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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-16 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION Thursday, November 16, 2000 Meeting Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT Tom Powell, Joan Spear, Alexis Rewcastle, David Young, Beverly Morris, and Council Liaison Carole Wheeldon. Myles Murphy of the Ashland Daily Tidings and Matt Barnes of RVTD were also present. STAFF PRESENT Maria Harris and Derek Severson. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:06 p.m.  MINUTES Commissioners Morris/Wheeldon m/s to table approval of the minutes until the next meeting. PUBLIC FORUM Zane Jones/223 Hersey St W/Jones, an SOU employee, recounted his recent experience of being struck by a car while walking in a downtown crosswalk. He urged the Commission to work on the design of Siskiyou Boulevard to better address pedestrian safety. Jones cited specific examples of unsafe crosswalks, such as the area on Siskiyou near Mihama restaurant where there is poor lighting, most crossings aren’t marked and those that are really don’t work with the traffic flow. Young invited Jones to submit his concerns to the Tidings, and also encouraged him to be part of the public process that is just beginning for the Siskiyou Boulevard redesign. Young noted that th th the first meeting would be December 4, and also noted that from January 9 through January th 11 there would be an intensive public process for the redesign project. Harris noted that she would add Jones to the mailing list for the Siskiyou Boulevard redesign project mailings. Group discussion of the lack of respect and understanding for crosswalk within the general public. CAR FREE DAY/WALK OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL Wheeldon noted that she had talked with Meg Brown of the Schools Foundation about the Bike th Swap that was held May 5. Wheeldon explained that the Schools Foundation is discussing discontinuing this event as it is not of a strictly educational nature. Wheeldon further explained that the event is a successful moneymaker, and noted that this year’s raffle brought in $6000, with the event earning an additional amount equal to 20% of the value of the items sold. Wheeldon suggested that the Commission consider taking on this event in conjunction with the Schools Foundation in exchange for a portion of the revenue, and that this money be used to do work on pedestrian crossings in school zones and bike safety programs. Powell explained that he had recently worked on the similar Ski Swap event and emphasized that th it would be a huge undertaking. Wheeldon stated that she would like to attend the November 28 Bike Swap committee meeting, and suggested that she could request that they consider a co- 2000-1116_Bike Min Page 1 of 3 sponsored event, incorporated into Car Free Day. Members agreed that Wheeldon should attend the meeting to gather information, and Powell suggested that a co-sponsorship that would not require the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commissioners to serve as the sole coordinators of the event would be preferable. Morris suggested that this event might lead into a month of cycling-centered events. UPDATE ON SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Rewcastle stated that she could provide some information on the subcommittee meeting that had occurred since the last regular meeting. She explained that the subcommittee had a great meeting, and that they are moving ahead. She noted that they recognized the need to create a baseline program for schools, with resources to include written information, websites and a contacts list. Noted that there was interest in the “Walking School Bus” concept, as well as providing a neighborhood survey, safety checklist, and information on physical fitness, health benefits and bike safety. She stated that the subcommittee will put together this information and offer it to each school. She pointed out that each member is working with one category of information and compiling resources, and that they will each do a write-up. She explained further that they are contacting PE instructors, principals, and PTOs/PTAs for each school, ant that each member will focus on specific schools. Rewcastle noted that she is working with Bellview and Walker Schools. Young asked that information from the subcommittee be provided to the Commission as a whole, and Harris clarified that state law requires that any decisions be made by the full Commission. Harris reiterated that information needs to be brought back to the whole group prior to making decisions. The information Rewcastle had provided was approved in concept, and it was suggested that a more in-depth discussion and formal decision could occur when further details were provided. Rewcastle questioned whether subcommittee members should pursue attending PTO meetings at this point. Young stated that he was still unclear of the purpose behind attending PTO meetings, and suggested that a plan of action is needed first. Morris and Rewcastle explained that the intent of going to the meetings was gauging the level of interest on the part of the schools in working together on monthly Car Free events beginning the first Friday in February. Wheeldon concurred with Young that there needs to be a plan first to get the full Commission on the same page. Young reiterated that there needs to be a full Commission sanction first. Morris noted that many PTOs/PTAs would not be meeting again until January. Powell clarified that the subcommittee members could bring back an action plan with a timeframe, budget, and etc. for approval by the full Commission in December and be ready for the January PTO meetings. REVIEW COMMISSION GOALS This item was carried over to next month. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Approval of the October minutes, Wheeldon’s report on the Bike Swap meeting, review/revisit Commission goals, subcommittee report, draft statement of vision for bikes, and traffic safety sign-up. 2000-1116_Bike Min Page 2 of 3 PREPARE FOR JOINT MEETING WITH TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Wheeldon suggested that discussion begin by reaffirming the issues that are to be addressed. Young noted that the focus was to be on the budget process and jointly applying for grants, as well as proactively working together in overlapping areas to make a more compelling case to Council. Wheeldon suggested that there could be recurring annual grant applications made jointly. Young noted that a grant similar to the one used for Oak Street traffic calming is available, and pointed out that the TSC is discussing applying for this grant for Helman, North Main, or possibly upper Walker. He suggested that they would like this to be done jointly as well. Wheeldon clarified that the grant is in the amount of $200,000 and that it is for the purpose of retrofitting existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities for increased safety. Wheeldon also noted that traffic calming measures to allow bikes to share the road would qualify if there were no room for a bike lane in addition to the main travel lane. She re-emphasized that shared facilities have been approved by the Oregon State Bicycle Commission. Harris noted that the City has a Transportation System Plan (TSP) in place with a prioritized list of improvement projects, and she briefly explained how the TSP is used in the grant process. There was discussion of the fact that the Commission would prefer to focus on projects around schools. Wheeldon asked that Harris provide members with a copy of the TSP priority list. Young noted that there have been efforts made via e-mail to clarify the Commission’s vision of bicycles in Ashland, and stated that he feels there is a strong consensus favoring the placement bicycle lanes on the street. Young emphasized that on sidewalks, cyclists must defer to pedestrians. Wheeldon questioned how to convey this vision to the public, and Young suggested that it would require an education campaign working in concert with the Traffic Safety Commission. Young suggested that a different color of paving material might be used for bicycle lanes, but he recognized that there could be trade-offs having to do with cost and durability. There was a discussion of bicycle lanes in the street as a way to avoid right-of-way conflicts, because cyclists would be part of the traffic flow. It was emphasized that cyclists should behave as pedestrians when on sidewalks, and as a vehicle when in the street. Morris suggested that the Commission sponsor a Bicycle and Pedestrian Awareness Week. Wheeldon suggested that this could be a joint event with the TSC. She also suggested that there might be some sort of mixed subcommittee to explore working jointly. Wheeldon ask that the coming discussion also include an explanation of how the TSC develops goals and how the two commissions can work together to be more proactive. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned to the joint session with the Traffic Safety Commission at 6:10 p.m. NEXT MEETINGS: th Monday, December 18, 2000 5:00 Council Chambers 2000-1116_Bike Min Page 3 of 3