Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPAC-2009-11-19BPAC 11/19/09,7:00 pm.City Hall, 2nd fl. conference room In attandence: Joshua Carlsen (Chair) Andy Goodall Renee Brutvan Tim Nutter Kent Johnson Approval of Minutes: Several additions and corrections were discussed for the minutes from September 2009 regarding the loop detector efficacy. Josh moved to provisionally approve them with the changes made, Dave seconded, approved by all. Josh moved to approve August 2009 BPAC minutes, Andy seconded, approved by all. Josh moved to approve October 2009 BPAC minutes. Andy seconded, approved by all. Approval of the (5) final draft resolutions from last month (see below, and attached). David Nutter had some comments corrections to the resolutions, particularly to Resolution Regarding the Steel Deck Bridge on Clinton Street. Discussion of signage and other options to warn cyclists to use caution when crossing the metal grate Clinton St. bridge, and indicating hazardous conditions, especially, if possible, during wet weather. We discussed adding pavement markings (potentially a good idea to stencil a warning in the spring); the possibility of adding a plate over the entire vehicle span (expensive but doable, but possibly presenting problems of its own once it is installed); adding sand in in paint and painting the metal grating to add traction (likely problematic to the creek under the bridge). We settled on signage, with the knowledge that the entire bridge is scheduled to be replaced w/i 2 years. We discussed the placement and type of signage, and possible text. The other resolutions had minor changes. Josh agreed to make all changes as discussed for attachment to minutes. Josh moved to provisionally approve the draft resolutions with corrections (see below, also attached). Dave seconded, approved by all. Finger Lakes Cycling Club Survey Results: Andy presented the results of a survey of members of the Finger Lakes Cycling Club, regarding the new bike lanes and sharrows, and asking for suggestions and comments. In general, they like the additions. With regard to concerns raised at prior meetings, a question was included regarding the reduction of lane widths on Mitchell St. in order to add the uphill bike lane. The consensus feel comfortable with the reduction and the bike lane. One survey pointed out that there were manhole covers within the bike lane, which is not optimal. Another survey requested bike sensor activated lights. We discussed "bike boxes" and would like to take a survey of the city lights to see which ones have that capability. Otherwise, cyclists may have to simply wait for a car to trigger the signal. Thank you Andy, and our thanks to the FLCC for taking the time to give us their feedback.. Future plans, We discussed where we would like to see more bike lanes added and how best to prioritize them within the Bike Plan. Dave Nutter suggested uphill on Mitchell and Ithaca Rd., uphill on Hector St., as well as Lake St. and Old Elmira Rd. We'll discuss this at the December meeting. Meeting was adjourned at 9:03. Revised Draft Resolutions: Resolution Regarding the Steel Deck Bridge on Clinton Street 1) Whereas, the East Clinton Street bridge over Six -mile Creek has a history of bike crashes, and 2) Whereas, the steel deck has caused serious injuries to bike users who fall on its slippery surface, including severe cuts and broken bones, and 3) Whereas, the Ithaca Police Department has requested warning signs about the bridge to prevent further bike crashes and injuries, and 4) Whereas, standard warning signs reading "steel deck bridge" have been erected a standard distance away, and 5) Whereas. feedback from several bicycle users in the community has been that the signs are too far away, that they do not appear relevant to bike riders, that they do not make clear the hazard, and that they do not indicate an alternative to the danger, and Now therefore be it resolved that 1) BPAC requests staff to leave the standard "steel deck bridge" signs in place at the standard distance away, and 2) BPAC requests staff to add separate signage closer to or on the bridge a) which includes the word "bicycle" or a depiction of a bicycle, and b) which indicates that there is a hazard and the nature of the hazard, and c) which indicates a safer alternative for bike users, e.g. "bicycle hazard, slippery when wet, dangerous surface, walk bikes." and 3) BPAC requests staff to investigate the suggestion of a non -slip plastic surface which could be put on the sidewalks of the bridge and possible road markings. BPAC Request for Pedestrian Protection at Intersections in Ithaca's West End Whereas the City of Ithaca wants to encourage safe legal travel by pedestrians, for improved quality of life, health, economy, and reduced motor vehicle travel and greenhouse gas emissions, and Whereas there are many commercial destinations in Ithaca's West End, as well as numerous bus stops and the bus station, and Whereas Ithaca's West Hill Neighborhood is predominantly residential, including low income residents less likely to own cars, and Whereas the Lehman Alternative Community School is located on West Hill, and many of its students walk through the West End on a daily basis, and Whereas the Flood Control Channel and Cayuga Inlet force all travelers between West Hill and the rest of Ithaca onto a few major streets in the West End, and Whereas motor traffic volumes in the West End are very high, and development beyond the City of Ithaca continues to increase the traffic volumes on these few streets, and Whereas most `walk' signals at West End intersections conflict with turning motor vehicle traffic such that there is no legal pedestrian crossing time when motor vehicles may not drive through the crosswalk, and Whereas many West End destinations require pedestrians to negotiate multiple intersections, and Whereas the compromised crossing conditions in the West End are intimidating to many pedestrians and potential pedestrians, and Whereas the traffic signals in Ithaca's West End are controlled by NYSDOT; now, therefore be it Resolved that the City of Ithaca Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council asks the City of Ithaca to request NYSDOT to include a pedestrian walk signal lead time before turning traffic is allowed through crosswalks whenever walk signal is requested by pedestrians pushing a button at all signalized intersections on Meadow Street, Fulton Street and Taughannock Boulevard. BPAC Request for Curb to Curb Plowing of Streets With Bicycle Lanes Whereas the City of Ithaca has demonstrated its commitment to promoting bicycling as a safe and sustainable mode of transportation in its initial implementation of its Bicycle Plan with the marking of Bike Lanes on some of its streets and, Whereas the Bike Lanes will be used year -round by commuters and recreational cyclists who should have full use of the Bike Lanes during any season and, Whereas there is a concern that snow removed from the motor vehicle travel lane will be deposited in the Bike Lane and, Whereas there is a concern that snow removed from public and private walkways and parked cars proximate to the Bike Lanes will be deposited in the Bike Lane and, Whereas snow left in the Bike Lane will quickly harden and compact creating an icy recalcitrant mass; now, therefore, be it Resolved that BPAC requests the City of Ithaca to clear the Bike Lanes any time the motor vehicle lanes are cleared during snow events and, be it further Resolved that BPAC requests the City of Ithaca to clear the Bike Lanes of snow deposited in the Bike Lanes as a result of car cleaning or the clearing of walkways. BPAC Request for Enforcement of Parking Regulations Proximate to Bike Lanes Whereas motor vehicles are not infrequently found to be illegally parked in areas adjacent to the Green/East State Street Bike Lane causing partial or complete obstruction of the lane and, Whereas obstruction of the Bike Lane causes cyclists to operate erratically and /or merge with the motor vehicle lane rapidly and unpredictably and, Whereas along this section of Bike Lane traffic volumes are quite high and of a competitive nature and, Whereas the utility of Bike Lanes and the safety of their users are severely compromised by illegally parked cars and, Whereas the duration of time a vehicle is allowed to remain illegally parked has a negative correlation with cyclist safety and, Whereas the consistent ticketing and towing of illegally parked cars will have the effect of reducing the incidence of illegal parking practices; now, therefore be it Resolved that BPAC requests the Ithaca Police Department to increase its vigilance in enforcing parking regulations in areas proximate to existing and future Bike Lanes and be it further Resolved that BPAC requests the Ithaca Police Department make every effort to remove offending vehicles by tow truck promptly. BPAC Statement Regarding the Bike Lanes in the City of Ithaca Whereas the City of Ithaca has demonstrated its intention to promote safe and legal bicycling through the adoption of the Ithaca Bicycle Plan and, Whereas the Bike Lanes on Thurston Avenue, Green, East State, and Hudson Streets represent the first implementations of Phase One of the Ithaca Bicycle Plan and, Whereas the Bike Lanes are located where cyclists are exposed to high levels of traffic stress due to volume of motor vehicle traffic and /or diminished rate of travel relative to motor vehicles due to road grade and, Whereas the Bike Lanes benefit a significant number of cyclists traveling in the City of Ithaca by demarcating a place in the road where they are the exclusive users and, Whereas road markings such as Bike Lanes increase motorist's awareness of cyclists and thereby improve cyclist's safety on the road and, Whereas road markings such as Bike Lanes encourage riding on the right hand side of the road and diminish illegal and unsafe cycling practices and, Whereas road markings such as Bike Lanes encourage safe distances between cyclists and motorists when cyclists are overtaken by motorists and, Whereas the BPAC acknowledges that the reduction of vehicle travel lane width on Green Street may present less comfortable riding conditions for some users attempting to ride in the left lane for long distances and, Whereas the feedback from the cycling community regarding the bike lanes has been overwhelmingly positive and, Whereas after careful consideration of the impact of the Green Street Bike Lane for all users the BPAC concluded that the Bike Lane is a significant improvement for cyclists and, Whereas the responses from the cycling community thus far has been overwhelmingly positive and, Whereas it is the duty of the BPAC to advocate for the implementation of city plans for bicycle travel and to encourage safe and legal bicycle travel and, Whereas it is the duty of the BPAC to review ongoing and upcoming city projects that impact travel by bicycle; now, therefore, be it Resolved that BPAC supports the existing Bike Lanes and their monitoring and be it further Resolved that BPAC supports the continued implementation and monitoring of the Ithaca Bicycle Plan.