City of Lawrence
Lawrence – Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee
April 18, 2016 Minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT:
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Bill Anderson, Lisa Hallberg, David Hamby, Rod Hernandez, Jim MacMurray, Erin Paden, |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Dan Ashley, Jacki Becker, Justin Eddings, |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Stephen Mason, Ashley Myers, Nick Voss |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Logan Isaman |
Lisa Hallberg called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. A quorum was present and introductions were made.
A motion to approve the March minutes was made by Bill Anderson seconded by Rod Hernandez and passed unanimously (6-0).
Ashley Myers presented a map of Lawrence and a map of Eudora displaying where members of the BAC suggested signs should be placed. She said perhaps it would be better to have a policy instead of location based on a map. The policy would be more responsive and more easily, consistently applied.
David Hamby said it makes sense to have the BIKES MAY USE FULL LANE signs on major roads because the 3 FT PASSING sign isn’t standardized. Lisa Hallberg suggested the BIKES MAY USE FULL LANE sign should be in the gateways into towns and where ever there are conflict points, like at 19th and Barker. However, it needs to be a little lower, so people can see it while cycling. The signs are to educate cyclists as well as motorists.
Rod Hernandez asked where bicyclists are supposed to go where the bike lane ends on Wakarusa? These conflict points were discussed. Mr. Hamby said cyclists have to use common sense and use alternate routes if they know the road is not friendly to cyclists.
Stephen Mason asked where the cyclists may use full lane sign should be located? Most of the time the signs are close to the intersection, but they should be further back from the intersection to give cyclists time to adjust when the bike lane disappears.
Mr. Hamby suggested moving signs away from specific bike routes, to make people aware that bikes may use the full lane everywhere.
Ms. Hallberg said there is a complete street issue on Iowa street right now, the sidewalks are closed all of the sudden with no warning. People must go in the street. She said BIKES MAY USE FULL LANE is her preference for the city and 3 FT PASSING signs in the County. Mr. Hamby agreed.
Mr. Mason said that some people can interpret the 3 FT PASSING signs meaning that cyclists only get the right 3 ft of the road. Mr. Anderson said he would like to have signs on all of the viaducts on Iowa street and K-10 to have signs that say give bikes 3 ft when passing. Mr. Hamby said every entry into the city is critical.
Ms. Hallberg asked Ashley to send the new map with all of the sign locations to the BAC for them to markup ideas. Mr. Anderson suggested using the same verbiage as the sharrow policy, when we go to develop the sign policy, as the sharrow one is working well.
4. Discussion/Action Item: BAC Meeting Poster
Stephen Mason said he was putting up parks and rec signs for the CCC class at Cycle Works and found an old BAC poster advertising BAC meetings at Fire Station 5 on Tuesdays. He wanted to develop a new poster, but wanted the BAC’s input. Lisa Hallberg said we should promote the BAC until it is possibly incorporated into a new transportation commission.
Mr. Mason said even if the BAC can’t help people with their issue, the people at the meeting would know who to send them to – make those connections.
Ms. Hallberg suggested adding the BAC website so people could access meeting agendas and other pertinent information.
Mr. Mason said he would distribute the flyer to the different bikes shops and possibly gyms.
A motion to approve the updated BAC flyer was made by Lisa Hallberg seconded by David Hamby and passed unanimously (6-0).
5. Discussion/Action Item: Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) Application
Bill Anderson is the chair of the BFC application subcommittee. He said Jessica Mortinger put the application in a shared google document. The subcommittee is going to work on it together after April 19. Lisa Hallberg said she and Jacki Becker worked on the application. Mr. Anderson said the group will meet and divide up the work. A draft completed application will be brought before the BAC in July.
Ashley Myers said she attended the National Safe Routes to School Conference in Columbus, Ohio and brought back giveaways for members of the BAC.
Ms. Myers said the Ride with Commissioners is scheduled for May 17. She asked what route we will follow. Lisa Hallberg said we will most likely follow the new trail along the river. Rod Hernandez suggested inviting the police bike squad to participate in the ride. Ashley said she would and she would follow up on the possibility of riding down Massachusetts Street.
Ms. Myers said we are set for the National Bike Challenge. LiveWell Lawrence is acting as our local sponsor.
Logan Isaman said the Library is doing a summer reading program, but in order to tie into National Bike Month, they decided to add in a biking component called “Bike Middle-earth”. There is going to be a National Bike Month display at the library and the Book Bike will be used in its first public setting at the Ride with Commissioners.
Bill Anderson announced the March 31st event for 13-20 year olds on bikes had zero people attend. This event has been held annually since 2004. This was the first year that no one attended. He is unsure how to proceed or how to promote the event in the future.
David Hamby said the Health Department is going to be doing the Travel with Care campaign that he mentioned a couple of months ago at a previous BAC meeting.
Stephen Mason said there are new bike signs up at 19th street.
Rod Hernandez said the 15th – 6th street viaduct bike path near Langston Hughes has a sidewalk at a housing association entrance that is very dangerous and could use a sign.
There were none.
The meeting adjourned at 6:03 PM. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for May 16, 2016 at 5:00 pm in the Parks and Recreation Conference Room.
Ashley Myers said the May meeting may be canceled.