HomeMy Public PortalAboutBikeways Committee -- 2018-10-16 Minutes (2) Elbow of the Cape Regional Bikeways Group Meeting
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Meeting of October 16, 2018 r
Minutes PRU
John O' Toole called the meeting to order at 5 : 06 pm . Attendees were asked to acknowledge
presence by signing an attendance sheet . Copy of attendance list is provided with the Minutes . 4L
Attendees then introduced themselves .
The Chairpersons of the Orleans Bike and Pedestrian Committee and Brewster Bikeways
Committee reported that they had each provided proper notice that their respective
committees were having a public meeting in connection with the Elbow of the Cape Regional
Bikeways Group and that their committees each had a quorum present . John O'Toole noted
that the Chatham Bikeways Committee did not have a quorum present and that the Elbow of
the Cape Regional Bikeways Meeting was only an informational meeting for the Chatham
Bikeways Committee .
To provide a baseline for the meeting John O'Toole provided a brief history of the Regional
Bikeways Group . This covered a total of three meetings : an initial meeting in Orleans in March
2018, a second meeting on June 7, 2018, and a Chairpersons only meeting on September 18,
2018 . After the June 7 meeting, the Chairpersons of the Chatham Bikeways Committee and
Orleans Bike and Pedestrian Committee suggested that the Chairpersons of the four Town
bikeways committees solicit from their respective members suggestions/recommendations for
short term and longterm projects that might have regional benefit . The Chairpersons did so
and reported their respective committees suggestions to the four Chairs . The four
Chairpersons met on September 18, 2018 to review the suggestions/recommendations . The
Chairpersons concluded that there was good consensus among the suggestions on several of
the recommendations . The goals on which there was consensus are listed on the fifth slide of
the slide deck titled : PP- Regional Meeting (copy provided with Minutes ) .
Alice Van Oot next reviewed the consensus projects . Alice pointed out that the Commonwealth
is interested in cross-town cooperation on bicycling, particularly when funding bicycling
projects . Alice noted that in prior meetings of the Elbow of the Cape group attendees had
expressed interest in building on the existing rail trail infrastructure : the Cape Cod Rail Trail and
Old Colony Rail Trail . Alice also noted that in prior meetings there was interest in looking at the
kind of things that might make the four communities more vibrant and attractive for cyclists
and walkers . She further observed that this kind of project would likely benefit groups beyond
cyclists and pedestrians on the rail trails .
Alice next focused on the specific consensus suggestions for projects offered at the June
meeting. One such suggestion was investigating whether Brewster and /or Harwich had
construction plans for Route 137 and whether such plans might provide an opportunity for the
cycling community to offer recommendations that would enhance cycling on Rt 137 . Another
suggestion was identifying safe bike routes in the towns for cyclists who might not be familiar
with such routes . Alice also mentioned Tom Francis' suggestion that the electric utility Right
of Way which runs between Chatham and Orleans might provide an opportunity for a new bike
route which passed through the four Towns . Alice also reported that at least a couple of other
Massachusetts towns, including Wayland had worked with utilities to develop cycle paths on
utility ROWS .
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Alice then suggested that we think about how to move some or all of the consensus projects
forward . Alice then asked Betsy Hicks to share some thoughts about identifying safe inter-
town bike routes . Betsy shared a number of existing Cape Cod cycling maps that had been
published in recent years . Betsy suggested that the towns might collaborate to identify cycle
routes both in individual towns and between towns . She also suggested that some roads might
be identified as family friendly and others as more suitable for advanced riders .
Alice also noted that bike signage is very inconsistent and there might be a benefit to looking at
this topic. Alice also pointed to developing a profile of users as well as reaching out to biking
groups that are associated with the Chatham - Harwich Newcomers and Nauset Newcomers as a
way of extending the cycling community in the four-town area .
Andrew Maker suggested that the most meritorious project among those suggested would be
to develop a user profile of cyclists in the Elbow of the Cape area . Having a user profile for
cyclists would set the stage for other projects . The basic idea is to determine who you are
trying to focus on . John O'Toole suggested that having user counts is very useful when
proposing projects to Town governing boards . Governing boards are often very interested in
the make up and size of population that might benefit from a given project .
Tom Francis asked whether the towns were participating in the Complete Streets program .
Tom noted that MassDOT is quite interested in cycling traffic but MassDOT controls only about
20% of the roadways in Mass . Tom noted that Complete Streets is a program which individual
towns apply for and for which there is some funding available . Towns can use this funding fpr
projects on streets not controlled by MassDOT . Complete Streets emphasizes usage of
roadways by all users, including but not limited to cyclists . Susan Riseman noted that Brewster
has a Complete Streets program and that the Brewster Bikeways Committee has made
suggestions to the DPW and BOS regarding the Complete Streets program from a cycling
perspective . Tom Francis suggested that making suggestions for Complete Streets be from the
perspective of a variety of users, not just cyclists . Susan Riseman emphasized that it is very
important to keep reminding town officials and governing boards about projects that might
benefit cyclists .
Fran Salewski reported that the Friends of the Cape Cod Rail Trail did user counts on the CCRT
in June, July and August . Fran said he would get the counts and provide copies to the Regional
Bikeways Group . Fran reported that the counts are provided to Nickerson State Park and the
Cape Cod Commission . John O'Toole reported that the Cape Cod Commission did a one day
user count in early July at the intersection of the OCRT and Rt 137 in Chatham . He reported
that there was some breakdown of the user data : cyclists, runners, walkers, etc. He also
suggested that the Chatham Bikeways Committee would like to do additional counts at
different times in the summer and then repeat the counts over several years . Susan Riseman
noted that the Brewster DPW was going to add a user count capability to their warning lights .
Steve Wardle noted that individual user count snap shots are more limited when compared
with user counts over an extended time frame . Steve also suggested setting up a trail camera
and setting it up to record users on the trail and then reviewing the recording and developing
profiles .
Susan Riseman reported that the Brewster Bikeways Committee had set up a table on a day in
connection with a local event which attracted a large number of people to Brewster and
interviewed people about their interest in cycling in Brewster, where they biked to, what they
were interested in seeing etc . The Brewster Committee found this to be a useful exercise . Alice
asked whether the Cape Cod Commission might be a resource for developing user profiles .
John reported that the CCC has two transportation planners on staff — David Nolan who worked
with Chatham on a project who is junior but very energetic and a more senior engineer, Lev
Malakhoff who is much more experienced both of whom would be good resources .
Alice suggested asking the bike shops for information on users . Susan suggested asking
residents to fill out a survey on bicycling interests when they obtain beach stickers .
Other Projects . John suggested looking at other projects, such as community rides . Tom
Francis reported on community bike rides in North Adams . They organized a weekly
Wednesday night Slow Roll — maybe 4 miles . These started with six people which grew to
about 50 people . This was an example of a community building event . Alice asked about the
liability of the organizers . Tom Francis said he would check into this and get back to the group .
Waivers are typical and forms are available . There is concern the liability of Committee
members ( because they have a relationship with their town ) who are involved in community
rides . Andrew Maker suggested that organizing rides in connection with the Cape Cod Cycling
Club might be an option as the CCCC has insurance coverage . It was noted that the Nauset
Newcomers and Chatham - Harwich Newcomers also organize rides . Alice suggested combining
items 2 and 3 - community rides and reaching out to the Newcomer bike groups .
Project Volunteers .
1 . Mapping and Bike Routes within Towns and Between Towns
Greg Wright, Brewster
Alice Van Oot, Orleans
David Widing, Chatham
Sam Carpenter, Chatham
Andrew Docken , Harwich [To be confirmed ]
Additional Thoughts of Mapping and Bike Routes :
Alice suggested getting a group together and projecting maps on a screen as a way to identify
possible bike routes . Fran suggested that the Cape Cod Commission might have done some
mapping in connection with extending the CCRT and might have some mapping materials
available .
There was consensus that the user profile group and mapping projects can initially proceed
independently but that they would eventually need to come together.
Fran asked about common bike signage . He observed that each town seems to do whatever it
wants without regard to what other towns do . Examples are the very different style of signage
installed at Nickerson State Park and Harwich on the rail trail . Tom Francis said he would
inquire as to who in DCR might be a good resource for bike signage and get back to us .
2 . Signage Sub= Project
Fran Salewski, Harwich
Betsy Hicks, Orleans
(To be named ) , Chatham
3 . User counts and cyclist profiles
Steve Wardle, Chatham
Ken Stuart, Orleans
John O'Toole, Chatham
Brad Bivens, Chatham
Joe Sullivan , Brewster
Other Items .
Jimmy Ponte volunteered to call bike shops in the area to encourage them to attend these
meetings .
Next Meetings .
The Regional Group will meet next in mid - late January. Date to be scheduled .
The Project Groups were encouraged to meet to begin planning and organizing efforts for their
respective projects .