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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPAC-2009-10-15Bicycle /Pedestrian Advisory Council — Minutes from October 15, 2009 meeting BPAC members in attendance: Dave Nutter, Matt Freedman, Josh Carlsen (Chair), Andy Goodell, Renee Brutvan, David Kay (Planning Board liaison), Kent Johnson (Engineering Staff support) Visitor: Fay Gougakis Agenda: - Agenda review - Reports: Chair, Liaisons - Resolution in favor of existing bike lanes and sharrows - Resolution requesting curb to curb plowing on streets with bike lanes or sharrows - Resolution requesting implementation of a leading pedestrian interval at signalized intersections in the West end - Resolution requesting increased vigilance and swift towing of vehicles parked illegally in or proximate to bike lanes - Resolution in favor of nodal development along the Rt 96 corridor - Discussion item(s) - Next project for BPAC re: Bike Plan - Other business - Guests - Approval of minutes (8/20/09) - Adjourn The meeting began at approximately 7:15 pm. In the interest of accommodating the guest's desire to address BPAC, the Chair allowed her to be the first order of business. Since there were many other agenda items (and since the guest had already spent considerable time discussing this issue at the last BPAC meeting), the guest was asked to keep her comments to under 15 minutes in length; after which, BPAC members would comment. Guest comments: The guest, Fay Gougakis, re- explained her previously stated concerns regarding the narrowing of the left travel lane in the 100 block of E. Green Street. This narrowing of approx. 36" occurred when the 66" wide bike lane was installed in the spring of 2009 as a component of a City designed and funded project on NYSDOT property with NYSDOT approval. Previously, the travel lane was generally 15 ft. wide, currently it is generally 12 ft. wide. The guest feels that the narrower lane is less safe for her to bicycle in than before because motorists (particularly truck drivers) may be encouraged to pass her more closely (due to the narrower lane). To address her concern, she is requesting that BPAC recommends to the City to recommend to NYSDOT the removal of the bike lane and other travel lane markings on the 100 block of E. Green St. and then reinstall markings just delineating two travel lanes, each approximately 15 ft. wide. It is unclear what entity would fund such revisions. An additional point raised by the guest is whether she is legally allowed to ride her bicycle in the left -most travel lane. She is entering the roadway on the left and turns left at the next intersection. Based on her specific travel path, she is legally entitled to travel by bicycle in the left travel lane. Alternately, she may cross the street to travel briefly in the bike lane and then move back to the left; this maneuver seems impractical in her judgment. After the guest spoke for approximately 20 -25 minutes, BPAC members responded to her concerns. BPAC members seem to concur that the narrower travel lane is understandably less comfortable and presumably less safe than a wider lane would be. However, despite her concerns, BPAC feels that the current situation (with the bike lane) is preferable to the previous layout without the bike lane. Additionally, though BPAC understands and sympathizes with the guest's concerns, similar concerns have not been expressed by anyone else since the bike lane was installed. In fact, bicycle users who BPAC members have spoken with seem supportive of the current layout. The guest has previously discussed this issue with the BPW and, consequently, BPW has requested that BPAC provide a recommendation. BPAC has prepared a recommendation in the form of a resolution that supports the current layout. (the resolution is still being edited.. it should be ready to be voted on at the Nov. BPAC meeting) Despite the guest's desire to continue discussion on this issue, seeing that it was around 8:00 pm, BPAC opted to close the discussion and move to the next agenda item. Resolutions: Five resolutions were drafted for circulation and comment: 1. Resolution in favor of existing bike lanes and sharrows 2. Resolution requesting curb to curb plowing on streets with bike lanes or sharrows 3. Resolution requesting implementation of a leading pedestrian interval at signalized intersections in the West end 4. Resolution requesting increased vigilance and swift towing of vehicles parked illegally in or proximate to bike lanes 5. Resolution in favor of nodal development along the Rt 96 corridor The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing and editing the resolutions. There was insufficient time to address the other agenda items. Meeting adjourned at approx. 9:00 pm Minutes submitted by Kent Johnson