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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycle Advisory Committee - Minutes - 09/23/2019 BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING –REGULAR September 23, 2019, 6:00 p.m. Conference Room A, 281 North College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 9 /23 /2019 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Aaron Buckley Vice-Chair: Marcia Patton-Mallory Staff Liaison: Tessa Greegor 970-416-2471 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Buckley called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Aaron Buckley, Chair, Fort Collins Bike Co-op Todd Dangerfield, Downtown Development Authority Mike Webber, Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Bob Mann, Natural Resources Advisory Board Karl Ayers, Transportation Board Chris Hunt, Poudre School District Becky Cramer, At Large Member Sylvia Cranmer, Colorado State University Kelly McDonnell, Bike Fort Collins ABSENT: Marcia Patton-Mallory, At Large Member Mike Tupa, Parks and Recreation Board Brad Buckman Nick Heimann Paul Sizemore PUBLIC PRESENT: Stephen Beckley Todd Gurley 3. AGENDA REVIEW BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9 /23 /2019 – MINUTES Page 2 There were no changes to the published agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Stephen Beckley, Fort Collins Cycling Club, introduced himself and Todd Gurley, the safety coordinator for the Club's community rides. He discussed the importance of the City trails to his organization and discussed his experience with the recent bicycle and pedestrian counts and commented on a couple specific issues. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – AUGUST 2019 Dangerfield made a motion, seconded by Hunt, to adopt the minutes as written. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Prospect and I-25 Interchange – Brad Buckman Brad Buckman, Engineering, stated the Prospect bridge over I-25 is underway and there will be some night closures in mid-October when the new south portion of the bridge is erected. He stated the existing northern bridge will ultimately be demolished and replaced with the rest of the new bridge. There will be a series of closures that will tie in the new ramps to the bridge throughout 2020 with construction complete in late 2020. Buckman stated the 14-mile stretch of I-25 between Mulberry and Highway 402 is the current focus of the I-25 corridor project. He stated the Kechter bridge will also ultimately be replaced. Buckman detailed the bridge design which should be much safer for bikes and pedestrians. Cramer asked if there are examples of this design throughout the city. Sizemore replied the goal was to get some type of physical separation between the vehicle travel lanes and the bicycle lane, and CDOT was ultimately comfortable with the 6- inch raised curb; however, there aren't any examples that are exactly like this. Cranmer asked if the separation between pedestrians and bikes will just be markings. Buckman replied in the affirmative stating it will be a shared lane. McDonnell asked how much bike and pedestrian traffic currently exists on this section of Prospect and how much it is anticipated to increase. Buckman replied the new schools will be on the east side of Prospect in the next few years so that will drastically increase traffic. Webber asked about the status of Prospect from the frontage road to Sharp Point. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9 /23 /2019 – MINUTES Page 3 Buckman replied it is 30% designed and there will be a budget request for the remaining construction funds, about $4 million, to allow construction to begin in the spring of 2021. Cramer expressed concern about the shared bicycle and pedestrian lane particularly given future traffic increases. She questioned whether there would be a way to construct the lanes so they would be more adaptable in the future. b. Downtown Dismount Zone Review – Nick Heimann Nick Heimann, FC Moves Active Mode Specialist, announced the formation of a Downtown Dismount Zone Expansion Task Force. He stated the Task Force has been asking questions to stakeholder groups about the effectiveness of the existing downtown dismount zone, a possible expansion of or changes to the existing dismount zone, and whether other dismount zones should be formed throughout the city. Heimann stated the ultimate deliverables from the task force are intended to be criteria for dismount zone modification, an examination of best practices throughout the country, a decision-making flowchart, and producing recommendations regarding whether or not the dismount zone should be expanded. He stated potential areas of dismount zone expansion include the River District and the block of College south of Olive Street. Heimann stated the existing dismount zone has been successful and noted youth and visitor populations may need to be intercepted through educational efforts in order to change behavior prior to them experiencing the dismount zone. Hunt asked about other wheeled devices. Heimann replied the dismount zone applies to anything outside of a mobility device, such as a wheelchair, or walking on foot falls into the purview of the dismount zone. Heimann detailed the suggested decision-making flowchart and requested input from the Committee members regarding whether the correct questions are being asked and if additional questions should be included. Cranmer asked about the opinions of the DBA and DDA and asked what prompted this discussion. Heimann replied the discussion has been prompted by the imminent deployment of electric scooters. Additionally, as the dismount zone is now 10 years old, it seems a good time to review its level of effectiveness. Dangerfield replied the dismount zone has been an enforceable tool used to minimize aggressive behavior and protect pedestrians. The developments to the north and south of Old Town have led to additional foot traffic as well. He stated e-scooter deployment has definitely prompted the discussion and the intention is to be proactive in ensuring safety. Heimann discussed other things that can be done stating they largely revolve BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9 /23 /2019 – MINUTES Page 4 around leveraging existing tactics, such as bicycle ambassadors and enforcement. He stated the dismount zone will likely be expanded, but the location of expansion has yet to be determined. He stated the decision-making tool will help define a standard process for making informed, objective decisions related to expansion. Cranmer asked if Pace bikes are geo-fenced out of any areas. Sizemore replied in the negative noting there is no way to shut off power as there will be with scooters. Chair Buckley asked if there is a plan for e-scooter parking in downtown. Sizemore replied scooters can be left anywhere in the couple feet on the inside of the curb not blocking the pedestrian way. The scooters will be collected every evening and redeployed in set areas each morning. Dangerfield asked about the downside to implementing an expanded dismount zone. Sizemore replied the reason for having criteria and doing the evaluation is the wide variety of characteristics of various areas. Heimann replied the task force is seeking to gain input from stakeholders. Cramer supported the DDA recommendation. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Dangerfield reported the interior renovation of the Opera Galleria building will begin in October. He asked if there is a system for removing bikes, or parts thereof, that are left on bike racks indefinitely. Sizemore replied it is a complaint-based process. Hunt reported on the number of Poudre School District students biking and walking to school. Webber reported on the recent Land Conservation and Stewardship meeting during which the Harmony Gateway project and draft Foothills Plan were discussed. Cranmer reported on Bike to Breakfast Wednesdays on campus, the launch of the website in conjunction with the Bike Friendly University application, and the CSU bicycle advisory committee float in the homecoming parade. Ayers stated he is moving to Berthoud so this will be his last meeting. Mann reported on the recent Natural Resources Advisory Board meeting during which the Harmony Gateway project was discussed with a focus on highlighting the reason Fort Collins developed here originally. He announced an October 2nd presentation on all the city's gateways. He stated the Board also discussed metro districts. Cramer reported on participating in the bike and pedestrian count. McDonnell reported Bike Fort Collins will be hiring a new community relations coordinator. 9. OTHER BUSINESS BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9 /23 /2019 – MINUTES Page 5 a. Transportation Board Report Ayers reported the Transportation Board received a report on transportation development review and traffic impact studies, the Linden Street redevelopment, and the Harmony Gateway update. He stated the Board also had a discussion about the back-in angled parking pilot program. b. Staff Liaison Report Sizemore reported the candidates for the new Planning, Development and Transportation Director are in town today. He announced the Open Streets event on Sunday and stated the back-in angled parking pilot spaces are officially in place. c. Call for Agenda Items Cranmer requested the possible inclusion of a seat on the Committee for other bicycle groups such as the Fort Collins Cycling Club. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM by unanimous consent.