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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-13-LBAC-min APPROVED MEETING NOTES LEXINGTON BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THURSDAY, July 11, 2019. 7 pm Hudson Room, Cary Hall Members present: Peggy Enders (Chair), Kevin Falcone, Omar Khudari, Bob Hausslein, Matt Beebe, Mike Tabaczynski, Bob Dangel Mike Tabaczynski, Kevin Falcone, Bob Hausslein (Chair FoLB), Jennifer Melot, Omar Khudari, Bob Dangel, George Gagliardi Members Absent: Lou Savarino, George Gagliardi Others present: Richard Canale (Planning Comm Liaison), Sgt Paul Callahan (Police Liaison), Ross Morrow (DPW), Tim Page, Howard Cloth, Archana Dayalu, Sandra Shaw Bike Crash Reports: Sgt Callahan and Capt. McLean have been sending regular reports of bike crashes (Sgt Callahan now receives an email report for every bicycle incident). Sgt Callahan remarked that either the police are now getting more information or it is getting busier. In the case of recent incidents, half involved people falling off their bikes (without another vehicle involved). For instance, one bike rider was hurt swerving to avoid an elderly gentleman on the bike path. Peggy asked about a woman who needed medical attention when she hit a tree on the bike path; there wasn't a report about this. Sgt Callahan said a number of events involve anger/road rage. Matt Beebe said that based on his "unscientific" observation, the bike path is busier than in the past. (Recent bikeway count was 4550 trips, including about 3000 bikes). Galen Mook recommends a sign now up at Fresh Pond , "Shared Path Etiquette." Tim Page said that he thinks people go too fast on the path, like it's the Tour de France. It is an issue of education, he said. Richard Canale said that Boston is about to issue a long range plan; in the Boston area bicycles account for a disproportional percentage of roadway crashes. Yield Signage on the Bikeway (Part 2): Peggy reminded members that there has been concern about the mixed intersection signage on the bikeway. Toole Design had recommended yield signs on the bike path at Revere, Fottler, Fletcher, and no stops at Seasons 4 and the Depot. There are complaints that bikes don't slow down at intersections, but whether this is owing to the Yield signs is not clear. Ross Morrow said that Revere does not have good sightlines; yield signs in principle are ok, but good sightlines are important. Kevin commented that this is the same situation at Fottler — poor sightlines with yield signs; bushes and other plantings are overgrown at the intersection. It is Capt McLean's opinion that there should be Stop signs for bikes at all intersections; some of the crashes in the police reports involve bikeway intersections; Capt. McLean believes that bikes should stop before crossing. Howard Cloth said that cars should not have to treat bike riders different from pedestrians. Kevin commented that riders go around him when he stops at intersections. Other comments: • Some intersections with good sight lines have stop signs that should be yields; • Many cars go too fast coming from the center at Hancock St. There should be better signage, even though residents complain about the signage in that area. • The word is, the local residents will not approve of a light or more signage, even though it's needed; • DPW has approved survey money to survey what is going on at Hancock; Ross will look into lights, but don't think they will be approved; • Mike: we shouldn't not propose lights because we think they won't be approved; • A letter ought to go to the Select Board recommending a light at Hancock intersection; • Cambridge has a special speed hump at intersection crossings; • Part of stopping is making sure it is safe before proceeding. Cars can be cited for not making sure it is safe before going. • Davis Square is better than it was. We could learn from Somerville's bike committee. • Someone called the DPW to complain they couldn't get into Depot parking lot because of bike traffic on a weekend. • Cars have made Uturns using the Bikeway. Staff put up cones to prevent this. • If police and DPW change the signs to all stops, that will be a step backward; • Design of the Depot booth is bad. Long term solution is redesign. Need a short term solution. If cars stop at Depot booth, do they need to stop again at bike path? • Sgt Callahan said that stops are consistent, but from practical standpoint, people will slow, look, and go. That means yield makes more sense. If every intersection had consistent (similar) signs, they would be more enforceable. • Streets are signed differently, so why not the bike path? • Paul: if you are going to put a flashing pedestrian light at Hancock, put it on a sensor, like Mill St. Lots of people do not push a button. • Ross: buttons can only be used if the light will turn red and stop the traffic. • Peggy asked: does the committee agree that all signs should be the same? Or that yield signs should have good sight lines? • Matt: Hancock should have a traffic calming measure. • Paul: you stand a chance of getting a flashing light at Hancock. Sight line is a • Result of Discussion: A motion was offered by Omar and seconded by Kevin: • Fottler intersection on the bikeway should be a stop sign (i.e., we agree that yield is not appropriate owing to sightline problems); • Revere and Fletcher should retain yield on the bikeway, but find way to alert motorists; • Remove stop signs on barrels at Revere and Fletcher that conflict with fixed signs; • Seasons Four and Depot should stay as Stop for cars • Request through TSG a sensor-activated flashing beacon at Hancock intersection. The motion was approved unanimously. Tri-Town and TSG Meetings (follow-up): Peggy said she reported at the Tri-Town Meeting that the Lexington bike committee had voted to recommend 1. A 15 mph limit on the bike path 2. Class 1 e-bikes only 3. Better signage program for etiquette She said that both Bedford and Arlington committees appear to be in favor of an advisory speed and improved signage but that both endorse the existing proposed state classification legislation and allow Class 1 and Class 2. Matt talked about an incident with an electric fat tire bike, weighing about 70 pounds, saying that if it had hit him, "I would have lost." He doesn't want the bike path to become an "electric motorcycle way," he said. Comments included: • Galen Mock is pro ebike because it gets more butts on bikes. • Education could solve the problem, but is it practical? • Cambridge runs a lot of classes. • The schools ought to provide it. • Also need better bicycle infrastructure on the streets. • Bike ambassadors came up at the TriTown meeting. • Bike ambassadors in Arizona wear uniforms, carry bandaids. They do not scold or pull over. But they can engage in conversations. They have radios to call the sheriff. • Should they yell at people who behave badly? • Howard: a guy with a loud boom box passed me, I yelled "turn down the volume." He stopped and yelled angrily. • Mike: let's not make a new problem. • Paul- selection of person fit to be an ambassador is an issue Music on the Bikeway: a safety issue? Ted Page expressed his concern about what he believes is an increasing number of bikes riding with loud music piping from various devices. He aid he lives on Fletcher Avenue and loves the path. One night he was woken up at 2:45AM by someone using boom box at full volume. He wants to solve the problem, not just complain. Prior to the noise bylaw, there was no way for the police to do anything about noise. Spirit of the bylaw is that noise is pollution, it is bad for you. He would like to start a committee, perhaps amend the noise bylaw. He said 1) Abutters have a right to peace and quiet; 2) Voice signals matter. People wearing headphones or using boom boxes are a safety hazard. Matt Beebe suggested at least a burma shave sign. Sgt Callahan said that the challenge is that it is a moving noise, not a parked car. Peggy asked Howard and Ted to suggest a set of burma shave sign lyrics. Other Business: Bike Lanes on Mass Ave. between Audubon and Wood Streets: Ross said that the DPW will propose to Select Board bike lanes on the uphill sides of Mass Ave on July 22. He asks that the committee attend to show support and speak up. Matt said that he surveyed the Lincoln Lab commuters; half think it's a great idea, the other half think that attention to roads like Hartwell is so much more important. Residents object to losing parking; anecdotally, and from many visits, we don't see many people parking there. Richard said that Mass Ave is part of the the Battle Road Scenic Byway. The BRSBC endorses the bike lanes. DCR has announced plans to allow class 1 e-bikes only on some DCR trails and ban e- bikes completely on others. There are hearings scheduled this month. Mass Bike will host an e-bike demo day in Walpole on July 16. Ross announced that the bike path from Seasons 4 to Fottler will be closed 7/22 for 3 weeks for repaving. He said that the detour will involved temporary bike lanes on Mass Avenue. This will include the option of a bike lane inboard of the parking lane. (49': 2 11' travel lanes, 2 5' bike lanes 2 7' parking lanes 3' of buffer with no plans for bollards between cars and lane.). Matt commented that, if this pilot fails, it would be bad for the future of protected lanes. He advised it should be implemented only if we think this is the right solution. Peggy asked Ross to meet with members at the site; Matt, Richard, Omar, Mike and Kevin will meet with Ross at Wicked Bagel parking lot Sunday 2PM. Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways: The Treasurer's Report was given. Website: Kevin said he will work on it later in the summer. Farmers' Market Bike Corrals: The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm. Recorder: Omar Khudari Editor: Peggy Enders