Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee
Final Meeting Summary, Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Tucson, AZ
BAC members and members of the public introduced themselves.
A motion to approve the minutes of the June 9th meeting was made by David Bachman-Williams, seconded by Brian Beck, and passed unanimously.
The August 9th minutes are attached. There were two errors pointed out in the August minutes. The spelling of Roland Bosma’s name (owner of Spooky Tooth) was questioned, but was actually spelled correctly, so no change was needed. Clarification on what the acronym GOHS stands for (Governors Office of Highway Safety) has been added to the minutes and they are now ready for approval.
Chair Tolton suggested combination of agenda item #7 (motorized bikes) with #4 (call to public), since many members of the public came to speak on the motorized bike issue. Beck asked if a motion was needed, and it was determined that the Chair has the authority to move items on the agenda, so agenda item 7 was moved up with item 4.
Lt. Mike Pryor reported that so far in 2006 we have had 210 property damage and injury collisions, compared to 196 in 2005. Lt. Pryor mentioned that we might be seeing a spike with these numbers because the University is back in session, and a number of students ride their bicycles as their mode of transportation.
Lt. Pryor reported on TPD’s role in the Governors Office of Highway Safety Conference (he having served as the panel moderator for the bicycle and pedestrian safety panel) and emphasized the positive feedback they have been receiving.
John Fleming asked about the University’s role with respect to bike safety, and drinking, and how TPD’s role changes when school is in session.
Charles Franz responded that University Police ride/patrol around University
bikeways. He mentioned a U of AZ
article that reported 361 crashes in 2005.
Rosemary Carmody asked what type of education the U of AZ provides. Franz replied they make educational materials available such as the share the road guide, bike maps, and information on impaired driving. The University also provides bicycle registration for both student and non-student bikes.
Chair Tolton suggested that the University give a presentation about their programs and structure to the BAC in November. Franz agreed to try and schedule this for November.
Melissa Antol reported on the status of the
motorized bike issue. She said that the
city attorney’s office was drafting an ordinance based on the recommendations
that came out of the Sept. 7th Neighborhood and Public Safety
Subcommittee hearing, and was used to develop a draft ordinance for local
regulation of motorized bicycles. The
draft ordinance will be presented at the full Mayor and Council public hearing
scheduled for September 19th.
She encouraged the BAC to attend the hearing to voice their support, or
opposition on the issue.
Guest Robin Steinberg pointed out the distinction
that should be made between gas and electric bikes. She said her friend owns an electric bike and that they have a
pedal assist device on them to start the bicycle, and mentioned that the bike
is programmed to cut off at about 18 mph.
Bachman-Williams commented that there was a big
discrepancy in the speed capability of gas-motorized bikes and that Roland
Bosma of Spooky Tooth, inaccurately described their maximum speed capability at
the last BAC meeting, and that his information contradicted what is listed on
the Spooky Tooth web site.
There was discussion on the flaws associated with
the state law, due to the fact that motors could be modified which would allow
them to exceed acceptable speed limits.
Sgt. Murphy pointed out that we should remember
that once a motorized bike exceeds 20 mph, it becomes a moped, and is subject
to rules and regulations for mopeds.
Carmody made a motion to ban motorized bicycles.
Donna Aversa mentioned that the letter the BAC
produced stated the BAC’s desire to ban motorized bicycles already. She further asked if electric bikes were
included in our ban and made a recommendation that perhaps the BAC reconsider
the position. Carmody's motion died without a second.
Troy Neiman, from BICAS commented that based on the
speeds they travel he did not personally want them in bike lanes, or on shared
use paths.
Zach MacDonald commented that motorized bikes
should not be banned, on principle, because it sets a bad precedent, and
mentioned neighborhood meetings as a forum
Jen Burdick reported how the city handled the
motorized scooter process.
Aversa inquired about the enforcement subcommittee
report regarding motorized bicycles
John Fleming looked to the BAC for a
recommendation, and stated that he felt we should maintain a ban.
Aversa made a motion to have the BAC stick with the
original BAC letter, and Bachman- Williams seconded it. There was more
discussion on the issue, then the motion passed unanimously, to maintain the
original position on motorized bicycles as stated in the BAC's letter.
Other Items
from Call to Public
Neiman, from Bicycle Inter-Community Action and
Salvage (BICAS), read and submitted a letter that was addressed to Mayor and
Council regarding the Downtown Links roadway development project. Neiman stated the importance of maintaining
the historic structures that comprise the warehouse district, providing bicycle
and pedestrian connections, and maintaining the location of the BICAS building
downtown. BICAS provided a list of
recommendations that should apply to the downtown links projects:
·
Comply with Complete the Streets Design methodology
·
Separate bike lane from roadway prior to the potential 6th
street underpass
·
Makes the 6th street underpass roadway as narrow as possible
with bike and pedestrian connections and crossways at ground level
·
Create bike path parallel to railroad tracks from 4th avenue
through to 9th avenue
·
Focus on creating attractive and safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities
along the roadway (native trees for shade, etc) rather than just a throughway
for cars
Chair Tolton and other members asked that BICAS
come to present information about what their organization does at a future
meeting. The BICAS representatives
agreed.
Chair Tolton requested of Antol that the City be
scheduled for the October agenda to do a presentation on the downtown links
project. Antol agreed to check staff
availability.
5. Mark Flint – Arizona Trail Association
Mark Flint is a trail steward and volunteer
coordinator for the Arizona Trail Cienega Corridor Project. The trail concept runs from Utah to Mexico
and spans 800 miles (with 60 miles left to be built). Flint and his volunteer teams have been doing a lot of work in
Saguaro National Park. He announced
that a new trail building season will start on October 14th and 15th
and that they are always looking for volunteers. He mentioned that Beyond Bread sponsors the trail work, so
volunteers receive a free lunch from Beyond Bread.
Flint and others also mentioned that supporting
efforts like this are good because they provide mountain biking opportunities
that also improve our chances of reaching a platinum level rating from the League
of American Bicyclists because it demonstrates that we are continuing to build
our bicycle network.
People interested in learning about their work, or
volunteering can visit their web site at:
http://www.aztrail-build.org
Zach McDonald stated that he would write a letter
for the next meeting that asks that all jurisdictions support the Cienega trail
corridor construction.
6. BAC Subcommittee Reports/Announcements
Education: Sub-Committee Chair Beck reported that he, Jean Gorman, Martha
Lemen and Eric Post met last month, discussed types of projects they should
address, and discussed having a desire to work with Antol and the City on the
Grant Road Corridor Planning.
Chair Tolton mentioned the RTA Bike Projects
and asked BAC members if they had responded to Richard Corbett’s e-mails. She asked the facilities subcommittee to
address the issue.
Bachman Williams requested the city look into bike
problem he faces when traveling westbound on the Tanque Verde Loop –
Wrightstown Pass, said the area was ground down to obliterate the striping and
the result has been really poor quality pavement, that is dangerous.
Communications Sub-Committee: Chair
McDonald reported the subcommittee has been busy working on two primary issues
1) expanding membership information (what we do, how we communicate
information, biographies of membership, how BAC members communicate, etc) and
2) expanding the type of issues the BAC works with.
Facilities Sub-Committee: Member Merritt
Howard read a statement from its Chair Bill Adamson, who is out of state, which
said:
Here are some of my ideas:
1. The name of
the subcomm is "Plans, Programs, and Facilities". For abbreviation
I'll use "Facilities" which is the result, if we plan and get
programs started.
2. We should
cover both road and mtn bike concerns.
3. We should have
all areas of Pima County represented.
4. Plans:
1. Road bike:
a. There are many existing plans out there that we need to review
and see if
anything is missing. I'm more familiar with what PAG has done.
Does PC,
Tucson, other jurisdictions have plans or are they included in PAG's.
b. What
projects are underway? Stalled? Status?
c. What are
the top priorities not yet committed?
2. Mtn bike:
a. What
plans exist? What issues?
b. Where are
we and what needs to be done? What priorities?
We need more
members to pull this together and identify what is needed in the various parts
of the County. I can get help/info for south of Tucson from the Santa Cruz
Valley Bicycle Advocate Comm. Roy is a valuable asset in the Tucson area.
Merritt has Sahuarita. Please invite people to cover other areas. We also need
mtn bike advocates to join.
Executive – Chair Tolton mentioned the executive committee
could meet in her office on Tuesdays at 6 pm.
Discussed wanting to address recreational issues, how to honor past
members, open meeting law and how it applies to subcommittees.
Potential Items for Next Agenda
§
Downtown Links
§
Open Meeting law
§
BICAS
§
U of AZ Bicycle Education
§
Federal Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety and Education Grant – City and
County Program
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm
Donna Aversa, Oro Valley
David Bachman-Williams, Pima County
Brian Beck, Tucson Ward 2
Dave Boston, Tucson Ward 6
Steve Bressler, Tucson Ward 1
Rosemary Carmody, Pima County
P. Wayne Cullop, Tucson Ward 4
John Fleming, Tucson Ward 3
Charles Franz, U of A
Jean Gorman, Tucson Mayor's Office
Merritt Howard, Pima County
Zach MacDonald, Tucson Ward 5
Hank Rowe, Pima County
Diana Tolton, Pima County
Melissa Antol, TDOT
Lt. Mike Pryor, TPD
Sgt. Bill Murphy, PC Sheriff’s Dept.
Nancy Ellis, Oro Valley
Jim Gorman, citizen
Jen Burdick, DUPD, COT, citizen
Robin Steinberg, citizen
Norm Land, citizen
Troy Neiman, BICAS
Dawn Villareal, BICAS
Jeff Ryals, Davis Monthan AFB