Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-12-LBAC-min.docxTo n of ...exilington Bicycle Advisory Committee 3/12/2026 March 12 2 2 / 7:QQ IM / Touriii Hall. Parker Room and Hybrid Members present: Jim Cadenhead, Dave Armstrong, Betty Gau, Sarah Hews, Suzan Chen, Jason Dearling, Mark Sandeen (Select board raison), Nlck Dell Anno (LPD raison) Also Attending: Tom Fortman, Mel Novner (Transportation Services) Jim Cadenhead charred the meeting since Betty Gau (Chair) was away during part of the meeting. 1. Approve February 12th, 2026 LBAC Meeting Minutes Motion was approved. 2. Article 12 b and c Discussion (We first had the liaison report from Mel Novner, while we waited to see if any LHS students would make it to the meeting. See below in the Liaison Reports section.) There were no LHS students in meeting. Jim - we asked for article 12b and c. We are interested n finding current and future LHS students who would write or sign a letter to go to Select Board and Town Meeting, and show up in person as well. This would get those most impacted in front of town meeting asking them to "vote for our safety". Writing letters now is important. Jim will reach out to Ben to ask for an assist, and will ask his daughter also. Sarah - will ask her daughter. Jonathan - will ask his daughter also. Jim - will send follow-up about the importance of this. 3. Article 12 k Discussion Jim - tells where Burlington and North streets are located and displays where sidewalks would be. Jason says that he wants to go there to see the area. Jim reads slide about work to be done and work done to date, tree removal, etc. Mark gives an update: There's been a lot of change in discussing sidewalks for this street. LBAC has been encouraging folks that having sidewalks don't make it safer for biking due to the narrowing of road. So is it possible to have something other than a sidewalk, maybe for less money? This Article for Town Meeting will be asking for 100k to look into other options (edge lane roads for example). Jason - it's in bike ped plan, good for pedestrians but maybe not for cyclists. Jim - no need to solve for people comfortable riding on road. So solve for those not comfortable on road. Jim asks for suggestions on how to make safer for vulnerable road users. Mark - no rush here. Town meeting will be asked only to do analysis. JC - was there any feedback from abutters, like about making the road one way? Mark - hasn't talked to them, but it would be bad. It would be a long detour and unpopular. A no vote would kill the idea, a yes vote would give choice of options. Town meeting starts in a month. Select Board will probably be 100% in favor. Jim - we should write a letter. Mark - you only need to tell them how our vote was. Sarah - can we vote now? Sarah moves to vote on it, Dave seconds. All members present vote in favor. Jim - so we support articles 12 B,C and K 4. Ebike and Emoto Brochure Update Jim - those have been updated, and will be going out to social media, FaceBook, Instagram. Jim asks for links to other groups. Nick - the web pages are under way. When they're done it will go out on social media. Hopefully be by end of the month. 250th is keeping the website maintainers very busy. His higher-ups may want a say in this too. Betty suggested not using Nick's email but general PD email instead. Discussion follows about email addresses. Nick says using his email is OK. Jason suggests adding date on the documents. Jim agrees. Jim - when Julia Flood (the town website manager) approves we will post . 5. Micromobility Report Suzan and Jim express that they think the state's report was good. Sarah - what is this report for? Jim - it will suggest how we classify micromobility devices. Sarah - the report seems reasonable Jim - we should draft a letter supporting the report. Dave - shouldn't take too long. Let's write it at next meeting, with Betty involved. Jim - we will write it at next meeting. 6. E -Mobility Devices Educational Forum — Jim Jim - have been speaking with LHS about times and dates, but none have worked out yet. Has asked FOLB for help finding a good location. So at the moment this forum is on hiatus. Hoping for May, or in the Fall. Dave and Jason volunteer to help the event. 7. Diamond School Ebike Policy Jim - right now the policy is still "no ebikes". Jim reviews Betty's notes regarding suggestions from two School Committee members (copied here): • Write to Superintendent again and include School Committee again • Work with SRTS (Safe Routes to School) • Work with State SRTS person Judy Crooker — make her aware and find out what others towns are doing about ebikes to schools Jonathan references the article Betty sent about California, noting that parental consent allowed ebikes for older students. So we can work towards that. He will continue to work with Dr Hackett. Mark notes that the "near misses" reason for banning ebikes might apply to cars too, so by that logic we should not have any cars at schools? He notes the need for analysis — in the California article 1/3 of bike accidents are ebikes, but maybe 1/3 of bikes are ebikes. Mark cites fear of the unknown. California article notes that cars are a high cause of injury to kids, so reduce number of cars. He also notes that emotos are adding to the confusion. Jim suggests having random enforcement days to look for emotos and agrees that cars, then guns, are number 1 killers of kids. Mark - heavier car vehicles are a growing problem also. Suzan - would be possible to at least allow class 1? She doesn't like blanket rule against all ebikes. Jason - suggests banning bikes with throttles. He also notes that school children already have contracts for Chromebooks etc., so signing a code of behavior is an accepted thing, and is an educational thing also. Jim agrees. Jim - our action right now seems to be to reach out to state SRTS for ideas. Mark - help people understand what biggest dangers to kids are. Cars. Jim - even kids "killed in ebike accident" might really be being killed by cars. Suzan - Sees three deaths this year in Massachusetts Mark notes that the young person in Bedford was going 40mph Nick reports someone on ebike evaded police in town today. Other kids reported who it was and parents were contacted. Education is most important - kids are kids. Mark - Always say "our #1 concern is safety and health of our kids". Mark notes that there is a natural connection between LBAC and the Board of Health and that the Board of Health is concerned. He asks how can we work together with them. He also expects that when we look at the numbers the problem will be emotos, not ebikes. Mark notes that the chair of board of health rides a bike and that Jonathan knows her well. 8. Liaison Reports Mel Novner (Transportation Services): (This report was given at the beginning of the meeting, while the committee waited to see if any LHS students would be attending.) Mel noted that the Bike Rodeo is coming up, and asked if anyone might help them, as they haven't run one before. Jim - Battle Road Bikes will be sending somebody. How many needed? Mel - don't know, it's been unclear Jim estimates 8-10 people needed. Last year there were LHS volunteers as well as others. Mel thinks there are 1 or 2 JHS volunteers already Betty, Jason and Suzan offer to help Betty - we can ask FOLB (Friends of Lexington Bikeways) for help also. Mel - Breakfast on the Bikeway will need help also Betty offers to get pastries and such. Jim - are there any handouts we can get from you? Do you have contact at SRTS (Safe Routes to School)? Mel - will be meeting with them next week Jim - do you know the SRTS state contact? Mel - Yes JC - any other upcoming business? Mel - ambitious schedule for May. Maintenance and flat tire clinic, Dawes Cup, BikeSmart. Mel also notes that BikeSmart for Youth has had low attendance, and they are hoping we can spread the word. 9. Upcoming Events on the Bikeway with Approved Permits • Tough Ruck Sunday April 19th — 9:OOam to 3pm - Minuteman Commuter Bikeway to Lexington Center, around Battle Green back to Bedford on MMCB • World Vision 6k for Water — Saturday May 9th — 9am- to 1 pm Minuteman Commuter Bikeway • Paul Revere Ride Saturday May 16th — Minuteman Commuter Bikeway Bedford to Lexington Center — off the Bikeway and then down Mass Ave • RideAtaxia Fundraiser Bike Ride and Walk - Sunday August 2nd, 2026 Jim goes through the above list. Notes that Tim Wilson was part of the Paul Revere ride. Will send out emails. Betty (who was at the Town Meeting info session during part of the LBAC meeting) reported that 12b kept coming up, because people were concerned about a bike path on Muzzy Street. Green paint will have to go through Historic District Commission, so we'll have to keep at this, with letters and kids coming to the meeting. Meeting adjourned 9:00 PM