Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee
Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Large Conference Room, City Hall Dover, DE Revised Agenda
Welcome
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Meeting Minutes (May & June) Discussion of Bicycle/Pedestrian Related Safety Concerns Delaware Bike Council Grant
Old Business Items: o Bike Rack Contest Update o Senator Bikeway o Bike Friendly Community o Quarterly Report to Safety Advisory & Transportation Committee o Subcommittee Member replacement(s)
Announcements
Adjournment
Bicycle Pedestrian Sub‐Committee Dover City Hall Large Conference Room Dover, DE June 7, 2016 *** DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT ***** Members Present: Jim Hutchison, Chair Chris Asay Kathy Doyle Jayce Lesniewski Dave Moses Andy Siegel
Others Present: Anthony Aglio Meghan Bartlett Sarah Coakley Emma Cote Carolyn Courtney
Eddie Diaz John Fiori Ann Marie Townshend Rich Vetter
CALLED TO ORDER: Meeting opened at 5:06 P.M. The Chair called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. AGENDA The agenda was presented. Mr. Asay wanted to add the Walk Friendly Application, New Committee member, Safety Transportation and Advisory Committee report, Bike Rack Contest Delaware Bicycle Grants and Fun Ride. Ms. Courtney noted to remove the May minutes from the agenda. It was noted by committee members many had to leave at 6 pm. With those additions, the agenda was accepted with these items. APPROVAL MEETING MINUTES Tabled until August. CAPITAL CITY LOOP TRAIL SIGNAGE Mr. Aglio shared some background on the purpose on developing signage for illustration of existing trails and new trials being developed. Ms. Cote is an intern with DelDOT this summer and she has been working on the logo and design idea for the Capital City Trail with package to use for directional & informational signage. We are looking at 10 – 15 larger kiosk sign and some smaller signs along the trail. The group reviewed and discussed the options shared. With much discussion the group offer their support. These logos will also be shared with other groups for input from a cross section of individuals. The Capital City Trail Loop was favorable for verbiage. Some design options were also picked as our favorites. Mr. Aglio also shared a new idea for pavement markings. We have a vendor to paint a green paint making on Loockerman Street to connect the Capital City Trail. Rendering attached. Fee is about $1,000 which DelDOT will cover, however the City would be required to keep it painted should we decide it’s working. If we don’t like it, then we just let it fade and not redo. This is new for Delaware and we’d like to try it. Mrs. Townshend noted she would discuss with the City Manager and get back to Mr. Aglio. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS Education al Partnerships: Nothing new reported today. Mr. Moses conversation is continuing and we hopefully pick up where we left off. He will continue to follow and report back accordingly.
Senator Bike Way: The Chair noted at the last meeting and a condensed presentation, we were given an assignment to provide input on the Senator Bikeway as recommendations to the SA&T Committee. Mr. Asay drafted ideas he shared. Mr. Aglio noted to be clear, we are looking for recommendations for the 1st phase, if you have a bigger issue somewhere else along the corridor, what I am trying to say you are not constrained to these being 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. So, we have to pick one of the four priorities, but these are good ideas to keep it going. I don’t to limit you but we can’t do them all in this phase. With discussion, it was noted to go with a stretch from RT8 to West Street utilizing the north side of RT8. A public hearing will be set in accordance to protocol. This will not fix the gap at the railroad, however there is another project that we may be able to work together on with the railroad for resolution. Mr. Moses asked about the multiuse path down by the footbridge, are we risking something by not striking while the iron is hot on this one? I think this is an opportunity we do not want to miss. Mr. Siegel added the section from Weston to West is a section to focus on as this section is a difficult commute. Some discussion as to whether or not DNREC was in agreement with the section of trail going behind the Central Middle School and the park. We are not obstructing the flow of the water, so we may not have as many obstacles with DNREC. The motion was made the Senator Bikeway Phase 1 is what we’ll recommend to the SA & T. This motion was seconded and passed without objection. The presentation to SA & T will be made by Century Engineering and staff will be on hand for supporting any questions that may need to be answered. Rt13 Corridor Multiuse Path: Nothing further has been done on this project. Mr. Asay wanted Ms. Courtney to contact Mr. McCleary for a summary of his idea presented. Bike Friendly Community: This is no update on instructor training and there is seems to be no momentum to offer the class here in Dover. Mr. Siegel noted in this area, there is just not enough interest to be an instructor for Dover. Possibly look for a regional class that we support. We possibly will consider the application for 2017. However, we are still in the same boat with lots of plans and ideas but we have not completed many of the recommendations. We will hold off until we have more demonstrations of meeting the recommendations. While we have done a number of things, possibly the later 2017 deadline may be feasible, noted Mrs. Townshend. Mr. Lesniewski noted having the new signage would be a nice complement to the application. Mr. Moses noted he would like to have the city offer a bicycle time trial event from a city facility. The Chair noted lets consider where our general support and encouragement picks up. We should not be involved in every event. The committee should not be arranging this activity. He would like this on the next agenda. Walk Friendly Application: Staff reported due to the cumbersome questionnaire, at this time we have to table this application. Once we have a side walk inventory and additional key pieces of material in place, we will readdress this application. We may possibly shoot for the December deadline, but at this time it is on the back burner at this time. Delaware Bike Council Grants: Mr. Asay noted they are meeting tomorrow. He asked if the grants would be on the agenda. In response, it was noted a draft letter may be presented at this meeting. We will continue to follow. Mr. Asay noted he would be attending the meeting and will follow this process.
Fun Ride: Mr. Asay noted he would like to have seen more participants. He asked how it was advertised and we might better let the community know what’s available. In response, staff noted the that it was finally a day without rain, the day before a holiday weekend, and other variables. Staff felt it was well advertised, just too many other factors played into the activity. For the next ride, a group may leave from The Green and ride out to RT10, while a group will start at RT10 to The Green and returning accordingly. June 23, July 28 and August 25 are the next selected dates for the event. Mr. Asay felt this was a great idea. Mr. Fiori and Ms. Courtney will continue to promote and work on these rides. Member Replacements: It was noted the officially Pat Gallagher has ended his term with us. In addition, Mrs. Doyle noted she has accepted a new teaching positon, and felt she would not be able to attend meetings due to the school day. With discussion, the committee would develop a list of potential replacements for Councilman Hosfelt to consider. Names will be forwarded to Mrs. Townshend and Ms. Courtney to move the replacements forward. It is possible Fran Riddle would be interested as a replacement. The group was favorable and noted she would be a good “pedestrian” representative. Reporting to SA&T: Ms. Townshend will discuss with Councilman Hosfelt regarding quarterly reporting to the SA & T committee, and report back to us. She then directed Ms. Courtney to put together a quarterly report for this reporting. ADJOURNMENT With no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM without objection.
Bicycle Pedestrian Sub‐Committee Dover City Hall Large Conference Room Dover, DE May 24, 2016 *** DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT ***** Members Present: Jim Hutchison, Chair Chris Asay Jayce Lesniewski Dave Moses Andy Siegel
Others Present: Sarah Coakley Carolyn Courtney Eddie Diaz John Fiori Kate Layton Jonathan Hermes
CALLED TO ORDER: Meeting opened at 5:01 P.M. The Chair called the meeting to order. AGENDA The agenda was presented. Mr. Asay motioned to add Rt13 Commercial Multiuse Pathway discussion and Storm Drains as bike hazards was added by Mr. Moses. With those changes the agenda was approved by all. APPROVAL MEETING MINUTES The chair offered to entertain a motion on the April minutes presented in the packet. The motion to accept with a second made, the minutes were approved without objection. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS Education al Partnerships: Nothing new reported today. Mr. Moses reported in a couple of weeks we are planning to meet again. I will keep the group informed. Senator Bike Way: Chairman Hutchison reviewed they had just received an update from Century Engineering and Tool Design group. He reviewed the handouts that were provided. (Attached and Display boards) There are 2 packets, one is geared to intersections and the other talks about the senator Bikeway. We have two assignments. First, please take the 8.5 x 11 packets, review and in the space for comments write down what you like/dislike and suggestions you may have. For example: page 4 has two options for Mifflin Road. Both of these options are geared to improve safety. The idea would be to write down your comments, including questions. Once we collect the responses from our committee, we will forward to Century Engineering as a package. Some of these suggestions may actually back up traffic more, so think about what really may work. Saulsbury Road for example has three options to comment on. Keep in mind the Saulsbury Road intersections will be getting more traffic in the area once the new punch & run will dump onto Saulsbury once it opens. We need to plan for a lot of traffic at this intersection. Personally, I think option 3 is the best of those solutions. Some basic discussion took place about when updates to the Rt 8/Saulsbury Road intersection will be redone. Noting we can only make suggestions to the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee. Brief discussion took place on these projects. Please respond by June 7th, to have available for our next meeting.
Bike Friendly Community: It was noted Mr. Asay would like to see an Instructor’s Class in the Dover area. At this time, neither the City nor the State feel this is a feasible class to offer. We will move onto to other areas of the feedback report that we can accomplish. Spring Cycling Events Dover Duathlon: We have set a date of April 17, 2017 for the 2nd Duathlon.
Bike To Work Day, May 18: We had a lower turn out than hoped for, however we will promote this event harder for 2017 and try to garner more participation. Mr. Siegel noted the city notices may not have been shared with staff as he had hoped when sending out notices to the department heads. In 2017, we will market this event a more effectively. Words of thanks go out to Good News Food Stores and Georgia Boys Bagels for their generous donations.
Ride of Silence, May 18: Ridership grew for our 2016 event. Looking forward to even more participation in 2017.
Fun Ride, May 26: Don’t forget to join us on May 26 for this fun ride, flyer attached.
ADDED AGENDA ITEMS Rt 13 Commercial Zone, Multiuse Pathway: Mr. Asay wanted to find out what the city is doing to move this idea forward? At this time, the city is not prepared to change regulations, ask business owners to give up prime parking and the other avenues that would need to happen to create this zone. However, as we move forward consideration to pedestrian/bicycle traffic in this area may be considered. This is a very long term idea that would need major consideration before beginning any type of implementation. ADJOURNMENT With no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:07 PM without objection.
Ann Marie Townshend
Director
PO Box 475
Dover, DE 19903
[email protected]
(302) 736-7196
Downtown Dover
Bicycle Rack
Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant – City of Dover Application Fit for the First State Bicycle Rack Placement, Bicycle Rack(s) In Key Dover Locations In 2015/16, the City of Dover's Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee hosted a bike rack contest, Fit For the First State, Capital City Bike Rack. The contest sought design proposals for bike racks to be installed in key City of Dover (COD) locations that currently lack adequate bicycle parking. This committee is focused on identifying gaps in the bike/pedestrian network in Dover and identifying areas where the City can work together with local partners to improve the atmosphere for bikers/pedestrians. The bike rack contest is just one avenue this body has undertaken to improve mobility of cyclists and pedestrians alike. Ability to complete Pleasingly, students from Dover High School's class of 2016 CAD 3 Class provided us the perfect Fit for the First State Bike Rack for our capital city. The winning design is attached. We are anticipating an estimated fabrication cost of $4,300.00 per rack. Once produced the City of Dover's Facilities Management Division will install in location(s) that will enhance cyclists’ opportunities for securing their bikes. If this grant is approved, we would have a completed bike rack by the end of September 2016, with installation immediately to follow. The bike rack could be in use by October of this year. Riding bikes for recreation or for the daily commute to shop or work leaves the rider eventually needing to secure their bike. Having sheltered bike racks in key Dover locations will fulfill this need and potentially increase ridership. Offering sheltered bike rack(s) will enhance cycling because people will know they have a place to park and secure their bikes safely when they reach their destination. With potential locations such as the Dover Public Library, Loockerman Plaza, City Parks, shopping centers, & other commerce areas, we believe getting the first bike rack installed is paramount to success of the Fit for the First State Bike Rack program. Anticipated usage Usage of the sheltered bike rack at Loockerman Plaza could be daily almost, year round. This location is directly on the path of marked cycling lanes where many commute for work, shopping and community activities such as the Farmer’s Market in the summer months or visiting Santa’s house in December. Imagine if you will, on a bright sunny Saturday morning in December, putting warm jackets on the family and peddling to Downtown Dover. Once there, take comfort in using a DOVER bike rack to secure your bikes, while taking the kids to see Santa or lunch at 33 West. No big parking lots at the mall too full with cars here during the hectic holiday season‐ just a day of family togetherness and biking, too. Missing link between facilities Loockerman Plaza park is a great location to kick off the DOVER bike racks. Again, being right on a marked bike lane, this area is also near the Capital City Trail, proposed Senator Bikeway and West Street Trail connection. Having a sheltered bike rack centrally located to these amenities may encourage riders to stop in Downtown Dover as they enjoy their ride from any direction. Currently, the closest bike racks are located at the Dover Public Library and in limited spots along Loockerman Street. With the potential for development on this site, the installation of the rack will be such that it is easily included with the new site plan. We plan to install the bike racks in other high transit areas in Dover that would be a complement to our pathways and trails where they are lacking these facilities now. Prevent potential hazards Perception of safety while biking is often as important as actual safety while biking. When there aren’t good places to park bikes, Dover sends the signal that those places are unsafe for biking. This jeopardizes the success of the many larger bike infrastructure projects the city and the state have been working on diligently to make biking safer.
Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant – City of Dover Application In addition, improperly parked bikes can themselves be a safety hazard. Bikes attached to sign poles, stairs, and railings can block sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to step into the street to get around them. Thoughtfully placed bike racks ensure ease of use for bicyclists and safety for pedestrians. Master Plan In March 2015, the Bicycle Plan was adopted by Dover’s City Council. With the combined input of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee, the City of Dover’s Planning and Parks & Recreation divisions, the Kent County MPO and the Delaware Department of Transportation, the updated plan’s vision was stated as: "Dover is a place where people of all ages and abilities bicycle conveniently, comfortably and safely for all purposes.” The plan is available on the City of Dover website and may be accessed at the following link: https://imageserv11.team‐logic.com/mediaLibrary/198/Bicycle_Plan_1.pdf or by contacting Carolyn Courtney in the Parks & Recreation office for an emailed version. Within the statement of goals on Page 4, Goal 4: Encourage adequate and secure bicycle parking. Our bike rack contest complemented this goal and now the installation of the winning design is the next step in meeting the goal. With the construction and installation of the DOVER bike rack, we are one step closer to meeting the Bicycle Plan goals and objectives. Additionally, as the City of Dover prepares for the next Bicycle Friendly Community designation, this project will increase the likelihood that we are in fact deserving of the designated Bicycle Friendly Community title. Having a bicycle rack, designed by Dover High School students, fabricated locally and installed right in Downtown Dover is a win for the Capital School District, City of Dover, and Delaware Department of Transportation but most importantly, improves the necessary facilities needed by all cyclists in our region. Respectfully Submitted, Carolyn Courtney City of Dover Parks & Recreation City of Dover Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee PO Box 475 Dover DE 19903 PH: 302‐736‐7051 EMAIL: [email protected] Ann Marie Townshend City of Dover Community Development, Planning & Inspections and Parks & Recreation Director PO Box 475 Dover DE 19903 PH: 302‐736‐7196 EMAIL: [email protected]
Eddie Diaz City of Dover Planning City of Dover Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee PO Box 475 Dover DE 19903 PH: 302‐736‐7196 EMAIL: [email protected]
Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee Quarterly Update
June 2016
Members James A. Hutchison, III, Chair Chris Asay Kathy Doyle (kindly resigned
June 2016)
Pat Gallagher (kindly resigned
May 2016)
What have we been up to in 2016? Working together with local community partners such as the Kent County MPO, Delaware Department of Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators, we have put together an agenda full of items that are geared to find Ride of Silence
and resolve gaps in the bicycle/pedestrian routes around Dover.
Dave Moses
Using the feedback received from the American League of Bicyclists, we have made strides in partnerships with Wesley College and the Capital School District. Members representing these entities have begun attending meetings to share on how we can work to improve routes for students on their campuses. We’ve provided feedback on the Senator Bike Way and heard a concept of a Rt 13 Multiuse pathway. The Walk Friendly
Community and the Bike Friendly Community Applications were both reviewed by the committee. At this time, the committee believes more work needs to be done before submitting for these prestigious designations. Work will continue so that when we apply in the future, our application can’t be denied. Safety curriculum was prepared for the Capital School District. We feel educating children at a younger age will be the start of a good foundation.
Andy Siegel
Created in 2012 by the Safety Advisory & Transportation Committee. They have been tasked with identifying gaps in the bicycle and pedestrian network in Dover and identifying areas where the city can work together with local partners to improve the atmosphere for bicyclists & pedestrians.
Events Dover Duathlon
affordable bike design that would be durable. After the subcommittee entry review (all of which were quite good), the Capital School District’s CAD 3 Class won the award with their rendition of “Dover” with the Senator logo within the design. We are seek-
ing fabrication costs and hope to move forward with installing one (or more) of these soon!
71
A new run/bike/run sprint event held at Dover Park. 71 registra ons for our 1st me out.
Bike to Work Day
Fit for the First State Bike Rack Contest Seeing a need for additional bike racks in key City of Dover locations, the group embarked on a Fit for the First State Bike Rack Contest. With the contest details all set, they offered this opportunity to school aged children for submitting an
Jayce Lesniewski
15
Our 4th year, and the weather could have been a li le be er. Only 15 chose to Bike to Work.
Ride of Silence
32
In our 2nd year, we grew! More than 30 rode, bring‐ ing awareness to cyclists who have perished.
Fun Ride Partnering with DelDOT, ride with us on the 4th Thursday each month this summer. Only 5 rode with us the first me out.
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