HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-10-LBAC-min APPROVED MEETING NOTES
LEXINGTON BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, October 10, 2019, 7 pm Parker Room
Members Present: Peggy Enders (Chair) , Bob Hausslein (Chair, FoLB), Kevin Falcone,
George Gagliardi, Omar Khudari, Mike Tabaczynski
Others present: Sgt Paul Callahan (PD Liaison), Ross Morrow (DPW Liaison), Joe Pato
(Select Board Liaison), Tom Fortmann, Betty Gau, Howard Cloth, Alan Nelson, Mark
Sandeen
Members Absent: Matt Beebe, Lou Savarino
The record of the September 2019 meeting was approved.
Recommendations to the Select Board. Peggy said she met Monday, October 7, with
the Select Board to update the board on recommendations for bikeway signage
improvements as well as a bike safety and courtesy campaign:
1. A 15 mph posting on the bikeway was recommended. There was opposition to a
speed "limit" on the part of some bike commuters who attended the meeting,
even though the motion was not for a speed limit. There were suggestions from
board members about how to monitor excessive speed on the bikeway (e.g., a
mini-radar). Peggy presented the Shining Sea bikeway signage as an example
of posting a speed in the context of other etiquette signs. Chief Corr made some
recommendations about how to succinctly clarify the language (e.g.,
"recommended"), and said the signage should be yellow, not white. The board
did not approve the motion and instead asked for a sign that would qualify what
was meant by 15 mph."
2. A draft letter that would come from the Select Board to state reps, asking the
reps to pass the proposed legislation regarding classification of e-bikes and their
presence on shared use paths. The board approved the letter.
3. Peggy outlined the proposal for improving bicycle safety and courtesy and said a
Program Improvement Request had been drafted at the request of the assistant
town manager. After discussion about the merits of such a program, it decided
that, pending approval by Town Meeting, funds for a bicycle safety and courtesy
program should be housed in the Human Services department. (Signage
improvements toward bikeway safety and courtesy will continue to be developed
through the DPW working with the Committee.)
With respect to improvements to bikeway signage, Peggy said that the Arlington bike
committee relayed they would like to piggyback on what Lexington does vis a vis speed
limit as well as on signage.
Tom Fortmann said he wishes the state would amend their e-bike definitions to include
a sub-15mph e-bike category. We should not allow 20mph ebikes on bike path, he said.
Peggy responded that her car can do 100mph but doesn't drive that fast. Mike
commented that there is always "chaos before change." In terms of augmenting
bikeway signage, she asked for volunteers to help on a subcommittee; Omar, Mike and
Ross volunteered.
Howard Cloth suggested "your speed is" radar signs. Kevin said that Chief Corr had
suggested something similar. Tom Fortmann suggested that 15 mph signs be qualified
with "in traffic," or "recommended."
Liaison Reports:
Ross said that Hartwell Ave is getting paved next week and will get torn up again next
summer, when 5-foot bike lanes will be installed. The Hartwell corridor project will ask
for 25 % design funds at town meeting this fall. He spoke about the MassTrails grant.
He mentioned that he is looking into possibly renting (- $7-10K) pedestrian and bike
counters. (Arlington installed counters imbedded in the path, with support from MAPC.)
Matt Beebe is interested in developing a portion of the West Lexington Greenway (a
path from the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway to Wood St.). Peggy will circulate
background slides. Tom Fortmann suggested that Hanscom and Lincoln employees be
enlisted to help lobby for a commuter path off the bikeway that avoids Hartwell.
Sgt Callahan reported that there have been 31 bicycle incidents so far this year:
• 17 bike vs vehicle; 10 bike general crash;
• 2 cyclists +jogger involved near Fottler
• At Seasons at 2pm Saturday, 64 yr old woman walking east did a U-turn without
warning, bike tried to stop, but knocked her over. She was treated and released. She
lost consciousness later that night.
• Woman was hit by a child on the bikeway. She said she wants better bicycle
education for kids.
Sgt Callahan described the coding of crashes: If incident is medical (e.g., heart attack),
it has not been classified as a bike crash; PD has added a disposition code BIK to flag
this kind of incident. Also:
• Three officers went to Bike Smart on Saturday (there were just 3 kids).
• YTD $9000+ has been spent on bike patrols; there are 9 officers on bikes.
• Shortage of staff: a massive shortage of police officers nationwide
Peggy mentioned Open Meeting Law meeting: Kevin will attend; Omar may.
New member recruitment: There may be applicants soon.
Peggy mentioned that renewal of the Zagster contract came up at Select Board on
October 7. The Economic Development Department wants to extend the contract 2
years. This will be on November's agenda, as the LBAC is being asked to comment.
Members expressed some skepticism about corporate sponsorship unless ridership
increased. Lime will focus on scooters (not e-bikes). Peggy said that Mike's "chaos
before change" comment applies with bike share.
Peggy resigned as chair effective 12/31/2019 and made a motion to nominate Kevin for
chair, seconded by Omar, approved by unanimous vote.
To do:
Peggy circulate slides about West Lexington Greenway
Omar and Ross meet about signs
Peggy will speak to Economic Development about Zagster
Meeting adjourned at 8:15PM
Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexinaton Bikeways
Bob gave the Treasurer's Report.
• Average plowing costs $5,000 during a normal winter year;
• Average donations are $5,000 without advertising. If we publicize through signs and
Facebook/Twitter, we'll get a few thousand more.
Grant St pocket park: Bob reported that the Blossom Fund managers approved our
request to retain the funds and apply them to bikeway beautification. Four Adirondack
chairs and 2 end tables were purchased and installed 10 days ago. They are being
used. An abandoned bike is locked there; police will take it away.
No update on web site
Bike Corral: 80-90 coupons were given out this year over 5 bike corrals, recommend
we do it again next year.
$1,765 is being held for Coovert memorial. Robin Lord will provide to DPW a stone
memorial design. After design passes DPW review, Select Board must approve.
Community Endowment of Lexington invited an application for a grant $5-10K grant for
capacity-building, organizational development, etc. FoLB can use that sort of
development, but best to do it on our own instead of with consultants.
FoLB treasury spending ideas:
Howard: produce a fleece or long-sleeve T;
Tom: spend on expanding safety training
Peggy: organize bike rodeos with more volunteers and a larger reach.
Recorder: Omar Khudari
Editor: Peggy Enders