Scribe: Lisa Boland Increase bike and pedestrian access Convener: Tom of New Community Project Location: SW corner of Court Square lawn Time: 11:15
Attendees: Uncertain
Agenda
• Pedestrian, bicycle
• Increase pace of projects
• Low hanging fruit
• Bridges for bikes and pedestrians
• Priorities of projects bike paths and pedestrian trails
• Existing paths more bike friendly
• City bike plan
• Revise
• Driver education of bikes
• Enforcement of traffic laws pertaining to bikes and pedestrian
• Increase bike accessibility to schools
• Consider earlier childhood education may increase bike friendly behavior
• Incentives for businesses
Ben Wyse gave background for 2005 city plan which merged bike and pedestrian onto one line item. Bike and pedestrian line item given a small budget in 2005.
Presently, SBC meeting once a month to increase funding for line item.
Key to factor in plan is funding. For example , the city can adopt a bike and pedestrian plan as policy and the policy may not be funded.
Grant funding enables the construction of projects.
Example. CDBG Grant is federal money that is funding the Washington Street sidewalks.
If the city is given federal money then policies adhere to MPO.
Grants can be a long and complex process.
Questions raised regarding the partnership of JMU and EMU with the bike plan committee. Transportation Demand Coordinator
Action projects:
Car Free Carrier Dr and Bluestone Dr.
Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World
Contacts: Lee Elshman and Dr. Broderick
Shenandoah Bicycle Coalition
Low cost projects that are a safety priority
Ex. Man St X with Port Republic Rd. Change stop light patterns so that bikes and pedestrians are given a cross signal separate from car traffic.
Contact Transportation Safety Commission -Tan
Maryland Avenue presently without bike lanes and no sidewalk.
Old Furnace Road needs wider flat top
Questions regarding minimal dimensions required by federal low for roads to include bike paths.
If traveling in towns with bike paths then get out the measuring tape and record the width of the bike lane and measure from center of road to edge of car lane.
Could roads not wide enough for bike lanes be marked with VVV, Recognized symbol to Share the Road with bikes and pedestrians.
Lower speed limit to 15 mph in school zones
Safe route school initiative
Streets included are South Ave, Maryland Ave and the city is funding the bike lanes.
Watermen Elementary
Charlie Chenault- Design and Construction Manual bike path from edge of Hillandale from Dogwood entrance to HHS. Approx cost $500,000
Key to projects are
CITIZEN PRESSURE
Increase neighborhood involvement
Better bike access on Chicago Ave and bike path leading to HHS are reasonable projects
Rails to Trails evolve into Rails with Trails
Invite GM to partner with JMU and RMH in green projects such as
Two person segway
Consider plan for all two lane and one- way streets in Court Square Quadrant to be designated as one bike/scooter lane and one car lane,
Guerilla biking activities
Late summer early fall public comment meeting
Look for notices in local newspaper, SBC website, local bike shops
