City of Lawrence
Lawrence – Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee
March 21, 2016 Minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT:
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Bill Anderson, Jacki Becker, Justin Eddings, Lisa Hallberg, Rod Hernandez, Erin Paden |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Dan Ashley, Jim MacMurray, David Hamby |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Porter Arneill, David Cronin, Stephen Mason, Jessica Mortinger, Ashley Myers, Nick Voss |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Phil Collison, Logan Isaman |
Lisa Hallberg called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. A quorum was present and introductions were made.
Bill Anderson asked for a change to the first sentence in the second full paragraph on page 3. It should say, “Mr. Anderson said 9th Street isn’t his choice for a bike corridor; he would much more prefer 7th Street for an East/West connection.” A motion to approve the February minutes, with the change, was made by Lisa Hallberg seconded by Justin Eddings and passed unanimously (6-0).
Porter Arneill presented the revised plans for the 9th Street Corridor. He said the BAC reviewed an earlier version of the 9th Street Concept Plan at last month’s BAC meeting. Currently, the design team is looking at several key issues: 1) preserving trees 2) keeping brick sidewalks 3) parking 4) types of bike infrastructure. He presented two schemes that were discussed at the March 2nd CAC meeting. One design has bike lanes and a bike box. He said the design they are leaning towards is the second design. It has a sidewalk on the north side and an 8 foot Shared Use Path on the south side; however, the design team is aware there are issues with alleys and street intersections. The idea they’ve developed so far is to have creative signage at the alleys.
Lisa Hallberg said it is illegal to ride on sidewalks in the downtown business district, so it will be problematic to have people on the Shared Use Path stop riding on the sidewalks, once they enter the downtown business district. She really likes the bike box idea because it is safer for bicyclists to be on the street and it is a visible complete street feature. Justin Eddings said the alleys will become a big problem in the version with the Shared Use Path.
Erin Paden said looking at it through a child lens; it is hard to ride in a bike lane with a child. Jacki Becker said she would prefer a bike lane, but understands the concerns for parents. The Shared Use Path would be safer for kids and it would be good to have more parking. Mr. Arneill said there is a bike corral proposed along 9th Street. Ms. Hallberg suggested that sharrows or something that says bikes can be in the lane be added to the street if the Shared Use Path scheme is utilized.
Ms. Paden said Shared Use Paths work better when there are not a lot of intersections; however, 9th Street has a lot of intersections. Are intersections going to be narrowed? David Cronin said yes, there will be a bulb out at the intersections in the Shared Use Path scheme. There is a concern though that the crosswalk will need to be very wide to accommodate both a Shared Use Path and the brick sidewalk and would be problematic for pedestrians crossing and for drivers to be able to see everyone. A bike lane would not cause this issue. He said he had a question about all of the stop signs. 9th Street is a collector street and is supposed to move traffic. If there are so many stop signs, people will start taking a different route. Mr. Arneill said this is Phase 1- the nitty gritty details including the number of stop signs will come in the next phase.
Rod Hernandez said the Shared Use Path is okay if we can negotiate to have bike lanes on 8th or 10th Streets. He said it is okay to have a pretty street on 9th Street, as long as there is a protected street and a way to get downtown one street over. Mr. Cronin said there is probably not enough existing right of way without removing parking or enough bike traffic/volume for bike lanes on 8th or 10th Streets, but perhaps they could explore traffic calming. Mr. Arneill said this project is only addressing the design for 9th Street; improvements to other streets are not being addressed.
Ms. Hallberg asked what the next steps will be after Phase 1. Will there be another opportunity to provide input on the nitty gritty details? Mr. Arneill said the same contractor that is doing Phase 1 has the Phase 2 contract. Phase 2 will come back to the BAC for input.
Stephen Mason gave public comment on behalf of LCI, noting that cyclists fair best when treated as vehicles. Shared Use Paths are not the best option for bicyclists. As the BAC is the cycling voice for all riders, they need to think about what the goal of the project is. Is it for families? Ms. Hallberg agreed with Mr. Mason. She said we must accept we can’t get everything we want, but if the Shared Use Path is utilized, signs and sharrows should be included that say bikes can be on the road. Mr. Mason said if there are stops at every intersection, a Shared Use Path would be more for families.
Mr. Eddings asked what happens when the Shared Use Path ends. Mr. Arneill said he thinks it goes into the sidewalk. Mr. Eddings said we need to think of how it is constructed past Massachusetts Street and how it fits into the rest of the city.
Mr. Hernandez agreed with Mr. Mason. The Shared Use Path is more of a Sunday type facility for families. Ms. Paden said the Shared Use Path would be good because it has smaller intersections, but sharrows should be included.
Ms. Becker asked about the Safe Routes to School to New York School. Nick Voss said students currently cross at the crossing signal at Connecticut and 10th Streets. This crossing wouldn’t be changed by this project. Ms. Becker asked how you are supposed to get to the Shared Use Path from the other side of the street at 9th and Delaware Streets. Mr. Arneill said a stop sign would be installed.
Mr. Arneill said the timeline for this project includes the CAC meeting next Wednesday, March 30th, and then the Arts Commission after that, followed by other committee meetings.
Ms. Hallberg said she wants bike lanes, but will live with sharrows and the Shared Use Path. She made a motion to write a letter from the BAC that says bike lanes are consistent with the bike plan, sharrows should be placed at a minimum if the Shared Use Path is utilized, there are concerns with the intersections at alleys, stop signs, and the transition into Massachusetts and Delaware Streets. The BAC recommends parabolic mirrors with the Shared Use Path and alley and a stop sign at Delaware and 9th Streets. Bill Anderson seconded the motion which passed (5-0) with Erin Paden abstaining.
4. Discussion/Action Item: Pedestrian & Bicycle Issues Taskforce Final Report Letter of Support
Jessica Mortinger said the taskforce finalized their report in mid-February. They are seeking a letter of support from the BAC. The recommendations include a proposed portion of street maintenance funding to be used for bike and pedestrian projects and creating a new transportation commission that includes the Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC).
David Cronin said finishing the Lawrence Loop is the number one priority, creating bicycle boulevards to try to get people to bike that currently don’t is another priority. Also they recommend having funding dedicated to bike/pedestrian projects every year - $500,000 for bike and $500,000 for pedestrian projects. The recommendations from the taskforce will be taken to the City Commission in mid-April. The City recently began the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process; therefore, $500,000 for bike and $500,000 for pedestrian was included in the draft CIP each year for the next five years. Of course this is the draft CIP, so the funding will be weighed with all of the other projects before the CIP is finalized.
Justin Eddings said overall the proposed transportation commission is very Lawrence centric. Ms. Mortinger said the MPO will still have to have a regional role and will need a regional voice for bicyclists. Furthermore, the Bicycle Friendly Community application asks, “Do you have a BAC?” How does that play out for us? Erin Paden (who was on the taskforce) said Davis, California and Boulder, Colorado are both platinum bicycle friendly communities and they have a combined transportation commission. She isn’t sure if the city is ready to skip the step of more overall coordination and comprehensive thinking that is necessary to get to a combined transportation commission.
Ms. Hallberg said the purpose of the taskforce was to get dedicated funding, have a voice for pedestrian advocates, reduce redundancy, and make sure the board has some weight. Mr. Eddings said thinking countywide; the new Lawrence centric board closes the communication door. Ms. Hallberg said she is concerned about the potential lost voices for concerns. We need to keep Justin’s voice in the conversation. However, if the City Commission creates this new transportation commission, it doesn’t by default dissolve the BAC. It would take City and County action to dissolve it. She is concerned about the number of hours board members will have to devote to this new transportation commission. It seems like it will only be available to the self-employed, as others will have to be at work. Somehow that will need to be addressed and the working class voices will need to be incorporated into it. Ms. Mortinger stated the report doesn’t say how the board will be made up.
Bill Anderson said he represents Lecompton. He asked Justin what changes in Eudora have come out of this room as a result of the BAC. Mr. Eddings said the Sunflower Trail, the direction of the trail with the high school, the bridge over the highway…they are using the pedestrian/bike counts for multiple things. Mr. Eddings asked who traffic engineers will go to with a project. Mr. Cronin said projects will go to the new transportation commission; it is envisioned to be structured more like the Planning Commission. He thinks it would be good to move the BAC to a MPO subcommittee.
Ms. Mortinger said the other thing is that people on Traffic Safety Commission don’t bike/walk. This new transportation commission will want users who use all modes. Mr. Eddings said that makes sense, but it is still very Lawrence centric. Ms. Mortinger said the BAC could become a subcommittee to the MPO like the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) or the Regional Transit Advisory Committee (RTAC).
Ms. Hallberg made a motion to support the goals of the report: dedicated funding, larger voice for the use of the funding, starting the pedestrian conversation, getting the Lawrence Loop finished, and implementing elements of the Countywide Bikeway Plan. But the role of BAC in the region/county must be addressed. The BAC wants to have a confirmed role with implementation and an active discussion with cyclists from the region who can provide real input into how the facilities are created and used. Jacki Becker seconded the motion which passed (6-0).
5. Discussion/Action Item: Signage
Nick Voss presented bike signage information. He noted FHWA is reviewing bike signage this year for standards to the 3ft passing law signage. There is conflicting information presented between the “Bikes may use full lane” signs and the “3ft passing law”. People may think that bikes cannot use the full lane; instead they should be given only 3ft when passing.
Bill Anderson said the “3ft passing law” sign should be on all traffic thoroughfares and the “bikes may use full lane” sign should be elsewhere in the community. The 3ft passing statute should be on the back of police cards.
Justin Eddings asked why we would want to be passed closer. The take full lane sign is better. People should bike in traffic – like a motorcycle. Perhaps the 3ft sign would be better in the country. David Cronin said the “bikes may use full lane” signs are at the end of roundabouts.
Erin Paden said perhaps motorists see the 3ft sign and then see bikes in the middle of the lane and wonder why the bike is in the middle of the lane.
Mr. Eddings asked when FHWA should be done with their review. Jessica Mortinger said we could move forward with a plan as FHWA is working on their review. If we had a plan of where signs could go, when funding opportunities arise, we would be ready to install them. She suggested everyone mark where they think signs should be placed on the existing signage map and send it to Ashley Myers prior to the next meeting. Members agreed to discuss the proposed locations at the April BAC meeting.
6. Discussion/Action Item: Bike Month
Ashley Myers provided the BAC with information about Bike Month preparation. Several members of the BAC attended the Bike Month Communications meeting that was held a couple of weeks prior to the BAC meeting with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department and the Lawrence City Communications Office. It was decided that the Health Department/LiveWell Lawrence would locally sponsor and promote the National Bike Challenge.
Lisa Hallberg said she typically decides the route for the ride with commissioners. This year will most likely go near the river near Burcham Park. Rod Hernandez asked about having a police escort/having bicycle police participate. Can we promote the ride with commissioners with a press release and ask the Lawrence-Journal World to be there? Ms. Myers said yes. She also presented the draft Bike Month and Bike Smart/Drive Smart posters, the social media posts, and the Flame content. She will email all of the materials presented to the group for comment. Jacki Becker asked if there could be different types of bikes on the top of the poster instead of three of the same. Ms. Myers said sure.
7. Discussion/Action Item: Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) Application
Jessica Mortinger said it is time to reapply to be a Bicycle Friendly Community. The application is due on August 9th. She asked the BAC to form a subcommittee to work on the application and bring to the BAC for review in July. She said the Health Department is interested in participating.
Bill Anderson volunteered to be the chair of the subcommittee. Jacki Becker, Lisa Hallberg, and Stephen Mason expressed interest in being on the subcommittee.
Bill Anderson said the Lawrence Bike Club and Boy Scouts are holding a “1st Nighter” on March 31st from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the East Lawrence Rec Center. It is for 13-20 year olds who are interested in cycling. This event has been going on since 2004.
Stephen Mason said Parks and Recreation added a few youth cycling camps this summer. They are still looking for instructors, so let him know if you know of anyone interested.
Mr. Anderson asked for more information about how the BLAST project went. Jessica Mortinger said the BLAST program is teaching bike lessons/trainings to 300 4/5th graders as part of a pilot project during 2016. The goal is to build support for a community bike fleet to be able to teach lessons at all the schools.
There were none.
The meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2016 at 5:00 pm in the Parks and Recreation Conference Room.