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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycle Advisory Committee - Minutes - 01/23/2023 BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING –REGULAR January 23, 2023 6:00 p.m. Hybrid Meeting – Zoom and 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 1 /23/2022 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Dave Dixon Vice-Chair: Jordan Williams Staff Liaison: Cortney Geary 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL (INTRODUCTIONS) BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Rachel Ruhlen Lauren Nagle Dave Dixon, Chair, Bike Fort Collins Jordan Williams, Vice Chair, At Large Member Katherine Chu, At Large Member Scott Mason, Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Ed Peyronnin, Colorado State University Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee Whitney Allison, At Large Member Jonathan Crozier, Poudre School District Kevin Krause, Natural Resources Advisory Board Tim Anderson, Fort Collins Bike Co-op Rob Owens, Transportation Board Todd Dangerfield, Downtown Development Authority ABSENT: Marcia Richards, Parks and Recreation Board David Hansen, Colorado State University David Kovach, Senior Advisory Board PUBLIC PRESENT: Troy Rosen Emily Becker Greg Boiarsky BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1 /23/2022 – MINUTES Page 2 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Dixon stated there were no changes to the published agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Troy Rosen and Emily Becker introduced themselves as BAC applicants. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – DECEMBER 2022 Crozier made a motion, seconded by Peyronnin, to approve the minutes of the December 2022 meeting as written. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. CSU Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee/City Bicycle Advisory Committee Safety Stop Subcommittees Peyronnin reported on the three committees that have been formed to address the new safety stop legislation: enforcement, data collection, and education and communication. He discussed recent meetings with the enforcement and data subcommittees and stated he will forward the meeting information onto both larger committees. Lauren Nagle, FC Moves, reported on the first education and communication subcommittee meeting and noted there will be at least one more. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. SPIN Update – Rachel Ruhlen, FC Moves Rachel Ruhlen, FC Moves, provided an update on the E-bike and scooter share program, operated by SPIN, which has been in operation since July of 2021. She noted the annual report was recently presented to Council and it included a subjective evaluation of the program over a number of categories. She also noted two rider surveys were completed over the year, one in the fall of 2021, which was included in the report, and one in the fall of 2022, which was not included in the report. She detailed the results of the most recent survey, noting 95% of the more than 1,200 SPIN rider respondents stated they like or love SPIN. Additionally, she stated both surveys showed that 34% of the trips taken on SPIN devices are replacing motor vehicle trips, which is in line with other cities in the nation, and that number amounts to a reduction of 36 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Ruhlen discussed the SPIN Adaptive and SPIN Access programs, which provide adaptive bikes free of charge upon request, and allow for the rental of SPIN devices for those without credit cards or smart phones and provide a substantial BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1 /23/2022 – MINUTES Page 3 discount for lower-income individuals, respectively. She provided additional detail regarding riding on arterial roads and noted the E-scooters are geofenced out of paved trails. Ruhlen stated the number of calls requesting a device be moved has tripled as SPIN’s contact information has been made more readily available. She noted most of the calls to relocate devices are not due to them being improperly parked; however, they are moved by SPIN regardless, and every evening SPIN redeploys the devices. Ruhlen discussed a practicum completed by a CSU student who worked to make regular observations of parked scooters throughout the city. She stated the data collected related to whether the parked devices were a problem, and further whether they would cause a problem for someone in a wheelchair, and whether the scooters were upright. She further detailed the parking questions on the recent survey and noted comments showed users generally understand the rules for parking, but suggested having better options for parking, including clearly designated spaces, and that they preferred incentives over disincentives. She outlined the parking management strategies that will be employed over the next few months, including revising the ordinance related to where they can be parked, installing parking boxes, and developing a quiz. Additionally, she outlined the parking penalties that are currently issued by SPIN. Ruhlen further detailed the parking box installation stating six or so will be installed in the spring with locations determined based on the parking study. She also discussed the quiz that is planned to be developed and required for individuals who improperly park scooters. She encouraged reporting of improperly parked devices in order to allow SPIN to issue the user penalty if appropriate. Ruhlen stated the SPIN contract is renewable annually for up to five years, and has been renewed once. Boiarsky asked how the data reflects the actual ridership. He stated the parking problems noted seem like a very small portion of ridership. Ruhlen replied it is a small number and it does track with seasonal decreases in ridership. Chair Dixon asked how the 1,200 people who completed the survey were made aware of it. Ruhlen replied the survey was done through the SPIN app and anyone with a SPIN account in Fort Collins received the email. Additionally, there was a notification presented for all rides in Fort Collins at the time of ridership. Chu asked if there is any indication of how many of the 30,000 unique riders were visitors to the city versus residents. Ruhlen replied one of the survey questions was related to affiliation with CSU, though she was unsure of the exact number of BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1 /23/2022 – MINUTES Page 4 respondents who were visitors to Fort Collins. Chair Dixon asked if the ride report data was provided by an independent, third- party. Ruhlen replied in the affirmative and stated Ride Report is a typical service that cities and providers often use. Crozier asked if there is any way to measure whether scooters are originally properly parked, but are then moved. Ruhlen replied a photo of the parking space needs to be submitted at the conclusion of each ride and it is generally obvious if they have been moved. Crozier asked how the photos are analyzed. Ruhlen replied SPIN staff physically looks at them. Dangerfield asked if a survey of the impressions of the general public or of businesses in Old Town has been considered, rather than that of just riders. Ruhlen replied that is a good suggestion. She noted last year’s survey was mostly completed by SPIN users, but also went out through other channels, though there were very few responses from non-SPIN riders. Dangerfield asked if the Downtown area is being considered for parking boxes. Ruhlen replied that is a possibility, but noted most of the Downtown area is geofenced. She encouraged Dangerfield to take photos of any improperly parked scooter in the square and then move the device so SPIN can issue a user penalty. She discussed the current list of locations for parking boxes and stated locating them in Old Town could be a possibility for the future; however, there are currently more legal parking spaces in Old Town due to the extra wide sidewal Owens questioned whether the parking numbers presented actually represent a problem and justify the need to create the parking boxes. Ruhlen replied the goal is to help eliminate issues from the perspective of the individual who may be inconvenienced or have an accessibility issue due to an improperly parked device. Owens noted the situation will never be perfect and commented on the importance of spending money in the wisest manner. Ruhlen replied she has given some thought to whether this is where resources should be expended, and has come to the conclusion that it is at least for now, because parking issues are the main complaint and have resulted in threats. She stated the goal is to have some solid before and after data to help be able to eliminate the parking issue as the main problem. Peyronnin noted public relations and telling the story early on is also a good place to put some funds. He asked who determined scooters should not be allowed on paved trails. Ruhlen replied that was part of the City ordinance, though it may be reconsidered at some point. Cortney Geary, FC Moves Active BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1 /23/2022 – MINUTES Page 5 Modes Manager, suggested the upcoming recreation trail master plan update could provide a good opportunity to have that conversation. Vice Chair Williams commended Ruhlen and the FC Moves staff on their work with SPIN. He noted the program is quite successful from a usage standpoint. Additionally, he agreed the placement of parking boxes speaks to the city’s culture in terms of prioritizing the use of the devices. He suggested the BAC could provide input on the ordinance changes and asked if there is an existing timeline related to the parking changes. Ruhlen replied she has been having conversations with the Traffic Engineer and he is amenable to making parking changes. Geary also noted toy vehicles on streets could be advanced more quickly than scooters on trails. Chair Dixon requested data related to the cities with the most ridership. Ruhlen noted Fort Collins is number six, ahead of Boulder at number eight. b. Active Modes Plan Infrastructure Implementation – Cortney Geary Cortney Geary, FC Moves Active Modes Manager, outlined the full build network recommended by the Active Modes Plan, which includes implementation of 144 miles of bike facility improvements and 165 spot treatments with a total cost estimate of over $150 million. She discussed the resurfacing program, which allows for much less expensive improvements in concert with roadway resurfacing. She specifically discussed the City Park and Mulberry area and stated options are being explored for the best way to implement the recommended improvements which will be funded by the bike community capital improvement program and the resurfacing program. Geary discussed corridor projects that are occurring through the resurfacing program. She also discussed the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure grant which could be for up to $1 million. She stated there is a strong emphasis for having cities implement protected bike lanes through the grant opportunity, and the plan is to request the materials and installation of those lanes on Centre as well as on Drake between Worthington and the Mason Trail, and funds for a road diet feasibility study on Shields from Mountain to Prospect. Geary noted the Traffic Operations team has the capability to do design for the protection and spacing, which is another cost savings opportunity. Owens noted the proposed protected bike lanes on Drake only go up to the second entrance to Worthington Circle and asked if the plan is to wait for a spot improvement to do the entire intersection. Geary replied in the affirmative and stated the Drake resurfacing goes almost to Dunbar and the budget would not allow for the full extent of the roadway to be improved given the median. Owens asked if the proposed material for the protected bike lane would actually BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1 /23/2022 – MINUTES Page 6 stop a vehicle. Geary replied there are sections of Mulberry that are just the delineator posts and it seemed as though the concrete curbs and delineator posts were preferable; however, Streets has difficulty with resurfacing when the concrete curbs are in place. She stated the delineator posts are realistically more of a mental barrier for drivers. Vice Chair Williams noted Troy Rosen mentioned in the chat that sharrows can be a poor experience for cyclists along Shields and Alison agreed Shields could use a more direct route for students. Geary noted Mr. Rosen also stated it is as important to be able to maintain bike infrastructure as it is to secure funding for new build-outs. Geary concurred and noted Traffic has assumed about 15% of the materials will need to be replaced within a year, and that has been built into the budget. Geary discussed an opportunity for coordination with the Powerhouse II development on the northwest corner of Vine and Jerome as well as a CDOT award for 2025 that will allow for improvements to be made at Prospect Road and Prospect Lane, likely for a pedestrian hybrid beacon. She discussed studies related to compliance rates with these types of signals and stated staff is hoping to do some similar studies locally. Geary discussed transportation alternatives program funding being provided by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is federal funding for a crossing at William Neal and Ziegler and a trail connection to the future Poudre Trail. Additionally, she discussed the Safe Streets for All federal program from which just over $4 million in funding was requested to implement Active Modes Plan recommendations for underserved community census tracts as well as for intersection improvements at College and Elizabeth. Additionally, she stated the Colorado Department of Local Affairs is offering local match assistance for infrastructure investment in Federal Transportation Bill projects. c. BICI Grant Application Letter of Support – Cortney Geary Geary stated staff is seeking a letter of support from the Committee for the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure grant application. Krause made a motion, seconded by Vice Chair Williams, to approve the draft letter of support as written with minor edits. The motion was adopted unanimously. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Allison commented on bike infrastructure in Tucson, Arizona. Peyronnin reported on the recent campus Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting during which Bike to Work Day at transportation demand management were discussed. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1 /23/2022 – MINUTES Page 7 Crozier reported on Dunn Elementary’s participation in Bike to Work Day. Chu reported on witnessing cars parking in a bike lane and having an officer go into a nearby business to indicate violators would be receiving a ticket. Additionally, she stated this will be her last meeting on the Committee. Krause reported his time on the Natural Resources Advisory Board will be coming to an end, as will his time on the Committee. He discussed his mountain biking program for elementary-aged students. Chair Dixon reported on Bike Fort Collins’ participation in Bike to Work Day and afternoon bash event. He also reported on Bike Fort Collins’ work with Safe Routes to School. He thanked Chu and Krause for their service on the Committee. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Transportation Board Report Owens reported the Transportation Board received the SPIN update and has a new member. He thanked Geary for discussing the low-stress network definition specifically related to a hit-and-run at the intersection of Suniga and Redwood. b. Staff Liaison Report • Winter Bike to Work Day – February 10 • Transportation Projects Fair – February 23 Geary stated the Projects Fair will be at the Senior Center from 5:30-7:30 PM on February 23rd. c. Future Agenda Items • Joint Transportation Board/BAC Meeting – February 15 Geary stated the next meeting will be held jointly with the Transportation Board on February 15th. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM by unanimous consent.