Capital District Transportation Committee
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of Meeting on
Attendance:
1.0 New Business
1.1 Presentation--Rory Fluman, Capital Region Older Driver Assistance Network –This project is in its third year with coordination with GTSC and the NYS Office of the Aging. The project helps elderly persons how to drive a car, provides assessments for safety and the need for adaptive equipment. Rory also trains police department personnel on handling situations with older drivers and also helps people plan for the day when they have to stop driving. For more information can be obtained by calling the Network at 1-800-342-9871 or emailing NYSOFA@ofa.state.ny.us.
1.2
Bicycle Education--update – CDTC and the City of
1.3
AARP Conference “Good to Go: Enhancing Senior Mobility
in Your Community” – CDTC in partnership with AARP, the Capital Region Older
Driver Assistance Network, and the NYS Office for the Aging are holding a
Senior Mobility Conference on Tuesday May 19th at The Hart Lounge in
the Empire State Plaza. Registration
begins at
1.4
Transportation Enhancements Program (
1.5 Bicycle Parking w/CDTA- CDTC and CDTA are working together to formulate a bicycle parking program that would help fund bike racks throughout the region. The program details are still being finalized--more information to come!
1.6 Local Project Updates
1.5.1
1.5.2 Route
50--CDTC, NYSDOT Region 1 and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation will undertake a Bicycle and Pedestrian
Safety Study of the Route 50 Corridor in Saratoga Springs from the Saratoga
Performing Arts Center pedestrian bridge area to Congress Avenue/New Street, as
well as the southern section of West Avenue and Congress Ave/New St around
the Saratoga YMCA and the Railroad Run multi-use trail as part of the Unified
Planning Work Program. In a general
sense, the study will include that assessment of existing bicycle and
pedestrian conditions, the development of preferred alternatives for safe
bicycle and pedestrian crossing locations (prioritizing major recreational
destination connections) and the development of preferred alternatives for
traffic calming measures - while aiming to improve the pedestrian
environment for CDTA transit customers, (including safe waiting areas and
pedestrian access), and giving consideration to existing planning efforts and development.
1.7 They just don’t get it… - nothing to report.
1.7 Other New Businesses
1.7.1 New Agenda Items or ideas for future meeting discussion/presentation topics should be forwarded to Jason.
I. Vamos distributed a letter sent to residents regarding the NEPA Scoping Report approval for the Exit 3-4 Access Improvement project. The Task Force asked that DOT come to a future meeting to present the projet.
N.
Ronsvalle reported that Halfmoon is having
discussions with CP Rail to fill the gap in the Zim
Smith Trail which would make the trail connection to Mechanicville. The Town is also having a ribbon cutting
ceremony for the Crescent Trail, Fishing Access project, and interpretive
signage at
On Saturday May 16th, there will be an event at Schuyler Flatts highlighting Schuyler history and the quadricentennial.
A.
Ball reported that the
R.
Malhotra reported on the status of the Safe Routes to School Program. Three of the projects (Shenendahowa,
T. Fabozzi cited an article in the NY Times highlighting a German municipality that is working towards becoming car free.
A calendar of events for Bike Month was distributed. The events are outlined below.
2.0 Upcoming
Events
The next CDTC Bicycle
and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for
2.1 May is Bike Month!
Check out some of these exciting Bike Month events in the Capital Region:
Grand Tour: Bicycle, Transportation & Trail Art Exhibit – May 1-22
The Upstate
Artists Guild,
“Two Wheels Good” Bike Film Festival – May
8
The Sanctuary for Independent Media,
Bike to Albany’s Tulip Festival. – May
8 -10
A highly
anticipated spring tradition, over 200,000 tulip bulbs will blossom into a sea
of colors amidst of thousands of attendees Mother’s Day weekend in
VEER the movie – May 14
National Bike to Work
Day – May 15
Sponsored by the
League of American Bicyclists, individuals across the country are encouraged to
commute to work by bike. The Saratoga
Healthy Transportation Network is sponsoring the “First Annual” Saratoga Bike To Work Challenge.
Companies with offices/workplaces in
Saratoga Healthy
Transportation Network is sponsoring the first annual Saratoga Bike to Work Day
Challenge. Companies with offices or workplaces in
The coveted Gear Head trophy will be awarded to the employee group with the highest percentage of participation. Register here: http://www.sportssignup.com/Saratoga-Healthy-Transportation-Network-Online-Registration.start.
Club Picnic, Ride and Swap Meet – May
16
Capital District Ride of Silence – May 20
The Mohawk
Hudson Cycling Club will lead a 12 mile, slow paces ride passing ghost bikes to
honor cyclists killed or injured in collisions with automobiles in the Capital
District. The ride promotes a culture of
safety awareness and mutual respect on the road. Registration is free, a helmet is required
and the ride will take place rain or shine.
Ride begins at
For your entertainment – How aware are
you of cyclists? Check out this British
commercial from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTv4yD6BKlA.