Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee

Approved Meeting Minutes, Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue

Tucson, AZ

Submitted by

Secretary Richard E Corbett

1: Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Diana Tolton at 6:07 pm. She mentioned that Richard Corbett is retiring from PAG.

2: Introductions and Approval of Meeting Minutes

Chair Tolton welcomed new member Norm Land. Members and guests present introduced themselves.

The minutes of the December meeting were approved as presented, on a motion by Steve Bresler, seconded by John Fleming, and passed unanimously.

3: Law Enforcement Reports and Discussion of actual and desired role of law enforcement reports to BAC.

Tucson Police Sgt Tim Beam stated that the bike crashes for 2006 ended up being ten percent above 2005. There were 331 total, versus 301 in 2005, and looking at a substantive sample, 53% were motorist fault and 47% were bicycle rider fault.

He went on to note that it is possible to get the full year report from the TPD records section

Rosemary Carmody asked if Sgt Beam believed the citations issued were “correct”. Sgt Beam answered that to the best of his knowledge they were.

Pima County Sheriff’s Department Sgt Doug Hanna introduced himself, and stated that he teaches law enforcement at the academy, with special emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian laws. He said there were five bicycle crashes in unincorporated Pima County since December 1^st, and that three had injuries. Of the three, two were the bicycle riders’ fault. The other two included one where the motor vehicle failed to yield, and one where the bicycle rider was operating at night with no lights or reflectors.

The Chair noted that there was a special presentation to be made under call to the public, so she moved the agenda on to that item.

4: Call to the Public

Tucson Transportation Director Jim Glock thanked Richard Corbett for his many years of efforts to improve quality of life for Tucsonans and noted, for example, that Rich had trained all the City of Tucson Bike Coordinators over the years. He then presented a framed certificate of appreciation to Rich, citing his more than 33 years of bicycle planning and advocacy.

Citizen Bill Katzel next read a list of his personal recommendations into the record, including:

1. That the Committee work with the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) to assure that a highly qualified replacement be secured for the bicycle planning position being vacated by Richard Corbett’s retirement.

2. That the Committee petition the various appointing Governing Bodies for periodic agenda item briefings to inform and solicit support from elected officials on BAC initiatives.

3. That the Committee assures the Platinum Challenge Application process continue through 2007 for submission to the League of American Bicyclist (LAB) in early 2008.

4. That the Committee work with the Mayor of Tucson’s Office to make bicycling part of Tucson’s World Health Initiative.

5. That the Committee establishes a Membership Sub-Committee to work on filling all vacancies with qualified candidates, and

6. That the Committee recommends to the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists that their legislative initiatives include amending ARS 28-704(a) to exclude bicycles.

Call to the public being finished, the Chair directed the agenda back to item 3.

3: Law Enforcement Reports and Discussion of actual and desired role of law enforcement reports to BAC (continued).

BAC Law Enforcement Sub-Committee Chair John Fleming stated that his sub-committee had met earlier, and had some suggestions:

1. The law enforcement reports provided could be even more useful and relevant;

2. There could be improved environmental factors information in the reports;

3. There could be assessment of patterns, such as the one year before last where citations were being wrongly issued to bicycle riders who were right hooked; and

4. There could be information on where, when, what, citations, injuries, etc., on the report.

Sgt Beam said that virtually all the information asked for is already in the report, and that these reports have been routinely provided to the Chair.

Dave Boston asked if it would be possible to get information on other than traffic offenses against bicycle riders?

Sgt Hanna answered that if the offense number is different, it would be possible to miss bicyclist related cases. Sgt Beam added that most motorist and non-motorist offenses do not mention the word “bicycle”, and offered an example of someone tossing a coke can at a cyclist – this is disorderly conduct and would not show up in the reports provided to the BAC.

Secretary Corbett mentioned that the State’s ALISS crash data system uses a threshold of personal injury and/or $1,000 property damage to get into the system. He also pointed out that documented studies show that only one of five injury crashes get into the ‘official’ systems.

Chair Tolton stated that it is important to know what the crash data will do for us – getting data for the sake of data, without specific purposes is not desirable.

Carmody answered that the data might allow targeted education measures, support the TE education program grant, and allow measurements.

Brian Beck asked how could we communicate with law enforcement better?

Sgt Beam answered that there is more bike sensitivity than there used to be, but the newer officers will not cite a cyclist who is injured in a crash (thinking they have already been ‘punished’ enough. He went on to say that this failure to cite is not right. He asked about PSAs, saying they (TPD) would help. PC Staffer Matt Zoll said that the Adult TE Bike Ed Program would be rolling out PSAs ‘soon’.

TDOT Staffer Melissa Antol stated that their “Safe Kids Program reached more than 7,000 kids last year.

Donna Aversa asked if BAC could get the actual crash reports? Antol answered that perhaps City Staff could get reports for a trial period to see how it works, if it is truly helpful.

Aversa asked if it could be for three months. Eric Post supported this idea, and said it would help improve accuracy of the information. Antol said she would check and will try it for a “few months”.

Aversa said she wants BAC to ask for reports from the other jurisdictions too. She offered a motion to this effect, Beck seconded it, and with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Zoll mentioned that in the past five years, the ALISS data showed 155 wrong way bicycle riders, of which 88% were DUI.

5: Filling Position of Secretary until next election

Aversa asked if there was really a need to fill the position temporarily, since she understood that Secretary Richard Corbett, with the Chair’s support, was working on getting appointed to a regular BAC position. Corbett is willing to continue his service through a transitionary period.

Parliamentarian Beck pointed out that the bylaws do not require that the Secretary be a Committee member.

Vice-Chair Wayne Cullop suggested that this matter be carried forward to next month, to allow clarification of the matter.

6: BAC review of the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists Bill to be presented to Arizona Legislature in 2007 regarding penalties for hitting and killing cyclist

There was quick identification of the bill’s limited scope – it apparently adds only 28-725 (passing too closely) to 28-672 (Causing serious physical injury or death by a moving violation; classification; penalties). Concern was expressed that it needs to be more inclusive – what about all the other situations when a motorist strikes and seriously injures or kills a cyclist?

It was noted that the deadline for filing new bills is January 17^th. It was also noted that efforts should be directed through the City and County lobbyists.

How can this be best dealt with? Could the Enforcement Sub-committee be authorized to submit recommendations? Vice-Chair Cullop said he wants to see any action come form the whole BAC. Individuals can certainly act on their own, so long as they do not identify themselves with BAC.

Antol stated that the BAC couldn’t support legislation without jurisdictional approval(s).

Based on this, Chair Tolton closed discussion, and moved on to the next agenda item.

7. BAC Sub-committee Reports/Action Items Updates

Executive Sub-committee: Chair Tolton and Vice Chair Cullop stated that the officers would help Antol more with agenda, and will create a running list of action items, including a structured listing to include who, status, and follow-up action(s).

Chair Tolton stated that the enforcement report and discussion went longer than anticipated, and that it being past 8:00 pm, the meeting needs to wrap up.

Bill Adamson said that it would have helped to have had much of the discussion in the sub-committee meeting.

Eric Post stated that there should be a budget of five minutes per report.

8. Staff Reports – Melissa Antol, Matt Zoll, and Nancy Ellis Annual Reports if not given last month and 2007 Preview

Not covered due to time expiring

9. Announcements

Not covered due to time expiring

10. Action Items and Agenda Items for next meeting

Not covered due to time expiring

11: Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm

Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue

1: Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Diana Tolton at 6:07 pm. She mentioned that Richard Corbett is retiring from PAG.

2: Introductions and Approval of Meeting Minutes

3: Law Enforcement Reports and Discussion of actual and desired role of law enforcement reports to BAC.

3: Law Enforcement Reports and Discussion of actual and desired role of law enforcement reports to BAC (continued).

~ ATTENDANCE ~

Members

Staff

Members of the Public

Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue

1: Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Diana Tolton at 6:07 pm. She mentioned that Richard Corbett is retiring from PAG.

2: Introductions and Approval of Meeting Minutes

3: Law Enforcement Reports and Discussion of actual and desired role of law enforcement reports to BAC.

3: Law Enforcement Reports and Discussion of actual and desired role of law enforcement reports to BAC (continued).

~~~ ATTENDANCE ~~~

Members

Staff

Members of the Public

~ ATTENDANCE ~