HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPAC-1990-1999 - Not Complete c cd
ITHACA BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Summary of meeting August 17 , 1990
Present: Limberg , Streater , Yale , Lagoze , Nelson, Jordan,
Nutter , Meigs
1 . Election of Chair. The Chair will be responsible for
chairing meetings , planning Council activities and agendas,
coordinating with other groups, and directing administrative
activities. Lagoze , Nelson and Jordan indicated willingness
to serve. By consensus , Lagoze was elected. The
Chairmanship will be for the calendar year , and may be
consecutive ; elections will be held at the first regular
meeting yearly.
2 . Nutter introduced a resolution in support of the Cayuga
Inlet Trail proposed by State Parks. After discussion and
amendment, it was passed unanimously. Yale will follow it
up with the Planning and Development Committee of Common
Council , aimed at obtaining Common Council endorsement for
moving ahead with projects and initiatives.
3 . Nutter' s suggestion that the City ' s new Parks Commission be
given oversight of Class I bike routes, because of their
character and relationship to park facilities, was
unanimously accepted. Dave , as member of the Interim
Commission, will communicate this to them.
4. Carl reported that he had contacted Bikecentennial, which
will be sending information for the Council 's use. Karin
reported that she had received information from the State,
which does not appear to be particularly relevant to our
current concerns.
Lautenslager was ill; his report on Rails-to-Trails contact
will be heard next meeting.
5. Carl asked Council members to use their contacts and
knowledge of other communities with bikeway systems and
cycling organizations/agencies to obtain useful information,
and to be ready to report any response at the next meeting.
6 . Trouble Spots. Members identified spots where physical
conditions present difficulties or dangers to cyclists , and
other issues of concern. Some are likely to be easily and
quickly dealt with ; others may not have a direct solution,
or the obvious one may be infeasible .
a . Lake St . north beyond Ithaca High School - cars crowd
cyclists off edge of paving or curve (Town)
b . Lake Av. into Cayuga Heights - similar problem,
compounded by restricted paving width
Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council -2-
Summary - 8/17/90
c . State uphill at Stewart - similarly, drivers clip
corner
d. Forest Home Dr. - twistiness, narrowness - guard rails ,
walls (Town responsibility? )
-- where paving width is adequate, this type of right
curve problem may be alleviated by striping a car-free
zone , though the effectiveness of this is likely to
fade , and need periodic reinforcement by one means or
another
e. University uphill around City Cemetery - same problem;
possible to widen uphill lane by cutting into hill?
f. W. State, Brindley to Fulton - pavement surface very
rough, result of asphalt topping breaking away from
brick
g. Stewart/Campus Rd. intersection - sightlines poor due
to convex topography, curbside parking; compounded by
drivers ' tendency to speed , and the wide-open nature of
the intersection. Might benefit from treatment similar
to State/Mitchell.
h. Bike route , between Rt. 13 and Stewart Pk. - surface
from end of paved road to bridge is terribly rough ,
doesn' t encourage use.
i . Cass Pk . trail at N. side of Octopus - bushes encroach
j . Spencer Rd. at Rt . 13 - needs bike crossing sensor, and
maybe one for pedestrians
k. Spencer to Buttermilk Pk. connection (back way) - needs
improvement (State Parks)
1 . W. Hill - needs a bike-friendly route!
m. Sidewalks as bikeways - clarify when/under what
conditions, and where this is permissible -- such as
around CBD, Giles between Hudson and Columbia; where
one-way traffic, other conditions conflict with best
route for bikes
n. Meadow/Fulton one-way pair (future Rt . 13 ) - similar to
preceding - this will be high-volume traffic area,
difficult to traverse - how will bikes be provided for?
(ask DoT)
o. Commons - access to it, on one-way streets; allowing
bikes to be walked through, and parked on it ; more bike
parking may be needed , in other locations around
downtown
p . Buffalo/Eddy intersection - control uphill cars that
tend to barge through in front of downhill bikes on
Eddy
q. State east of Mitchell - pavement is deteriorating
r. Elm St . - rough, deteriorating pavement , narrow
Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council -3-
Summary - 8/17/90
Lagoze encouraged those present to keep on the watch
for other trouble spots or issues to add; members who
missed this meeting may also add items. Next meeting
we will attempt to map out a way to deal with the list ,
to get solutions in progress.
7 . Yale reported that Richie Berg hadn' t felt he could serve as
liaison to Board of Public Works ; Andy will ask Carol Reeves
if another Commissioner can be named.
Jon Meigs
Recorder
O-JM-Bicycle .A17
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ITHACA BICYCTE ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Summary of meeting September 21, 1990
Present: Limberg, Nelson, Lautenslager, Streater, Yale, Nutter,
Lagoze, Jordan, Meigs
1. Yale reported that he had spoken with BPW Vice Chair Reeves about
appointing a liaison from the Board; it seems unlikely that one will
be appointed, so the indicated strategy for coordination seems to be
that we keep alert to the Board's agenda (and the Department's
activities and planning) and either attend meetings or provide
necessary input as bike-related topics arise. Of course, where the
BAC initiates a proposal or takes up an issue, that will call for
active following and direct contact with the Board, its members and
Department staff. He will discuss this further with Reeves.
2. Yale also saw the proposal for changes to the Stewart Park entry and
was informed that it had "been approved" by the BAC, which he did
not think to be the case. It presents an odd situation for bikes
exiting the park, which all must go left. This design needs further
study in this respeui.
3. Lautenslager received a copy of Rails-to-Trails' manual, which will
be kept in the BAC "Library" in the Planning Department. While
primarily a guide to procedure for citizen groups promoting trails,
and not a design or technical aid, Converting Rails to Trails does
contain examples of problem-solving approaches that could be
applicable locally. (Note: the 'Library" is a section of the
bookcase in the small library/conference alcove in the Planning
Department offices, third floor, City Hall . It is accessible during
work hours, and materials can be taken out. Donation of
publications or suggestions for acquisitions are welcome.
Bikecentenni.al's quarterly newsletter, Bike Forum, will be the
first.)
Nutter has written Finger Lakes State Parks to convey the BAC's
resolution, adopted last mmnth, supporting the Cayuga Inlet Trail.
Finger Lakes seems to be shifting its priority fran the section
going to Buttermilk Falls, to the one going to Taughannock. This
may put off action on the stretch along the Flood Channel for the
foreseeable future, since, despite the undisputed advantages of
using the old railbed to Taughannock, there seems to be substantial
opposition to it amoung owners of abutting properties, which may
take years to resolve.
The Town of Ithaca's South Hill Recreationway, on the long-
abandoned DL&W bed, may be nearer to realization. Nelson reported
that at a recent Town Board meeting, many residents who had
previously opposed it showed support.
4. Jordan and Lemberg are working on contacts with other comrunities
with active cycling constituencies. Not much response has came: a
flyer fran Seattle describing the use of bike racks on city buses,
and information about a California city that permits bikes aboard
buses.
5. BAC Goals & Objectives. Chair Lagoze proposed establishment of a
task force structure focused on what appear to be major areas of
need: developing the plan called for in the resolution establishing
the Council; advocacy and current action; and transit. It was
pointed out that the charge to the Council to develop the plan makes
no reference to matters of policy or ongoing operation, but only to
"a comprehensive plan for bicycle routes and facilities". There was
general feeling that such a document would have little effect
without a supporting policy framework and a plan for ongoing,
systematic oversight to insure that maintenance and appropriate
improvements are accomplished. Further, the charge makes no
specific mention of active promotion of cycling, or of a
comprehensive approach to cycling as both transportation and
recreation, and to the inclusion of cycling considerations into city
policy, planning and decisiornnaking where appropriate.
While there was agreement on the need to act quickly on many
issues (such as the list of trouble spots) on which the Council and
the Bicycle Coalition have done much thinking and reached consensus,
Yale and Lagoze spoke to the need for a well-thought-out and
inclusive plan as a basis for continuing action. Yale suggested
splitting meetings between planning and current action topics.
It was generally agreed that the plan, which is due next April,
needs to be more than a route map and a list of places to put bike
racks. Lagoze asked for volunteers for a Map Committee (Nelson,
Streater, Lautenslager, Meigs) and for a Policy and Advocacy
Committee (Lagoze, Limberg, Nutter, Jordan, Nelson), to begin
drafting portions of the plan, to be reported on in October.
6. Trouble Spots - Lagoze and Limberg will contact the Supt. of Public
Works, to present the list and discuss action needed.
7. Publicity - Lautenslager has been working with a local reporter on a
feature article covering cycling generally, and rails-to-trails more
specifically; this may appear soon, and should contain at least scene
mention of the BAC, though it won't be discussed at length. Limberg
suggested that the Council seek publicity both to inform the public
of its existence and purpose, and to heighten public awareness of
and interest in local cycling issues; this might be done through one
or more feature articles. Other avenues for publicity include
public access TV, appearances/presentations before schools or other
groups, etc., depending on topics.
8. Limberg suggested that it might be worthwhile to have a liaison
person frcan the County EMC, starting with the next meeting if
possible.
9. Agenda items for October 16 meeting; reports from Plan committees.
Jon Meigs
Recorder
JM/cmg
JM - BICYCLE.S21
Bicycle Advisory Council A Resolution by the City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
City Hall
108 East Green St.
Ithaca, NY 14850 Whereas, the New York State Department of Transportation is
planning work on route 13 at the southern entrance to the city,
22 October, 1990 is considering removing the old railroad bridge abutments at the
city line, and has asked for public comment by 24 October 1990;
Richard Simberg and,
Regional Director Whereas, these abutments may allow an easy, inexpensive, and
New York State Department of •Transportation aesthetic crossing of the highway by a recreationway between
Region 3 local state parks (the Cayuga Inlet Trail, which has long been
333 East Washington Street planned by the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and Finger Lakes
Syracuse NY 13202 State Parks) across a pedestrian & bicycle bridge put between
these abutments, while other options are either unacceptable
Dear Mr. Simberg: (State Parks rejected grade crossings), may be so expensive as to
make the project unviable (e.g., a longer bridge), or may be very
On October 10, 1990, NYSDOT held a public information unappealing (e.g., a long tunnel below water level); and,
meeting in Ithaca concerning plans to rebuild bridges and
possibly realign and/or widen route 13 between a point within the Whereas, realignment of route 13 to the west along the wetlands
City of Ithaca and a point south of the intersection with route in Buttermilk Falls State Park may affect routing of the Cayuga
13A. At this meeting NYSDOT requested community input. Inlet Trail between Buttermilk Falls State Park and Robert Treman
State Park because of limited room between the steep hillside and
The Bicycle Advisory Council of the City of Ithaca is the highway and wetlands within this corridor; and
concerned with this project because of potential effects on a
joint City/Town/State Parks project to link several local state Whereas, route 13, as a flat entrance to the city, is an
parks with a recreational hiking/biking trail, and because of important bicycle route for cyclists who legally use the roads,
potential effects on the usability of route 13 as an entrance to but it must have continuous, well-made, well-marked shoulders in
the city for bicyclists. At its October 19 meeting the Bicycle order to fulfill its bicycling potential;
Advisory Council passed the attached resolution, which is being •
sent to officials of the City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca, and
NYSDOT. Therefore, be it resolved that the City of Ithaca Bicycle
Advisory Council will communicate the following requests to
Sincerely, ' appropriate officials of the City and Town of Ithaca and NYSDOT:
/ 0�� 1) that a crossing of the highway by the recreationway be
David M. Nutter included in any plans for the highway;
for the Bicycle Advisory Council
2) that planners consider keeping the old railraod bridge
abutments at the city line for use in the Cayuga Inlet Trail;
3) that any increase in cost to the recreationway by the planned
highway work be covered by the highway project;
4) that any realignment of route 13 past Buttermilk Falls State.
Park also allow the Cayuga Inlet Trail to parallel the highway
without destroying wetlands or detracting from the park;
5) that continuous wide well-marked shoulders usable by street
bicyclists be included on all roads in this project.
Passed 19 October 1990
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CITY OF ITHACA
108 EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
DEPARTMENT OF CODE:607
PLANNING&DEVELOPMENT TELEPHONE:274-6550
H.MATTHYS VAN COAT.DIRECTOR FAX NO.:272-7348
MEMORANDUM
To : Board of Public Works Commissioners
Council Members
From: Carl Lagoze , Chair
Ithaca City Bicycle Advisory Council
Re : Draft Bicycle Plan
Date: June 17 , 1991
Attached is a copy of the latest draft of the Plan, for
your information. Please take the time to read it so that when
it is discussed at the Public Works and Common Council Committee
of the Whole meetings , respectively , June 19th and 26th , we can
have the benefit of your comments.
CL/mc
Attachments
O-JM-Bicycle . Drf
to Printed on Recycled Paper
An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program"
DRAFT BICYCLE PLAN
for
CITY OF ITHACA
April 1991
The City' s Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) has prepared this
plan as the proposed outline for a comprehensive document to be
submitted for adoption by the City in 1992. The BAC will present
the draft to Common Council in June 1991 to obtain their comment
and guidance. Subsequently, taking into account any modification
recommended by Common Council, the BAC will coordinate with all
appropriate City agencies and departments to obtain their input,
prior to commencing preparation of the final plan. Comment from
any interested person or group, public or private, is invited;
the BAC will be glad to arrange informational presentations or
attend discussion meetings to facilitate the dissemination of the
plan, generate interest, and obtain input toward the goal of an
implementable plan that serves the best interests of the City and
its residents.
Please direct inquiries or comments to Jon Meigs
Department of Planning and Development
108 East Green Street
274-6550
or to any member of the Bicycle Advisory Council
DRAFT BICYCLE PLAN FOR CITY OF
ITHACA
1 Introduction
Bicycling is an important mode of transportation in the Ithaca area; despite this
fact local traffic plans lack comprehensive consideration of bicycling. In 1974-
75, in the wake of the first OPEC oil shortages, the City of Ithaca sponsored
an initial study of the potential for improving local conditions for bicyclists;
but the resulting report, complete with maps and recommendations,was never
implemented. In 1990, responding to public demand, Mayor Nichols sought to
re-address the issues with the formation of the Ithaca City Bicycle Advisory
Council (ICBAC). To this end, the ICBAC now presents a concise reporting of
immediate and long-range goals and objectives, and a prioritized pathway for
implementing,evaluating, and modifying them.
The primary goal of the ICBAC is to obtain formal recognition of bicycles
as a necessary and integral component of the City's transportation policy and
planning. Bicycles are noiseless, non-polluting,and can offer substantial savings
in fuel consumption over private automobile use,especially when combined with
mass transit.
To attain this goal, the ICBAC suggests the adoption of the following ob-
jectives:
• Develop a lasting municipal commitment toward bicycle transportation in
the City of Ithaca.
• Promote education about bicycling issues.
• Develop a network of bicycle routes that links major destinations within
the city, and also provides access to town and county designated cycling
routes.
• Maintain and enhance the infrastructure necessary for a healthy bicycling
environment.
• Promote compliance with laws that prevent accidents and protect bicy-
clists and others.
2 Rationale
Although bicycles preceded the automobile as an inexpensive, reliable means
of transportation, various economic, social, and political factors have relegated
the bicycle to a minor role in U.S. transit. In the latter part of the twenti-
eth century, however, a shrinking fossil fuel supply, increased urban/suburban
1
congestion, and attendant pollution problems have combined to make the bi-
cycle once again an attractive option. A recent report by the WorldWatch
Institute notes that bicycles are remarkably energy-efficient (in terms of direct
fuel consumption) when compared to other modes of transportation (e.g., 35
Calor passenger mile, vs. 1,860 Cal per passenger mile for a single occupant
auto), and are particularly well-suited to short-haul trips of 1 to 5 miles. Fur-
thermore, bike-and-ride traffic plans for urbanized areas can also dramatically
reduce congestion and air pollution emissions in a cost-effective manner'.
People bicycle for health and recreation, as well as for transportation. Since
1986, over 12 million bicycles have been sold annually in the United States,
the largest number since the bicycle boom in the 1970's. More bicycles than
automobiles are now sold annually. There are an estimated 90 million bicyclists
in the U.S. today,compared to 69 million in 19792.
The growth in bicycling during the past two decades has created an increased
demand for improvements to the bicycling environment. This demand has led
to the development of engineering techniques, as well as educational and en-
forcement programs that address specifically the needs of bicyclists throughout
the country.
2.1 Ithaca and its Bicycling Environment
The Ithaca area is no exception with regard to the increased use of the bicycle.
The new generation of all-terrain and hybrid bicycles has led to a substantial
increase in bicycling here even during what has typically been considered the
off-season. Casual observation throughout the City provides evidence of the
bicycle as a significant means of transportation, one likely both to continue and
to increase in importance.
2.2 Education and Safety
A common saying is that "once you learn to ride a bicycle, you never forget."
In terms of the physical coordination required to balance on a bicycle, this is,
indeed, usually true. However, many adults have little knowledge of bicyclists'
rights, responsibilities, and safe riding techniques. This knowledge is also nec-
essary to be a responsible motor vehicle driver sharing the road with bicyclists.
Pedestrians and bicyclists must recognize their mutual rights and responsibilities
as well.
Accident studies conducted since 1985 confirm that many bicyclists fail to
ride safely on streets with traffic. Two accident types, the bicyclist's disregard
of signals at intersections and careless ride-outs from driveways and other mid-
"The Bicycle: Vehicle for a Small Planet. M. D. Lowe, 1989. WorldWatch Paper 90.
WorldWatch Institute,1776 Mass. Avenue N.W., Washington,D.C. 20036
2Bicyling Reference Book 1990-1991 Edition. Bicycle Institute of America,1818 DC 20009
2
block locations, account for 30%of all accidents3. A study conducted by Cross
and Fisher' indicates that 75% of all bicycle/motor vehicle accidents involve
lack of compliance with traffic laws or poor riding skills on the part of the cy-
clist. However, it is important to note that these accidents are preventable with
the introduction of a comprehensive education program. In college towns, three
types of accidents are most common, all taking place at intersections. Major
factors include the bicyclist riding the wrong way,and the motorist either mis-
judging the cyclist's speed or intended course, or the bicyclist is not seen by the
motorist. Night-time accidents are often common,and tend to be more serious.
A number of studies report that head injury is the primary or contributing cause
of death in 70-80 percent bicycling fatalities'.
In 1989, there were 41 bicycle/motor vehicle accidents with injury recorded
in Tompkins County'. Police accident reports, however, represent only a por-
tion of non-fatal, bike-related injuries. Studies indicate that the number of
bicycle-related injuries may be ten times higher than the numbers represented
by available data7. For the Ithaca area that translates into about 400 serious
bicycle-related injuries annually.
2.3 Liability
An issue of special concern for bicycle planning is that of liability. Taking care to
see that services and facilities provided are properly designed is the first stop in
good risk management. It is imperative to point out that neglecting to provide
bicycle facilities does not reduce the City's liability for bicyclist injuriess.
3 Definitions
A bikeway is defined as a facility that provides for bicycle travel9. Bikeways can
be be divided into three different classes:
'Bicycle Forum Technical Note Series-#51: Car-Bike Accidents. Bicycle Forum. Box
8308,Bozeman,MT.59807.
4A Study of Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Accidents:Identification of Problem Types and Countermeasure Approaches.
K.Cross and G.Fisher. National Technical Information Service,Springfield,VA
°A Case-Control Study of the Effectiveness of Bicycle Safety Helmets. R. Thompson et
al. The New England Journal of Medicine,Vol. 230,No. 21 (1989): 1362-1367.
°State of New York Department of Motor Vehicles Summary of Motor Vehicle Accidents,1989.
Governor's Traffic Safety Committe,Empire State Plaza,Albany,NY 12228.
?Epidemiology Notes,Vol.5,No. 4,April 1990. Office of Public Health,Div. of Epidemi-
ology, N.Y. State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Room 503, Empire State Plaza,
Albany,
°Liability Aspects of Bicycle Environments:Bicycle Facilities and Roads, A. Sorton, T.
Walsh,and J.Williams,presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of Transportation Engineers,
Orlando,FL,August 1990.
°Bikeway Master Planning Data, Department of Public Works, Transportation Division,
827 7th Street,Room 201,Sacramento,CA 95814.
3
• A Class I bikeway is a completely separated facility designated for the use
of bicycles, and is called a bike trail or bike path. The facility is separated
from any street or highway by a physical space, berm, fence, or other
barrier.
• A Class II bikeway consists of a lane within a street or roadway that is
designed for the one-way use of bicycles, and is called a bike lane. It is an
on-street facility with signs,striped lane markings,and pavement legends.
• A Class III bikeway is any on-street right-of-way,recommended for bicycle
travel, which provides for shared use with motor vehicles or pedestrian
traffic; it is called a bike route.
Before discussing bicycle parking facilities,it is useful to note that three c such
facilities have also been designatedlo:
• A Class I bicycle parking facility is an enclosed box with a locking door,
typically called a bicycle locker, where a single bicyclist has access to the
bicycle storage compartment.
• A Class II facility is a stationary bicycle rack designed to secure the frame
and both wheels of the bicycle, where the bicyclist supplies only a padlock.
• A Class III facility is a stationary bicycle rack, typically a cement slab
with a vertical metal bar,where the bicyclist supplies a padlock and chain
or cable to secure the bicycle to the stationary object. (Class II and III
parking racks ca be located in a so-called bicycle parking cage; a key is
needed to open the cage.)
One addition support item is the bicycle shower/locker facility, which is
defined as a facility of sufficient size to accomodate those who commute by
bicycle.
�0Ibid.
4
4 Policy Recommendations
4.1 Municipal Commitment
• Continue support of a Bicycle Advisory Council. Citizen committee with
staff time commitment of a city planning staff member. Annual Report
by ICBAC to Common Council of status of city bicycle policy and recom-
mendations for coming year.
• Establishment of liaisons with DPW, Planning and Development, Parks,
Police, and Youth Bureau. Modifications to bylaws of relevant agencies
so that ICBAC will be involved in formulating policy decisions that affect
the city bicycling environment.
item Involvement of ICBAC in design decisions pertaining to road con-
struction, modification,and maintenance.
• ICBAC should be empowered to work with campuses, town, county and
state agencies to coordinate bicycle policy and plans beyond municipal
borders. ICBAC should be involved in inter-governmental policy decisions
that will impact bicycling environment.
• Review existing municipal legislation and ordinances that affect the city
bicycling environment with the goal of modifying codes and enacting new
legislation as appropriate.
• Establishment of the position of a City Bicycling Coordinator to oversee
city bicycle policy.
• Economic Incentives for city worker use of alternative transporation. Pro-
vision of facilities (bike parking, showers, etc) in city facilities that facili-
tate bike transportation.
• Tax incentives for businesses to provide facilities for workers that use al-
ternative transportation (e.g. bicycles) for commuting.
4.2 Infrastructure
• Planning
— Develop a comprehensive muncipal transportation plan that inte-
grates bicycling as an important mode of transportation. The plan
should include:
* A comprehensive inventory and anlysis of existing tranportation
patterns, major corridors and conflict areas.
5
* Criteria and guidelines for a bicycle infrastructure. (Design so-
lutions to serve as the basis for making decisions regarding the
development of bicycle facilities).
* A ciy-wide plan for the development of bicycle facilities.
* Coordination with surrounding community plans.
— Incorporate bicycle facility improvements into future capital projects.
• Facilities
— Low cost bicycle facility Improvements: Cyclist sensitive signs and
signals, pavement markings to delinate bike lanes from automobile
lanes, lower speed limits in areas of heavy bicycle traffic.
— Maintenance of roads to maximize safe cycling conditions: cleaning
of shoulders and edges of roads, repair of pot-holes.
— New road construction: design roads according to standards which
maximize the safety of motorists,pedestrians and bicyclists(AASHTO
guidelines attached).
— Parking: Provide a secure and adequate bicycle parking system in the
major shopping districts(e.g. Collegtown and Downtown). Modifica-
tion to building codes mandating major commercial traffic generators
(e.g. shopping centers, supermarkets) to provide adequate bicycle
parking. Provision of bicycle lockers at public transit facilities to
encourage bike and bus use.
— Bike Routes: Development of Class I and Class II bike routes where
appropriate for both recreational and commuting bicyclists.
4.3 Education
• Police Department should implement an awareness program among mem-
bers of the force about bicycle traffic issues. To include:
— Raise awareness among members of the police force about aspects of
Vehicle and Traffic Laws that relate to bicyclists.
— Understanding the major bicycle/motor vehicle accident types.
— Define traffic infractions that are most likely to result in serious injury
to bicyclists and prioritize enforcement in those areas.
• Develop community education efforts in coordination with the city school
district and county cooperative extension.
• Literature Development and Distribution
6
— Identify,develop and distribute appropriate literature promoting safe
bicycling and awareness of motor vehicle law among bicyclists and
drivers.
— Identify appropriate locations for the distribution of that literature
such as DMV, Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Police Station,
GIAC, Southside Community Center, Youth Bureau, Cass Park,
Campuses.
— Develop and publish a city bicycle map and guide to promote the
use of bicycles as an alternative to automobile transportation and
for recreation.
• Bicycle Registration: Promote bicycle registration as a means of detering
theft and distribution bike safety and promotion materials. Explore the
feasibility of and the issues involved in enforcing a mandatory bike regis-
tration program. Examine the net costs or income possiblities of such a
program.
• Fleet Driver Training: Incorporate into job training for city employees
who use motor vehicles as part of their job (e.g. bus drivers, DPW
truck drivers) information regarding safe motor vehicle/bicycle interac-
tion. Incorporate such training into municipal cooperation with other
transit agencies in the area.
4.4 Enforcement
• Enforcement of existing laws. The procedures should be:
— Ticketing of motorists for driving practices that endanger bicyclists
(e.g. right turns into bicyclists paths,driving on the shoulder,passing
in unsafe zones, passing too close to a cyclist)
— Ticketing of bicyclists for violation of standard traffic laws(e.g. run-
ning stop lines and lights,wrong way on one way street,riding against
traffic, weaving in and out of traffic, riding two abreast where it in-
terferes with the flow of traffic).
— Adjudication: The courts should take violations of traffic laws by
bicyclists as seriously as violations of those laws by motorists. Viola-
tions by motorists and bicyclists that endanger the lives of bicyclists
should be fully prosecuted.
— Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws as described earlier so that those
violations that are most threatenning to bicyclists are prosecuted.
• The city attorney should review, in cooperation with the ICBAC, city
ordinances that apply to bicyclists with the goal of changing or eliminating
those that interfere with safe and reasonable bicycling.
7
• Pedal-Powered Police Units: The Police Department should institute a
police on bicycles program in selected areas downtown based on the success
in other municipalities (e.g. Seattle, Washington, Eugene, Oregon and
Portland, Oregon).
•
8
CONCLUDING STATEMENT
The BAC has from the outset viewed the nominal objective of this effort —
production of a formally-adopted document — as both co-equal and integral with
the other of its charges: to review and advise concerned city agencies as to
the impacts that ongoing and proposed projects may have on bicycling, and to
make recommendations regarding bicycling, as appropriate. The Draft Plan is
intended to express and represent a process, as well as it is intended to
present an abstract outline for a finished document: it is intended to serve
as a guide to its own completion, somewhat the same as the process that we
call "learning to ride a bike" must be much more than an academic exercise, but
must involve learning by doing. Thus, the Draft Plan is intended to be an
interim guide to City policy formulation, decision-making and action in all
matters involving bicycling. As a working document, comments, suggestions and
constructive criticisms from all interested and involved City agencies and
officials are important to the quality of the end product, and are encouraged.
9
FIGURE 1. Outline of ICBAC Objectives, Prioritized Over Time.
TIME FRAME >
Category A. S. A. P. Intermediate Long - Range
Municipal Commitment •Continued support of ICBAC •Review existing ordinances&legislation •Establishment of City Bicycle Coordinator
•Liaisons with relevant City •Modification of bylaws to allow BAC involvement
Departments in policy formulation
•Liaisons with county,town,& •Development of incentives for City workers&businesses
campus planning
Infrastructure •Comprehensive inventory and analysis of existing transportation patterns
•Criteria&guidelines for a bicycle infrastructure
•City-wide plan for facilities development
Education •Police-sponsored awareness program •Literature development,distribution(including map) •Fleet Driver Training
•Develop community education programs
Enforcement •Enforce existing laws •Review/revise ordinances •Establish Pedal-powered Police Units
•Implement Selective Enforcement
BICYCLE ROUTE MAP
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CITY OF ITHACA
1OB EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
ITHACA BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL
May 12 , 1992
Dear Mayor Nichols and Members of Common Council :
Enclosed you will find a proposal for bicycle facility funding
that has been developed by the Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
( IBAC ) . The Two for Two Initiative proposes that two percent of
the City ' s yearly capital budget for automobile-related projects
be allocated to develop bicycle facilities . This amounts to
approximately $18 ,000 annually .
We invite your comment on this proposal , which we are presenting
for public information and discussion .
The members of the IBAC recognize that the City budget is
currently constrained by poor economic conditions and reduced
federal and _ state support . We believe , however , that the money
proposed to be allocated under Two for Two represents a good
investment for the City . The costs for developing bicycling
facilities are very small relative to the investments required to
support the automobile . Furthermore , such improvements will
reinforce cyclists ' natural tendency to patronize businesses in
the City , rather than traveling to distant suburban malls .
The members of the IBAC have found over the past two years that
there is substantial public support for development of a bicycle
infrastructure in the City . Two for Two will provide a focal
point for this support and demonstrate that there is a
(over)
"An Equal OpportunY.v Employer vr.'^an A'firrnalrve Action Program..
-2-
significant cycling constituency to justify allocation of funds
in the budget .
We look forward to working with you to provide a safe and
accessible bicycling environment for Ithaca.
Thank you for your attention ,
eh Carl ago -A
c : C . Reeves , BPW Chair
S . Blumenthal , P & D
B . Darlington , CAC
D . Sherman , Parks Commission
D . Cafferillo, Controller
B . Gray , Supt . of Public Works
H . M. Van Cort , Director , Planning and Development
0-a-BikeAdv . JM
Encl .
ITHACA BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL
N O T I C E
FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION
Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council proposes Two for Two
Initiative for funding of bicycle facilities by the City of
Ithaca. Two for Two would earmark two percent of the
Cites yearly automobile-related capital project costs for
facilities for two wheeled transport .
Over the past two years the members of the Ithaca Bicycle
Advisory Council ( IBAC ) have heard the voices of many Ithacans in
support of safe and accessible bicycling facilities . Many
citizens, both locally and nationally, recognize that bicycling
has numerous personal and public benefits . Cycling is pollution-
free, it can reduce automobile traffic that is choking our
downtown and- neighborhood streets , it can reduce the need for
expensive parking facilities that take valuable real estate off
the tax rolls , it is healthy, and it provides needed mobility to
those on a low budget.
As the initial step in fulfilling its mandate from Common
Council the IBAC submitted, in June 1991 , a draft plan that
called for a network of bike routes throughout the City , and for
the implementation of public policy changes to help make
bicycling a viable transportation alternative. Now, in a second
phase , the IBAC proposes a long-term mechanism to implement
improvements for bicycling : the Two for Two Initiative. This
initiative suggests that the City fund bicycle-related projects
in an amount equivalent to two percent of the City ' s capital
expenditures for four-wheeled transport . Based on the current
level of City budgetary allocations to automobile-related
projects , this would provide roughly $18,000 per year in support
of projects for two-wheeled transportation.
Most of the funding generated by the Two for Two initiative
would be used for bicycle-transportation projects undertaken
exclusively by the City of Ithaca. In addition , a portion of the
funds would be used as the City contribution to projects
undertaken in cooperation with State Parks and other agencies .
During the first year of Two for Two, the IBAC proposes the
following high-priority projects :
Install signs and make safety improvements to one major
north-south and one major east-west bicycle route
through downtown Ithaca.
• Construct new secure and accessible bicycle parking
facilities at strategic locations throughout the City,
such as downtown, City parks and public buildings .
Provide budget support for the police-on-bikes patrol .
• Hire an intern to complete a study of recommended bike
routes in preparation for future implementation of
City-wide bike routes .
• Publish a City bike map to identify suggested routes
for cyclists and encourage bike use.
Over the long term, the Two for Two initiative would fund
additional projects including completion of a bike path
connecting Stewart Park with the "Octopus" area; construction of
bike lanes on Park Road to Cass Park and beyond ; improvements to
the Cass Park multi -use path ; improvements to Spencer Road to
permit its designation as a bike route to Buttermilk Park ;
cooperative work with New York State Parks and Recreation to
build the City portion of the Cayuga Inlet trail connecting Cass
Park to Buttermilk Park , including a bike bridge across the flood
control channel ; and integration of bikes with public
transportation through a pilot "bikes on buses" program and
weatherproof bike lockers at key bus stops .
Two for Two can only happen if there is public support for
this initiative. More information will be available, and there
will be an opportunity for public comment, at a public
information meeting to be held in conjunction with the Tompkins
Coalition for Bicycle Transportation on May 27 at 7 : 30 p .m. at
the Cooperative Extension Building , 615 Willow Ave. Feedback to
the IBAC can be channeled through Jon Meigs at the City Planning
Department, 274-6550. The IBAC also encourages the public to
contact their representatives on Common Council to let them know
about their views on this initiative. Finally, the public can
also show its support for bicycling in Ithaca by cycling to work
during "Bike to Work Week" May 18-24.
eh
0-a- . IthBike . JM
, Lib-041,1A-
BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting 18 June ' 92
Present : Lagoze , Lautenslager , Chaplin, Tripp, Limberg , Nutter ,
Golder , Meigs
Spencer Road : The 90-day test of making the 400 block , between
Stone Quarry and S . Meadow, one-way has reduced traffic
volume markedly . This helps off-set the road ' s other
drawbacks for cycling . However , it makes it illegal to ride
that block going to Buttermilk . Lagoze will attend the
Board of Public Works meeting 8 July to request
establishment of a bike lane for this , with appropriate
signage and pavement marking at least ; the desirability of a
physical separation from the vehicles that swing wide to
make the turn up Stone Quarry was acknowledged . Nutter
proposed the alternate route of old Elmira Rd . to bypass the
one-way stretch : it has ample paved width for good bike
lanes . The majority felt the advantages were outweighted by
the drawbacks of the volume of traffic that now must use
Elmira Rd . , the complexity and hazards of the Meadow-Elmira
Rd . intersection, and Bicycle Advisory Council ' s own
identification of Spencer as the more desirable routing .
There is some thought being given to redesign of the
Spencer-Albany and Meadow-Elmira Rd . intersections which
could affect this route ; the designers should be reminded to
make cycling needs an explicit factor in the process .
2-4-2 Initiative: Limberg agreed to attend the 20 July Planning
and Development Committee meeting to explain the proposals .
Chaplin will try to attend the 26 June meeting of the
Community Police Advisory Board to enlist support for
funding for the Police Bicycle Patrol , and will try to speak
to Chief McEwen about it beforehand .
The idea of bike lockers for a park-and-ride operation is
being actively considered , with the lockers sited near the
Woolworth bus stop .
N-S/E-W Bike Routes : After extensive discussion it was decided
that the N-S route would follow N . Cayuga from Boynton
Middle School to Court , go west to Plain , south to Park ,
east to the Albany-Elmira Rd . -Spencer intersection, and
thence on Spencer Rd . to Buttermilk . The E-W route will
follow 79/Hector from the west City line , State from the
Octopus to Plain, Plain and Court to Linn and University
Av . , University to Willard Way to Stewart, Stewart to Fall
Creek Dr . to Thurston Av . Lagoze will assign Bicycle
Advisory Council members to determine what safety
improvements these routes need so that a request can be made
for them to be formally designated and signed as Class III
routes . In response to Nutter ' s urging that they be
designated and marked as Class II initially, where possible
( e . g . , University, where pavement width should be adequate) ,
Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 18 June ' 92 -2-
it was decided that this was outside of what was intended by
the Initiative as originally proposed . Class III
designation will give the community the opportunity to
become accustomed to the routes , begin to develop a user
constituency, and allow evaluation of the routes in terms of
suitability and improvements needed to upgrade . The results
of the initial assessment of needs for safety improvements
will be discussed at the August meeting , if available .
Next Meeting : Because many members will be away during July, it
was decided that the next regular meeting will be August 20
at 4 : 30 p . m.
Minutes prepared from notes by
Bob Lautenslager and Jon Meigs
0-JM#3-BAC . J18
_.�rMENT BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL - 19 NOVEMBER 1992
Attending : L.Chaplin, A.Jordan, C. Lagoze, B. Lautenslager,
K.Limburg, J .Meigs, Y.Nelson, D.Nutter, D. Streater, J.Tripp
Items discussed:
- Proposed bicycle capital project - budget status
- City Bicycle Plan
- Membership on the BAC
- Problems
- Miscellany
1 . Capital project
As of now, $20,000 has been proposed for bike-related projects
in the budget. These projects will follow from the "Two-for-two"
initiative. A public review hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, 24
November. All BAC members were encouraged to attend, and to ask
city residents to come and lend support to the proposal .
2 . Bicycle Plan
Carl Lagoze was asked by City Planner Thys van Cort to provide
a finalized version of a plan for bikeways in the City. The group
agreed to finish the plan by the end of the calendar year. A
subcommittee , consisting of Carl , Andy Jordan, Yarrow Nelson, and
Dave Nutter, will undertake this project . The major task remaining
is to re-draft a route map, highlighting the "core" routes (E-W and
N-S) as immediate suggestions , and showing other routes as future
suggestions.
3 . Membership
Three BAC memberships will expire this December: Lagoze,
Lautenslager, and Nelson. There was discussion as to whether/how
to notify the public about possible replacements or additions to
the Council . Jill Tripp noted the importance of maintaining
continuity at this juncture, and felt that additions rather than
substitutions would be advisable. This was the general consensus.
However, the group agreed that the public should be invited to
attend the next meeting, with the idea of enlisting interested
people for specific projects or for deeper involvement . Two
articles will be written for newspapers ( Ithaca Times and the
Finger Lakes Cycling Club newsletter) .
4 . Problems
Jon Meigs received a communication from a citizen, Tim Donovan
of Crescent Place , asking why bicycles are banned from using the
South Hill Recreation Way. Although this is a Town of Ithaca
project, using a railroad right-of-way for mixed non-vehicular use ,
part of the trail actually extends into City land. This land is
part of the Six Mile Creek Preserve, and as of roughly six months
ago, an oversight committee for the Preserve voted a blanket ban on
bicycles in the property, citing abuse and destruction of sensitive
areas in the Wildflower Garden area. Karin Limburg and Dave
Streater volunteered to act as a task force to investigate the
status of the trail , and to report back with a recommendation to
the Council at the next meeting.
The discussion included the broader problems of increasing
mountain bike use on park trails within the City, something that
the Council appeared to agree was inappropriate. Whether or not
observed increased trail erosion is caused by bikes per se or by
increased numbers of bikes using trails, the Council agreed that
this issue will not disappear and will have to be dealt with in the
future. The Council sent a letter last summer to the Board of
Public Works in support of a bicycle ban in the Wildflower Garden,
buf i k'Was not vn.de r s+ d di+zk +11:t s was a.v y dF 1
5 . Miscellany ci-oEs-s ice;r...v5 Sew'ie- Vic-side- vS t
Jon Meigs brought a notice of a Rails-to-Trails conference in
Providence, R. I . , coming up December 4-5 . He also brought a
bikeway map for Cincinnati , OH, as an example for the group to
consider, and a copy of A. S.C.E. guidelines for engineering road
and path facilities for bicycles. Finally, Lois Chaplin brought a
video, "Effective Cycling, " for anyone to borrow.
Respectfully submitted by K. Limburg
Ithaca City Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes from February 18, 1993
Note: The next meeting is March 4. 1993 at 4:30.
In attendance: David Streeter, Dave Nutter, Yarrow Nelson, Carl Lagoze, Lois
Chaplin, Jon Meigs, Andrew Yale
Map: Dave Nutter presented the work of the subcommittee that has been working on
the map portion of our plan. Along with the bicycle route network, a chart indicating
route class, road width, and parking status was presented. Dave did a tremendous
amount of detail work which clarifies the implementation implications of our plan.
Discussion centered on issues involved with possible removal of some parking
from some streets along the route. While all present thought that parking should be
removed in many areas, some thought that presenting detailed information about
parking removal recommendations would lessen the plan's chance of approval.
Others thought that we should directly state what is required to have good bicycle
routes. Considerations identified were:
•political (will we have to fight for this plan block by block, can we
get it approved in total)
•financial (cost of parking removal, direct and indirect)
•legal (designating unsafe routes is a liability)
•interpretation (what does it mean to designate a route)
Further, hopefully final, discussion of the map and issues including the above one S
will be held at the next meeting.
$20,000: Carl proposed that this money be spent on the North-South and East-West
routes. How far this money will go in terms of signs and other improvements is not
clear. There was a preliminary consensus concerning this use of the money.
Jon Meigs time: Jon will be working 5 hours per week on bicycle issues. This is a
result of Jill Tripp's motion at a recent B.P.W. meeting and a conference involving The
Mayor, Thys, and Bill Gray. We were enthused about what this energy infusion will
mean.
Other Dave Nutter will attend the Public Hearing on the M.P.O.'s T.I.P. to be held on
this Friday night?
We discussed the temporary ban on cycling in Six Mile Creek. The ban was seen
as of little concern as it is temporary and the matter is clouded by ownership,
easement, and citizen removal of signage issues.
i,'
i
MINUTES (draft 24 June 93; approved
BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting of 17 June 1993
Present: Carl Lagoze, Chair; Lois Chaplin, Andy Yale, Jill Tripp, Dave
Streater; Yarrow Nelson, Karin Limburg; Pat Karr-Segal , Carol
Cederholm; Bob Lautenslager; Jon Meigs, Bicycle Coordinator.
Minutes. Lagoze stated that he had been informed of the requirement for a
formal, written record of business conducted at meetings, to be filed
with the City Clerk, within two weeks after meetings. The main aim of
this is public information. (Actually, the record may be kept
anywhere it's accessible during business hours. ) Some sharing of the
joy of recording may be desirable.
Attendance. Carl is quite concerned that appointed members meet their
commitments: on the date of the regular meeting last month, only two
voting members were present. He asks each member to take
responsibility for notifying either the Chair or Coordinator
(/Planning Dept. ) whether or not they will attend each up-coming
meeting. This notification should be as far in advance of the regular
date as possible.
Members also must be ready to put time into projects - at least a few
hours a month, as needed.
If meeting time is a major cause of poor attendance, that issue will
be addressed.
If there is a need to add or replace members, Jill urged making one
criterion for candidacy be that they be recreational cyclists or
cyclist parents (parent cyclists?) , since most current members are
cyclist commuters.
Routes. Carl summarized status: the primary issue affecting plan adoption and
implementation is impact on on-street parking. The data gathered by
the survey group on number, location and type of on-street spaces
affected by the N-S/E-W Phase I routes will be put into form usable by
the bodies reviewing them so the approval process can be completed
ASAP. He hopes that can be accomplished at the September 1st Common
Council meeting. Implementation of the approved plan and routes can
be staged so that localized issues can be addressed in more detail ,
and action tailored to specific situations. Jill pointed out that
once the overall approval is given, the city is committed to following
the plan even if opposition arises, unless there is strong reason not
to.
Bikes on Buses. Chaplin screened a video on Portland, Oregon's program, and
reported that Dwight Mengel is negotiating for permission to use their
style rack for a trial in the local system. Members commented that it
would be most desirable to use it on bus routes where it would likely
receive most use, such as between downtown and Cornell . Lois
BAC Minutes - 17 June ' 93 -2-
responded that there was concern about use on city routes, where
clearances on turns are tight. She reported that Dwight is also
looking at the possibility of installing some bike lockers.
Farmers' Market Branch Bikeway. Meigs reported that he has submitted a grant -
application under an ISTEA program for upgrading the footpath and
bridge from Willow Av. along Cascadilla Creek to the market. This is
a segment of a route identified in the Bicycle Plan. There is likely
to be stiff competition for limited funds; the out-come may be
announced in October. He has also submitted the project under the
City's Capital Program; even if the grant isn't successful , the
estimated cost (about $22,000) may be small enough to be entirely
funded by the City.
Cayuga Inlet Trail . Nelson urged persistence in support this project for
implementation as soon as possible. Meigs reported that he had seen
it in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, and that
the City is pursuing its responsibility to obtain the necessary
rights-of-way.
Visitors. Pat Karr-Segal and Carol Cederholm were present. Pat is recently from
Ann Arbor, which she feels is more bicycle-friendly and safer for
cyclists. She felt that Ann Arbor residents viewed removal of on-
street parking for bike routes as a positive benefit.
Public Input. Tripp briefly outlined ideas for obtaining public input on, and s
upport for, cycling. She would like to initiate some activities to
generate public interest, including recreational rides and surveys on
bike-related issues and facilities. She presented examples of survey
forms from Seattle that could be adapted to our use.
3n Meigs
corder
Next meeting: Thursday, 15 July, 4:30 p.m. , 3rd floor conference room
JM#4/BACMin.Jl7
r •t
1993 City of Ithaca Bicycle Plan
Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Members
Lois Chaplin
Andrew Jordan
Carl Lagoze-Chairperson
Robert Lautenslager
Yarrow Nelson
David Nutter
David S treater
Andrew Yale
Contributor
Karin Limburg
Planning &Development Staff Member
Jon Meigs
Board of Public Works Liaison
Jill Tripp
Common Council Liaison
Neil Golder
3 f
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Why an Ithaca Bicycle Plan? 1
Organization of the Plan 3
Policy Recommendations 4
Intra and Inter-Governmental Procedures 4
Infrastructure 6
Education 7
Enforcement 8
Appendices 9
Definitions 9
Route System Goals and Rationale 10
Route System Map 13
Initial Route Details 14
Initial Route Parking Impact 17
i f
1
Introduction
Why an Ithaca Bicycle Plan?
Although bicycles preceded the automobile as an inexpensive and reliable method of
transportation,various economic, social and political factors have relegated the bicycle to a
minor role in US. transit. In the latter part of the twentieth century,however,a shrinking
fossil fuel supply,increased urban and suburban congestion,and attendant pollution
problems have combined to make the bicycle an attractive option. A recent report by the
WorldWatch Institute notes that bicycles are remarkably energy-efficient(in terms of direct
fuel consumption)when compared to other modes of transportation (e.g.,thirty-five
Calories per passenger mile,versus 1,860 Calories per passenger mile for a single
occupant auto), and are particularly well suited to short-haul trips of one to five miles.
Furthermore,bike-and-ride traffic plans for urbanized areas can also dramatically reduce
congestion and air pollution emissions in a cost-effective manner.1
People bicycle for a number of reasons,among them general transportation, exercise,
and recreation. Since 1986 over twelve million bicycles have been sold annually in the
United States,the largest number since the bicycle boom in the 1970's. More bicycles than
automobiles are now sold annually. There are approximately ninety million bicyclists in the
US today,compared to 69 million in 19792.
The growth in bicycling during the past two decades has created an increased demand
for improvements to the bicycling environment. This demand has led to the development
of engineering techniques,modifications to public policy,and educational and enforcement
programs that address specifically the needs of bicyclists throughout the country.
Bicycling is already an important mode of transportation in the Ithaca area. Numerous
Ithacans, non-students and students alike,use the bicycle for commuting, shopping, and
recreation. Current trends promise a steady increase in the use of the bicycle. The growing
awareness of environmental issues,fossil fuel shortages,and concern for personal fitness
will continue to influence Ithacans to leave their cars at home in favor of the bicycle.
The popularity of bicycle transportation has continued to grow with little or no support
from Ithaca area government agencies. Almost no money has been spent on the
development of cycling facilities. The needs of cyclists have rarely been considered during
the planning,engineering,maintenance, and construction of roads and bridges. The largest
effort to date, a 1974-1975 study of the potential for improving local conditions for
bicyclists,produced a report that that never led to policy changes or physical improvements
that apreciably affected the cycling environment in Ithaca.
The lack of action within City government to improve conditions for bicyclists was
largely due to the absence of any consistent voice for bicycle advocacy in City Hall. In
1990,responding to the needs of the bicycling constituency,Mayor Nichols and Common
Council formed the Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council(IBAC). Over the past two years the
IBAC has worked to obtain formal recognition of bicycles as a necessary and integral
component of the City's transportation policy and planning.
1The Bicycle:Vehicle for a Small Planet. M.D.Lowe, 1989. WorldWatch Paper 90. WorldWatch
Institute, 1776 Mass. Avenue N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20036
2Bicycling Reference Book 1990-1991 Edition. Bicycle Institute of America, 1818 R St.NW,
Washington,D.C. 20009
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
f T
2
This Ithaca Bicycle Plan represents an effort by the IBAC to formulate a long-range
blueprint to improve the Ithaca cycling environment. The content of the plan embodies
three goals: increased bicycle use,improved facilities for bicycling,and education of all
citizens in the rights and responsibilities of cyclists.
First, and foremost, the goal of this plan is to increase the use of the bicycle in Ithaca.
The message that we have received from many local citizens is that with the proper
municipal policies and physical facilities,more Ithacans would cycle rather than drive. The
resulting decrease in automobile traffic would benefit all Ithacans,whether or not they are
cyclists. -.
Of equal importance to the advocacy goals of the plan is the general need for a safer
bicycling environment. Cyclists in the City are constantly at risk due to inadequate physical
facilities. The IBAC recognizes that the City is holds legal responsibility for the cyclists
that use the public streets. It is imperative to point out that neglecting to provide bicycle
facilities does not reduce the city's liability for bicyclist injuries3.The first step in good risk
management is taking care to see that services and facilities provided are properly designed.
An examination of local police statistics reveals the critical need for improved bicycling
facilities in Ithaca. In 1989,there were 41 bicycle/motor vehicle accidents with injury
recorded in Tompkins County4. Police accident reports,however,represent only a portion
of non-fatal,bike-related injuries. Studies indicate that the number of bicycle-related
injuries might be ten times higher than the numbers represented by available data5. For the
Ithaca area,that translates into about 400 serious bicycle-related injuries annually.
A final goal of the plan is that the City play a strong role in educating bicyclists and
motorists in the rules of safe cycling. A common saying is that"once you learn to ride a
bicycle,you never forget"—in terms of the physical coordination required to balance on a
bicycle this is,indeed, true. However,many adults have little knowledge of bicyclists'
rights,responsibilities, and safe riding techniques. This knowledge is essential both for
cyclists and for motorists and pedestrians who share roads and paths with cyclists.
Accident studies conducted since 1985 confirm that many bicyclists have little
awareness of safe cycling techniques. Two accident types,the bicyclist's disregard of
signals at intersections and careless ride-outs from driveways and other mid block
locations,account for 30%of all accidents6. A study conducted by Cross and Fisher7
indicates that 75%of all bicycle/motor vehicle accidents involve lack of compliance with
traffic laws or poor riding skills on the parts of the cyclist. In college towns three types of
accidents are most common, all taldng place at intersections. Major factors include the
bicyclist riding the wrong way and the motorist either misjudging the cyclist's speed or
intended course,or the bicyclist not being seen by the motorist. Night-time accidents are
3Liability Aspects of Bicycle Environments: Bicycle Facilities and Roads,A.Sorton,T.Walsh,and J.
Williams,presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of Transportation Engineers,Orlando,FL,August 8,
1990.
4State of New York Department of Motor Vehicles Summary of Motor Vehicle Accidents. 1989.
Governor's Traffic Safety Committee,Empire State Plaza,Albany,NY 12228.
5Epidemiology Notes.Vol.5.No.5.April 1990. Office of Public Health,Division of Epidemiology,N.
Y.State Department of Health,Corning Tower,Room 503,Empire State Plaza,Albany,NY 12237.
6Bicycle Forum Technical Note Series-#S 1:Car-Bike Accidents. Bicycle Forum,Box 8308,Missoula,
MT 59807.
7A Study of Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Accidents: Identification of Problem Types and Countermeasure
Approaches.K.Cross and G.Fisher.National Technical Information Service,Springfield,VA,22161
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
i 1
3
often common and tend to be more serious. A number of studies report that head injury is
the primary or contributing cause of death in 70-80 percent of all bicycling fatalities8. It is
important to note that many of these accidents are preventable with the introduction of a
comprehensive education program.
A necessary component or adjunct of the education effort is enforcement of the rules.
Enforcement should not be absolute or unreasonable,but administered fairly and in
proportion to circumstances. Local legislation regulating bicycles needs to be tailored to
local conditions and policies, including those established on the basis of this plan.
Organization of the Plan
Improving the bicycling environment in Ithaca will require both changes in public
policy and in physical infrastructure. The proposed modifications are organized as follows:
• Intra and Inter-Governmental Procedures—modifications to the ways city
boards and agencies conduct business. The IBAC's goal in presenting these
modifications is to give bicycling interests a voice in the decisions that affect
them.
• Infrastructure—engineering guidelines,projects,and facilities for the
development of a transportation infrastructure that serves bicyclist's needs.
The IBAC's goal in formulating this list is to ensure that the expenditure of
transportation dollars by the City both adequately serves the existing cycling
community and encourages future growth of the bicycle as an alternative to the
automobile.The major infrastructure improvement,the development of a City-
wide bicycle route network, is described in an appendix to this report.
• Education—programs to improve awareness among bicyclists,motorists,
and law enforcement officials of bicycle safety and advocacy issues. The
IBAC's goal in suggesting these programs is to improve safety awareness for
all users of Ithaca's transportation network.
• Enforcement—suggestions to law enforcement agencies to improve
enforcement of existing laws that relate to bicyclists. Again the goal is to
improve the safety of the cycling environment.
The members of the IBAC present this plan to the Mayor,members of Common
Council,and various department heads as a framework for creating a"bicycle friendly"
Ithaca over a number of years. The actual timetable for implementing the proposed changes
and the details of implementation remain as future work for the IBAC and other individuals
within the city government.
8A Case-Control Study of the Effectiveness of Bicycle Safety Helmets. R.Thompson et al. The New
England Journal of Medicine,Vol.230,No.21 (1989): 1362-1367.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Policy Recommendations 4
INTRA AND INTER-GOVERNMENTAL PROCEDURES
Improving the bicycling environment requires changes in public policy and government
operations. Therefore,the IBAC recommends that the City:
• Commit to continued support of an Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council(IBAC).
The IBAC serves as an advocate for the bicycling community in the City of
Ithaca and advises other City agencies, boards,and departments concerning
projects,codes,and policies that affect cyclists. Other City agencies, boards,
and departments should seek the collaboration of the IBAC in any decisions or
actions that affect the bicycling community.
• Allocate a percentage of staff time in the Department of Planning and
Development to work with the IBAC and on bicycle-related projects. This staff
member acts as a interim liaison to ensure that the IBAC is consulted about any
decisions in Planning and Development that have a potential effect on the
bicycling environment in Ithaca.
• Allocate a percentage of engineering staff time in the Department of Public Works
to work with the IBAC and on bicycle-related projects. This staff member acts as
a interim liaison to ensure that the IBAC is consulted about any decisions in
Public Works that have a potential effect on the bicycling environment in Ithaca.
• Modify work procedures within the Departments of Public Works,Planning and
Development and the Police Department to ensure early involvement of the IBAC
in formulating policy decisions that affect the City bicycling environment. Policy
decisions and actions by the Departments of Public Works,Planning and
Development and the Police Department have an especially significant effect on
the bicycling environment. The most notable examples are modifications in the
design or maintenance of roads and bridges,or new construction thereof, and
changes in on-street parking rules.
• Involve the IBAC in any inter-municipal or inter-government transportation
planning by the City of Ithaca including the Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO)for the Ithaca area.
• Review aspects of the City Codes that apply to cyclists. This review should be
undertaken by he City Attorney,in collaboration with the IBAC. The goal of this
review should be to recommend changes and suggests additions to the Code to
facilitate bicycle transportation in the City.
• Creates a Bicycling Coordinator position. The Coordinator will serve on the
IBAC and as the primary liaison between the IBAC and city agencies and boards
This position will replace the liaison roles of designated staff members in the
Departments of Planning and Development and Public Works.9
9Two earlier policy recommendations propose that staff members in both Public Works and Planning and
Development act as liaisons between the IBAC and these Departments. These are meant to be interim
liaisons. The eventual creation of a Bicycle Coordinator will streamline the liaison function and ensure a
smooth working relationship between the IBAC and these Departments.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Policy Recommendations 5
• Modify land use controls to mandate that major commercial traffic generators
(e.g.; shopping centers, supermarkets)provide adequate bicycle parking.
• Develop incentives to encourage City worker use of bicycles and other
alternatives to single-occupancy motor vehicles. As a part of this incentive plan,
provision of facilities such as bicycle parking and showers in City office
buildings would enable many people to commute by bicycle. Where applicable,
city agencies should have staff bicycles that would be available as an alternative
to staff cars for department business.
•
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Policy Recommendations 6
INFRASTRUCTURE
Improving the bicycling environment in Ithaca requires a transportation infrastructure that
serves bicyclist's needs. Therefore,the IBAC recommends that:
• The City Engineer,in consultation with the IBAC,develop and implement criteria
and guidelines for maintenance,construction, and modifications of roads and
bridges that are bicycle-friendly. Consideration of the needs of bicyclists should
be made in the design,construction,and.mainteriance of all City roads,with
specific added attention given to those roads designated as part of a network of
key bicycling streets'°.
• The City Engineer,in consultation with the IBAC,develop criteria and guidelines
for bicycle infrastructure projects. These guidelines should conform to existing
standards such as the AASHTO guidelines for the development of cycling
facilities11.
• The City of Ithaca adopt a long-range plan for the development of bicycling
facilities. This plan should be a cooperative effort of the IBAC, the Department
of Planning and Development,and the Department of Public Works. This plan
should specify projects to be developed over a multi-year period and a
commitment of funds for the completion of those projects. These facilities should
include,but not be limited,to the following:
* Bike routes including the development of Class I,Class II, and Class III bike
routes12 where appropriate either for recreational or commuting bicyclists. A
short-term and long-term plan for bike routes in the City of Ithaca is included
as an attachment to this report.
* Installation of bike racks on Ithaca Transit buses. Cyclists could then use the
public transit system to ascend Ithaca's hills. "Bikes on buses"programs
have been successfully implemented in a number of other municipalities.
* Provision of secure and adequate Class II and Class III bicycle parking at
major shopping districts,recreation areas,and government offices. In
addition, weather- and vandal-proof Class I bicycle lockers should be
provided at public transit facilities to encourage bicycle and bus use13.
* Road Maintenance to maximize safe cycling conditions including cleaning of
shoulders and edges of roads,repairing pot-holes, paving over of all steel-
grated bridges, and fixing dangerous drain grates
* Improvements on existing roads including cyclist sensitive signals, signs and
pavement markings to delineate bike lanes from automobile lanes,elimination
of some parking from areas along bike routes,and lower speed limits in areas
of heavy bicycle traffic.
10Pcoposed bicycle mutes for the City of Ithaca are included in an appendix of this plan.
11Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities.AASHTO Task Force on Geometric Design, 1991.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,Washington,D.C.
12These classes of bike routes are defined in an appendix to this plan.
13Th classes of bike parking are described in an appendix to this plan.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
a 1
Policy Recommendations 7
EDUCATION
Improving the bicycling environment in Ithaca requires educating bicyclists,motorists,and
law enforcement officials concerning bicycle safety issues. Therefore,the IBAC
recommends that:
• The Ithaca City Police Department,in collaboration with the IBAC,implement an
awareness program among members of its force concerning bicycle traffic issues.
This should include:
* raising awareness among members of the police force about aspects of vehicle
and traffic laws that relate to bicyclists;
* understanding the major bicycle/motor vehicle accident types;
* recognition of those laws that,if broken,have the greatest potential to result in
serious injury to bicyclists.
Members of the Ithaca City Police Department are the recognized experts on
enforcement of motor vehicle rules and regulations. Because of the local and national
focus on motor vehicles,police officers have not been given equivalent training in
bicycle traffic and safety issues.
• The City include,in job training for city employees who use motor vehicles as
part of their job (e.g. bus drivers,DPW truck drivers),information regarding
safe motor vehicle/bicycle interaction. Coordinate such training with other
transportation agencies in the area.
• The City identify and distribute appropriate literature promoting bicycling in
general and rules and guidelines for safe bicycling. This task should include:
* identification of appropriate locations for the distribution of that literature such
as DMV,Chamber of Commerce, City Hall,Police Station,GIAC, Southside
Community Center, Youth Bureau, Cass Park,campuses, and bicycle shops.
* development and publishing of a City bicycle map and guide to promote the
use of bicycles,both as an alternative to automobile transportation and for
recreation. Base this map on the draft map that has already been developed by
the IBAC.
• The City designate an annual"Try Another Way"week. The purpose of this
week will be to encourage automobile users to use alternatives to driving, such as
cycling or walking,as a means of getting to work, shopping, and other daily
activities. One focus of this week willbe to coordinate bicycle safety education
efforts of various agencies including the IBAC,the Ithaca City School District,
the Youth Bureau,Cooperative Extension,and the Police Department.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Policy Recommendations 8
ENFORCEMENT
Improving the bicycling environment in Ithaca requires support from the law enforcement
community. Therefore the IBAC recommends that:
• The Ithaca Police Department aggressively enforce existing laws to ensure the
safety of bicyclists. New York State law defines bicycles as equal partners on
the road. Motorists and cyclists who violate the terms of this partnership should
be prosecuted. This enforcement should.include
* ticketing of motorists for driving practices that endanger bicyclists (e.g., turns
into bicyclists'paths,driving on the shoulder,passing in unsafe zones,
passing too close to a cyclist);
* prioritized enforcement of those laws that, if broken, have the greatest
potential to result in serious injury to bicyclists;
* ticketing of bicyclists for violation of standard traffic laws (e.g.,running stop
signs and lights,riding against traffic flow including the wrong way on one
way street, weaving in and out of traffic,and riding at night without lights).
• The City Court adjudicate violations of traffic laws by bicyclists with the same
severity as violations of those laws by motorists.
• The Police Department continue the already successful police on bicycles
program. In addition to being a valuable law enforcement tool, the visibility of
police officers on bicycles increases the public's perception of the bicycle as a
legitimate vehicle.
• The Police Department promotes bicycle registration as a means of(1)deterring
theft and(2)distributing bicycle safety and promotion materials.
• The Police Department encourage bicyclists to report motorist actions that
threaten their safety and the department respond to these reports with warnings to
the offending motorist. Many actions by motorists that threaten cyclists' safety
occur when a police officer is not present.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
• 3
Appendix I - Definitions 9
Definitions
A bikeway is defined as a facility that provides for bicycle trave114. Bikeways can be
divided into three different classes:
• A Class I bikeway is a completely separate facility designated for the use of
bicycles,and is called a bike trail or bike path. The facility is separated from
any street or highway by a physical space,berm,fence,or other barrier.
• A Class H bikeway consists of a lane within a street or roadway that is
designed for the one-way use of bicycles, and is called a bike lane. It is an
on-street facility with signs, striped lane markings,and pavement legends.
• A Class III bikewayAs any on-street right-of-way,recommended for bicycle
travel, that provides for shared use with motor vehicles or pedestrian traffic; it
is called a bike route.
There are three classes of bicycle parking facilities15:
• A Class I bicycle parking facility is an enclosed box with a locking door,
typically called a bicycle locker,where a single bicyclist has access to the
bicycle storage compartment.
• A Class II facility is a stationary bicycle rack designed to secure the frame and
both wheels of the bicycle,where the bicyclist supplies only a padlock.
• A Class III facility is a stationary bicycle rack,typically a cement slab with a
vertical metal bar,where the bicyclist supplies a padlock and chain or cable to
secure the bicycle to the stationary object.
Class II and III parking racks can be located in a so-called bicycle parking cage; a key is
needed to open the cage.
14Bikeway Master Planning Data,Department of Public Works,Transportation Division,827 7th St.,
Room 201,Sacramento,CA 95814.
15Ibid.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Appendix II - Route System Goals and Rationale 10
Currently travel by bicycle is legal on all streets in the City of Ithaca,except for Route
13 between Dey Street and the northern boundary of the City. Although cyclists use the
remaining city streets year-round,there are a number of problems that threaten the safety of
these cyclists and discourage other potential cyclists16. These problems are described in
the following paragraphs.
Poor road maintenance threatens the safety of all users of the roads,but cyclists are
especially endangered Because the bicycle is inherently more unstable than an automobile,
any obstruction can result in a loss of balance or a fall. Furthermore,when attempting to
avoid obstructions a cyclist may swerve into the path of traffic.
Existing signs and signals on the roads are designed almost exclusively for the motor
vehicle. For example,load-sensitive traffic lights are activated by the weight of a motor-
vehicle,traffic lanes are designed with no room for bicycles,signal timing is set for motor
vehicle speeds, and paint stripes often become slippery areas in wet weather.
Inadequate driver awareness of the special needs of cyclists and occasional hostility
frequently discourages the most determined bicyclist. While most drivers are polite and
accommodating to the bicyclist who follows the rules of the road, some drivers become
impatient largely because of the speed limitations of the bicycle. Motorists commonly
threaten the safety of bicyclists with actions like tailgating,unsafe passing,and not yielding
right-of-way to cyclists. Many bicyclists exacerbate the problems by ignoring the rules of
the road,either through ignorance of the rules,defiance,or recognition that their needs and
even their existence are generally ignored.
The underlying problem that cyclists have when sharing the roads with motorists is the
basic incompatibility between the two vehicles:motor vehicles weighing on the average
3000 pounds and moving at 30+miles per hour are inherent safety threats to bicycles
weighing approximately 150 to 200 pounds (with rider)and moving from 5 to 15 miles per
hour. An optimal solution to this problem would be to completely separate the two types of
vehicles use Class I bikeways17. Unfortunately,due to the existing land use limitations in
the City of Ithaca, such a Class I network would be impossible without eliminating motor
vehicle traffic from a number of streets. While this might be an acceptable solution in the
future after a change in public attitude,such an action would currently encounter vocal
public opposition.
• In recognition of public attitudes and the current realities of land-use in the City,the
IBAC has identified three"avenues"to improve the conditions for bicycling. Each
category serves bicyclists slightly differently, and involves different action on the part of
the city.
16There is no question that the weather and hills are major factors to discourage bicycle use in Ithaca. The
weather is unfortunately beyond our control. The physical impediment of hills can be mitigated in two
ways. First,the current generation of 21-speed mountain and hybrid bikes are geared very low,making
hill climbing much easier than on older bikes. Second,one priority in designing the route system was to
avoid the most steeply graded streets.
17Some countries,notably the Netherlands,have done an exceptional job in this regard. See M.D.Lowe,
op. cit.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Appendix II - Route System Goals and Rationale 11
1) Adoption of bike-friendly road and signal standards throughout the city—
These include maintaining smooth pavement,correcting drain grates that
hamper bicycling,eliminating metal road surfaces,keeping pavement clear
including the sides of the road that bicyclists are most likely to use, and
making all vehicle-sensitive traffic lights sensitive to bikes or easily operable
by bicyclists.
2) Installation of standard yellow"bicyclist"signs—These should be placed
along roads that have a relatively high rate of usage by bicyclists and
especially along roads that combine some bicyclist usage with potential
conflict areas such as narrowness,hills,or curves. These signs remind
drivers of the particular need to watch for cyclists in these areas.
3) Bikeways and Bike Routes—Bikeways serve to reduce conflicts between
motor vehicles and bicyclists by giving each enough paved room for their
numbers, speeds,and movements. There are three motivations for the
IBAC's selection of routes. The first is destination. In general,cyclists want
to go to the same places as motorists: shopping areas, schools,and recreation
areas. The routes system attempts to serve major destinations of this sort.
Second, the streets that are part of route system generally have relatively low
traffic volume. Finally the route system is designed to avoid streets that have
very steep grades
Most of the route system consists of class III bikeways. These do not involve
road striping to designate areas for exclusive use by bikes or motor vehicles.
Shared lanes are most appropriate in areas of low motor vehicle volume or
where space limitations prohibit class II routes.
These are,however,a number of opportunities in the City for Class II routes.
These bike lanes designated by signs, stripes,and pavement markings allocate
to bicyclists a zone in which they can be confident that motor vehicles will not
intrude. Motor vehicles instead have room to pass bicyclists at a comfortable
distance without interrupting the flow of either. While future road widening
could expand the number of Class II routes,the IBAC proposes an immediate
and less expensive method. Elimination of a single parking lane would create
sufficient width to create bikeways on either side of the street after the center
line has been shifted. Once elements of the route system have been
established as Class III routes, the IBAC proposes that parking regulations
along the routes be modified to permit the establishment of these separate
Class II lanes.
Finally,there are limited but definite opportunities for Class I bike paths
within the City. Bike paths serve as viable bicycling alternatives to certain
roads that because of steep grades,traffic volume, or traffic speed are
completely overwhelming to many potential bicyclists. Proposed Class I
bikeways include the Cayuga Inlet Trail(CIT),an alternative to Routes 89 and
96 north of the Octopus and to Route 13 to the south18; a bike path from
Stewart Park to the CIT as an alternative to Route 13 north of the Octopus19;
18This proposed project is part of a larger proposed project by the New York States Department of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation that would construct a bikeway connecting the four state parks in the
immediate region.
19This proposed project makes use of some preliminary work done when a Cornell project constructed a
bridge over Fall Creek near the intersection of Route 13 and Dey Street.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Appendix II - Route System Goals and Rationale 12
and a bike path from lower Buttermilk Falls to the South Hill Recreationway
as an alternative to South Hi112. Since Class I bike paths involve special
problems with funding,maintenance, and construction, any possible
cooperation with other municipalities and the state and federal government
should be pursued21.
The proposed bike route system in no way implies that cyclists should not have the
freedom to use other roads in the City. The IBAC strongly supports the rights of bicyclists
as legitimate users of all roads. The purpose of a route system is to create a"relatively
safe"network of roads that the City is committed-to maintaining in a manner conducive to
safe cycling.
20This bikeway would connect the CIT to the South Hill Recreationway being constructed by the Town of
Ithaca on the old railroad grade that parallels Coddington Road.
21The recently passed Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act(ISTEA)opens the door for the
localities using federal highway funding for projects that serve alternative forms of transportation.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
A .
Appendix III - Route System Map 13
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IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Appendix III - Route System Man j ey
BIKEWAYS IN AND NEAR THE CITY OF ITHACA
City of Ithaca
•------- Existing
Proposed, first phase
--- Proposed, later phases
Cornell University
---Proposed
Town of Ithaca
ommimmemomExisting
'74°'°"" Proposed
Village of Cayuga Heights
--� � Proposed
Tompkins County
►------- Existing
—Proposed
Finger Lakes State Parks
Existing touring routes
Proposed Class I , including CIT
Tompkins Coalition for Bicycle Transportation
----Proposed routes and links ( in addition to above)
Biking up East Hill guide
.�•°• Additional popular unofficial routes
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
A p
Appendix IV - Initial Route Details 14
North/South and East/West Bike Routes - 9.5 miles
Street Boundaries width class Parking
Start End now � plan
North 1
Gardner Pkwy Stewart Park James Gibbs Dr 2(20') III 0 =0
a22James Gibbs Dr Gardner Pkwy East Shore Dr 31' III 0 =0
aEast Shore Dr Gibbs Cayuga St 2(12'+7')b II 0 =0
aCayuga St East Shore Dr Boynton M Schl 24'b II 0 d =0
Cayuga St Boynton M Schl Ithaca H Schl 29'b II Ode =0
Cayuga St Ithaca H Schl Fall Cr Bridge 40' II 0d =0
Cayuga St Fall Cr Bridge Fall Cr Bridge 30' II 0 =0
Cayuga St Fall Cr Bridge York St 36' II 0 =0
Cayuga St York St Falls St 36' III 2 >0
Falls St Cayuga St Tioga St 30' III 1 >1
Tioga St _Falls St Seneca St 36' III 2e =1
€ South
`aButtermilk FSP NYS 13/34/96 Spencer Rd 20' III,I 0 =0
Spencer Rd Buttermilk FSP Meadow St Ext 24'-19' III Ode =0
Meadow St Ext Spencer St Elmira Rd Ext 24' III 0 d =0
Elmira Rd Ext Meadow St Ext Plain St 43' II Ode =0
Plain St Elmira Rd Ext Green St 30' III 2e >1
Plain St Six-Mile Cr Br Six-Mile Cr Br 4'9" I 0 =0
Plain St Green St Buffalo St 40' III 2 >1
Plain St Buffalo St Court St 35' III 2e >1
Plain St Court St Cascadilla St 33_' III 2 >1
Cascadilla St Plain St Third St 31' III 2 >0
Third St Cascadilla St Adams St 30' III le >0
Third St Adams St Route 13 26' III 0 =0
Third St Route 13 Steamboat Lndg 24'-30' III 1 >2j
22These symbols are explained on the final page of the Appendix.
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
A i
Appendix IV - Initial Route Details 15
Street Boundaries width class Parking
Start End now I plan
E _ East/West 1
Thurston Av Wait Av (east) Fall Creek Dr 36' III 2 >1
Fall Creek Dr Barton P1 Stewart Av 24' III 0 =0
Stewart Av Fall Cr Bridge Fall Cr Bridge 22' III 0 =0
Stewart Av Fall Cr Bridge Willard Way 34' III 1 >0
Willard Way Stewart Av University Av 29'-27' III 0 =0
University Av Willard Way Linn St 30'h III 2 >1
Linn St University Av Court St 41' III 1 =1
Court St Linn St Cayuga St 36' III 2 >1
Court St Cayuga St Plain St 3 2'-3 0' III 1 >0
Buffalo St Plain St Fulton St 35' III 2 >1
fWB:Buffalo St Fulton St Inlet Island Br ' 3 5 III 2de >1
fWB:Buffalo St Inlet Island Br I Inlet Island Br 30' S:5' III 0 =0
fWB:Buffalo St Inlet Island Br Taugh Blvd 36' III 1 >0
fWB:Buffalo St Taugh Blvd State St 40' III 2 >1
EB:State St Octopus Bridge Inlet Island Br 37' III 0 d =0
fEB:State St Inlet Island Br Inlet Island Br 30' S:5' III 0 =0
fEB:State St Inlet Island Br Fulton St 40' III Odi =0
fEB:Fulton St State St Buffalo St 32' III 1 >0
Octopus Bridge State St Hector St 48' S:4' III 0 =0
Hector St Octopus Bridge Warren P1 24'-35' III 1 >0
Campbell Av Hector St Brookfield Rd 30' III Od =0
aCampbell Av Brookfield Rd Hopkins P1 20' III Od =0
aHopkins P1 Campbell Av Trumansburg Rd 24' III 0 d =0
gBuffalo St Fulton St Taugh Blvd 40' III 0 =0
gEB:Taugh Blvd State St Seneca St 28' III 0 =0
gTaugh Blvd Seneca St Buffalo St 40' III 1 >0
gWB:Seneca St Taugh Blvd State St 28' III 0 =0
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
4.
Appendix IV - Initial Route Details 16
Jxplanation of Symbols in Bikeway Summary
a Extends beyond city limits.
b Additional unpaved shoulder present.
c Parking now occurs only during Saturday Farmers' Market.
d On-street parking is not practiced,but prohibiting signs not presesnt.
e Parking is partially restricted by signs.
f Before Octopus reconstruction.
g After Octopus reconstruction: widths and parking per BAC recommendations.
h Width does not include parking beyond poles on northbound/uphill side
i Bus idling zone
j Parking along west-most paved portion during Saturday Farmer's Market
EB Bikeway east bound only
WB Bikeway west bound only
S Width of sidewalk on road bridge
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Appendix V - Initial Route Parking Impact 17
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,.„ 1r• r Key for Parking Impact Map
( ---
Color Change in parking practices � % of Total
1 Green No change in parking as currently practiced 58%
Yellow Change from parking on both sides to just one side 32%
ApP Orange Change from parking on one side to neither side 9%
, Red Change from parking on both sides to neither side 1%
u
IBA _ 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
Appendix V - Initial Route Parking Impact 18
GREEN: 58% Parking practices remain as they are,with signs added to enforce the
current lack of parking in some places.
I Pkg Lanes I on I between l and I
0 Gardner Parkway Stewart Park James Gibbs Drive
0 James Gibbs Drive Gardner Parkway East Shore Drive
0 East Shore Drive James Gibbs Drive North Cayuga Street
0 North Cayuga Street East Shore Drive York Street
1 Falls Street North Cayuga Street Tioga Street
0 Third Street Third Street Ext. Adams Street
0 Elmira Road Ext. Plain Street Meadow Street Ext.
0 Meadow Street Ext. Elmira Road Ext. Spencer Road
0 Spencer Road Meadow Street Ext. Buttermilk Falls SP
0 Fall Creek Drive Thurston Avenue Stewart Avenue
0 Stewart Avenue Fall Creek Drive above Willard Way
0 Willard Way Stewart Avenue University Avenue
0 University Avenue below cemetery Linn Street
1 Linn Street University Avenue Court Street
1 Court Street Linn Street Aurora Street
1 Buffalo Street Park Place Washington Street
0 Buffalo Street Inlet Island Bridge
0 State Street Fulton Street Hector Street
0 Hector Street State Street Hopper Place
0 Hector Street above Hopper Place Warren Place
0 Campbell Street Hector Street Hopkins Place
0 Hopkins Place Campbell Street Trumansburg Road
YELLOW: 32% Parking on both sides becomes parkin on one side.
Street From I To
Tioga Street Falls Street Seneca Street
Plain Street Cascadilla Street Elmira Road Ext.
Thurston Avenue Wait Avenue(east) Fall Creek Drive
Court Street Aurora Street Cayuga Street
Buffalo Street Plain Street Park Place
Buffalo Street Washington Street Inlet Island Bridge
Buffalo Street Taughannock Blvd , State Street
ORANGE: 9% Parking on one side becomes no parkin either side.
Street I From 1 To
Third Street Adams Street Cascadilla Street
Stewart Avenue above Willard Way Willard Way
Court Street North Cayuga Street Plain Street
Buffalo Street Inlet Island Bridge Taughannock Blvd
Fulton Street State Street Buffalo Street
Hector Street Hopper Place above Hopper Place
RED: 1% Parking on both sides becomes no parking either side.
I Street I From ( To
North Cayuga Street York Street Falls Street
Third Street Farmers Market Third Street Ext.
Cascadilla Street Plain Street Third Street
IBAC 1993 Ithaca City Bicycle Plan April 9, 1993
feseo
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A�RA7E0 "
CITY OF ITHACA
108 EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
DEPARTMENT OF
CODE:607
PLANNING&DEVELOPMENT TELEPHONE:274-6550
H.MATTHYS VAN CORT,DIRECTOR FAX NO.:272-7348
To : All City Departments , Divisions , a Advisory Bodies
From: Jon Meigs , Planning and Developmen
Re : Bicycling and Bicycle-related Issu
Date: July 2 , 1993
With the creation of the Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
( BAC ) in 1990, the City made a commitment to improve conditions
for the large segment of the area' s population that uses bikes ,
or would like to. About 62% of City residents - 18,243 people
between the ages of 15 and 30 - are in the group that is most
likely to be cyclists. Bikes are much more frequently used now
than ever before, despite physical and climatic factors that tend
to work against cycling .
The BAC has recently completed a Bicycle Plan for the city .
The plan , copies of which are available from the Planning
Department, identifies four areas of emphasis for improving
conditions for bicycling :
Infrastructure - largely, improvements to existing
streets that form a network of routes giving cyclists
access to all parts of the city for trips to work ,
business , school , shopping , and recreation .
Improvements needed for safety and comfort include
signage and pavement maintenance .
Education - drivers and cyclists alike need to know and
obey the rules of the road . Many drivers are not aware
of cyclists ' rights to the road , and cyclists in turn
need to act responsibly .
Enforcement - necessary insurance that both cyclists
and drivers follow the rules and respect each other ' s
rights .
Legislation - insuring that adequate and fair
regulations are in effect to promote safety and protect
cyclists .
This plan is now being considered for formal adoption by the
city . Even if it should not be approved in every detail (for
instance , some route locations may be modified ) , its use as a
guide to gradually making necessary physical improvements , and to
integrating bicycling considerations into city policies and
I
_J Printed on Recycled Paper
t "An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program"
Bicycling & Bicycle-related Issues -2-
7/2/93
procedures where appropriate , will increasingly benefit motorists
and cyclists alike .
The assistance of addressees and City staff is important in
working toward the goal of a more ' bicycle-friendly ' city .
Support of this effort will be called for in many areas , not just
the provision of physical infrastructure . For example , higher
levels of maintenance of designated bicycle routes ; instruction
of all drivers of city vehicles concerning cyclists ' rights ;
inclusion of consideration of cyclists ' needs , and use of
bicycle-related design standards in street design and traffic
control systems ; enforcement of traffic regulations on motorists
and cyclists alike , with emphasis on safety; enactment or
amendment of appropriate local regulations ; and , not least,
funding of bicycle-related projects .
To assist in these efforts , I have been appointed City
Bicycle Coordinator . I take this to mean not only that I will
continue to serve as planning staff liaison to the BAC ,
coordinating with City officials and agencies in regard to
specific BAC initiatives , but that I also will serve you and your
constituencies and staffs as a resource and contact in any
matters that involve or may affect bicycling and cyclists . Thus ,
I urge you not only to be mindful of cyclists ' needs and of
opportunities to make Ithaca more bicycle-friendly in the daily
discharge of your duties and responsibilities , but also to
contact me for assistance whenever you have questions , concerns
or suggestions related to bicycling .
I look forward to working closely with you on these matters .
/mc
JM#4-BACCoord . JM
avr4
Ithaca City Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes from August 26, 1993
Note: The next meeting is September 16th, 1993 at 4:30.
In attendance: David Streater, Dave Nutter,Yarrow Nelson,Carl Lagoze (chair),Pat Karr-
Segal,Jon Meigs,Andrew Yale(notetaker),Jill Tripp,Karin Limburg,David Krasskow
Bikes on the Commons: There have been problems involving misinterpretation of the
City's ordinance concerning bicycles on the Commons, resulting in overly vigorous
enforcement. Bicycles not attached to racks are being confiscated by police (who are
cutting chains.) People have been hassled for walking their bikes or standing with them
in the Common's area.
Dave Nutter met with the Mayor,Police Chief, Bicycle Coordinator, and City
Attorney in late July to try to improve this situation. At that meeting definitions of
unattended and riding were discussed, along with the need for more racks on the
Commons.
The BAC agreed that Jon Meigs should continue working to get more racks.
We discussed whether there should be a modification in the law to permit bikes to
be secured to other things besides bike racks. A motion to suggest such a change in the
law failed 2-2. (Aye: Streater,Nutter,Nay: Lagoze, Yale) We agreed to write a letter to
the Mayor describing our view of the overall situation and requesting that, until more
racks are installed, enforcement be less vigorous. Yarrow Nelson agreed to draft such a
letter.
Dave Nutter submitted some specific proposals for revision to City bicycle laws.
These are enclosed, along with relevant current sections of the Code. They will be
reviewed at the next meeting.
Public Meeting to be held by Planning Board: On Tuesday September 21st at 7:30 the
Planning and Development Board will hold a meeting about the proposed City Bicycle
Plan. All who might be interested should be urged to attend and express their support.
This is a first step in getting the Bike Plan adopted.
Meeting with Washington Park Civic Association: A small group will meet with
representatives of this organization which has expressed concern about parking removal
and its impacts.
Bike Expo `93: September 11 from 9-3 at the Ithaca-Tompkins Transit Center. We will
have an exhibit, have a flyer, and encourage people to go to the 9/21 Planning Board
meeting. Jill Tripp,Pat Karr-Segal,and Karin Limburg will handle assembly and staffing
of our exhibit. Carl Lagoze will serve as a panelist.
Cayuga Inlet Trail: We agreed to write a letter supporting a funding application that
the State Parks Commission is filing with the Federal Govt. for this project.
Membership: Due to other commitments, some members of the BAC have resigned,or
may need to do so. We need to find some replacements to suggest to the Mayor.
7-7 .
L i
c_LL
1
Bicycle Advisory Council Meeting
16 September 1993
Attending: L. Chaplin, P. Karr-Siegel, C. Lagoze, K. Limburg, Y.
Nelson, D. Nutter, D. Streater, R. Manning
Bikes on the Commons: Dave Nutter circulated memos from
Police Chief Harlin McEwen and Commons Coordinator Jean Deming to
the Chair of the Charter and Ordinance (C&0) Committee of Common
Council, Dan Hoffman. Both memos presented interpretations of
the current ordinance that spell out the conditions for
enforcement of the code. The BAC reviewed the memos, agreeing
with Deming that, in her words, "the regulation must be
straightforward and not too debatable or it will just make it
difficult for the police. Simple to understand and easy to
enforce. " McEwen 's memo indicated that he had ameliorated his
stance and had incorporated some of Nutter 's suggestions, e. g. ,
definition of an "attended" bicycle as being within arm's reach.
Nutter announced that the C&O Committee was meeting that
evening, and volunteered to attend and present a consensus
statement. After discussion of these memos, the BAC ' s consensus
was that the group should push for more bicycle parking on the
Commons, but in the meantime, should permit locking bicycles to
lamp-posts and pavilions, but should not allow parking on trees
and against store-fronts . As for the issue of bike confiscation
by police, the BAC recommended confiscation "after a short
waiting period" (McEwen 's memo) if an unattended bike posed an
immediate safety hazard, e. g. , by being left in a passageway on
its side or by obstructing fire lanes . Bicycles left in racks
should be permitted to remain for a week. Bicycles parked in
other safe places (against pavilion, lamp-posts) should be
permitted to remain for up to 24 hours.
As a final point, Nutter recommended an effort by the BAC to
revise the relevant part of the current City code; it was agreed
to delay discussion for the present.
Planning Board Environmental Review: At this meeting, it is
anticipated that the Planning Board will recommend that the
requirement for an environmental review will be waived. However,
it is also anticipated that the public will attend and present
comments on the Plan. Some of the public comment will likely
focus on proposed changes in car parking. A discussion ensued as
to whether or not compromise should be sought with groups
objecting to parking changes. Lagoze, Nutter, and Limburg will
attempt to meet with one such group (the Washington Park
Neighborhood Committee) before the public meeting, in hopes of
ironing out differences. All members were encouraged to attend
the Planning Board meeting and to spread the word.
Meeting times: It is clear that the current meeting time is
inconvenient or impossible for more and more members, and for
members of the public as well . As of next month, the BAC will
try to meet on the 3rd Thursday as usual, but at 7 P.M. rather
than at 4 : 30.
ISTEA Enhancement: Nelson and Nutter announced that funding
is available through ISTEA transportation enhancement grants for
certain bicycle facilities: these include bike lockers and bike
racks for buses . It was suggested that BAC look into and pursue
funding for these facilities, in conjunction with the appropriate
City departments.
Bike Expo ' 93 was held on 11 September at the Ithaca-
Tompkins Transportation Center. Although attendance by the
general public was poor, it presented an excellent opportunity
for bicycle interests to "network. " Many interesting displays
and speakers were featured. The BAC had a display table and Carl
Lagoze, Lois Chaplin, and Dave Nutter made oral presentations
that were well received.
6.;&" a/A,'
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
18 Nov 1993 Meeting Notes
Present: Lagoze, Chair; Chaplin, Nutter, Streater, Tripp;
P. Karr-Segal
Membership. Several people have shown interest in the BAC and
city bicycling issues; their interest in replacing current members
who have missed several meetings will be determined. Lagoze
stated that he is stepping down from the chair, effective this
meeting; he may continue with BAC in some capacity. He feels
strongly that the chair, or person serving as BAC's primary
representative to the public and to other official bodies, should
be a city resident. Recognizing that the composition of BAC's
membership was designed to take advantage of bicycling interest
and knowledge, despite domicile, the possibility of co-chair
positions was suggested.
Priorities. Since potential members may have interests and
abilities in certain areas, it was suggested that priorities for
action in the coming year should be identified. This could help
BAC be more effective, by focusing on specific tasks for which
lead responsibility could be assigned, now that the primary
objective of drafting a plan, which had occupied the group as a
whole, has been reached. (In a similar vein, Chaplin urged that
meeting agendas be more structured, with regular reports on each
task, which would build in some incentive for their
accomplishment. ) This topic could be the focus of the December
meeting. Lagoze generally concurred, suggesting that it might be
useful to step back from concentrating on implementing the plan
since it would likely take the Planning Board some time to
complete its review. He also suggested that it would be useful to
find out new Common Council members' views on bicycle-related
issues, at least in order to know how supportive they may be, if
not to help in establishment of priorities .
Racks on Commons. Meigs reported that he had identified several
possible locations, and in September asked Jim Miller, the DPW
staff person responsible for Commons maintenance and improvement
work, to provide estimates of costs and a tentative action
schedule, so a proposal could be prepared for BPW and other
interested parties to review and approve. Miller hasn't had
direction or time available to work on the request; Tripp
suggested that contacts with his supervisors should help. The
Commons Coordinator has indicated that some of the potential
locations would present problems for certain ongoing or recurrent
Commons activities; these issues and any identified by other
agencies could be resolved during the process of review and
approval of the project .
Improvement Requests . Three cards have been received from local
residents, identifying problems mainly affecting the Town of
Ithaca and Lansing Village. They will be referred to those
municipalities and to TCBT, of which Nutter is Chair.
Meters on Thurston Ave. An item has appeared on BPW's current
agenda regarding a proposal to install parking meters on several
blocks of Thurston, including the south side of the block in front
of Risley where the Bicycle Plan recommends no parking. This has
been brought to their attention, and Meigs will follow it up.
In further discussion of the route involved, it was suggested that
Fall Creek Drive might be too narrow to be a desirable alinement,
and that using more of Thurston might be better; this issue should
be further studied.
Bike Sale. The recent Police sale of abandoned bikes raises
issues of registration and disposition of proceeds . Proceeds now
go back into the General Fund; the possibility of earmarking them
for bike-related use will be investigated.
Accident study. Chaplin is doing an analysis of police records of
accidents involving bikes and/or pedestrians. These are averaging
ten to twelve of each annually.
Old Inlet Bike Route. Common Council is considering doing an
appraisal of the proposed route between the Farmers' Market and
Buffalo St. , near the Inlet, for possible acquisition. Nutter
MOVED that BAC express strong support for the alinement and its
acquisition.
TIP Projects. Local proposals for projects to be included on the
1994-1999 Transportation Improvement Program include several that
are bicycle-oriented, such as Bikes-on-buses, or that do or could
contain provisions for bicycle use. They will be prioritized by
an advisory committee headed by Brad Lane, who has been
extensively involved in Cornell's bicycling improvements, and the
MPO will consider them and projects that DoT wants on the list, in
the process of finalizing the program. There will be
opportunity for public comment before it is approved, but it would
be good to let the MPO know TCBT especially supports bike-friendly
projects. Meigs has spoken to Boyd about the two recreational
trails grant projects; they can be switched to enhancement
projects, for which applications are due by April .
Chaplin and Meigs will attend the MPO planning and policy meetings
to monitor TIP.
Meeting Organization. Chaplin urged establishment of a regular
agenda format, to help structure and focus of meetings and
activities . Publication of an agenda with the meeting notice
would serve a public information function, as well as helping
members . A regular agenda item could be reports on current
projects, by members who are responsible for working with them.
Next meeting: Dec. 16, 7 p.m. , City Hall
- -
Ithaca City Bicycle Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes - 20 January 1994
Attendance:
Members and Liaisons present: Andy Yale,Dave Nutter,Lois Chaplin,Jill Tripp
(BPW), Rick Gray(CC),Jon Meigs(Bicycle Coordinator)
Members excused:Pat Karr-Segal
Members absent: Carl Lagoze,Andy Jordan,Tom Shevory
Others: Ziporah Marcus (ACS),Emanuel Cestero,Yarrow Nelson,Ron Chapman,
Lisa Hunt,Dick Ruswick,Martha Fischer
Chair Dave Nutter welcomed everyone; introductions were made. Minutes accepted.
Agenda reviewed.
Announcements: Jan. 27 MPO public meeting at Holiday Inn. TCBT meeting Feb. 1
Bikes and Buses: Chaplin relayed a message from Dwight Mengel regarding the B-B
proposal.Funds are expected to be available in June for bike racks on buses and bike racks
at bus stops.Dwight is looking for suggestions regarding implementation of the project.
His questions are:How much interest is there among the public for bike racks on buses?
Which route(s)should be selected for the pilot?What should be done for publicity?
Training procedures?Evaluation?Signage?Where should there be racks installed at bus
stops/shelters(ie park and rides)? What kind of racks?
A lot of information has been collected from municipalities with experience and Dwight has
the reports.
Those interested in following up with Dwight are: Yarrow Nelson,Emanuel Cesteros,
Andy Yale,Martha Fischer(chairing).
Board of Public Works: Tripp reported that Thurston Ave parking meters will not be
installed on the bke route secion,which may be made"no parking."Indicated that there
was a good discussion at the meeting and it made a difference that a bike person was there.
Nutter made several practical suggestions regarding the issue of snow removal and the
impact on bicycling and bike parking. Snow removal will continue to be on agenda.
Outreach Committee: (Streater, Nelson, Nutter,Karr-Segal) Seeking ways to increase
public involvement. Are working on getting the word out about our meetings. Got notice
in the paper(s?). Also working on selecting a chair for BAC by May 1.
Bike Plan: Meigs will get copy to Martha and.Ziporah and will bring extras to next
meeting.Currently waiting to hear whether or not the ISTEA Enhancement proposal to take
the plan into action will be funded.Planning Board is also waiting for word before going
ahead with the environmental review process. Discussion about procedure to follow to
secure acceptance followed. Most seemed to agree that working closely with the Planning
Board to move the process along will be more effective than trying to act separately.
Questions submitted by Tracy Farrell at the public information session held in October by
the Planning Board have been answered in a draft drawn up by Nutter.Draft shared at
meeting.Those offereing to work on refining those answers and working toward getting
the plan accepted: Ziporah Marcus,Rick Gray,Emanuel Cesteros,Meigs,Nutter.
Bicycle-related Infrastructure projects: Nutter reported on Rt. 13 proposal for
addition of aped friendly light at Spencer Road to facilitate ped/bike crossing of 13 as part
of DOT project.
Green and Seneca Streets are on the docket to be repaved and Nutter asked DPW if striping
could be done to provide wide right lane.
The list of projects (DPW work plan)is forthcoming. Need to set up a project review
committee-people interested in reviewing upcoming projects to insure bikes are taken into
consideration appropriately and adequately.Nutter and Meigs will do this wiht any others
interested.
Inlet Island: Discussion postponed.
Greenways: Chaplin and Meigs attended a followup meeting to the Greenways Coalition
workshop held in December. There is a county map being formulated that will feature
existing and proposed greenway space(biological corridors and bike/walk/hike ways).
Chaplin recommends a joint-sponsored(greenways,bike people)public event be held in
May to continue generating public awareness of activities and opportunities.
Bike Month: National Bike Month is May. Governor will proclaim May as Bike Month
in NYS. Probably also the week of May 15 as Bike to Work Week.
Any interest in asking the mayor to proclaim?Need a volunteer.
Commons Parking: Meigs reported there to be some casualties,which should be replaced
soon. Additional ones may be installed at several locations,if okayed by the Commons
Advisory Board and BPW
City Bike Ordinance: Nutter will bring copies to share at next meeting. Committee
appointed to review and make recommendations for revisions: Dick Ruswick,Ziporah
Marcus, Nutter.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40.
Next meeting: February 17, 1994. 7pm in third floor meeting room behind council
chambers.
Partial agenda:
Inlet Island land substituion
Bike/Greenways Expo day
BAC work plan
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Chaplin
A•2/CAPE COD TIMES THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER 16,1993
•
FUGITIVE POWER Heat,gun causes fire at historic home
THE LO -
Continued from A-1 Continued from A-1 / By MARK MERCHANT
tinguisher and water,but it moved
ed to recon- Duncan,fought back tears. STAFF WRrrER too fast,Watts said.
�8m In order to put out the fire and
family." '"this isn't big eno West Harwich girl stable after bicycle accede NANTUCKET-Painters using
product of the late to contain f,"Duncan- •'•. a heat to old paint of a check to see if it had spread,fire•
�'B� HARWICH PORT-.A 13-year- . wich police spokesman said. gun strip Pain fighters had to take off part of the
-"t against the The emotional scene in• ded oW W� Haanvich 8� remained Amanda was not wearing a b ,_ summer home owned by syndicat- clapboard on the first two stories of
-4 into a several law.enforcement : thori- hospitalized yesterday after being de helmet at the time of the , ed columnist Buseell Baker started the house,Watts said.
'Is ties,who refused t000mm, ,and hurt Tuesdgiy,when her bicydecol Her,bicycle collided; vitfi•*• a fire Tuesday afternoon that
Dower's parents and with 2$. by + caused nearly$7,000 worth of the age of the house,it's a
-n she had been re ed less !iced wLtFi titer on Route driven Bonnie Clark,2�,of 1' good thing that fire didn't start at 2 Amanda 9,44Cabe• rus earlier:_ was m stable Pleasant-Lake alke Ave,HaratlCb, " l house at 113 Main a m.,"he said."it was a pretty;
••holier:. •::alive condition in:the pediatric unit at police said.Ms.Clark was alsa•: dose can as it was."
y Cape Cod Hospital,. St.was built in the 1800s and
'•mo • ,Mar spokeswoman said. she was tinted and released, . is located in Nantucket's historic Watts stressed that the painters
•on, She was hurt whil her bi- The accident Is ands' - downtown area. are not to blame for the fire and
• ed cycle east In the lane of tion by Harwich • , , r. Nantucket Fire Chief Bruce said he does not plan to seek any
Route 28 around 7:30.a.m.,a Har- chid Eldredge. Watts said the fire started inside complaints against them in con_.
•the front door frame after hot, nection with the blaze.The heat
d • r'-.rescues 0 • ' - ' on MonOmo Pmt dripped off the wall gun they were using.was legal,he.
t 6 y. and into the ow doorframe. said.
CJ) w ',, S 2f "°^x men were •' Dempsey's boat drifted to the The fire then extended up to the But Watts did say he will contact
�. '" Elea °4 - -nmoy shore,and the men were met by a •second floor,burning the exterior the state fire marshal's office to see
.Y, - $ 28-foot Coast Guard rescue boat wall of the house.The painters if there is anything the tam can do
„Cj y ^�+Station=Chatham tried to put the fue Dili with an ex- to restrict the use of the heat Runs.le�j . >v '"'n' 1
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. ..A-8/CAPE COD TIMES THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER 16,1993 •
•
• • • •
a tr1 i r — _ ' _ a _
• , ea . . s f'. . I Ra6 • der 1� '!4 a
(ti b.
_By AMY CORNEUUSSEN and battery on a child over 14 that Aug. 10 with Kevin O'Meara,and tng a restraining order;July 3 in •David E.Butts,26,310 Ocean ••: • •nd Wagner,24,77
",cF WRITER occurred,in November 1986. He stole a television,a vacuum cleaner Hyannis.Silvers allegedly bra - St.,Hyannis;assault and battery by ter St., ,or 92 Santuit W
T
was given a suspended 21-year and a convection oven. Into the hone of s won=he • , a dangerous weapon(a bicycle),as- Road, •- two count.
her with.a sack with intent to rob,June 21 in armed •• ,June 6 i•
- Two Bourne sentence,but was ordered to serve � a boy[rknd
...•the that sentence in Barnstable County •Kevin M.O'Meara,37,11 Pine- and stole$650. Hyannis.Butts allegedly pushed and F outh.War
--.nf Correction afterheviolet Ave.•b55hPi250��ry•lar- over a man in a wheelchair,at- stole $1 i from
•h,ee times. He 'froma receiving sto- •Albert Dickerson Jr.,18, 1'i tempted to choke him and hit him Mas ,: • '
le►property over Aug.10 in Great Neck Road,Mashpee; - with his bicycle while demanding alley-
i - •• n'• eara allegedly broke assault with intent to rob,Aug.5 in money. ,.•
i ass
- •, _ .r,ns,•r,nnurn allegedly held
,
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
17 February 1994 Meeting Notes
Attendance: Dave Nutter,Jill Tripp,Carl Lagoze,Martha Fischer,Pat Karr-Segal,Rick Gray,Jon Meigs.
Amy Gronlund,Dick Ruswick,Dave Streater,Lisa Hunt,Ron Chapman.
Chair D.Nutter welcomed everyone;introductions were made.Corrections were made to January minutes,
but due to lack of quorum initially,they were not approved. Agenda was reviewed.
BAC Overview: The BAC mandate is to recommend City Policy to promote use of bicycles. Toward this
end,a brainstorming session was held.
a) What are the issues? Complete and implement the 1993 City of Ithaca Bicycle Plan;promote
multi-modal transportation,including bikes on buses,bike lockers;etc.;mobilizing community
support and interest in bicycling issues with the intent of having more people helping and
evaluating projects;work with other groups to create more bike paths;interagency coordination;
legal issues such as bike registration;education.
b) What are the resources available for tackling these issues? Jon Meigs and his 5 hours/week;the
$20,000 allocated by Common Council in`93;Jill Tripp at BPW;Rick Gray on Common Council;
responsible bureaucrats;interested public;ITCTC-library and support,including data;Cornell,
Lois Chaplin and her library;TCBT;FLCC;BAC;bike shops;media;opportunity to use
administration for mailings,etc.
c) What are methods and steps for making progress? Mailings;public events;decision-making
meetings at all levels;community group liaisons;one-on-one meetings;writing for clarifying
ideas;grant writing;consolidate laws;media/publicity-letters to editors,articles,etc.
Current activity includes:
Dick Ruswick volunteered to work on legal issues,including revision of regulations pertaining to
bicycles-long term project
Martha Fischer working on Bikes on Buses -long term project
Dave Nutter working on project evaluation-long term
Pat Karr-Segal submits announcements to Ithaca Journal each month-long term
Lois Chaplin working on the greenways project-long term
Andy Yale working on Transportation Council-long term
Reports:
Jon Meigs reported about funding availability for transportation enhancement proposals. The
proposals include 1)bridge over the flood control channel for the Black Diamond Trail;2)multi-
purpose trail from South Hill Recreation Way to point of intersection with the Black Diamond
Trail;3)multi-purpose trail from Stewart Park to the Farmers'Market;4)foot access from Terrace
Hill to downtown;5)sidewalks on Elmira Road. The BAC needs to review these proposals and
determine which to support. BAC members should attend Planning Board meetings to advocate
for the appropriate proposals and can also advocate through writing letters and articles.
Rick Gray. No bicycle related issues are in front of the Council at this time. Rick made the
recommendation that the BAC should focus on the economics of bicycling in order to promote
wider public support of bike issues,and urged becoming acquainted with new Common Council
members in order to be able to work effectively with Council.
Lois Chaplin. Absent. Someone reported that there is a committee on Cornell's campus dealing
with bike-related conflicts. Bicycle courses are available through Cornell Outdoor Education.
BAC Meeting Notes of 17 Feb.`94
2
Amy Gronlund. Amy reminded us that the Transit Department is a resource and encouraged us to
use them if we needed traffic data,user data,data related to user origin and destination,etc. they
are supportive of bike issues.
Jon Meigs. Bike parking on the Commons. Jon has price estimates of various designs of bike
racks. An`inverted U'with a flat top seems to be the best design. Price estimate is$25/$30 per
rack plus$20 for installation. Jon recommended leaving in place the current lollipop racks and
phasing in the new racks. Rick Ferrel reported that new racks may be in by this Spring. Locations
for the racks still need to be approved. Jon encouraged folks to attend Commons Advisory Board
meetings to advocate for new locations.
Dave Nutter. Proposed revised City bicycle regulations. Dave distributed copies of his suggested
revisions. He wants the law to specifically define infractions and to suggest reasonable fines. The
laws should be scrutinized: "Are they really effective in encouraging safety and more bicycling?"
Discussion centered on bicycles on sidewalks and whether this should be legal;no consensus was
reached on this issue. Ideas included:legalization is too dangerous;bicyclists need to be polite;
need for education about riding on sidewalks.
Martha Fischer. Bike racks on buses. The committee had one meeting and had decided that the
first step was to write a brochure to educate the public and to solicit opinions about the need for the
project and the routes most appropriate for bike racks.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Next meeting--
Thursday,March 17,1994
7:00 p.m.
Third Floor Conference Room/City Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Fischer
TOMPKINS COUNTY BICYCLING NEWS March, 1994
by Dave Nutter 564-7766
The Tompkins Coalition for Bicycle Transportation (TCBT) , an
informal group of bicycle advocates, meets on the first Wednesday
of the month at 4 :30 in the Old Jail building, on Court Street
around the corner from the County Courthouse. The group consists
of both the the users (current and potential bike riders) and the
providers (planners, builders, and decision-makers) of bike
facilities. Communication betweeen and among these groups is one
of our main tenets (the others being education and positive
action) , and this newsletter is part of that effort. If you have
questions, corrections, additions or suggestions, please call me
(I'm currently chair) or come to one of our meetings . This news
is based on meetings I have attended or conversations I have had
with local, regional, and state officials and advocates. Direct
contributions from such sources would also be welcome.
The Bicycle Advisory Council for the City of Ithaca meets at 7pm
on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the 3rd floor conference room
of City Hall, 108 East Green Street, across from Woolworths . Our
job is to recommend city policies to promote bikes, including a
citywide bikeway plan. Current work includes: helping the Bikes-
on-Buses program start up; getting a bikeway plan (a version of
which we have submitted) completed, and implemented; recommending
bike accommodations for City construction projects; proposing
revisions in City Code so that it simultaneously encourages
bicycling, promotes safety and protects property; and outreach
and community education. If these or other City bike policy
issues are important to you, call or come to a meeting. There's
a lot to be done and your help and input are welcome. Call me or
City Bike Coordinator Jon Meigs (274-6550) for more info.
Tompkins County's many bike programs and proposals are receiving
statewide recognition. TCBT's map of recommended routes between
local population centers hangs on the wall of the State Bike/Ped
Coordinator in Albany. The Albany-based Environmental Planning
Lobby has contacted us asking about local bike proposals and
programs. New York City-based Transportation Alternatives (TA)
has begun a "Recycle a Bicycle" program. They were inspired by a
New york Times article on the Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles (RIBs)
program run through the Southside Community Center. TA's main
source of used bikes is the city sanitation department who are
happy to remove these large awkward items from the waste stream.
The Cayuga Inlet Trail (CIT) , Finger Lakes State Parks' plan to
connect our local state parks with a bike/ped path, appears
likely to receive transportation enhancement funding. In 1983
State Parks and the City & Town of Ithaca agreed to the project
between Robert Treman and Allan Treman Parks. State Parks later
expanded the project north to Taughannock and is now proposing to
go all the way to Geneva on the same railroad grade calling it
the "Black Diamond Trail" for the train which used that line.
Albany sources say the bike transportation potential of the
Cayuga inlet Trail between Trumansburg and Ithaca and as an
alternative to the Octopus and Route 13 helped push the proposal
into a fundable category.
NOR
More news on the CIT: City Alderperson and Planning Committee
chair John Schroeder tried unsuccessfully to re-convince State
Parks and NYSDOT to route the trail over Route 13 at the city
line on the railroad grade State Parks purchased for that
purpose. He says costs would not be raised by using this option,
but the plan remains to have the trail go south almost to Route
13A and go under Route 13 beside the railroad before looping back
north to Buttermilk, which adds about a mile to the trip and
detracts from the trail's usability. The Town of Ithaca recently
agreed to make land available between the railroad grade and the
park for this southward looping route. Schroeder asked that
Route 13 construction at least not preclude the future option of
a bike & ped bridge at the city line. TCBT and the city Bicycle
Advisory Council (BAC) recommended using the levee between the
flood control channel at the fish ladder and Route 13 near
Spencer Rd. to cut the extra mile off the trip. Schroeder says
this should be included in the upcoming master plan for the
southwest area of the city, and NYSDOT is considering adding
crosswalks and appropriate signals to Route 13 work to facilitate
this. In the meantime the city Department of Public Works has
agreed to try to activate a timer on the signal at Spencer Rd.
and Route 13 so bicyclists and pedestrians will no longer be
trapped by lights which only change for cars .
The Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) , an annual update of
the 5-year plan for state and federal spending in the Ithaca area
will be decided this month by the Ithaca-Tompkins County
Transportation Council (ITCTC) . Last year local municipalities
submitted numerous proposals which included bike and pedestrian
facilities . These coincided closely with needs identified in a
TCBT report. However NYSDOT indicated that all money had already
been committed to larger projects on state highways, and no local
road projects were funded. Yet during 1993, increases in funds
committed to those state highway projects were in the seven digit
range. Once again local ITCTC members have proposed adding
shoulders to several important local highways, yet only one of
these, Warren Road between Route 13 and Hanshaw Road. Has made
it onto the draft TIP. . A second important project, Triphammer
Road north from Pyramid Mall to Kraft Road would include bike and
ped facilities but of undetermined type. Both projects are being
pursued vigorously by Dennis Reinhart, Public Works
Superintendent for the Village of Lansing. However, both
projects were questioned by NYSDOT who said the "small urban"
funding category has no money. Thus we may see another year with
no added road shoulders in the TIP. This is despite new policies
in Albany and Washington which are supposed to support bike and
ped travel, local needs identified by users and municipalities,
and a funding process which is. supposed to be cooperative between
the state and the locality.
More TIP news: State Street from Mitchell Street east to the
City line, a road segment identified by the BAC as important for
bike use, may be repaved next year. Ambulance drivers have cited
problems driving patients on this stretch, and a bike tourist
called the pavement problems here a city liability.
(2)
More TIP news: A bike-racks-on-buses program should begin this
year on the combined TomTran and Ithaca Transit system. Bike
lockers at major transit stops should be available next year. A
BAC committee will help Dwight Mengel start these programs.
Transportation Enhancements are special projects beyond normal
roadwork, accounting for 10% of federal highway money. They must
be used specific types of work, and bicycle and pedestrian
facilities are at the top of that list. Two important
applications were made last year, the above-mentioned Cayuga
Inlet/Black Diamond Trail and the City of Ithaca Bike Plan
Proposal based upon the report by the BAC. We are optimistic
about funding for the city plan because we have heard that it
ranked nearly at the top and people in Albany were very impressed
with it. $100k could be available, 20% to complete planning and
80% for facilities such as signage, striping, racks, and more.
More Transportation Enhancements: The City of Ithaca is
preparing applications for another three important bike and ped
projects : Sidewalks along the Elmira Road; the Old Inlet Trail,
a bike/ped path from Stewart Park past the Farmers Market toward
the Octopus; and part of the Cayuga Inlet Trail, including a
bike/ped bridge over the flood control channel near the end of
West Clinton Street. I am trying, with less success so far, to
interest other local municipalities in the Transportation
Enhancements program. Several cities nationwide are using
federal funds to install bike racks, and this could be done at
Cornell, for instance, where the need for more racks is well
documented but installation is slow for lack of money.
Route 79 in downtown Ithaca is scheduled to be repaved this year.
That includes Seneca and Green Streets from the tuning fork to
Meadow Street. A BAC request was forwarded to NYSDOT that
instead of two 12' lanes on these one-way streets, they be
striped 11' on the left and 13 ' on the right to better
accommodate bicyclists who, usually use the right lane. No
answer yet.
The City Board of Public Works has decided to extend a no parking
zone to better accommodate bike travel on Thurston Avenue. On
the south side between Risley Hall and Fall Creek Drive a parking
ban will go into effect this summer when parking meters are
installed elsewhere on Thurston. This is the first step
connecting Cornell bikeways with a proposed route downtown. The
'decision is important because it is based on the need for
adequate space for bikes and cars to safely share the road.
Tompkins County and the Village of Lansing plan to add 6' wide
shoulders to Warren Road from Route 13 to BOCES this year using
local funds, while pursuing state/federal assistance to continue
bike and ped facilities south to Hanshaw Road.
A Cornell bike/ped path committee has been formed. Tasks include
deciding which paths can serve as a functional campus bikeway
network shared by bikes and peds, and determining how to deal
with conflicts . Call Lois Chaplin 255-2498 for details.
(3 )
The Bicycle Task Team working on the Ithaca area Long Range Plan
meets at 5 :30 in the Old Jail on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays. This
project goes through June. Talk to ITCTC Director David Boyd,
274-5572, to confirm time date & location. There are also
several other committees including ones for pedestrian travel,
transit, intermodality, infrastructure, environment
NYSDOT plans to repave Route 366 (Dryden Road) from the city line
to Varna this year as part of their maintenance program. It will
include 6' shoulders, which in some areas will be an improvement.
City work on lower Hector Street, covering storm drains and
installing curbs, should be completed this spring.
Village of Lansing work on Triphammer Road adding 5' shoulders to
the 40 mph section should be completed this spring.
County work on Brooktondale Road, repainting the lines to show
the new 5' shoulders, should be completed this spring.
The City of Ithaca has plans to repave its portions of Triphammer
Road and Maple Avenue this year. These are both important for
biking. Triphammer Road, identified in the Cornell bike plan is
an important access to Cornell. Maple Avenue, identified in the
BAC bike plan, is access to the East HIll Recreationway, East
Hill Plaza, and the Maple Avenue apartments . Plans do not yet
include bike accommodations.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Wal-Mart is out. It
barely mentions pedestrians and has even less on bikes although
it is to be next to the levee and the Cayuga Inlet Trail and will
presumably be a major county destination for all modes of travel.
The New York Bicycling Coalition (NYBC) is an Albany-based
advocacy group which concentrates its efforts on the State
Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) . They worked to ensure
that the recently federally required State Pedestrian and Bicycle
Program Coordinator would be a well-qualified person able to do
an effective job. NYBC also serves on the committee which
evaluates transportataion enhancement proposals for federal
funding. In mid-February I attended the NYBC annual meeting.
They are expanding for more statewide involvement, and will be
producing a newsletter. Among issues they aim to address in the
coming months: membership expansion; the extent to which local
advocates can be assisted while the Albany beat is still
effectively covered; funding sources for staffing; and various
bike policy questions.
(4)
Late-breaking News:
TIP finalization has been delayed by NYSDOT. No word yet on the
new deadline or the implications for local projects .
The deadline for ISTEA Enhancement proposals has been delayed
from April until June. This allows more time to produce good
proposals and to persuade more entities to make proposals .
Ithaca City Bicyde Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes - 17 March 1994
Attendance:
Members and Liaisons present:
David Nutter, Martha Fischer, Andy Yale, Pat Karr-Segal, Jill Tripp (BPW),
Rick Gray (CC).
Absent:
Jon Meigs (ill), Lois Chaplin (away), Carl Lagoze (?), Thomas Shevory (?)
Others present:
David Streater, Yarrow Nelson, Dick Ruswick
Review of Minutes of 17 March meeting:
Corrections: bottom of page 1, Lois Chaplin report. Absent. David Nutter
reported. Top of page 2, Amy reminded that ITCTC is a research.
Announcements:
• Martha Fischer reported that the Stop Wal Mart campaign is having a meeting on
March 23, 7:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church. A general'discussion followed
regarding concerns related to Wal Mart. A letter from the BAC regarding Wal
Mart's impact on bicycle-related issues will be written.
• David Nutter reported that on March 26 and 27 there will be a bicycle planning
conference in New Jersey. See him if interested.
• David Nutter reported that the next meeting of the long-range task team on
bicycles will be held March 23. Tompkins Coalition for Bicycle Transportation
meeting will be held on April 6. Location of both meetings is the Old Jail.
Liaison Reports:
BPW -- Jill Trip presented the DPW work plan for 1994. Particular interest in Maple
Avenue repairs: Should it be widened to 14 ft. shared lanes? General agreement that
Triphammer Road should also be widened. BAC would also like details on Hudson
Street repairs. These projects will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.
David Nutter reported on the Dunmore Place one-way removal requests and its
resolution at the Board. Likelihood of small connector path to allow bikes to bypass
Dunmore one-way.
Common Council -- No report from Rick Gray.
ITCTC -- No representative present.
Traffic Task Force -- Andy Yale reported that the Task Force report will endorse the
concept of a bicycle-friendly city but no endorsement of a specific route plan. Final
report should be available in a few months.
Committee Reports: .
Bike and Bus Committee -- Martha Fischer reported that they are working on a
brochure. Discussion of permit system. Committee plans meeting with Dwight
Mengel of County Planning.
Legal Committee, -- Dick Ruswick is gathering information from other communities.
He has informed Chuck Guttman, City Attorney, that he will be working on proposed
revisions to city ordinances regarding biking.
Project Review Committee -- This was discussed previously in BPW's report on DPW
work plan.
Bicycle Coordinator -- Jon Meigs absent.
ISTEA enhancement proposals (bridge over Inlet, sidewalks on Elmira Rd., route to
Stewart Park) for next round of funding will be submitted soon. BAC will write a
letter of support for these proposals.
Bike Rack on Commons proposal -- Meigs told Nutter that he presented proposal to
Commons Advisory Board on recommendations for new bike racks. No response yet.
Tripp will take up issue with Board of Public Works.
Bicycle Advisory Council overview -- Discussion of chairing BAC. Nutter nominated
by acclaim to continue as Chair. Discussion of short-term and long-term goals, as
well as discussion of city Bike Plan, was deferred until the next meeting.
Tasks assigned:
Wal Mart letter Pat Karr-Segal
TTCTC letter regarding support for new enhancement David Nutter
Arrange meeting with Dwight Mengle Martha Fischer
Follow up on bike racks on Commons
(new and old) with BPW and DPW Jill Tripp
Adjournment at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Tripp
JM#4/NotesM 17.doc
1
Ithaca City Bicycle Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes - 4/21/94
Attendance:
Members and Liaisons Present Dave Nutter,Lois Chaplin,Rick Gray,Pat Karr-Segal,
IrGronlund,Jon Meigs, Carl Lagoze.
Amy
Absent: Andy Yale,Jill Tripp,and Martha Fischer sent word that they would not be able
to attend.
Others Present Ron Chapman,Yarrow Nelson
Announcements:
--Jon Meigs announced that a Bike and Greenways Expo is planned for Saturday,May
21 from 9-2pm. BAC is invited to participate.
--Dave Nutter announced that the Bike Federation Workshop originally scheduled for
March has been postponed. It hasn't been rescheduled yet but given its focus on
planning,it would be useful for a BAC representative to attend.
Issues/Updates:
--City Bike Plan: Dave Nutter reported that the city has acquired funds for City Bike
Plan. A committee will be formed to select a consultant for the plan's implementation.
Later,a committee will form to work with the consultant to oversee completion of the
plan. BAC members were encouraged to participate. Rick Gray and Pat Karr-Segal
indicated interest.
--Bikes on Buses Dave Nutter spoke with Dwight Menge. He is unsure that DOT will
allow funds for implementation in this year's state budget.Amy Gronlund added that
David Boyd is pushing for October 1994 implementation. Per Dave Nutter,Dwight
thinks it's necessary to convince DOT that there is local support. Carl Lagoze suggested
that a BAC member ride several bus routes to have petitions signed supporting Bikes on
Buses. He volunteered to draft a petition and make necessary calls. Lois Chaplin
recommended a press release encouraging public support for the bike racks. Other
volunteers are needed to ride selected routes and gather petition signatures.
-- Bike racks on the Commons: The Commons Advisory Board tabled the proposal for G
more racks. Severalhmembers will study the proposal and may act at the May 6 meeting.
Replacement of the missing "lollipop" racks is on the DPW's list but it is not known how
soon they can do it.
-- Wal Mart Memo: Pat Karr-Segal drafted a memo stating BAC concerns about the
proposed Wal-Mart development and revisions were suggested. The final memo will be
distributed to the Planning Board on Monday(4/25).
--Task Force on Traffic Issues: Excerpts form the Final Report of Task Force on
Traffic Issues which were bike-related were distributed for comment and will be on the in; B �,
agenda for the nextj3461meeting. One major issue is the Task Force's idea of"traffic
calming" by keeping streets narrow and allowing on-street parking. Both pose dangers for
cyclists.
.
2
—DPW updates
Maple Ave: Dave Nutter explained that DPW is proposing work on it this year.There is
potential for some widening,etc. that would benefit the numbers of cyclists that live
nearby and use this section of Maple Ave.This area is partly on the town's East Hill
Recreationway and is proposed as a city bike route in the Bike Plan.
Hector St. The recent widening,from Sunrise Rd. down, is as far as will be done for now.
When top layer is put on,there will be a good surface. It was suggested that a"Pavement
Narrows" sign might be needed.
Octopus: DOT has not responded to the BAC letter but there are new drawings that
haven't been checked for bike effects.
Seneca-Green Sts.:No word has been received on striping for wider right lanes when
resurfacing is done as Bill Gray has agreed to ask DOT about.
State St.from Mitchell to City Line:Info from David Boyd indicates that it's on the TIP
for 1998 which seems too far in the future to expect that it won't deteriorate further.
Respectfully submitted by Pat Karr-Segal
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
May 19, 1994 7pm Regular Meeting minutes by Dave Nutter
Present: Dave Nutter*, Ron Chapman, Martha Fischer*, Lois
Chaplin*, Jill Tripp**, Rick Gray**, Dick Ruswick*, Jon Meigs***,
Pat Karr-Segal* (*Member, **Liaison, ***Staff)
Absent: Andy Yale*, Carl Lagoze*
These minutes were composed by Nutter from his meeting notes .
As chair, Nutter welcomed Ruswick as a new appointee to the BAC.
Meigs announced that the BFA advocacy regional workshop has been
rescheduled for 7/19 in Boston.
Tripp could only attend the first 1/2 hour, so BPW items were
addressed first. Tripp will write a resolution for the BPW
asking that parking be removed from Maple Ave when this road is
reconstructed, which may happen this year. Tripp will inform BAC
when the item comes up on the BPW agenda. Issues elsewhere on
Maple Ave (covering ditch, widening pavement, and defining edge)
appear to be engineering issues . Meigs will follow up with DPW
on these and on possible widening of Triphammer Road during
repaving slated for this summer. Nutter reported that City
Engineer Tom West was initially positive toward all of these
improvements and would contact us if there were hitches .
After Tripp left, Meigs indicated that State Street east of
Mitchell was to be repaved this year, although reconstruction is
not slated until 1998 . Discussion postponed.
There is no indication yet as to whether DOT will stripe Green
and Seneca Streets to favor bikes in the right lane during
repaving to be done this year.
Nutter has looked at Octopus drawings and found that most roads
have 14 ' right lanes . A prominent and unexplained narrow-laned
exception is Fulton Street where new road will be constructed and
old pavement given up. No word yet from City Planning Director
Thys Van Cort about NYSDOT response to issues BAC brought up last
year that would not appear on the drawings .
BAC table coverage at the Expo will be by Ruswick 9 :30-10 :30,
Yale 10 :30-1, and Karr-Segal 1-2 . Meigs will deliver materials
to the site the day before. Fischer will draft ,( sign up sheets
supporting bikes on buses and bike racks on the central Commons
and fax them to Ruswick. Lagoze was to have canvassed bus riders
but it was unknown if this was done.
Bikes & Buses : Chaplin will meet with Dwight Mengel, Mark
Whitney, and Bill Wendt next Wednesday. Fischer will try to get
data on rack usage rates in other communities .
Central Commons bike rack proposal : Karr-Segal and Meigs were
unable to attend CAB meeting at which their subcommittee reported
on our suggested sites . Reportedly all sites on Commons were
slated for use by vendors . Karr-Segal asked for ideas to
approach CAB. Suggestions included: asking whether all vendor
sites were being used, and whether racks could be put in some
places instead if all space was assigned to vendors before bike
racks were considered; approaching the idea of legalizing locking
of bikes to lampposts; approaching merchants for support. Karr-
Segal and Meigs will attend June 3 CAB meeting.
Ruswick presented revised proposal to change City ordinance
regarding bikes on Commons based in part on FHWA model laws .
This was deemed especially appropriate because of lack of headway
in adding racks. Additionally prohibited would be: sitting
astride a bike, leaning a bike against a window, blocking
walkways, using flowerbeds, creating hazards to people or
property. Maximum fine would be $50 . Explicitly permitted would
be: standing with a bike, locking upright to a lamp post if racks
are unavailable. Deleted would be prohibition against unattended
bikes not in racks, which Police Chief McEwen said was vague and
upon which he ordered crackdown last year. Reasons for
impoundment of bikes are defined as : suspicion of stolen bike;
suspicion bike was used in a crime; parked illegally (above) and
owner unavailable or refuses to move it; abandoned 24 hours after
removal notice has been affixed. This was endorsed unanimously.
Ruswick will take the proposed ordinance revision, in the order
he deems most appropriate, to City Attorney Chuck Guttman, Police
Chief Harlin McEwen, and the Commons Advisory Board for feedback.
City Bike Plan: Consultant qualifications are coming in, and a
selection committee selected including Meigs, Chapman and Nutter,
all of whom, along with Carolyn Peterson, will review submitted
materials .
Chaplin reported that Cornell had revised its plans for the
Central Avenue no-car promenade. The no bike riding zone will be
extended south to Wee Stinky Glen and marked with bollards. Bike
riding will be permitted from there south to Campus road, but no
definition will be provided to help separate and reduce conflict
between walkers and bikers . Still to be worked out is exactly
where and how bikes should enter and exit at the Campus Road
intersection, but Chaplin is promoting a distinct curb cut on
each side corresponding to street flow. The Campus Store
representative was positive toward bike use, but the Willard
Straight person was anti-bike. A letter from Yarrow Nelson was
both positive and influential . The proposal has yet to go
through the City Planning and Development Board,where both Nutter
and PDB chair David Kay spokes at the previous meeting of need
for bike access and potential to reduce bike-ped conflicts
through design, whereas poor design or planning would result in
problems .
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes from 17 Nov. , 1994, 5 :30pm mtg. , prepared by Dave Nutter
Present: Rick Gray**, Jon Meigs****, Jill Tripp***, Dave Nutter*,
Lois Chaplin*, Yarrow Nelson, Pat Karr-Segal*, Dick Ruswick*, Ron
Chapman* .
Absent: Andy Yale*, Martha Fischer* (both are resigning) .
(*BAC member, **Common Council Liaison, ***BPW liaison, ****City
Planning Dept. Bike Coordinator)
October minutes were approved.
Ron Chapman was welcomed to finish Carl Lagoze's term.
Discussion of ways to improve BAC functioning: Suggestions include
rearranging the agenda so that reports and updates on outstanding
issues from staff, liaisons, and members come first; news is
summarized in announcements; new business is focused on a limited
number of items .
There are two BAC member openings, and contact must be maintained
with the community of people who use or would like to use bikes .
Places to send out info include: bike stores, schools (esp. ACS) ,
youth & community programs, RIBS. Ways of contacting older
interested people should also be sought.
Meigs has received bike rack requests for two sites, K-Mart and
Woolworths . The BAC developed procedures for dealing with such
requests . Miegs already sends an acknowledgement . The BAC will
evaluate the requests, inspecting the site if necessary. In this
case BAC agreed that both sites have demand for bike racks . The
parking lot at Woolworths is City-owned, so the BAC unanimously
passed a resolution drafted by Tripp asking the BPW to have the DPW
install racks near the bus stop. For private sites the BAC will
send a letter noting the community/patron desire for bike parking,
asking if the owner would like to provide racks, and offering
design and siting assistance to ensure that the racks are well
designed. Ruswick will draft this letter, and go over it with
Nutter & Meigs. After the letter is sent, a BAC member (rotating
responsibility) will make a follow-up phone call .
Racks on Commons: Karr-Segal will make one more effort with the
CAB. If this is unsuccessful, BAC will go directly to the BPW with
the request.
Ordinance for Bikes on Commons : Unanimously passed as amended.
Ruswick will submit this to the B&A Committee.
Off-road biking opportunities leaflet: A draft is almost ready.
Chaplin will bring it to be reviewed at next BAC meeting. Meigs
may be listed on it as a contact.
Greenways meeting on Dec 3, 8 :45-1 at AT&T cafeteria. Chaplin will
be there as part fo Greenways . Ruswick and Karr-Segal will share
duties for BAC.
Next Meeting: Thursday December 15, 1994 at 5:30 pm. , 3rd floor
conference room City Hall. Please let Jon Meigs (274-6550) or Dave
Nutter (564-7766) know if you can' t make it. Thanks .
BAC Updates : BIKE FACILITIES ON SENECA AND GREEN STREETS
from Dave Nutter, November 22, 1994
Seneca and Green Streets are NYS Route 79 across downtown Ithaca.
Repavement of them this year was done by NYSDOT. This was a
chance to incorporate bicycle facilities . Both are fairly busy,
fast, one-way streets, about 40' wide in residential areas . City
Planning Director Thys Van Cort asked me early on whether bike
lanes should be incorporated. I saw three problems :
1) There appeared not to be room for a 5 ' bike lane in addition
to two standard 11' driving lanes and the 8 ' parking now on both
sides (5+11+11+8+8=43 ) . Therefore a bike lane would require
either widening of the road, which was not in the scope of the
project, or removal of parking from one side, which is unpopular,
and in this case would be relatively inefficient. Only a one-way
bike facility would result for each parking lane removed from a
one-way street. On many two-way streets (e.g. Buffalo St) the
width gained by removal of parking from one side can be alotted
to both sides, so one lane of parking yields a two-way bikeway.
2) The eastbound and westbound bicycle facilities would be
separated by two blocks . This could cause them not to be used or
to be used improperly. Newcomers (incl. college students and
tourists) would have added difficulty making a round trip. Even
for those familiar with the streets the added 4 blocks of total
detour would deter many potential users, according to an FHWA
report. Wrong-way riding, which is already a problem at least on
Seneca Street, might also therefore be exacerbated. A Florida
study found that wrong way riding was a factor in -20% of car-
bike accidents . It also causes head-on bike-bike accidents,
including fatalities, so wrong-way riding is to be discouraged.
3 ) Compared to Buffalo Street, Seneca and Green Streets have a
greater speed and volume of traffic, plus the added difficulty of
lane switching to make left turns . They might thus be less
appropriate for encouraging new, young, or nervous riders .
Therefore it seemed prudent to seek the labeled bikeway for
Buffalo Street and seek less showy bicycle accommodation on
Seneca snd Green Streets . I asked City Department of Public
Works Director Bill Gray whether the center lane stripe could be
offset 1' to the left on Seneca and Green Streets . This would
create an 11' standard left lane, and a 13 ' wide right lane for
shared use by bicycles and motor vehicles . The national AASHTO
guidelines and the NYSDOT highway manual state that right lane
widths of greater than 12 ' can help reduce bicycle-motor vehicle
conflicts by allowing enough room for safe passing without use of
neighboring lanes. There was apparently no cost, no negative
impact, and minimal trouble to this simple alternative. Mr. Gray
made this request in writing to NYSDOT in February 1994 .
City Bike Coordinator Jon Meigs also discussed this with the
contractor and believed it was not a problem. But when the first
temporary striping was done in September, it was centered, not
offset as was requested. Meigs said he'd check with NYSDOT then.
NYSDOT refused the request to offset the center lines 1' to the
left. The stripes were painted on center in October, I believe.
Conversations with different sources yielded different reasons.
NYSDOT Regional Bicycle Coordinator Maggie Cusach told me that
because the project had been planned several years in advance,
the request could not be included; it should have been part of
the scoping process . NYSDOT Planner Diane Miller told me that
NYSDOT would not allow for a wide shared lane of 13 ' alongside
parked cars; 14' would be needed. Mr. Gray said he was told by
NYSDOT in a phone conversation (which may have resulted from
Meigs' double-checking) that NYSDOT did not want to make lanes of
uneven width, and they wanted data to support the idea that
bicycle riders preferentially use the right lane.
To me, it's sad that an opportunity for easy no-cost bicycle
accommodation was lost here. However, the curbs have not been
moved so we are not worse off than before, except for some loss
of faith. Since these setbacks I have been re-examining these
streets and the issues, and for several reasons I believe bicycle
facilities could still be easily added.
First, there is more room than I had previously thought in some
places . Seneca and Green Streets are considerably wider (-46' )
in the commercial area near the Commons. Extra width extends
into the tuning fork where Green Street has very wide lanes .
These areas might be restriped with bike lanes without affecting
other uses. Further west the width may actually be 41' , not 40 ' .
Second, motor vehicle lanes could be made narrower. For
instance, NYSDOT frequently uses 10' lanes. The left lane could
be 10' to allow the right lane to be 14' . That is, move the
stripe 2 ' to the left. This may require some waiver process .
Third, pavement markings can indicate that bicycle accommodations
are one-directional facilities. A bike silhouette and arrow
should be painted about three per block on bike lanes and in the
right portion of wide shared lanes . This also helps define a
narrower area for motor vehicles within a shared lane .
Fourth, public input on the 1993 Bike Plan and the ITCTC Long
Range Plan both call for narrowing the lane width for motor
vehicles to promote slower driving, and designating an area for
bikes using striping. Using the process in point two, it may be
possible to convert 14' shared lanes into 10 ' motor vehicle lanes
and 4 ' bike lanes .
Finally, putting bike facilities on the right is standard, as in
both AASHTO guidelines and NYSDOT' s design manual . NYS law
requires riding on the right except when preparing to turn left.
Facilities on the right promote this safer practice. Census data
indicate very high bicycle usage in Ithaca, and more specific
data may be taken for Seneca and Green Streets in conjunction
with other projects .
Bikeways on Seneca and Green Streets could connect with State
Street, another good candidate for bike lanes . All these streets
should be examined closely in the bike plan completion process .
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes from 16 Feb. , 1995, 5 :30pm mtg. , prepared by Dave Nutter
Present: Rick Gray**, Jill Tripp***, Dave Nutter*, Lois Chaplin*,
Pat Karr-Segal*, Dick Ruswick*, Ron Chapman*, Andy Ruina*, Dan
Fravil (Finger Lakes Cycling Club (FLCC) ) , Paul Sayvetz (RIBs) ,
Anton Van Leuken (RIBs, IHS student) , Yarrow Nelson (ex-member) ,
Tom Rodman (BAC applicant, disabled, adult trike user)
Absent: Andy Yale* (resigning) , Jon Meigs**** (ill) .
( *BAC member, **Common Council Liaison, ***BPW liaison, ****Staff)
Agenda Review: Chapman asked that the bike plan be discussed next
meeting instead, early on the agenda, and with considerable time,
and that the Traffic Task Force report be considered this month.
January minutes were approved. Chapman clarified his statement
linking BAC membership or chairship to current city residency,
noting that his opinion was not based on the law.
Announcements:
FLCC dinner 2/26 6pm at Women's Community Bldg, free.
RIBs benefit party 2/23 at Micawber's, $10 .
Cops-on-bikes training in June at Ithaca College.
Ruswick reports Jonathan Panzer and George Frantz are working out
an alternative route up West Hill .
City Bike Coordinator Meigs left a note with these items:
* NYSDOT now predicts longer delay for bike plan funding. Meigs
will investigate and try to prevent this .
* DEC may soon approve the off-road bike brochure.
* Meigs will help RIBs with permits for moving.
* Meigs will coordinate with DPW on the traffic & circulation
projects they identified for action in the recent Traffic Report.
Board of Public Works - BAC liaison, Tripp:
* BPW will consider a resolution next week to thank the Traffic
Task Force for their work and many good suggestions, and to set up
a working group to plan implementation of some of them, but not
endorsing the report as a whole.
* BPW will consider a resolution to remove parking (about 10 cars)
on Maple Ave based on the BAC request for bicycle accommodations .
Tripp asked for a review of information on the bike accommodations
on Maple Ave and the connections they would create. Nutter noted
that they would immediately connect existing bikeways in the Town
of Ithaca and on the Cornell Campus . He will forward a new copy of
the original BAC request outlining other connections and site data.
* BAC resolutions passed in January can be acted on quickly but
they had not yet been received. Nutter had sent a set, but will
send a second set directly to Tripp.
Common Council - BAC liaison, Gray:
Gray now serves on the Inter-Institutional and the Planning
Committees but not the Budget & Administration (B&A) Committee .
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chaplin:
* The report on bike, ped, and motor accidents will be going to IPD
Chief McEwen this month and Meigs should get a copy shortly
thereafter. Highlights include need for education & enforcement;
problems with sidewalk riding, ped accidents downtown, and
motorists making turns into cyclists .
* Chaplin is still working on getting a bike/ped/motorist safety
committee going at Cornell, and wants more cyclist participants .
* Ithaca is a likely trial location for an after school program in
which bike-cops work with high school students who then help run
bike rodeos for 9-12 year olds .
* A CU policy not to plow snow on bike racks may have to go thru
University Assembly; Chaplin wants more formal document for this .
* An ACS environomics student asked about bikes on buses and was
refered to Dwight Mengel. Status of bikes-on-buses program not
known, but said to start in April. Suspect program could use help
with drivers, publicity, user training, evaluation. BAC bike bus
subsommittee has not met since Fischer left.
BAC-proposed revision of Commons bike ordinance revision, Ruswick:
B&A committee passed it 2/15, with Chief McEwen's assent. It will
go before Common Council next Wed. Ithaca Journal (Wendy Skinner)
may do a story. Mayor Nichols wants more racks .
Report from chair, Nutter:
* An ACS environomics student similarly called, also with interest
in the new Octopus' effects and noting that the class will be doing
a students' transportation poll.
* Nutter delivered BAC resolution to county, but was told the
report from office siting committee was not due yet.
* Tom West of DPW wrote mentioning plans for Maple Ave. Nutter
will talk to him and to Town planners re bike accommodations.
* MPO passed Long Range Plan which has some good bike ideas but is
written in weak language, with no commitments . Furthermore the
bike and ped maps had disclaimers put on them at NYSDOT request,
which according to the highway manual may make it impossible to get
bikeways on state highways outside the city. Boyd denied this.
Nutter will contact NYSDOT for explanation. Chaplin notes that
there is now no region 3 NYSDOT bike contact.
* Nutter talked today to a bike user at rack on commons with 1' of
packed snow, adjacent rack being full of bikes . User wants no snow
in racks and asked for more racks on interior Commons .
Report from RIBS - Sayvetz:
City is applying for $40k from HUD for RIBs ($10k 1st yr, $30k 3rd
yr) for materials, upgrading site, & eventual site purchase. RIBs
needs occupancy permit and zoning variance for new Corn St site.
Annual election of chair
Nutter turned meeting over to Tripp. Because Chapman had not
written any info for distribution before this meeting, Tripp asked
nominees Nutter and Chapman each to speak to issues 5 minutes max.
Secret ballots were cast, which were counted by Tripp and Gray.
Nutter was re-elected and resumed chairing meeting.
Rack Request letter to businesses: Ruswick awaits Meigs' rewrite.
Off-road routes leaflet: awaiting DEC approval .
Display/questionnaire proposal: Karr-Segal proposed a display to
take to Farmers' Market, Commons, meetings, neighborhood groups .
It should include a better map (Can Meigs do this?) , possibly
photos (Nutter has some of bikes on buses) , a contact form or
questionnaire to document people's interests . Karr-Segal will
collect q' s for form. Fravil will forward info from FLCC survey
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Next Meeting: Thursday March 16, 1995 at 5:30 pm. , 3rd floor
conference room City Hall. Please let Jon Meigs (274-6550) or Dave
Nutter (564-7766) know if you can' t make it. Thanks .
The main topic of this meeting will be the city bike plan,
including an overview of its recommendations, its current status,
and how the BAC might proceed. Related topics such as outreach and
information gathering proposals would also be appropriate.
Please let me know of any other items deserving prompt
consideration.
I encourage people with announcements or report items to write them
up and either give to me or Jon beforehand for distribution or
bring them to the meeting so people can read them. This isn' t to
preclude oral reports if you can' t write things up beforehand, it' s
just an idea to save time in case you can.
Feedback on meeting format is welcome.
--Dave.
a
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 15 August 1996
Present: R. Chapman, D. Kreinick, S. Wold
Also: D. Nutter, J. Meigs, R. Gray, D. Streater, R. Manning
The meeting was called to order at 6:15 PM. We did not have a quorum.
1. AGENDA
We followed the agenda
6:15 Announcements
6:25 Seneca and Green Sts. between Meadow and Fulton
6:45 Meeting schedule and membership
6:50 Bike plan report
•
7:00 Expanding BAC to include pedestrians' concerns
7:10 Traffic calming guidelines
7:30 Adjourn
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS
JM noted that the Transit Center is having a Bikes on Busses Gala
celebration Aug. 20 from noon to 1 PM.
DN was concerned about whether a new neighborhood parking plan has
to be in place before Bike Plan routes can be designed. JM will check
into the question of how parking regulations interact with the Bike
Plan.
Rick Farrel, the assistant superintendant for streets and
facilities has not yet gotten to adding bicycle racks to the Commons,
nor has the Department yet repaired the bike/pedestrian traffic button
at Dey St. and Rte. 13. (JM)
DN asked about progress on our suggestion last month for bike
racks at Woolworth's. Tentatively, the racks are to be installed on the
grassy area near the bus stop, but JM has not yet been able to get in
touch with the owner to make final plans.
3. SENECA and GREEN STS. BETWEEN MEADOW AND FULTON
DOT has been requested to permit parking on the south side of
Seneca and the north side of Green St. as the eventual configuration of
these streets once octopus construction is complete. The streets are
30-1/2' and 31' wide. DOT plans a 7' parking space on the left side of
the one way street, a 10' travelling lane, and a 13-1/2' shared
automobile - bicycle lane on the right, with a similar layout on Green
St. DN feels it is dangerous to have a rather narrow parking lane next
to a narrow fast travel lane, and fears there will be pressure to widen
this travelling lane at the expense of room for bicycles. T&W had been
planning to recommend that Seneca and Green Sts. be striped with bicycle
lanes in its Bike Plan. If the 13-1/2 - 14' right lane is sacrificed,
this would present a problem for the Plan.
JM has heard that the DOT is looking favorably on the request for
a parking lane, which may indicate they are not so worried about 7'
parking next to a 10' travel lane.
RM thinks maybe the City can stripe a real 4' wide bicycle lane
and divide the remaining 27-1/2' for automobile parking and travel. The
City -- Tom West -- is uncomfortable with 10' lanes. 10' does seem
pretty narrow for a major through traffic route.
Our options would appear to be (1) Request that parking not be
allowed, or (2) go along with this plan, expressing our concern that the
space for bicycles not be narrowed. We must make a resolution before
Sept. 2 to be in time for the Council meeting. JM will poll BAC members
to see when we could meet to draft and vote on a resolution.
4. )IEETING SCHEDULE AND MEMBERSHIP
Before he went off on vacation, AR suggested by e-mail that the
BAC meet twice a month. With the bike plan developing, things are
happening faster than we are able to deal with them. SW made this a
formal proposal. RC suggested that we schedule extra meetings on an as-
needed basis at our regular monthly meetings, but DS suggested that a
regular schedule was easier to plan and easier to get people to come to.
DK agreed that a predictable schedule would be easier for him to
arrange. There was general agreement that twice a month meetings would
be a more reasonable match to the work load, and people were willing to
attend. SW proposed Thurs. 29 Aug. 6:00 - 7:30 PM as a tentative date
for our next meeting.
Pat Karr-Segal will be submitting a resignation letter soon (JM) .
RG reported that John Roberts will also soon be submitting his
resignation.
As many as two members of the BAC are allowed to be from outside
the City. Currently, only Lois Chaplin lives outside the City. RM is
considering asking to be on the BAC.
5. BIKE PLAN REPORT
RM handed out a draft plan for continuing the public Bike Plan
meetings. There is a conflict with the waterfront plan which has caused
additional delays.
In the week of Sept. 2, the client committee and IBAC would meet
to discuss how to continue the Bike Plan process. Norma Moore is
scheduled to come the week of Sept. 23 and will bring draft education
and enforcement policies. So we could have a client committee meeting
during this week, say Thurs. Sept. 26. At that meeting we would try to
work out a route network and discuss traffic calmed streets. Several
client committee members have suggested a group bike ride on some of the
proposed routes would be helpful, along with a look at alternative bike
racks. Perhaps that could take place before the Sept. 26 meeting. At
that meeting, T&W intend to present a draft zoning ordinance requiring
bike accomodations at commercial and large residential complexes.
Perhaps Wegman's could act as a test case for developing guidelines.
The meeting would also develop a flow chart of how decisions would get
made.
A draft final report would be ready late October or early
November.
Public workshop #3 might be scheduled Wed. , Oct. 9. It would be
run by the CDRC as was workshop #2. T&W have collated the surveys from
workshop #2, and will distribute copies to the client committee and the
BAC.
DN asked if the scope of the final report was limited to the $80K
ISTEA funds. RM replied that it would be more comprehensive than that,
but it might not be a fully citywide comprehensive system.
6. EXPANDING BAC TO INCLUDE PEDESTRIANS' CONCERNS
RC handed out a preliminary draft resolution to rename and expand
the role of the Bicycle Advisory Council to include pedestrian. The
resolution (copy appended) was modelled after the original resolution
forming the BAC. He pointed out advantages in having a single council
dealing with both bicycle and pedestrian concerns. (1) In those cases
where there is a conflict between the interests of bicyclists and
pedestrians, these problems can be hashed out in a single committee,
rather than having two separate advisory groups whose recommendations
may need to be reconciled in the more contentious atmosphere of Common
Council. (2) Many concerns of cyclists and pedestrians overlap.
DK was concerned about the new requirement that all members of the
new council be City residents. Also he felt that stating 44.6% of the
journey to work trips were on foot and only 1.65% by bicycle might tend
to bias the group away from bicycle advocacy in favor of a more
pedestrian focus.
SW felt that each member of the new committee would have to
represent both transportation modes.
4
RC commented that the requirement of city residency was
deliberate, although he recognized that the non-city members have been
extremely valuable to the BAC.
DN asked if the new council was intended to supercede the current
BAC. RC thought that the current BAC is geared toward implementation of
the Bike Plan, with perhaps a little followup, and hence it might
naturally be winding down now. DN felt a continuing bicycle advocacy
was important.
Since time was running short, we agreed to continue discussion at
the regular September meeting, perhaps with a revised draft in hand.
7. TRAFFIC CALMING GUIDELINES
We continued on page 3 of the draft guidelines document,
discussing two more sections. SW noted that this is a very time
consuming process and suggested the formation of a subcommittee. But DN
and RC felt that it is important for the whole group to deal with this
kind of matter, so that everyone's input can be gathered. Perhaps we
should devote an entire meeting or a whole hour at the next meeting to
further discussions.
RM expressed T&W's interest in the draft and suggested a
preliminary version be given to T&W and to Norma Moore so that they can
familiarize themselves with some of the ideas while they are thinking
about the Bike Plan draft.
8. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
We agreed to shoot for an August 29th meeting, to be organized by
JM. Topics include a continuation of the Seneca/Green St. parking
discussion, and further discussion about the traffic calming guidelines.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30.
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 19 September 1996
Present L.Chaplin,R.Chapman,D.Kreinick,A.Ruina,(J.Roberts,briefly),S.Wold
Also: D.Fravil,R.Gray,D.Higgins,R.Manning,D.Nutter
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
1.AGENDA
Black Diamond Trail
Approval of Minutes
Bike Plan
Parking on Seneca,Green,and Buffalo Sts.
Membership
Residential Parking Permits
Expanding BAC To Include Pedestrians'Concerns
Meeting schedule
Traffic calming
2.BLACK DIAMOND TRIAL
Doria Higgins wished to alert the BAC to some misinformation. There is no
formal connection between starting construction on the Black Diamond Trail and
transferring the Festival Lands from the city to the Finger Lakes Regional State Parks.
D.H.maintained that State Parks is delaying the building of the trail in order to coerce the
city into turning over the land. The Black Diamond Trail would connect four state parks
and go through the City of Ithaca.
RM said construction money($600K)has been appropriated and construction is
supposed to begin in spring. However,construction has been delayed several times in the
past. DF urged the BAC to push for some action,even if only on a portion-of the right of
way;even just mowing the trail would allow for some beneficial use.
The membership was receptive to forming a resolution urging Common Council to
push the state to begin work on the Trail. LC volunteered to write a draft for next
month's meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES,
Minutes of the July and August meetings were approved with the following
emendation to the July minutes. Item 5,Speed Reduction,is amended to read:
DN reported that Dick Ruswick,a lawyer and former BAC member investigated
NYS laws about the city lowering its speed limit to 25 MPH...
4. BIKE PLAN REPORT
A message from J.Meigs to AR expressed concern about a resolution in the B&A
committee of the Common Council to commit the City's$16K for the bicycle plan physical
plant. There was some confusion about the details of the resolution and whether any
action was being undertaken. Rick Gray agreed to look into the matter.
RM reported on the status of the Bike Plan. The client committee meets next
Thursday(26 Sept.) at 6PM in the City Hall conference room. A proposed route network
will be presented and discussed. Also for discussion: how should we notify residents
affected by bike plan routes;education and enforcement strategies.
Two weeks later,on Oct. 9,there will be a public meeting at a location to be
determined. The route network will be presented publicly there.
AR asked what fraction of T&W's$20K has been used up. RM replied that T&W
would stretch if necessary but would complete the full agenda of the plan: an inventory of
possible bike routes,with problems and advantages,an overall network proposal,and a
proposed set of priorities for each recommendation.
5.PARKING ON SENECA,GREEN and BUFFALO STS.
Before he left,RM noted that according to his understanding,the following lane
striping has been approved for Seneca and Green Sts:7'parking+ 10'traveling+ 14'
shared auto and bicycle lane(13-1/2'on Seneca). He will follow up this understanding
and also find out details of the plans for parking on Buffalo.
DN remains concerned that the 14' outside shared use lanes will be sacrificed in
three places. (A)Fulton St. is not yet striped for the 14'lane and could be striped for 12'
due to a miscommunication of the local contractor with the Syracuse DOT. (B)Local
contractor apparently believes Seneca and Green Sts are approved for only 13'lanes.
Again Syracuse DOT needs to reaffirm 14'. (C)The R&D Committee is requesting
parking on Buffalo St.,which could squeeze out a 14'shared lane. DN drafted a letter to
the Syracuse DOT requesting reaffirmation of the 14'outside lanes. RC disagreed with
the intent of the letter. DN agreed to several wording changes proposed by AR. The
BAC voted 5-1 (RC voting no)to cosign a revised letter. The letter will state the vote
count.
6. MEMBERSHIP
John Roberts offered a formal resignation letter. The BAC thanked him for his
brave efforts to improve bicycle safety and wished him luck in Colorado. Pat Karr-Segal
says she sent a letter of resignation months ago.
7. RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS
In a letter Jon Meigs clarified the status of residential parking permits. The
necessary law has passed both houses of the State legislature and is now awaiting the
governor's signature. This will affect parking,perhaps replacing odd-even parking by a
permit system in some areas of the City,and hence perhaps impact planning for bicycle
routes. Susan Blumenthal only intended to give notice of this complication in her earlier
comments.
8. EXPANDING BAC TO INCLUDE PEDESTRIANS' CONCERNS
There was a lively discussion of the proposed expansion of the BACs charter,with
AR worrying that we lack time and energy to handle bicycle issues already,SW agreeing
in principle that walking and bicycling were both desirable,clean alternative modes of
transportation, and DN feeling that pedestrians had their own legal right-of-way
(sidewalks)and hence needed advocacy less. Calming traffic does not solve all bicyclists'
concerns.
All agreed that the wording of the resolution needed work. RC agreed to try
reworking the resolution and presenting it for next month.
9. MEETING SCHEDULE
We voted 3-1 with 1 abstention to meet the first and third Thursday of each
month,in order to have more time to make decisions and follow up on our proposals.
Perhaps the first meeting should be more oriented to discussions,with the third for votes.
It was agreed that due to the shortness of time,DK would make up a proposed
agenda for the October 3 meeting. Members are requested to notify Jon Meigs in advance
if they will be unable to attend any meetings. In order to facilitate effective meetings,DK
will append a list of action items decided at each meeting to the minutes. He will also
keep a cumulative list of tasks JM has been requested to accomplish. Someone should
keep track of bicycle accidents and incidents using the yellow cards,so the BAC has a list
of hot spots.
10. TRAFFIC CALMING GUIDELINES
No time remained to work on traffic calming.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8PM.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
Announcements
Black Diamond Trail resolution
Bike Plan progress
Lanes on Seneca,Green,and Buffalo Sts.
Including pedestrian's concerns in the BAC
Traffic calming guidelines
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE BAC
All members:Review these minutes and transmit corrections to DK before next
meeting.
LC: Formulate resolution for Black Diamond Trail
RG: What was the nature and outcome of the B&A committee's resolution to
commit city funds for the Bike Plan physical plant?
RM: Follow up on lane striping for parking on Seneca,Green,and Buffalo Sts.,
near Fulton and Meadow.
DN: Finish writing and send the letter to Syracuse DOT described in section 5.
RC: Revised draft of a BAC resolution expanding the concerns to include
pedestrians.
ACTION ITEMS FOR TON MEIGS
Has the mayor appointed a BPW liaison yet?
Status of PK-S and JR's resignations. Are new appointments in the works?
Placing bike racks at Woolworth (passed by BPW)
Adding racks on the Commons(passed by BPW)
Shared roadway signs at City entrances (passed by BPW)
Status of all yellow cards received to date
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 03 October 1996
Present: R. Chapman,D.Kreinick,A.Ruina
Also: (none)
As we had no quorum,the meeting was never called to order.
We discussed various items on the planned agenda.
Black Diamond Trail
A cost estimate and engineering diagrams have been made for the bike trail on
West Hill between the Octopus and Taylor Place,as proposed by Jonathan Panzer at the
July meeting. It will cost about$60,000 for the stretch between Rte 79 and Taylor Place.
Bike plan: Most of the$80 ISTEA federal money will be spent for striping bike
lanes,with a little for signs. For example,Green and Seneca each cost$3000 to restripe.
They were striped with narrow 13' outside lanes last week.
DK presented a draft letter to Mayor Cohen protesting procedures used to decide
the widths of the lanes on Green and Seneca Streets,but no action was taken.
The agenda and action items for the October 17 meeting remain the same as for
this meeting.
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 17 October 1996
Present: R. Chapman,D. Kreinick,A. Ruina, S.Wold
Also: R. Gray, R. Manning,J. Meigs,Y. Nelson,D.Nutter
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
SUMMARY: The BAC will send a monthly summary of decisions made at its meeting to
several relevant City decision makers.
BPW LIAISON: The BAC reaffirms its desire to have a liaison from the BPW as soon as
possible,preferably by the November 21 meeting. There has been no liaison for over a
year.
BAC MEMBERSHIP: We urge the Mayor to appoint new members to fill the two BAC
vacancies as soon as possible,preferably by the November 21 meeting.
TRAFFIC PATTERNS: The BAC would like to be included as early as possible in any
discussion of traffic pattern modifications which could affect bicycling in the City,such as
changes in signRliwations,street design,parking,or lane widths.`.
LINN ST.BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION*: We request that the Linn Street bridge over
Cascadilla Creek be built wide enough to include bike lanes iii both directions
BLACK DIAMOND TRAIL*: We encourage the city to ask the Finger Lakes State`
t sx
Parks to begin work promptly on the Black Diamond Trail linking the City with all local
state parks. ,t,
OCTOPUS RECONSTRUCTION: The BAC encourages the implementation of the
originally planned 14'wide outside lanes throughout the Octopus reconstruction project.
We feel it should be possible to maintain right lane widths of at least 14 feet even where
on-street parking is added.
* Marks decisions reached in principle for which final resolution wording was not
completed on October 17.
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
1. AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
Distribution of Minutes
Followup on Action Items
Announcements
Bike Plan
Octopus Reconstruction
Pedestrian's Concerns
Traffic calming
Resolution to Distribute Summary
Black Diamond Trail Resolution
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The September 19 and October 3 minutes were approved without further changes.
3. DISTRIBUTION OF MINUTES
In order to get minutes out promptly and to expedite the approval of minutes,we
agreed to distribute drafts of the minutes and most editorial changes by E-mail. AR
suggested that JM keep the minutes,but he was reluctant to take on this responsibility.
We agreed to add dates to both action items lists at the end of the minutes.
4. FOLLOWUP ON ACTION ITEMS
BPW liaison:No action yet on appointing a new BPW liaison. JM reminded the
mayor earlier this week,and SW spoke with him yesterday.
BAC resignations: The mayor's office has no record of receiving Pat Karr-Segal's
resignation. She will send another to SW. JR's resignation has been accepted as is.
Bike racks at Woolworth: JM has been unable to reach the owner, will try again.
Racks on the Commons: JM asked Rick Farrell several weeks ago and was assured
that racks will be installed,but no time scale was set.
Signs about shared roadways: Same as above.
Yellow cards: We received two more in the past month. There is not yet a
comprehensive list of all reports.
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS
DN:The scoping for the new Linn St. bridge is scheduled for next month. It may
be built smaller to save money,but,if the width is reduced too much,this could take away
room to stripe bike lanes.
5. BIKE PLAN
RM has received a lot of good technical advice as a result of the public meetings.
T&W are attempting to address the need for better connectivity and are concentrating on
getting the Phase 1 Bike Plan and the citywide long term bikeway plan maps completed.
Buffalo and Dey streets are designated as bicycle boulevards; they cry out for traffic
calming measures. Restricting parking to one side of the street on Dey and much of N.
Cayuga will make enough space for a bicycle lane. RM is trying to get a commitment
from the BPW to advance the plans.
The Client Committee will next meet at 6:30 Tuesday Oct.29. They will study the
revised route plans and an outline of the final plan.
RM was asked about implementing the bike plan politically. These plans have not
yet been defined,but T&W will work on them.
T&W have also been following the national discussion being carried out on the
Internet about bike lane issues. There is a lively debate about 10' +4' lanes. RM intends
to contact Dan Burden and Jeff Olson to solicit their opinions about options for Ithaca.
The BAC will make an official statement on the Bike Plan,but only when that plan
is formulated. Meanwhile BAC members are welcome to express their opinions directly to
RM.
6. OCTOPUS RECONSTRUCTION
DN outlined several issues presented by the Octopus reconstruction. Three years
ago,plans included 14'wide right-hand lanes to accommodate bikes. At that time many
parking changes were made. Last spring,some West End business owners began asking
for more parking. Van Cort asked DOT for parking on Seneca and Green Sts. between
Meadow and Fulton in a letter dated June 7, 1996. He asked for outside lanes of 13-1/2'
on Seneca and 13' on Green. DOT changed this to 13'on each street. The request
process from City Hall appears to have been informal;e.g.there was no Planning Board,
DPW, or Common Council action. It may still be possible to have 14'. 14'may also be
possible on Buffalo,even with on-street parking. DN had other Octopus suggestions as
well.
RC commented that DOT wants 14'on Fulton St. as well to help accommodate
trucks. He doubted that this would be very bike friendly or even desirable for bicycling,
given that the Black Diamond Trail is supposed to be very nearby. In his opinion,DOT
just wants wide lanes and doesn't give a hoot about bicyclists.
RM commented that he intends to use Fulton St. DN noted that NYSDOT
originally intended to build Fulton with a narrower right lane,but figured out how to
expand that lane to 14' without widening the street to respond to the BAC's request.
7. PEDESTRIAN'S CONCERNS
Postponed pending the drafting of a revised proposal.
8. TRAFFIC CALMING
T&W intends to address traffic calming in their bicycle plan. RM suggests we
incorporate the traffic calming guidelines there. The BAC could go over T&Ws draft
carefully, suggest revisions,and perhaps endorse it.
AR moved that the BAC give the document to T&W for them to interpret and
incorporate into the bicycle plan. Resolution passed 4-0.
9. RESOLUTION TO DISTRIBUTE SUMMARY
DK argued that we might have had happier outcomes on the 400 block of Mitchell
St. and in the striping of outside lanes on Seneca and Green Sts. if our positions on those
issues had been more widely known.
Proposed: That the BAC send a summary of decisions made at its meetings to the
Mayor, all Common Council members,Thys Van Cort and Herman Sieverding of the
Planning Department,the chairs of the BPW and the Planning Board,and to traffic
superintendent Bill Gray. BAC members will negotiate the wording and logistics by e-
mail. Resolution passed 4-0.
We agreed that DK would get a diskette to 7M,who would arrange the distribution.
10. BLACK DIAMOND TRAIL RESOLUTION
LC transmitted a resolution for consideration by the BAC. Because we were not
perfectly happy with the wording,we asked DN to rephrase it and submit it for editing by
e-mail. The rephrased draft is not yet available; LCs original wording follows.
"Whereas
In October of 1983 the City of Ithaca,Town of Ithaca and Finger Lakes State
Parks(FLSP) signed an agreement that FLSP would build a trail(then called the Cayuga
Inlet Trail,most recently referred to as the Black Diamond Trail), and
Whereas
On May 2, 1990,City of Ithaca Common Council passed a resolution affirming
that it has not made a prior commitment to transfer the Festival Lands to the State of New
York,
Be it resolved that
The City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council recognizes that there is no'linkage'
between the building of the trail and the transfer of the Festival Lands."
Members of the BAC wanted a more definite conclusion, along the lines of"the
BAC encourages the city to ask that the FLSP begin work on the Black Diamond Trail as
soon as possible."
No formal vote taken,pending receipt of an acceptable draft resolution.
11. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS
BPW LIAISON. The following resolution was approved 3-0-1.
Whereas the BAC has been without a BPW liaison for over a year,the BAC urges the
Mayor to appoint a liaison from the BPW as soon as possible,preferably by the November
21 meeting.
BAC APPOINTMENTS. By a 3-0-1 vote we approved the following resolution.
Whereas the BAC now has two vacancies, we urge the Mayor to appoint two new
members as soon as possible,preferably by the November 21 meeting.
MAINTAINING RECORDS OF BICYCLISTS' SUGGESTIONS. AR felt it
important for us to keep track of all the yellow card suggestions and their outcomes. The
following internal resolution was passed 4-0.
Resolved, that the BAC should maintain a document listing all yellow cards
submitted together with the status of those requests,to be maintained by the bicycle
coordinator of the City of Ithaca.
NOTIFICATION. Approved 4-0 was the resolution RESOLVED,that the BAC
asks to be included as early as possible in any discussion of traffic pattern modifications
which could affect bicycling in the City, such as changes in signalizations,street design,
parking,or lane widths.
OCTOPUS RECONSTRUCTION. The following resolution passed 3-1.
WHEREAS the DOT plans for the Octopus included 14' shared outside lanes, and
WHEREAS such lanes seem consistent with the bike plan currently being formulated,and
WHEREAS such lanes do not necessarily conflict with parking needs,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the BAC encourages that every effort be made to
implement such 14' lanes throughout the Octopus project.
LINN ST. BRIDGE. We lacked time to formulate the exact wording,but
approved in principle a resolution about the width of the Linn St.bridge,which DN
agreed to formulate and distribute by e-mail. The proposed wording(received 10/22)
follows.
WHEREAS the Linn Street bridge over Cascadilla Creek is to be rebuilt and scoping for
the project is scheduled for 11/96; and
WHEREAS the Court St-Linn St-University Ave corridor is important for bicycle travel
between downtown and Cornell; and
WHEREAS Trowbridge&Wolf s draft bicycle plan calls for bike lanes where there is
currently sufficient travel room for bike lanes on much of this corridor,including the Linn
Street bridge,
THEREFORE the BAC requests that the Linn Street bridge be built wide enough to
include bike lanes in both directions.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
Announcements
Octopus striping resolution(30')
Black Diamond Trail resolution
Linn St.bridge resolution
Expanding BAC's charter to include pedestrians'concerns
Odd-even parking and room for bicyclists
Bike Plan progress
Including pedestrian's concerns in the BAC
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE BAC
RM: Follow up on lane striping for parking on Seneca,Green,and Buffalo Sts.,
near Fulton and Meadow. (9/19)
RC: Revised draft of a BAC resolution expanding the concerns to include
pedestrians. (9/19)
All members: Review these minutes and transmit corrections to DK before next
meeting. (10/17)
DN: Formulate and distribute by e-mail a resolution for the Black Diamond Trail
(10/17)
DN:Formulate a resolution requesting that when changing from odd-even parking
enough space be left on streets,accounting for traffic and gradient,to allow room for safe
bicycling. (10/17)
All members: Send comments on proposed wordings of resolutions to the authors
by e-mail. (10/17)
ACTION ITEMS FOR JON MEIGS
Has the mayor appointed a BPW liaison yet? (9/19)
Status of PK-S's resignation. Are new appointments in the works? (9/19)
Placing bike racks at Woolworth(passed by BPW) (9/19)
Adding racks on the Commons (passed by BPW) (9/19)
Shared roadway signs at City entrances(passed by BPW) (9/19)
A listing of all yellow cards received to date and their status(9/19)
Obtain pens for the whiteboard(10/17)
Distribute summaries of 10/17 resolutions(10/17).
; ' -6)dy,66it-/-1
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 7 November 1996
Present: D. Kreinick,A. Ruina, S.Wold
Also: J. Meigs,D. Nutter
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
South Hill Terrace resolution:
South Hill Terrace forms part of a desireable bike route from downtown toward
South Hill. Bicyclists can head up S. Cayuga,South Hill Terrace,Hillview,and Hudson
to avoid heavy traffic while climbing steep slopes up Prospect St. and S. Aurora. If South
Hill Terrace is made one way southbound,the BAC suggests that an exception be made
allowing bicyclists to travel northbound. We are somewhat concerned about bicyclists
getting around the corner at South Hill Terrace and S. Cayuga Sts. safely,but believe
there is room to stripe a bicycle lane northbound where parking is currently forbidden on
the curve. -
Roundabout proposal at University Ave. and Lake Rd.
The BAC generally favors the use of roundabouts as traffic calming measures which
avoid four-way stops. We see no problems for bicyclists from the proposed roundabout,
and note
* The intersection should be no worse,and perhaps better than the existing
intersection from the point of view of a bicyclist,
*It might be possible to improve the plan by sharpening the corners,which could
improve the sight lines and reduce the distances that pedestrians need to travel to get
across the roadway,
*We are concerned about this being the first roundabout to be implemented in the
City of Ithaca because of the steep slopes of the approaches to the intersection.
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
1. AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
Bike Coordinator position
Roundabout for University Ave. and one way S.Hill Terrace
Odd-Even Parking,Linn St.,and Black Diamond Trail
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes could not be approved because we lacked a quorum. We did agree to
distribute the Summary of Recommendations for 17 October immediately.
3. BICYCLE COORDINATOR POSITION
The Mayor's proposed budget appears to cut the bicycle coordinator's postion
effective Jan. 1, 1997. Nominally,JM spends 5 of his 35 weekly hours coordinating for
the BAC. We agreed to send a representative to this evening's Common Council budget
meeting to ask that the BAC coordinator position,or at least some City Hall staff support
be maintained. DN pointed out the usefulness of JM's familiarity with the projects and
issues on which the BAC has worked to date.
4. ROUNDABOUT FOR UNIVERSITY AVE.AND ONE WAY SOUTH HILL
TERRACE
The DPW supplied us with draft resolutions on two traffic issues and asked us to
comment by next Tuesday,Nov. 12. BAC members applauded the BPW for giving us a
chance to comment on these proposals before they come up for a vote.
At the intersection of University Ave.with Lake Rd. and Willard Way,the DPW
proposed replacing the two stop signs with a roundabout. This is one of the most
accident-prone intersections in Ithaca. BAC members agreed something ought to be done
and saw no problems for bicyclists with such an arrangement. Several concerns were
expressed. Sight lines are poor here. Pedestrians have an unusually long stretch of
roadway to cross at the wide intersection. Also,the terrain is very steeply sloped near this
intersection,introducing an additional danger. Eventually,we agreed on the resolution
quoted under Summary,above.
The BPW,responding to neighborhood pressure,is proposing to make South Hill
Terrace one way southbound between Hillview and S. Cayuga Sts. The purpose of this
change is to avoid two way traffic with parking on a very narrow 20'roadway and to
prevent the use of this neighborhood street by high speed traffic attempting to avoid
bottlenecks on Prospect St. and S. Aurora. BAC members pointed out that this is also an
attractive route for bicyclists, who otherwise would have to cope with heavy traffic and
steep slopes simultaneously. There appears to be enough room in a 20'width to
accomodate one lane of southbound traffic plus parking plus a path for bicycles, and we
agreed to encourage the BPW to allow bicycle traffic to travel northbound. There was
some concern about poor sight lines and a narrow roadway on the sharply curved end of
S. Hill Tem near where it meets S.Cayuga. We felt it might be possible to stripe a bike
lane for northbound cyclists,since parking is forbidden on this curved portion of the road
anyhow. Final wording of the resolution can be found in the Summary,above.
5. ODD-EVEN PARKING,LINN ST.,AND BLACK DIAMOND TRAIL
DN provided a draft resolution as outlined in the 17 Oct. meeting,encouraging the
BPW to allow parking on only one side of some major streets in order to make room for
bicyclists. Because of the lack of a quorum,we did not vote formally. DN provided
numerous specific examples for the benefit of BAC members,but AR found the examples
so helpful that he encouraged DN to rewrite them more formally, so they can be used as a
supporting document to be sent with the resolution.
Action on the Linn St. bridge resolution and the Black Diamond Trail resolution
were postponed due to the lack of a quorum.
6. INFORMATION FLOW
AR requested that the BPW and the Planning Board send him(as chair of the
BAC) their agendas and their minutes. They have agreed to do so.
Future drafts of resolutions should include proposed wording for the summary as
well as for the resolution.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
Approval of Minutes
Announcements
Followup of Action Items
Bike Plan progress
Octopus striping resolution(allow 30 min)
Black Diamond Trail resolution
Linn St.bridge resolution
Odd-even parking and room for bicyclists
Expanding BAC's charter to include pedestrians'concerns
Further discussion on bicycle coordinator, S.Hill Terrace, Univ. Ave.roundabout
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE BAC
RM: Follow up on lane striping for parking on Seneca,Green,and Buffalo Sts.,
near Fulton and Meadow. (9/19)
RC:Revised draft of a BAC resolution expanding the concerns to include
pedestrians. (9/19)
All members:Review these minutes and transmit corrections to DK before next
meeting. (10/17)
DN: Formulate a resolution requesting that when changing from odd-even parking
enough space be left on streets, accounting for traffic and gradient,to allow room for safe
bicycling. (10/17)
All members: Send comments on proposed wordings of resolutions to the authors
by e-mail. (10/17)
ACTION ITEMS FOR.ION MEIGS
Has the mayor appointed a BPW liaison yet? (9/19)
Status of PK-S's resignation. Are new appointments in the works? (9/19)
Placing bike racks at Woolworth(passed by BPW) (9/19)
Adding racks on the Commons (passed by BPW) (9/19)
Shared roadway signs at City entrances (passed by BPW)(9/19)
A listing of all yellow cards received to date and their status(9/19)
Obtain pens for the whiteboard(10/17)
Distribute summaries of 10/17 resolutions (10/17).
, ,
rm 171 l o;
CITY OF ITHACA
108 EAST GREEN STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
DEPARTMENT OF TELEPHONE:607/274-6550
PLANNING&DEVELOPMENT FAX:607/274-6558
H.MATTHYS VAN CORT,DIRECTOR 607/272-7348
HERMAN SIEVERDING,AICP,DEPUTY DIRECTOR
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Interested Parties
FROM: Jon Meigs,Bicycle Program Coordinato
RE: Proposed Bike Route Network
DATE: 14 Nov. 96
The attached maps show the first phase and ultimate networks of bike routes
that will be the main topics of discussion at tonight's final public workshop on the
proposed city bicycle plan.
Based on comment that is received on these routes,including the results of
tonight's public workshop meeting as well as any input that you have, a final plan
will be drafted and presented in December for city action.
The Bicycle Plan Client Committee and consultants will meet to discuss
responses to this draft route net on Nov.21. Any comment received by then will
be helpful in preparing a plan that takes all relevant issues into consideration.
Please direct any questions or comments on the proposed routes or any other
aspects of the plan to me,by Nov. 21 if possible.
att.
Printed on Recycled Paper
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program"
1 Ore
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 19 December 1996
Present: L. Chaplin, R. Chapman, D. Kreinick, A. Ruina, S. Wold
Also: R. Gray,J. Meigs, D. Nutter
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
BLACK DIAMOND TRAIL RESOLUTION
Whereas, in October 1983 the City of Ithaca,Town of Ithaca, and Finger Lakes State
Parks(FLSP) signed an agreement that FLSP would build and the municipalities would
maintain a bicycle and pedestrian trail through the City connecting to nearby State Parks, then
called the Cayuga Inlet Trail, and
Whereas,on May 2,1990 the City of Ithaca Common Council passed a resolution
affirming that the trail project agreement was not based on any commitment regarding transfer
of the City's "Festival Lands" to A.H. Treman State Park, and
Whereas, the trail project, then called the Cayuga Inlet Trail, and now known as the
Black Diamond Trail,in spring of 1994 received an ISTEA commitment of approximately$1
million, and
Whereas,ISTEA funds could be lost if not used in a timely fashion, and
Whereas, most properties and right-of-ways appear to be available for the trail, and
Whereas, this trail would be of great benefit to tourists, local travelers and City
residents, therefore be it
Resolved that the Bicycle Advisory Council encourages the City of Ithaca to ask Finger
Lakes State Parks to begin work promptly on the Black Diamond Trail linking the City with
local State Parks.
BICYCLE COORDINATOR RESOLUTION
Whereas bicycling is an increasingly important means of transportation and recreation
to the City of Ithaca, and
Whereas the Bicycle Advisory Council was established by the City in 1990 to provide
advice and assistance to the City on matters of interest and concern to bicyclists,and
Whereas the BAC, in order to most effectively carry out its responsibilities, needs the
support of City staff with training and expertise in disciplines relevant to planning for bicycle
use,and
Whereas this necessary staff support has been provided to the BAC since the
appointment of Planner II Jon Meigs as City bicycle coordinator in 1990,and
Whereas the mayor's 1997 budget proposal eliminates the Planner II position,be it
therefore
Resolved that the Bicycle Advisory Committee strongly urges the retention of a bicycle
coordinator staff position through which available and needed staff support is provided to us.
SUPPORT LE 1-fER FOR LANSING BIKE LANES
December 19,19%
Mayor Donald Hartill
Village of Lansing
2405 North Triphammer Road
Ithaca, NY 14850.
Dear Mayor Hartill;
I am writing on behalf of the Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC), a mayor
appointed advisory group to the City Council of Ithaca.
We would like to support any changes that enhance the safety to pedestrians and
bicycles in the area of North Triphammer Road. The existing shoulder conditions are
t
unacceptable for the safe and uncompromised transit of cyclist and pedestrians. The mall area
is used by many people in the greater Ithaca area;many of whom use bicycles and walk, and
many more of whom might do so if the facilities were percipience as safe.
We are presently working to significantly increase the number of bike-lane routes in the
Ithaca area and feel that any extensions of safe bicycle routes into highly -used areas, like the
Village of Lansing Business District along North Triphammer Road are desirable. North
Triphammer Road is the most natural connection from the Ithaca area to the malls and to the
more rural bike riding areas to the north.
We fully support the Village of Lansing's proposed plans to safely accommodate
bicycles and pedestrians in their transportation network.
Thank you for your work and consideration of our opinions.
Andy Ruina, co-chair
Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
LINN ST. BRIDGE RESOLUTION
Whereas the Linn Street bridge over Cascadilla Creek is planned to be rebuilt, and
Whereas scoping for this project was slated for November 1996,and
Whereas the Court St. - Linn St.- University Ave corridor is important for bicycle
travel between downtown and Cornell,and
Whereas the new draft bicycle plan for the City of Ithaca proposes bike lanes for this
corridor crossing this bridge,and
Whereas the existing bridge has room for bike lanes,
Therefore, be it
Resolved that the BAC requests to the Board of Public Works, the Planning
Department,NYSDOT, ITCTC, and others involved in the planning and rebuilding of this
bridge that it be rebuilt wide enough to accommodate bike lanes in both directions.
BAC MEMBERSHIP RESOLUTION
The BAC will have three vacancies as of January 1, 1997, which we would like to have
filled as soon as possible.
BEAM
The meeting was called to order at 6.30 PM.
1.AGENDA
Announcements
Black Diamond Trail resolution
Bicyde coordinator resolution
Safe street widths
Support letter for Lansing bike lanes
Linn St.bridge resolution
Membership issues
Bike plan
Meeting times
Follow-up items
2.ANNOUNCEMENTS
LC reported that Cornell Plantations is thinking about how to provide pedestrian and
bicycle access to the campus from the south, the East Hill Plaza area. They are thinking about
two broad possibilities. One is to extend the dead end roadway that runs from Ellis Hollow Rd.
to behind the Best Western motel,between East Hill Plaza and the senior citizen's housing.
This would be continued across a new bridge to cross the bikeway,and continue to Palm Rd.
Another possibility is to extend the bikeway where it meets Maple Ave, through the parking
lot and around the present coal loading area and water tanks. This would make it possible to
•
have a continuous bikeway,avoiding the dangerous and steep stretch along Maple Ave. Access
to the campus would be provided by a new bridge to Kite Hill following the present path of
steam lines across Cascadilla Creek. LC invited BAC members with ideas about these routes to
contact her.
3.BLACK DIAMOND TRAIL RESOLUTION
The resolution, which had been distributed by e-mail was amended slightly and
passed 5-0-0. The text may be found in Summaries,above.
4.BICYCLE COORDINATOR RESOLUTION
This resolution was also amended slightly and passed 5-0-0. Text is above.
5.SAFE STREET WIDTHS
We discussed at some length the draft proposal written by DN. Some members were
concerned that the wording was so stringent and specific that administrators might be tempted
to ignore it altogether. We agreed to reword it, making it clear that we are recommending goals
and guidelines,not demanding absolute standards. The original wording is
Draft Resolution Regarding Safe Street Widths for On Street Parking
Whereas the safety and comfort of bicycle users is strongly affected by the width of the
dear travel zone and the volume of motor vehicle traffic on any given street, and
Whereas on-street parking affects the width of the dear travel zone both with the
width of the vehicle and the length of an open car door vehide, and also affects sight lines,
and
Whereas the City of Ithaca on-street parking policy recognizes that additional travel
width is necessary on higher volume streets, and
Whereas that policy allows for as little as 9 feet of total clear travel width for two
way travel on streets with volumes up to approximately 5,000 cars per day and as little as 16
feet of total dear travel width for two way travel on streets with over approximately 5,000
cars per day,and
Whereas national guidelines recommend over 12 feet per lane for cars to pass
bikes without conflict with each other or adjacent traffic, and
Whereas many streets in Ithaca with traffic volumes well below 5,000 cars per day are
both important to bicycle travel and present significant motor traffic conflicts to bicyde users,
and
Whereas the Board of Public Works, is considering where there should be one-sided or
two-sided parking if the odd-even system is ended,and
Whereas the Mayor has welcomed Bicycle Advisory Council input on this matter so
that Ithaca's streets will be bike friendly,
therefore be it
Resolved that the Bicycle Advisory Council recommends that on any street with a
traffic volume of over 2,000 cars per day that on-street parking be permitted only where the
remaining travel space includes at least 12 feet per travel direction, considering that on-street
parking is 8 feet wide.
DN went on to list examples of current widths,volumes,and parking:
College Avenue is 33 feet wide. Volume has been measured at over 3,500 cars per day.
With parking on both sides there is only 17 feet of total clear travel space or 8.5 feet per lane.
Traffic includes many bikes,buses,delivery vehicles,as well as commuting cars.
Dryden Road in the 100 block is 31 feet wide and has one sided parking,leaving the
equivalent of two 11 foot lanes on a steep curving hill again with many bikes, large vehicles,
and almost exclusively through traffic. No volume data
t
Dryden Road in the 200 block is 32 feet wide and allows parking on both sides, leaving
only 8 feet clear travel space per travel direction. Bicycles and commercial deliveries are
frequent on this hill.
Buffalo Street between Stewart avenue and Meadow Street allows parking on both
sides. On the hill it is 34 feet, so there are 18 feet total or only 9 feet clear travel space per
lane, despite the heavy traffic and steep gradient. On the level part it is 36 feet wide, leaving
10 feet clear width per travel direction. In front of the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School
the volume has been measured at over nearly 7,500 vehicles per day including school buses and
parents dropping off or picking up children.
South Albany Street is 30 or 31 feet wide, I believe,and it has parking on one side
leaving 22 or 23 feet of clear width or 10 to 10.5 feet width each direction. South Albany Street
carries 10 to 13 thousand vehicle per day.
University Avenue between Lake Street and Cornell Avenue is about 30 feet wide from
the curb to the utility poles on the opposite side. Parking is allowed on both sides. Cars
currently extend beyond the utility poles into the street by a couple feet, although if vegetation
were pruned they might not need to. So there's now about 10 feet of safe travel space in each
direction. the volume is over 6,000 cars per day. This is an important commuter route for cars
and bikes.
Dey Street, like Buffalo Street downtown is 36' wide with parking on both sides,
leaving 10 feet clear space each direction. Dey street carries over 3000 vehicles per day
including buses and DPW trucks to their garages,traffic to and from route 13,and bikes to
Stewart Park.
Lincoln Street between Dey and Cayuga is 34 feet wide and has parking on one side. It
carries 2100 vehicles per day,and is an important connecting link for bicycle as well as some
motor vehicle traffic. The clear space per lane is 13 feet which is good.
6.SUPPORT LETTER FOR LANSING BIKE LANES
AR brought the draft of a letter supporting the provision of bicycle lanes along N.
Triphammer Rd. when that street is reconstructed. The Village of Lansing is sympathetic to
the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians along this roadway, and is applying for federal money
to help fund suitable sidewalks and bike paths. AR felt that a letter from the BAC might help
support that application for funding. We approved his wording without changes,and agreed to
add to the letter the notation that approval to send this letter in the name of the BAC was
voted unanimously,5-0-0. The wording is given above.
7.LINN ST.BRIDGE RESOLUTION
This resolution had also been distributed by e-mail. It was more extensively amended,
and passed 5-0-0. Text is in Summaries,above.
8.MEMBERSHIP ISSUES
LC's term expires at the end of 1996 and she is not asking to be reappointed,although
she is willing to serve until a replacement is appointed. This leaves 3 vacancies on a 7 member
board. JM said that the Mayor does not intend to make appointments until January. AR
proposed the BAC Membership resolution stated in the Summaries above,and it was approved
4-1-0.
9.BIKE PLAN
In Rick Manning's absence,JM summarized progress as best he could. The draft is being
made final. T&W are trying for completion by the end of the month. From there it goes to the
Planning Board,which will draft a resolution making a recommendation to Common Council.
10.MEEIIIG TIMES
AR noted that we have not had very good attendance at the new first Thursday
meeting time(we've never had a quorum),and proposed that we meet only once a month,on the
•
\ k), III
i
Uphill Bikeway
�
Ithaca Bicycle Plan P Y ) I
On-road space for cyclists on steep hills with medium or high traffic
• volumes where there is not sufficient space for bike lanes on both the : •
Bikeway Route Network uphill and downhill sides of the road. Treatments vary depending on y, \ ` /
the street width and parking program. They include a bike lane on the \ ^ \r/' ' \ / \
%.
'\
Phase Two (Long Term) uphill side of the roadway and a wide,shared lane on the downhill \p '��
side of the roadway,or a wide,shared lane on the uphill side of the i'
November 14, 1996 roadway and standard width lane on the downhill side of the roadway. � %'
Bicycle Boulevard 9� \
Prepared for: City of Ithaca A bicycle boulevard is a shared roadway where bicycle-friendly traffic ,, ) I
Department of Planning and Development calming techniques are incorporated into the streetscape design to Cayuga Iakt _ ,
P by: Trowbridge Landscape entering traveling through neighbor- Black Diamond Trail(Pro ,sect- /, i—'t,
Prepared b Trowbrid e&Wolf Landsca a Architects slow the traffic enterin and travelin throw h residential nei hbor- "I ...gr ' \ `
IMC Consulting Group Inc. hoods. Techniques may include gateways at transitions from state Tr■il(Proposed) ` gre a""' F g
(/
roads to local roads,bike lanes,traffic circles,speed humps,bump- 'wn N u o l l
\ F16RTTSRI D' 'IR nn 1 _
outs,medians,and chicanes. A bicycle boulevard is implemented in „ RI 1 111 1.
Bikewa Ma L end RTAT MARINE PARK . I1 '\\
Y p � areas where a neighborhood-wide approach to calm traffic is being M �
AI 1.1 rA AM � NN(
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(with`Share the Road'Signs) Y - j — NLR 511N 1.11.1 i, > - �••_••1
Shared Roadwa • Vt.. ,.,,R.I: .111 1 t\
NAIr
Commonly used routes where.most cyclists can comfortably share \ ( i I,1 _. /11 r (e_�1 f
❑ ❑❑ H bred Lane CACS PARR - IAII IIIfIRS11N AVE I /
Y street space with motorists due to low to medium traffic volumes and \_. • Rp l 7 ( ■♦ % 1
1 0.••• 'REF
Uphill Bikeway low to moderate speeds. j \ ■• * o•+*• y �� IF E�. ♦ r rn�_�.. �` :
• • • Bicycle Boulevard One-way Streets-Bicycles Excepted j !` 's `t ,--- / '.`l q \ ' 1
(Through Traffic-Calmed Neighborhoods) One-way streets can provide continuity to the bicycle network by *\ /
signing to allow cyclists to ride the against the one-way flow of motor 1 —1\- .b ARML j - 1
Shared Roadway vehicles. The route should be relatively short,provide an important 1 -/ R'""RLT 4 OAIP NS ST i •
link or connection in the overall network and have low traffic b f� ,I . "o i l- -5\` < coRNFLL ■■■i i i
'm'
I'
Uphill Bikeway 1
Ithaca Bicycle Plan On-road space for cyclists on steep hills with medium or high traffic \\ I I
volumes where there is not sufficient space for bike lanes on both the \ •
Bikeway Route Network uphill and downhill sides of the road. Treatments vary depending on I \
the street width and parking program. They include a bike lane on the s3 \\ • \ t
Phase One (Short Term) uphill side of the roadway and a wide,shared lane on the downhill _ ` \ " \o y \ ��
side of the roadway,or a wide,shared lane on the uphill side of the
November 14, 1996 roadway and standard width lane on the downhill side of the roadway. _\ / \ ./
Bicycle Boulevard C l '
Prepared for: City of Ithaca A bicycle boulevard is a shared roadway where bicycle-friendly traffic o l'
Department of Planning and Development calming techniques are incorporated into the streetsca a design to Black Diamoad Cayuga inlet
P g P g 9 � P g \ Trail(Proposed) Tr An •. .I-
Prepared by: Trowbridge&Wolf Landscape Architects slow the traffic entering and traveling through residential neighbor- Trail(Proposed) r,a,, ) r I g
l- .
IMC Consulting Group Inc. hoods. Techniques may include gateways at transitions from state o ,,, _ [
roads to local roads,bike lanes,traffic circles,speed hums,bump- 11f rs Inrr.MD '•
l
C�lr11PpPp ...: '
S+ _rd_ a P- .rArc SI.(a1XE IARA V '111X11. O
' TIUNI
AIAN tl.rat A n
outs,medians,and chicanes. A bicycle boulevard is implemented in \ NI
Bikeway Map Legend areas where a neighborhood-wide approach to calm traffic is being "'
implemented. \ 1'r, -•• 1-/1''\ \ o\T_ a
•■■M Bike Lanes/Striped Shoulders �, XEwsL,NCOIr ,1 •
1 — COVE. 1 IIAI'l, (
(with`Share the Road'Signs) Shared Roadway : ` f NX:11 • . `> ` wAT � ' `�I
('A55 PANX SI ItmN. --- TIN '
- Commonly used routes where most cyclists can comfortably share I aSLOX '
O 0 0 0 Hybrid Lane )_.--\ - re° `"u c'tow })p 1
street space with motorists due to low to medium traffic volumes and " +, •, cREEk
•"' " Uphill Bikeway low to moderate speeds.
• • • Bicycle Boulevard One-way Streets-Bicycles Excepted . , a ��, <, S e -- 1 I �4, --\
One-way streets can provide continuity to the bicycle network by 1 � s 1
(Through Traffic-Calmed Neighborhoods) ( ( \ • ANUI 1 /
•
signing to allow cyclists to ride the against the one-way flow of motor ■t■KIT ' s, y,,l ,t sr =/ TTT w
Shared Roadway vehicles. The route should be relatively short,provide an important It t % ) ■(tea" N c j TOWER ROAD 1
Lro-Tgi;.."-. .111.11.1"'m ■
vol or connection in the overall network and have low traffic 1 q / \-1,,,,,c., < oN'rEasITM
One-way Streets-Bicycles Excepted .: /, I ,, 1
volumes. ��� to _
Multi-Use Trail Multi-Use Trail ,(i /�. 5 � � l� -
(Existing and Proposed) 1 _ A I . •
An off-road trail intended to be shared by pedestrians,joggers, / cAUAIXIS.t f• r \j -c DnAA
o O O 0 Connecting Route with Parking/Space Conflicts cyclists,in-line skaters,families with strollers and wheelchair users. t 1 f,c _.3 -i-— -- , J : .„0,. ,. .
. , To reduce conflicts among users,the trails should be wide enough to I s - � .1 �r t.,�
* Bikes-on-Buses Transfer Station allow passing(preferred,width of 10 ft.;12 ft.wide in areas of high -lF" _,± • r, ° w a
ti 1
$ • a enrAw sr,- •< ..
ailCentral Business District - , use) In intensively-used areas,a separate pedestrian trail pwith a i F_ o+ 14 a , i A at• ,y .sS R ..E SEN C ST ".a g
gravel native soil or bark mulch surface should be developed. g � � east utn EA.�■Continuing Bikeway ,*°''i.*'' NOpa r(KE / •� .sure�� Ys a ', p •• Recreationally
Connecting Rot with Parking/Space Conflicts 'vr • 1s ,. `
(Into neighboring jurisdiction-by others) ..: / 4 ' � 4'.r, . d --tilt-mat�sr 1 ----
Commonly used route or destination where major streetscape t y
4� •( ` : reconstruction is required to provide adequate space for bicycles, _� •..... t'"T•nr w.a.mroN —„ _ c ' •
Description of Bikeway Types parking and motor vehicles. ^° • aX.,wlAsr 4'4.Bikes-on-Buses-Key Transfer Stops .i 'i,/ ` cT` ( !
Bike Lanes/Striped Shoulders ! ,r/ / I � - Nf \ J -
A bike lane is a lane for the exclusive use of bicycles delineated by a Bikes can be mounted on buses at any bus stop. However,key 1 c J L_-- s
y y transfer stops are proposed at the foot of steep hills,where a high ! �L_ „i,,o,r t �' , i'
six-inch stripe,bicycle symbols and/or signs.The recommended 1
level of use of the bikes-on-buses racks is anticipated. Recommended > •• " s �� J \
width of a bike lane is five feet. Six feet is preferred where traffic 1 =.,_•• • - •-•-"-"- "''
key transfer stops are: I -
volumes and speeds are.high and ample on-road space exists. Four _•, °„o•/ / r I_l
feet is the minimum allowable width. Many of the bike lanes East Hill- East Green Street at Woolworths �- to-+•! ,/ r.7�AG J _
s -South Hill- South Aurora Street at the east end of the Commons StEADON mom 1--,sD A,, South tun
identified in the plan are to be created by converting existing fourteen slack— coRMEaOAL DISTRICT f� 00 ` IC- Recreation Way
foot outside lanes to a ten foot travel lane and a four foot striped West Hill West State Street at the Bus Station Diamond l/ \
The key transfer stops should provide space and shelter for cyclists to Trail ♦ /•, • / l '
Flood Control / . \
outside lane. These lanes will be marked with a six inch stripe (proposed)" Dike trait ♦� / )
wait with comfortably off the roadway and adequate bicycle parking.
(measured from the center of the stripe)and signed with`Share the � y y q y P g' / (Proposed) ..� 1A-49.•`'' ;"
Road'signs. Central Business District r ,.44:i,: l ,
Urban design and traffic operations should balance the needs of •_ • • i +,
Hybrid Lanes ;, pedestrians cyclists and motorists to access the downtown,and ••i' •j /. ` )
The hybrid lane is a new pavement marking strategy for travel lanes enhance the attractiveness of the district. Gateways into the Central �. ••' / II / N
that are commonly shared by bicycles and motor vehicles. The Business District should announce to motorists that they are entering r P•• S 9 cou.EiE _
`bicycle pavementmarking arrow'is applied towards the right edge of a zone of concentrated pedestrian and bicycle traffic with a high t y/ f`
the travel lane to indicate the travel corridor that bicyclists are most turnover of parked cars. Bicycle and pedestrian-friendly traffic .\ 4.;, d % J'
likely to use: It is used in conjunction with`Share the Road'signs. calming measures should be considered for use in the CBD. •'�•�i•�...•' c /
Hybrid lanes are proposed on streets where there is not enough road 1orrEaAm X'AI LS
space to provide a four or five foot striped bike lane but where traffic
Continuing Bikeway • STATE PARE
volumes and/or speeds warrant some treatment to guide bicyclists and Bikeways that connect to existing and proposed county and state SDU 211U11
motorists. bikeway routes and trails outside the boundaries of the City of Ithaca.
ill - 0 F IINIII 3000 5000 Fr
l
third Thursday, as we originally did. He suggested that this would probably make it
necessary to have the meeting last more than an hour and a half. The Council agreed in a voice
vote to drop the first Thursday meeting date and allow the meeting to continue to 2-1/2 hours if
warranted.
11.FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
JM followed up on some of the matters he was pursuing for the Council.
Dave Abbot, the owner of the Woolworth's store, has refused to allow bicycle racks to
be installed on Woolworth's property between the parking lot and the bus shelter. He fears the
rack would attract nuisance people that he wouldn't want in the store. The City may be forced
to sacrifice a parking space to make room for the bike rack.
Rick Farrell has had too many other pressing matters to get the bike racks erected on
the Commons,but is aware of the matt ""'ifl get to it as soon as possible. The same goes for the
signs at entrances to the City notifying drivers of the shared roadway with bikes.
The Mayor's veto of the two Planner II positions was not overridden by Common
Council. JM is not sure how long he will be able to provide staffing for the BAC.
JM also presented a spreadsheet listing all "yellow ticket" Bicycle Facility
Improvement Requests and their resolution. BAC members agreed that the spreadsheet looked
very useful. AR would like to expand and modify it so that BAC priority issues can be kept
within the BPW's attention horizon.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
Approval of Minutes
Announcements
Bike Plan progress
Octopus striping resolution(30')
Odd-even parking and room for bicyclists
Expanding BAC's charter to include pedestrians'concerns
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE BAC
RM:Follow up on lane striping for parking on Seneca,Green,and Buffalo Sts.,near
Fulton and Meadow.(9/19)
RC:Revised draft of a BAC resolution expanding the concerns to include pedestrians.
(9/19)
All members:Review these minutes and transmit corrections to DK before next meeting.
(continuing)
All members:Send comments on proposed wordings of resolutions to the authors by e-
mail. (10/17)
All members: Please send revisions for the draft Bike Plan to Rick Manning or
dlk @lns598.lns.cornell.edu so they can be combined to a single set of recommendations. Do it
very soon, as little time is left.
ACTION ITEMS FOR ION MUGS
Has the mayor appointed a BPW liaison yet? (9/19)
Status of PK-S's resignation. Are new appointments in the works?(9/19)
Placing bike racks at Woolworth(passed by BPW)(9/19)
Adding racks on the Commons(passed by BPW)(9/19)
Shared roadway signs at City entrances (passed by BPW) (9/19)
Obtain pens for the white board(10/17)
-- Minutes prepared by David Kreinick
David L. Kreinick, 14:09 3/15/97 -05, Revised final draft of 20Feb19
From: "David L. Kreinick" <dlk @1ns598 . 1ns .cornell .edu>
Date : Sat, 15 Mar 1997 14 : 09 :33 -0500
To: 104607 . 365 @compuserve.com, RCGray @aol .com,
dlk @1ns598 . ins .cornell .edu,
jonm @ci . ithaca.ny.us, lec4 @cornell .edu, manning @lightlink.com,
rcithaca @aol .com, ruina @cornell .edu, slwl5 @cornell .edu,
ymnl @cornell .edu
Subject: Revised final draft of 20Feb1997 minutes for 20Mar meeting
The only suggested change was the wording of the discussion in
Section 4 of the TOPS sewer grates .
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 20 February 1997
Present: D. Kreinick, A. Ruina, S. Wold
Also: R. Gray, R. Manning, J. Meigs, D. Nutter
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
No votes this month.
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6 : 15 PM.
1. AGENDA
2 . Minutes
3 . Announcements
4 . BPW matters
5 . Membership issues
6 . Octopus shared lane stencilling
7 . Bike plan progress
We agreed to postpone discussion of pedestrian issues and the safe
street
width resolution because the proponents had not made revised proposals .
2 . MINUTES
The minutes were approved with some substantive changes in the
wording of our quorum rules .
3 . ANNOUNCEMENTS
AR will have only two more BAC meetings before he resigns to
move
to Finland.
RIBS needs some adult volunteers to help fill the gap caused by
Andy' s departure. Someone capable of taking a leadership role would be
very helpful .
SW announced that as part of the Earth Day celebration on the
Commons (Tues . April 22 to Sat . April 26) , plans are being made for a
bicycle ride on Saturday April 26 . Contact Sandy if you are
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonmOci.ithaca.ny.us> 1
p
Manning by March 3 . You will receive copies of the draft the week of
24
Feb.
ACTION ITEMS FOR JON MEIGS
Find out when the mayor will appointed a BPW liaison. (9/19)
Ask the mayor when new BAC appointments will be made (9/19)
Obtain approval for placing bike racks at Woolworth (passed by
BPW,
BAC) (9/19)
Encourage BPW to install additional racks on the Commons
(passed by
BPW) (9/19)
Encourage BPW to install shared roadway signs at City entrances
(9/19)
Obtain pens for the white board (10/17)
Monthly report on the status of all BPW "yellow card" bicycle
action requests, what new requests have come in and which have been
serviced.
-- Minutes prepared by David Kreinick 25 Feb 1997, revised 15 March
1997
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonmeci.ithaca.ny.us> 4
deadline for comments is Monday March 3 . Rick will then present the
completed plan for adoption at the final Client Committee meeting on at
5PM
March 20 .
The plan calls for a 3 ' 6" wide stencil of the standard shared
lane
marking, an arrow with a bike rider inside it, to be put at the right
side
of shared lanes . These stencils are warranteed for four years, making
them
much more durable than lane stripings . Some of the proposed bike
routes
would be marked this way, others would have regular striped bike lanes .
In
both cases, the centerlines of the lanes would be moved over so that
bike
lanes could be added in the future simply by painting the stripes,
without
having to move the centerline.
Although bicyclists tend to prefer marked bike lanes to the
shared
lane stencils, the city is worried about the added maintenance of
restriping the lanes and concerned about marking a rather narrow 10 '
car
travelling lane. AR, SW, and DN felt striped lanes were far
preferable
and we should hold out for them, or at least bargain starting from that
position. RM, DK and JM felt that shared lane markings were a
reasonable
compromise that everyone can live with. All agreed that if there is
less
than 14 ' to be divided between cars and bikes, it isn' t safe to mark a
bicycle route.
Meeting adjourned at 7 : 45 .
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
Announcements
Bike Plan progress
Odd-even parking and room for bicyclists
Expanding BAC ' s charter to include pedestrians ' concerns
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE BAC
RC : Revised draft of a BAC resolution expanding the concerns to
include pedestrians . (9/19)
All members : Review these minutes and transmit corrections to
DK
before next meeting. (continuing)
All members : Please send comments on the draft Bike Plan to
Rick
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonm@ci.ithaca.ny.us> 3
interested.
4 . BPW MATTERS
The BPW has not been sending agendas or minutes to Andy. Now
that
he is departing, the group appointed DK to receive these in his stead.
DK
will attempt to convince the secretary to send the documentation.
The sewer grates in front of TOPS are supposed to have metal
strips
between sections to prevent capturing bicycle tires . Several of these
metal strips are missing, which represents a hazard to cyclists . One
cyclist has been thrown. This needs repairing.
A half-inch high granite border on the bus turnout on College
Ave
in front of the Performing Arts center has toppled one rider and
knocked
another off balance. This small step between the asphalt and the
granite
needs attention.
5 . MEMBERSHIP ISSUES
DN has submitted a formal request to be reappointed to the BAC .
We have received no word about a BPW liason to the BAC, and no
BAC
member has been attending BPW meetings regularly.
JM' s job continues to the end of 1997, with 5 hours/week
dedicated
to staffing the BAC .
AR proposed that BAC members and interested parties send e-mail
to
the mayor requesting that appointments be made to fill the four
positions
on the BAC which are either already vacant or will be in two months .
6 . OCTOPUS SHARED LANE STENCILLING
Our resolution on stencilling the Octopus area was distributed
last
month. We hope our position will be supported at the next Client
Committee
meeting, Feb. 24 and by the Planning Board in its Feb. 25 meeting. RM
will
draft a letter supporting the implementation of bike stencils, which he
hopes Thys VanCort will revise and send to the DOT' s Moynihan.
7 . BIKE PLAN
RM will revise the text of the draft Bike Plan and distribute
it
for comments to the Client Committee, the BAC, and others next Monday.
The
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonm@ci.ithaca.ny.us> 2
N .
David L. Kreinick, 22:32 9/8/97 -040, Revised draft BAC Minutes 21 A
From: "David L. Kreinick" <dlk @1ns598 . ins .cornell .edu>
Date : Mon, 8 Sep 1997 22 :32 : 59 -0400
To : 104607 .365 @compuserve .com, RCGray @aol .com, bdh3 @cornell .edu,
dlk2 @cornell .edu, dlk @mail . lns .cornell .edu,
efroymso @clarityconnect.com, jonm @ci . ithaca.ny.us,
lec4 @cornell .edu,
ljvl @cornell .edu, manning @lightlink.com,
mccaslan @clarityconnect .com,
rcithaca @aol .com, ruina @cornell .edu, slw15 @cornell .edu,
ymnl @cornell .edu
Subject: Revised draft BAC Minutes 21 Aug 1997
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council
Minutes of Meeting 21 August 1997
Present: R. Chapman, D. Kreinick, S . Wold
Also: R. Gray, B. Harrington, D. Kay, Margaret McCasland, J. Meigs, D.
Nutter
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
MEETING TIME: Beginning in September, the BAC will meet at 6 : 00
on
the SECOND Thursday of the month in the conference room behind the
Common
Council chamber. Next meeting is therefore Sept . 11 .
SPENCER RD. ISLAND: The BAC voted 3-0 to send a letter to the
BPW
requesting that a passthrough for bicyclists and pedestrians be put on
both
sides of the new island.
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6 : 15 PM.
AGENDA
1 . Review of BPW-Planning Board Joint Meeting
2 . New Meeting Time
3 . Accident Statistics
4 . Two for two
5 . Progress on Action Items
6 . BAC Membership
7 . Spencer Rd. Island
8 . Liason work
9 . Progress in Surrounding Municipalities
1 . REVIEW OF BPW-PLANNING BOARD JOINT MEETING
D. Kay felt the joint meeting led to a useful discussion. The
BPW
showed a more organized set of concerns . One BPW member was opposed to
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonm@ci.ithaca.ny.us> 1
doing anything for such a small minority as bicyclists, but the others
appeared to favor the bike plan. The Mayor and S . Ehrhardt, were
initially
reluctant to adopt plans they might have to change later, but their
fears
seemed to be calmed. There is still some worry about liability, which
will
require the City Attorney to resolve. The BPW did not want any further
joint meetings for now, which means the Planning Board will carry the
ball
for the next months .
SW also felt the committee members were generally supportive.
SW' s
petitions and literature appeared to reassure the boards that there
really
was a bicycling constituency anxious for progress on the Bike Plan.
MM was also at the meeting and agrees that the boards were
generally supportive . She feels we need to do a more effective job of
lobbying. Can we do a survey to estimate how many people use bicycles?
JM was somewhat less convinced that the BPW was committed to
actually implementing the improvements outlined in the bike plan.
RC commented that he did an informal survey at the High School
and
elsewhere near the end of the school year, simply by counting bikes in
the
rack. There were relatively few (8-9) .
D.Kay attempted to get John Forester ' s class involved in doing
a
survey of bike usage last year, and got little response. Perhaps he ' ll
try
again this year. A survey of households would be useful, MM feels, if
we
could get believable results easily. SW listed some of the people we
could
contact for help, including Lois Chaplin, Scott Witham, Scott Fuller,
David
Boyd' s office.
2 . NEW MEETING TIME
Since the full BAC membership was present, and we had John
Efroymson' s schedule in hand, we were able to agree on a new meeting
time .
Starting next month, until further notice, we will meet on the SECOND
Thursday of the month, same time, same place as usual .
SW agreed to check with L. Vargas to be sure the new meeting
time
was acceptable to him. RC will notify JE.
3 . ACCIDENT STATISTICS
D.Kreinick contacted L. Chaplin about getting believable
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonm@ci.ithaca.ny.us> 2
accident
statistics, but a further meeting is necessary to draft a plan. A
survey
done of Emergency rooms and convenient care centers showed a
bicycle-car
accident rate of about one accident per month. DK can' t believe such a
low
number.
Various suggestions, for example, getting the dispatcher ' s
records,
or doing a house-to-house survey were made .
4 . TWO FOR TWO
Once again, we were unable to get our hands on the old
two-for-two
resolution. No one volunteered to draft proposed legislation for
Common
Council .
5 . PROGRESS ON ACTION ITEMS
Woolworth bike racks : Perhaps we should go ahead and install
racks
even though the bus shelter is to be redone next year.
Commons bike racks : Still no action despite promises for
months .
The BAC should probably pass another resolution requesting prompt
action.
Bicycle warning signs at city entrances : Same story. Dan Cole
hasn' t yet specified which signs to use.
6 . BAC MEMBERSHIP
The mayor intends to make BAC appointments of people who will
favor
expanding the role of the BAC to include pedestrian' s concerns .
Various
members feared that this would dilute our energies; others felt a
broader
constituency would give us more believability. Meanwhile, we still
intend
to recommend some bicycle advocates for appointment to the Council .
7 . SPENCER RD. ISLAND
DN discovered that traffic patterns on Spencer Rd were changed
yesterday. A formal 90-day trial will begin next week, and for this
purpose a temporary island was installed at the intersection of Spencer
Rd.
and S . Meadow St. This island is to prevent traffic from going
straight
through on Spencer: both eastbound and westbound traffic are forced to
leave Spencer Rd. and travel north on S . Meadow. Southbound traffic on
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonm@ci.ithaca.ny.us> 3
•
S.
Meadow can go either east or west on Spencer. The section of Spencer
between S . Meadow and Stone Quarry Rd. has been opened for traffic both
ways .
The island presents a problem for bicyclists . Eastbound
cyclists
can get through the intersection on a bike-lane width paved shoulder
beside
the island. But westbound cyclists must turn onto S . Meadow St. with
the
car traffic, or weave awkwardly and illegally around the island to
continue
on Spencer Rd.
DN suggested that the BAC write a letter immediately (before
the
official trial period begins) to request a westbound passthrough for
bikes
and pedestrians on the island. The BAC voted 3-0-0 to send such a
letter.
SW agreed to draft it, and DN, MM, and DKreinick agreed to look it over
by
e-mail so that it could be sent the next day.
8 . LIASON WORK
DN is no longer able to afford the time to monitor all the
Boards
whose work affects bicyclists, Dan Coles, the BPW, Planning Bd, etc .
They
must be monitored if the BAC is to be effective . We need to get
organized
and attend public sessions regularly and contact secretaries for
agendas
and minutes . MM expressed a willingness to help.
9 . PROGRESS IN SURROUNDING MUNICIPALITIES
DN also reported major progress in the Village of Cayuga
Heights,
in the Town of Ithaca, and at Cornell . Cayuga Heights approved funding
for
improvements to N. Triphammer Rd. which include 10 ' wide lanes and
curbs
for traffic calming, and 5 ' wide shoulders paved so that bicycles can
travel them. This is supposed to happen next year. A strong lobbying
effort led by DN gained this result.
The Town of Ithaca has put shoulders on Pleasant Grove Rd.
Cornell
has opened two new sections of Tower Rd. with striped bicycle lanes .
After
watching these latter in action, DN thinks they work well . They serve
as
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonm@ci.ithaca.ny.us> 4
an example of what can be done -- perhaps even the City will take note !
Meeting adjourned at 7 : 45 .
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
Announcements
Bike Plan progress
Draft resolution reserving 2% of traffic money for bicycle
traffic
Draft resolution requesting prompt installation of bike racks
on
the Commons and at Woolworths, and timely installation of shared
roadway
signs at city entrances .
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE BAC
RC : Revised draft of a BAC resolution expanding the concerns to
include pedestrians . (9/19)
All members : Review these minutes and transmit corrections to
dlk @mail . lns .cornell .edu before next meeting. (continuing)
Lobby the Planning Board, BPW, and Common Council in favor of
the
Bike Plan.
Draft the two resolutions mentioned above .
ACTION ITEMS FOR JON MEIGS
a) Ask the mayor when new BAC appointments will be made (9/19)
b) Follow the progress of bike racks at Woolworth (passed by
BPW,
BAC) (9/19)
c) Follow the progress of bike racks on the Commons (passed by
BPW)
(9/19)
d) Encourage BPW to install shared roadway signs at City
entrances
(9/19)
e) Monthly report on the status of all BPW "yellow card"
bicycle
action requests, what new requests have come in and which have been
serviced.
-- Minutes prepared by David Kreinick 26 August 1997 , revised 8 Sept
1997
Printed for Jon Meigs <jonm@ci.ithaca.ny.us> 5
Passed by a vote of 5-0-1 at the April 8, 1999 meeting of the Bicycle & Pedestrian
Advisory Council.
Friday, April 09, 1999
1. Whereas, City of Ithaca neighborhoods currently are experiencing numerous traffic-
related problems, including excessive speed, congestion, and lack of adherence to
traffic regulations, and
2. Whereas,the Ithaca Neighborhoods Council has recently considered the issue of
excessive speed on the streets of the City of Ithaca, and
3. Whereas,the Ithaca Neighborhoods Council, on January 13, 1999 recommended to
the Mayor and members of Common Council a citywide speed limit of 25 miles per
hour, and
4. Whereas,the Bicycle& Pedestrian Advisory Council of the City of Ithaca is charged
with considering issues relevant to bicyclists and pedestrians, and
5. Whereas, reduced speed would increase safety for residents,pedestrians, and
bicyclists by reducing the potential for motor vehicle/pedestrian and motor
vehicle/bicycle accidents on residential side streets as well as on city thoroughfares,
therefore
Be it resolved that The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Council, on the whole, supports
the Ithaca Neighborhoods Council's recommendations as contained in their letter dated
January 13, 1999 to the Mayor and Common Council, and which is included as part of
this resolution, and,
Be it further resolved that, if efforts through the NYS Department of Transportation or
the State Legislature to enact a city-wide speed limit less than 30 mph prove unsuccessful
or involve a significant delay, the Bicycle& Pedestrian Advisory Council requests the
City of Ithaca to act on its own under existing law to lower the speed limit on a network
of individual streets on the basis of designation as bikeways.
TO: Mayor Alan Cohen
Members, Common Council
FROM: Members, Ithaca Neighborhoods Council
DATE: January 13, 1999
As a step toward better protection from the adverse impacts of automobile and truck
traffic on our neighborhoods and homes, the Ithaca Neighborhoods Council urges the
adoption by the City Of Ithaca, of a citywide speed limit of 25 miles per hour. This
maximum limit on vehicular speed should be applied to all streets within the city, with
the exception of the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of Meadow Street, the 300 and 400
blocks of Elmira Road, and those sections of NYS Rte. 13 which are classed as limited
access highway.
The Council offers the following rationales for such a reduction in speed:
• Reduced speed would increase safety for residents, pedestrians and bicyclists by
reducing the potential for motor vehicle/pedestrian and motor vehicle/bicycle
accidents on residential side streets as well as on city thoroughfares.
• Reduced speed would result in reduced noise generated by motor vehicle traffic
passing through residential areas. One of the primary sources of road noise are
vehicle tires, which generate higher levels of noise as vehicle speed increases.
• A speed limit of 25 miles per hour would be especially effective in reducing the
adverse impacts of excessive traffic and speed on those neighborhoods along such
streets as East State Street, South Aurora Street, Hector Street and Cliff Street.
These streets serve as major entries into the city, and they are also characterized by
long stretches of road without traffic signals or other restrictions on drivers' speed.
According to Department of Public Works data,the median speeds on these streets
many times exceed 35 miles per hour. With a 25 miles per hour speed limit, police
will be able to more effectively protect these neighborhoods from the adverse
impacts of excessive vehicular speeds.
• Reduced speed would benefit drivers by reducing the potential for motor vehicle
accidents within the city.
We believe a 25 miles per hour speed limit in Ithaca would greatly enhance
the livability of our neighborhoods, at an extremely modest cost. It would
also benefit the pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers that daily share our streets.
We understand that the policies of the New York State Department of
Transportation may preclude authorization of a City speed limit 25 miles per
hour. Should this be the case, we believe this issue to be important enough
that we urge you to request through our State Assembly and Senate
legislators authorization under municipal home rule to enact a speed limit of
25 miles per hour.
The Neighborhoods Council looks forward to working with the Mayor and
Common Council in our efforts to protect Ithaca's neighborhoods, and to
enhance the quality of life for all city residents.
Xc:
Annie Ball,Titus Towers Tenants'Association
Margot Brinn,Hector Street Neighborhood Association
•
Gail Brisson,First Street Civic Association
Steven Ehrhardt,Board of Public Works
George Frantz. West Hill Civic Association
Ralph Jones,West Hill Civic Association
Bonnie Blanding May,Northside Neighborhood Association
Rick Rogers,Titus Flats
Regi Teasley, Six Mile Creek Traffic Crisis Team
Leslie Chatterton,Department of Planning&Development
Richard Basile,Chief,Ithaca Police Department
William Gray,PE, Superintendent of Public Works
1
I
,
� ^ is 0 J1
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Counc .,.l,
Minutes of Meeting 15 August 1996 jr (41.4111
Present: R. Chapman, D. Kreinick, S. Wold
Also: D. Nutter, J. Meigs, R. Gray, D. Streater, R. Manning
The meeting was called to order at 6:15 PM. We did not have a quorum.
1. AGENDA
We followed the agenda
6:15 Announcements
6:25 Seneca and Green Sts. between Meadow and Fulton
6:45 Meeting schedule and membership
6:50 Bike plan report •
7:00 Expanding BAC to include pedestrians' concerns
7:10 Traffic calming guidelines
7:30 Adjourn
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS
JM noted that the Transit Center is having a Bikes on Busses Gala
celebration Aug. 20 from noon to 1 PM.
DN was concerned about whether a new neighborhood parking plan has
to be in place before Bike Plan routes can be designed. JM will check
into the question of how parking regulations interact with the Bike
Plan.
Rick Farrel, the assistant superintendant for streets and
facilities has not yet gotten to adding bicycle racks to the Commons,
nor has the Department yet repaired the bike/pedestrian traffic button
at Dey St. and Rte. 13. (JM)
DN asked about progress on our suggestion last month for bike
racks at Woolworth's. Tentatively, the racks are to be installed on the
grassy area near the bus stop, but JM has not yet been able to get in
touch with the owner to make final plans.
3. SENECA and GREEN STS. BETWEEN MEADOW AND FULTO}
DOT has been requested to permit parking on the south side of
Seneca and the north side of Green St. as the eventual configuration of
these streets once octopus construction is complete. The streets are
30-1/2' and 31' wide. DOT plans a 7' parking space on the left side of
the one way street, a 10' travelling lane, and a 13-1/2' shared
automobile - bicycle lane on the right, with a similar layout on Green
St. DN feels it is dangerous to have a rather narrow parking lane next
to a narrow fast travel lane, and fears there will be pressure to widen
this travelling lane at the expense of room for bicycles. T&W had been
planning to recommend that Seneca and Green Sts. be striped with bicycle
lanes in its Bike Plan. If the 13-1/2 - 14' right lane is sacrificed,
this would present a problem for the Plan.
JM has heard that the DOT is looking favorably on the request for
a parking lane, which may indicate they are not so worried about 7'
parking next to a 10' travel lane.
RM thinks maybe the City can stripe a real 4' wide bicycle lane
and divide the remaining 27-1/2' for automobile parking and travel. The
City -- Tom West -- is uncomfortable with 10' lanes. 10' does seem
pretty narrow for a major through traffic route.
Our options would appear to be (1) Request that parking not be
allowed, or (2) go along with this plan, expressing our concern that the
space for bicycles not be narrowed. We must make a resolution before
Sept. 2 to be in time for the Council meeting. JM will poll BAC members
to see when we could meet to draft and vote on a resolution.
4. )EETING SCHEDULE AND MEMBERSHIP
a
Before he went off on vacation, AR suggested by e-mail that the
BAC meet twice a month. With the bike plan developing, things are
happening faster than we are able to deal with them. SW made this a
formal proposal. RC suggested that we schedule extra meetings on an as-
needed basis at our regular monthly meetings, but DS suggested that a
regular schedule was easier to plan and easier to get people to come to.
DK agreed that a predictable schedule would be easier for him to
arrange. There was general agreement that twice a month meetings would
be a more reasonable match to the work load, and people were willing to
attend. SW proposed Thurs. 29 Aug. 6:00 - 7:30 PM as a tentative date
for our next meeting.
Pat Karr-Segal will be submitting a resignation letter soon (JM) .
RG reported that John Roberts will also soon be submitting his
resignation.
As many as two members of the BAC are allowed to be from outside
the City. Currently, only Lois Chaplin lives outside the City. RM is
considering asking to be on the BAC.
5. BIKE PLAN REPORT
RM handed out a draft plan for continuing the public Bike Plan
meetings. There is a conflict with the waterfront plan which has caused
additional delays.
In the week of Sept. 2, the client committee and IBAC would meet
to discuss how to continue the Bike Plan process. Norma Moore is
scheduled to come the week of Sept. 23 and will bring draft education
and enforcement policies. So we could have a client committee meeting
during this week, say Thurs. Sept. 26. At that meeting we would try to
work out a route network and discuss traffic calmed streets. Several
client committee members have suggested a group bike ride on some of the
proposed routes would be helpful, along with a look at alternative bike
racks. Perhaps that could take place before the Sept. 26 meeting. At
that meeting, T&W intend to present a draft zoning ordinance requiring
bike accomodations at commercial and large residential complexes.
Perhaps Wegman's could act as a test case for developing guidelines.
The meeting would also develop a flow chart of how decisions would get
made.
A draft final report would be ready late October or early
November.
Public workshop #3 might be scheduled Wed. , Oct. 9. It would be
run by the CDRC as was workshop #2. T&W have collated the surveys from
workshop #2, and will distribute copies to the client committee and the
BAC.
DN asked if the scope of the final report was limited to the $80K
ISTEA funds. RM replied that it would be more comprehensive than that,
but it might not be a fully citywide comprehensive system.
6. $XPANDING BAC TO INCLUDE PEDESTRIANS' CONCERNS
RC handed out a preliminary draft resolution to rename and expand
the role of the Bicycle Advisory Council to include pedestrian. The
resolution (copy appended) was modelled after the original resolution
forming the BAC. He pointed out advantages in having a single council
dealing with both bicycle and pedestrian concerns. (1) In those cases
where there is a conflict between the interests of bicyclists and
pedestrians, these problems can be hashed out in a single committee,
rather than having two separate advisory groups whose recommendations
may need to be reconciled in the more contentious atmosphere of Common
Council. (2) Many concerns of cyclists and pedestrians overlap.
DK was concerned about the new requirement that all members of the
new council be City residents. Also he felt that stating 44.6% of the
journey to work trips were on foot and only 1.65% by bicycle might tend
to bias the group away from bicycle advocacy in favor of a more
pedestrian focus.
SW felt that each member of the new committee would have to
represent both transportation modes.
RC commented that the requirement of city residency was
deliberate, although he recognized that the non-city members have been
extremely valuable to the BAC.
DN asked if the new council was intended to supercede the current
BAC. RC thought that the current BAC is geared toward implementation of
the Bike Plan, with perhaps a little followup, and hence it might
naturally be winding down now. DN felt a continuing bicycle advocacy
was important.
Since time was running short, we agreed to continue discussion at
the regular September meeting, perhaps with a revised draft in hand.
7. TRAFFIC CALMING GUIDELINES
We continued on page 3 of the draft guidelines document,
discussing two more sections. SW noted that this is a very time
consuming process and suggested the formation of a subcommittee. But DN
and RC felt that it is important for the whole group to deal with this
kind of matter, so that everyone's input can be gathered. Perhaps we
should devote an entire meeting or a whole hour at the next meeting to
further discussions.
RM expressed T&W's interest in the draft and suggested a
preliminary version be given to T&W and to Norma Moore so that they can
familiarize themselves with some of the ideas while they are thinking
about the Bike Plan draft.
S. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
We agreed to shoot for an August 29th meeting, to be organized by
3M. Topics include a continuation of the Seneca/Green St. parking
discussion, and further discussion about the traffic calming guidelines.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30.
7171rt
E
City of Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Council "MAYOR'S OC
Minutes of Meeting 7 November 1996
4 NOV 51996
Present: D.Kreinick,A. Ruina, S.Wold
Also: J. Meigs, D. Nutter CITY OF IT H ACA"
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
South Hill Terrace resolution:
South Hill Terrace forms part of a desireable bike route from downtown toward
South Hill. Bicyclists can head up S.Cayuga,South Hill Terrace,Hillview,and Hudson
to avoid heavy traffic while climbing steep slopes up Prospect St. and S. Aurora. If South
Hill Terrace is made one way southbound,the BAC suggests that an exception be made
allowing bicyclists to travel northbound. We are somewhat concerned about bicyclists
getting around the corner at South Hill Terrace and S. Cayuga Sts. safely,but believe
there is room to stripe a bicycle lane northbound where parking is currently forbidden on
the curve. —
Roundabout proposal at University Ave. and Lake Rd.
The BAC generally favors the use of roundabouts as traffic calming measures which
avoid four-way stops. We see no problems for bicyclists from the proposed roundabout,
and note
*The intersection should be no worse,and perhaps better than the existing
intersection from the point of view of a bicyclist,
*It might be possible to improve the plan by sharpening the corners, which could
improve the sight lines and reduce the distances that pedestrians need to travel to get
across the roadway,
*We are concerned about this being the first roundabout to be implemented in the
City of Ithaca because of the steep slopes of the approaches to the intersection.
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
1. AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
Bike Coordinator position
Roundabout for University Ave. and one way S. Hill Terrace
Odd-Even Parking,Linn St.,and Black Diamond Trail
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes could not be approved because we lacked a quorum. We did agree to
distribute the Summary of Recommendations for 17 October immediately.
3. BICYCLE COORDINATOR POSITION
The Mayor's proposed budget appears to cut the bicycle coordinator's postion
effective Jan. 1, 1997. Nominally,JM spends 5 of his 35 weekly hours coordinating for
the BAC. We agreed to send a representative to this evening's Common Council budget
meeting to ask that the BAC coordinator position,or at least some City Hall staff support
be maintained. DN pointed out the usefulness of JM's familiarity with the projects and
issues on which the BAC has worked to date.
4. ROUNDABOUT FOR UNIVERSITY AVE.AND ONE WAY SOUTH HILL
TERRACE
The DPW supplied us with draft resolutions on two traffic issues and asked us to
comment by next Tuesday,Nov. 12. BAC members applauded the BPW for giving us a
chance to comment on these proposals before they come up for a vote.
At the intersection of University Ave.with Lake Rd. and Willard Way,the DPW
proposed replacing the two stop signs with a roundabout. This is one of the most
accident-prone intersections in Ithaca. BAC members agreed something ought to be done
and saw no problems for bicyclists with such an arrangement. Several concerns were
expressed. Sight lines are poor here. Pedestrians have an unusually long stretch of
roadway to cross at the wide intersection. Also,the terrain is very steeply sloped near this
intersection,introducing an additional danger. Eventually,we agreed on the resolution
quoted under Summary, above.
The BPW,responding to neighborhood pressure,is proposing to make South Hill
Terrace one way southbound between Hillview and S. Cayuga Sts. The purpose of this
change is to avoid two way traffic with parking on a very narrow 20'roadway and to
prevent the use of this neighborhood street by high speed traffic attempting to avoid
bottlenecks on Prospect St. and S. Aurora. BAC members pointed out that this is also an
attractive route for bicyclists, who otherwise would have to cope with heavy traffic and
steep slopes simultaneously. There appears to be enough room in a 20' width to
accomodate one lane of southbound traffic plus parking plus a path for bicycles,and we
agreed to encourage the BPW to allow bicycle traffic to travel northbound. There was
some concern about poor sight lines and a narrow roadway on the sharply curved end of
S.Hill Tern near where it meets S.Cayuga. We felt it might be possible to stripe a bike
lane for northbound cyclists,since parking is forbidden on this curved portion of the road
anyhow. Final wording of the resolution can be found in the Summary,above.
5. ODD-EVEN PARKING.LINN ST..AND BLACK DIAMOND TRAIL
DN provided a draft resolution as outlined in the 17 Oct. meeting,encouraging the
BPW to allow parking on only one side of some major streets in order to make room for
bicyclists. Because of the lack of a quorum,we did not vote formally. DN provided
numerous specific examples for the benefit of BAC members,but AR found the examples
so helpful that he encouraged DN to rewrite them more formally, so they can be used as a
supporting document to be sent with the resolution.
Action on the Linn St. bridge resolution and the Black Diamond Trail resolution
were postponed due to the lack of a quorum.
6. INFORMATION FLOW
AR requested that the BPW and the Planning Board send him(as chair of the
BAC) their agendas and their minutes. They have agreed to do so.
Future drafts of resolutions should include proposed wording for the summary as
well as for the resolution.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
Approval of Minutes
Announcements
Followup of Action Items
Bike Plan progress
Octopus striping resolution(allow 30 min)
Black Diamond Trail resolution
Linn St. bridge resolution
Odd-even parking and room for bicyclists
Expanding BAC's charter to include pedestrians'concerns
Further discussion on bicycle coordinator,S.Hill Terrace, Univ. Ave. roundabout
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE BAC _
RM: Follow up on lane striping for parking on Seneca,Green,and Buffalo Sts.,
near Fulton and Meadow. (9/19)
RC: Revised draft of a BAC resolution expanding the concerns to include
pedestrians. (9/19)
All members:Review these minutes and transmit corrections to DK before next
meeting. (10/17)
DN:Formulate a resolution requesting that when changing from odd-even parking
enough space be left on streets, accounting for traffic and gradient,to allow room for safe
bicycling. (10/17)
All members: Send comments on proposed wordings of resolutions to the authors
by e-mail. (10/17)
ACTION ITEMS FOR.TON MEIGS
Has the mayor appointed a BPW liaison yet? (9/19)
Status of PK-S's resignation. Are new appointments in the works?(9/19)
Placing bike racks at Woolworth(passed by BPW) (9/19)
Adding racks on the Commons (passed by BPW) (9/19)
Shared roadway signs at City entrances(passed by BPW)(9/19)
A listing of all yellow cards received to date and their status(9/19)
Obtain pens for the whiteboard(10/17)
Distribute summaries of 10/17 resolutions (10/17).