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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBikeways Committee -- 2018-10-16 Minutes Elbow of the Cape Regional Bikeways Group Meeting LLI Meeting of October 16, 2018 �� P� s "i Minutes 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 . 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 long term 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 . 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 j 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 : i 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 . i i