device requirements slide: Sarah - what does motorcycle equipment mean? Dave - possibly lights and directional signals Jonathan Bs likes "on your left" instead of bells. Betty - says, when "on your left" is called out often people move to the left right into the path of the moving cyclist. It was identified that there is a Typo — 0.6 Powered Micromobility - slide 11 typo — switch 0.b and O.c are switched. The tables in the presentation are great and helpful. Jim - Enforcement and safety needs focus. Jonathan Schwartz - notes brochure mentions fines and impoundment possibilities. Jim - we should be asking for real enforcement. Kids have been given the bikes back. Jonathan Schwartz - police seem to have policy of not enforcing strictly. Sarah - there's a grey area. Ben - agrees that the kids are let go when stopped by police at Center fields and Track. Betty - action item is to get feedback to MMC as soon as possible, as it's going to be finalized soon. — Betty took the action to provide Galen Mook with our feedback on the Micromobility document. An email was sent to Galen Jan 11t1 Mike - regardless, it will still be the cars and trucks that will be killing us. [We need] infrastructure. 5. Center Committee Transportation Study RFP The committee discussed the draft RFP provided to us by the Center Committee. Sarah will lead this effort and will provide our comments back to the Center Cmt Sarah wondered if there should be clear goals in the RFP or should it be more specific on the requirements It was agreed to add reference to the Town Pedestrian -Bicycle Plan voted and accepted in May 2024. The committee also agreed to add safety language as part of the description and requirements. We need to clarity of objective of the RFP. Lean on staff who do RFPs daily This is a general description — the RFP will be Susan will provide a transit study RFP for a comparison Mark Sandeen - Need for specificity. Suggests looking at other towns 'RFPs and pick good from bad. Susan Barrett — This is a general description, not an RFP. she can share others for us to see. This is in early stages, and it's good that Center Committee reached out to LBAC. Jim — need to get words 'net zero 'in there. Betty - compliments the write-ups that are in the bike/ped plan. Sarah — so get net zero, safety, and bike/ped plan in the response. 6. Diamond Middle School E -Bike Policy Update Jonathan Schwartz - met with the Diamond principal Dr Cole. Policy is that e -bikes are not prohibited, but you can not ride them on school property, even without assist. regular bikes can be ridden. Dr Cole says even regular bikes aren't allowed on campus sidewalks, but that hasn't been enforced. Jonathan notes responsible riding isn't considered. Betty - how is policy being communicated? Sarah - there was something to parent square about it. Susan Barrett - it's Clark and Diamond...what about the high school? Also, are parents allowed to ride up to the schools? Jonathan Schwartz - bad behavior on e-motos was the problem, so this was their solution. Susan Barrett - another principal said they have to do something because of the few kids. Jonathan Schwartz - their priority is safety, and they feel they have few tools they can use. Educational materials would be helpful, and should come from town, not schools. Betty - FOLB safety brochure might be really good for this. Susan Barrett - agrees. And maybe someone younger would be good to help with messaging etc. Jonathan Schwartz - principals do not want to bend on this. Sarah - Educational materials might help the principals understand it better also. Jonathan Schwartz - notes even in driveways e -bikes are not allowed — cars are prioritized. Sarah - the distinction between e-motos and e -bikes is crucial. Jonathan Schwartz agrees, and it should be about responsibility and safety. Betty - can we propose a program where kids pass quiz or something? Or register their bikes? Jonathan Schwartz - no e-moto is legal for a middle school student. Jonathan B - we should continue discussion with the school committee. Betty - would you propose some solution? Jonathan B - stress responsibility. Sarah - bigger problem is we have a space for cars, and pedestrians, but no good way for bikes to get to school. We should be collaborating to find solutions for bikers. Betty - what about the new net zero goals adopted by the Town? Susan Barrett - will Jonathan Schwartz give an update at the safe routes for school meeting? Jim - how to address the problem? Let's talk to Select Board first. Also, we don't have staff at schools who are educated in any of this. Need staff to participate in education. Susan Barrett - a little refresh: schools have agreed to 2nd grade pedestrian education, and 4th grade bike safety. Notes principal at Fiske did a school -wide meeting after pedestrian accident there. Betty - next step is Jim talks to Mark Sandeen the committee's Select Board liaison Jim - notes that it would be an informal thing. Jonathan Schwartz - develop the educational material in general. Betty - FOLB brochure is being updated. Jonathan B and Jonathan Schwartz volunteer to read through it. Jonathan Schwartz - principal didn't think infrastructure changes were probably feasible. 6. Bike Parking Update - LHS GIS Mapping Betty — we are asking the town to add to bylaws for bike parking at all recreational facilities. Susan Barrett - notes that Estabrook new bike racks are in a bad place, so people are mad about it, and relates that Facilities says the racks have to be where the plan says.' Betty provided a draft letter from the LBAC to the Recreation Department. The committee reviewed it there was a motion to send the letter. Motion to send letter is passed. The letter was sent January 9th. Susan Barrett - SRTS (Safe Routes To School) program would only pay for maybe one rack per school Tom emailed this update that was reviewed during the meeting: We have completed the table of all known bike racks on municipal properties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y4GHAXLgZWeKe7 xe5aQQpFY6TovMb3ri LchxTJ HTxk/edit?usp=sharing We have added a tab to the spreadsheet, SchoolData, that calculates the number of bike parking spaces per student, and that shows wide variation between the schools. Here are some preliminary recommendations: 1. Wait for the completion of Max's GIS mapping project to see what else they may come up with. Then prepare final recommendations to the Town. 2. Conduct site visits of all 9 schools this spring to count the number of parked bikes. Do this on good weather days, and on the same day for all schools, to get a good apples -to -apples comparison. Based on this data, and the data in the SchoolData tab, recommend shifting some racks between schools and/or adding new racks. (Jonathan thinks there may be SRTS funding for an additional rack at Hastings.) 3. Install racks at police station (first asked for in Sept 2024) 4. Install racks at Muzzey field and Franklin field (Melissa Battite: will add racks when possible) 5. Install racks at Valley tennis courts (is facility renovation still in the plans?) 6. Add racks to Center playground when renovated (this is urgent as design is being finalized now) 7. Ensure bike racks are part of the new skate park design adjacent to the Center playground. For items 6 and 7, a letter should be prepared for Betty to send to Recreation ASAP. In addition, Jim and Ben are working with Omar's shop manager and the Center Committee to install a bike corral in front of Omar's. They are - working on petition. Susan Barrett - it's included in the Center Committee 8. Liaison Reports Susan Barrett - Notes her last day as Town of Lexington Transportation Manager is Jan 30th, and that Mel is part time, they will do what they can. SRTS has a meeting January 13th, and wants to start intergenerational walking school bus. Walk Bike and Roll to school day is in February. Also looking at how to limit cars at schools. Parent Academy in mid-March might be a volunteer opportunity to do something more bike related. Notes that the bike rodeo is Saturday, May 9th, and needs volunteers, and that Breakfast on Bikeway is Friday May15. Betty provided information that the MassBike annual meeting is online January 24th 1-2:30 9. Other Business Education forum on half day Jim: Hoping for a wheelie demonstration, and to have Nick (LPD liaison) there too. Dissemination of information will be key to this. AV help would be good. E -Mobility Devices on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway — Education Forum Update Jim is leading this forum Jim working with Susan — to be done at LHS in the field house March 27th — proposed date Half day — mid afternoon Wheelie demo to attract kids Nick will provide safety talk Food and wheelies — make it engaging for young people Communicating the information Film the event Get LBAC involved Meeting adjourned 9:05 PM