Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee

Final Meeting Minutes, Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue

Tucson, AZ

Submitted by

Secretary Richard E Corbett

1: Call to Order, Introductions and Approval of Meeting Minutes

Chair Diana Tolton called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm. Members and guests present introduced themselves (see attendance at the end of this document).

The minutes of the January meeting were approved as presented, on a motion by Brian Beck, seconded by Steve Bresler, and passed unanimously.

2: Law Enforcement Reports

Sheriff’s Sgt Ken Coultas stated that County bike crashes had not changed much from last month. He said there were six bicycle crashes in unincorporated Pima County so far this year, and that four had injuries. Of the four, three were the bicycle riders’ fault, including a collision between a bicyclist and a golf cart. The other new crash included one where the battery fell off a bike and a motor vehicle ran over the bike as the cyclist was attempting to retrieve the battery.

Sgt Coultas went on to say that he wonders why there are not more citations issued for violations of 28-735 (Three foot passing law). He said he would work on getting improved training for Sheriff’s Deputies on this matter. He also noted that mountain bikers, who have previously ridden the trails from Mt Lemmon to Catalina State Park, are now finding that their trip is almost twice as long due to trail conditions resulting from the fires that have burned through the area. He asks that the BAC help get the word out about this, as cyclists will get only part way before dark, and then be ‘trapped’ on the mountain.

Jean Gorman asked if there had been a fatal crash on Nogales Highway. Sgt Coultas answered no.

3: Call to the Public

Eric Gunnison stated that he rides an 18 mile round trip to and from Raytheon, and has done this for 13 years. It is a lot safer than most people think, if only they drive their bicycles according to the same laws that motorists are subject too, and make sure they are easily and readily seen. Vice-Chair Wayne Cullop mentioned that Raytheon is now actively promoting bicycling and walking to work now.

4: Bicycle Crash Analysis Presentation

Tom Fisher, former City of Tucson Bicycle Coordinator, and former PAG Transit Planner, now with the City of Tucson Transit Division, presented the bicycle crash analysis that he and Rich Corbett had collaborated on (before Rich retired from PAG). There were a total of 3500 crash events for the ten years 1995 to 2005, but the focus of this analysis was on the last five years – 2001 thru 2005 (data lag means the 2006 data will not be available until about July of this year). Good news is that there has been a slight downward trend, both in numbers and in rate to population. Any one who wants a copy of the presentation should contact Tom at 791-5409.

9: Street Car and the El Tour de Tucson Start Area (moved up on the agenda)

Downtown Bicycle Circulation Task Force Chair David Bachman-Williams reported that the Task Force met last week, and has taken a position regarding the streetcar tracks downtown, especially on Granada. The Task Force voted to strongly recommend that the tracks stay on the east side of Granada, off the street, until they get to the Cushing Street intersection (which is the very rear of the El Tour de Tucson lineup).

Bachman-Williams then presented slides showing the latest proposal for the streetcar tracks in Downtown. The Modern Street Car alignment crosses downtown streets several times, at angles that could be hazardous to bicyclists. The current proposal for Granada Avenue (the El Tour de Tucson start/finish area) is to have the tracks on the east side, off street as they pass through a new Hotel Arizona building (which will include a station), then cross to the west side about where the rear of the El Tour Platinum line-up area is.

It was pointed out that the two shallow curves (at Congress & Broadway and on Granada by the Convention Center) can most likely be ‘sharpened’ to make them less of a problem for bicyclists. The plan also has track on 4^th Avenue on both sides, at the edges – another concern for bicyclists.

Charles Franz pointed out that Portland Oregon uses narrower tracks that are better for bicyclists, and he understands that this type of track will be used here.

Bachman-Williams moved, with Aversa seconding, that 1) the streetcar tracks be kept off Granada until the Cushing Street intersection, then cross at a sharper angle than currently planned; 2) that 4^th Avenue Street Car Stations be in the center of the street, not at the edge; and 3) that the tracks turning off Congress also be at a sharper angle. The motion passed unanimously.

5: Granada Re-Striping letter

Steve Bresler moved, with Beck seconding, to send the letter to TDOT on the Granada (Congress to 6^th Street) restriping, recommending that the roadway be restriped to two auto lanes (one each way) plus a two-way center left turn lane, and shoulders/bike lanes on both sides. The motion passed unanimously.

6: Ride of Silence

Cullop gave a quick review of what the Ride of Silence is (it honors those who have been killed or injured while riding their bicycles), and then Beck moved, with Cullop seconding, that the Bicycle Advisory Committee endorse the ride. The motion passed unanimously.

7: Establish BAC Nominating Committee

Chair Tolton appointed Members Donna Aversa, Jean Gorman, Brian Beck, and Zach McDonald to the Nominating Committee, with the charge that they bring a slate of officers to the April meeting.

8: Replacement of Inactive Members

Chair Tolton stated that those members who miss three or more meetings in a year are subject to removal from the BAC. She urged all members to be careful about their attendance, and if they have a good reason to be absent to notify both her and the Secretary.

9: Street Car and the El Tour de Tucson Start Area (covered earlier – see above)

10: BAC Sub-Committee Reports

Enforcement Sub-committee: Eric Post has agreed to take over as Chair of this sub-committee. Chair Tolton appointed him to the position.

Post stated that the way the law enforcement representatives participate and interact with the BAC is in evolution.

Chair Tolton assigned Post to discuss this with the law enforcement representatives, and try to work out a more effective and efficient way for law enforcement representatives to be involved with the BAC.

Facility Sub-committee: Roy Schoonover reported in Bill Adamson’s absence. The sub-committee has added three new members – each of whom will ‘bird dog’ specific projects or groups of projects. New members include Robin Steinberg (City Bike Routes), Heather O’Connor (Escalante/Irvington Roads), and Alicia Heiserer (Kina/Campbell/22^nd St). He went on to report two meetings with the Town of Sahuarita to negotiate agreement on Sahuarita Road bike lanes.

He also stated that the City of Tucson has presented ten RTA re-striping bike lane projects for RTA funding, including: 1) 6^th Avenue (N of 19^th St to South Tucson City Limits), 2) 6^th Avenue (South Tucson City Limits to Irvington Rd), 3) Alvernon Way (Speedway to Broadway), 4) Alvernon Way (Ajo Way to Valencia), 5) Campbell Avenue (Glenn to Grant), 6) Campbell Avenue (Elm to Speedway), 7) Pantano Rd (Speedway to Broadway), 8) Park Avenue (Benson Hwy to Ajo Rd), 9) Park Avenue (Ajo Rd to Irvington Rd), and 10) Speedway (Alvernon to Rosemont).

Finally, he mentioned a meeting with relatively new ADOT Tucson District Engineer Greg Gentsch to discuss the inconsistencies of lane widths and shoulders on the I-10 underpasses/overpasses.

Education Sub-committee: Chair Brian Beck stated that the sub-committee needs an updated Excel spreadsheet on TE grant education activities from Pima County‘s Matt Zoll. He went on to state that their standing meeting time is 7:00 pm, at Ward VI, immediately after the Executive Sub-committee.

Executive Sub-committee: Vice-Chair Cullop reported on the list of action items, and asked for any feedback. He reminded Members that they need to keep track of and honor their commitments, then arrive at closure. Chair Tolton mentioned the agenda guidelines that have been created and asked that they be posted on the BAC website. The Executive Sub-committee meets the last Wednesday of the Month (two weeks prior to the BAC meeting) at Ward VI, at 6:00 pm.

11. Staff Reports

Zoll asked that the request for support of a bicycle operators diversion program be included on the agenda next month. He went on to mention that the TE Education PSAs will be completed soon, and that higher speed ‘right hooks’ are becoming more prevalent. A Police Training video, based on the classic ‘Ride On By’, will be ready soon. Finally, Safe Routes to School applications for the State’s funding were submitted for Emily Gray Middle School.

Tucson Bike Coordinator Tom Thivener reported that 75% of his time so far has been on Bike to Work activities – the event will be in Jãcome Plaza, in front of the Main Library, Friday, March 30^th. Channel 13 will do a live broadcast, with interviews including Rich Corbett talking about his 36 years as a Tucson Bicycle commuter, Fairwheel Bikes will have a repair station, and the U of A will do bike registration. He went on to describe upcoming bike valet Parking (4^th Ave Street Fair, and Susan G Komen Race for the Cure) and asked for volunteers. John Thaxton suggested contacting the Davis-Monthan Volunteer Center. Tom also mentioned he is getting two BAC Banners, ~ 4’ x 5’. Beck mentioned he needs volunteers for a GABA table at Bike to Work, and that the Ride of Silence may get City endorsement and Police support.

12. Announcements

The upcoming open house on the Street Car was mentioned, as was the Davis-Monthan Armed Forces Day May 19^th, including road bike rally.

13. Action Items and Agenda Items for next meeting

Not covered due to time expiring

14: Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm

Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue

1: Call to Order, Introductions and Approval of Meeting Minutes

2: Law Enforcement Reports

~ ATTENDANCE ~

Members

Staff

Members of the Public

Himmel Park Library, 1035 N. Treat Avenue

1: Call to Order, Introductions and Approval of Meeting Minutes

2: Law Enforcement Reports

~~~ ATTENDANCE ~~~

Members

Staff

Members of the Public

~ ATTENDANCE ~