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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycle Advisory Committee - Minutes - 01/28/2019 BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING –REGULAR January 28, 2019, 6:00 p.m. Conference RM A -- 281 N. College Ave -- Fort Collins, CO 1/28/2019 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Luke Caldwell Vice-Chair: Aaron Buckley Staff Liaison: Tessa Greegor 970-416-2471 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Caldwell called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Luke Caldwell, Chair, Natural Resources Advisory Board Aaron Buckley, Vice Chair, Fort Collins Bike Co-op Karl Ayers, Transportation Board Todd Dangerfield, Downtown Development Authority Chris Hunt, Poudre School District Marcia Patton-Mallory, At Large Member Becky Cramer, At Large Member Annie Krieg, At Large Member Sylvia Cranmer, Colorado State University ABSENT: Alan Beatty, Senior Advisory Board Bruce Henderson, Bike Fort Collins Amanda Mansfield Tessa Greegor Paul Sizemore Lauren Nagle Martina Wilkinson Joe Olson PUBLIC PRESENT: Sandy Lemburg 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Caldwell reviewed the agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Sandy Lemburg discussed concerns with curb extensions obstructing bike lanes and discussed the Federal Highway Administration's guidelines on curb extensions. He also discussed roundabout design in terms of bicycle safety. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/28/2019 – MINUTES Page 2 5. APPROV AL OF MINUTES Hunt made a motion, seconded by Dangerfield, to approve the November 2018 minutes as written. The motion was adopted unanimously with Cramer abstaining. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Bicycle Safety Report – Martina Wilkinson/Joe Olson Olson stated most bicycle crash data compiled involves motor vehicle incidents. He noted the City has a stated goal of no roadway deaths and stated though bicycle crashes are only about 3% of total crashes, they are 20% of serious injury crashes and even more of fatal crashes. Olson stated the number of crashes increases with months of increased ridership and discussed the main crash locations in the city, 90% of which are at some type of intersection and 23% of which are due to bicycles riding the opposite direction of traffic. Olson discussed the three main types of bicycle collisions: right-angle crashes, approach turn crashes, and right hook crashes. Wilkinson discussed the importance of using the data to determine areas of risk and areas of perceived danger and as a means of reaching mode split goals. She discussed methods used to lessen right hook crashes, including dashing bike lane lines at intersection approaches. Wilkinson reviewed specific intersections stating City Park and Elizabeth has the highest number of bike crashes per year and is the highest bicycle volume corridor in the city. She also discussed the importance of minimizing crash risk by having bicycles use collector and local streets. Olson discussed the Horsetooth and College intersection design which implements protected intersection concepts. Patton-Mallory asked if driver's license training includes bicycle awareness training. Olson replied the Colorado Department of Transportation puts out brochures, but that is not part of the testing process. Olson stated there is a great deal of effort that needs to go into the zero-death goal. He stated incremental improvements to crash numbers are encouraging and determining effective city-wide initiatives will be critical moving forward. b. Shared Mobility Electric Scooter Code Amendments – Amanda Mansfield Mansfield stated the proposed program will be similar to the bike share program and is focused on standing e-scooters which are allowed only on sidewalks and in BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/28/2019 – MINUTES Page 3 crosswalks, not roadways, per state and local code. Mansfield discussed conflict issues between e-scooters and pedestrians and in terms of parking and fleet management. She noted Fort Collins has a regulatory framework which will allow the removal of any 'dumped' scooters. Mansfield summarized Council's work session on the topic wherein Council approved amending the downtown dismount zone signage to include e-scooters, supported the development of an operational model and a mechanism through which to enter into a partnership with the companies, establishing rules for e-scooter parking, and working with the state on legislation that would allow jurisdictions to have more control over where they want the scooters to operate. Mansfield stated staff will go before Council to propose two code updates, one to update the downtown dismount zone definition in the traffic code to allow enforcement of the new sign language, and the other to update the streets and sidewalks code with the proposed e-scooter parking regulations. Mansfield stated the proposed operational model through which to enter into agreements with the companies is a request for proposal which will allow an ongoing relationship with increased control. This will also allow the City to place a cap on the number of companies. She stated the ultimate vision is the creation of a single app which will provide access to all of the sustainable transportation modes. Mansfield noted encroachment permits will be required by all operators and any structured parking would require a shared mobility parking encroachment permit. Additionally, a shared mobility agreement will be required to be signed by any operators. Mansfield discussed the desire to have these types of services compliment transit in terms of filling first and last mile gaps. She detailed the proposed parking regulations and stated the hope is that the state regulations will align with the City's plan. Buckley asked if there is a plan to increase the amount of bicycle and scooter parking in old town. Mansfield replied the DBA and DDA have provided mixed reviews of additional use of street parking spaces; however, they may support using certain motorcycle spaces. Greegor stated bicycle parking is provided as demand increases. Mansfield noted riders of e-scooters must be 18 years old and are therefore not required to wear helmets; therefore, there are safety concerns. Cranmer asked how the 18-year-old rule will be enforced. Mansfield replied riders must prove their age through the rental app. Cramer asked what areas of town staff is anticipating these will likely be used. Mansfield replied she assumes the downtown area and CSU will be popular; BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/28/2019 – MINUTES Page 4 therefore, CSU is part of the RFP as well. Dangerfield stated staging the scooters in the downtown dismount zone seems odd. Mansfield replied it will be similar to the bike share program. Dangerfield asked if it is possible to remotely slow the scooters. Mansfield replied that is possible with the existing technology. Patton-Mallory expressed concern with the e-scooters riding on trails. Mansfield replied users will receive texts they are entering into a non-operational zone and indicating they may face a fine or be kicked out of the program. Krieg asked about the maximum speed of the scooters. Mansfield replied they can go up to 35 mph; however, the contract will ensure they only go up to 15 mph. Cramer suggested the e-scooters may lose popularity over time as their dangers are discovered. Mansfield noted the program would be a one-year pilot with an optional renewal for up to 5 years and stated regulation and education will be key. c. 2018 Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Summary – Lauren Nagle Nagle stated the bicycle and pedestrian counts are done to better understand traveler behavior, to document trends, to justify investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and to support planning and prioritization of improvements. The counts involve the type of travel, number of travelers, direction of travel, turning movements, helmet use, gender, and e-bike usage. Nagle outlined the count numbers stating more trail users are males and about 60% of riders on trails wear helmets. She also discussed the counts for Safe Routes to School. Nagle discussed and requested input regarding the map model using the count data. Cramer asked if safety data can be incorporated. Nagle replied in the affirmative and stated any GIS layer can be added. d. Election of Officers – All Hunt made a motion, seconded by Dangerfield, to retain Caldwell as Chair and Buckley as Vice Chair. The motion was adopted unanimously. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS a. TRANSPORTATION BOARD REPORT – Ayers Ayers reported the Transportation Board has a new Chair, Indy Hart, and Vice Chair, Nathalie Rachline. He stated the Board discussed the Montava development and it was suggested the BAC may want to monitor that process as the BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/28/2019 – MINUTES Page 5 development will be changing the street and bicycle infrastructure dramatically. b. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS/COMMENTS Dangerfield reported the DDA Chair, Justin Larson, recently passed away in a motorcycle accident in Mexico. He also reported the two alley projects have been completed. Patton-Mallory mentioned concerns about a trail section and the under- representation of bicycle accidents. Committee members discussed the possibility of getting crash data from hospitals. Buckley reported he is now on the Bike Fort Collins Board which recently had its retreat. He stated the Bike Co-op is soliciting members for its board. Cranmer reported CSU is in the process of completing its application for Bike Friendly University platinum status. Caldwell reported the Natural Resources Advisory Board heard the e-scooter presentation from Mansfield and stated the City is engaging in discussions about the gateways to Fort Collins and he is hoping bike infrastructure becomes part of those discussions. Hunt reported the School District is starting to plan bike rodeos and field trips for the spring. Committee members discussed the potential positive impact of later school start times on bicycle ridership. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Staff Report Greegor reported the e-bike pilot program will go before Council on February 12th. She also stated the Parks and Recreation Board and Air Quality Advisory Board both expressed support for the pilot program. She stated Council will discuss the City Plan update in March. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM by unanimous consent.