Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on May 12, 2009

 

Attendance: Jason Purvis (CDTC), Nelson Ronsvalle (Town of Halfmoon), Raj Malhotra (NYSDOT Region 1), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Todd Fabozzi (CDRPC), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Audrey Ball (Town of Malta), Rory Fluman (Capital Region Older Driver Assistance Network)

 

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 Albany Planning Staff are working to together to develop a strategy to distribute information on bicycle safety within the City.  We are waiting to hear back from GTSC on partnership opportunities.

 

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 8:30 with the program wrapping up at 1pm.  There is no cost to attend this event.  To register, or for more information, please contact Erin Mitchell, Associate State Director of AARP-NY at 518-447-6715 or by email at emitchell@aarp.org 

 

1.4    Transportation Enhancements Program (TEP) –Following the Governor’s announcement, the CDTC Planning Committee tabled action on the TEP program until there could be some discussion regarding their concern over the review process.  Discussions between CDTC and NYSDOT Main Office have taken place and changes to the process are anticipated in future rounds of TEP.  The Planning Committee met again on Wednesday the 13th, (the morning after the Bike/Ped meeting) and NYSDOT Region 1 withdrew its amendment to the TIP for the Day Peckinpaugh Motor Ship project.  No other information is available.

 

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 Albany Bicycle Master Plan – The next public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 18 at the Albany Public Library Main Branch on Washington Avenue.  There will be a “drop-in” session to collect information, fill out comment forms, etc. between 5:00 – 6:30 pm followed by a workshop and presentation at 6:30 – 8:00 pm.    Comments may be emailed to: AlbanyBikePlan@cdtmpo.org.

 

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 Crescent Park on Saturday June 6th at 10am.

 

On Saturday May 16th, there will be an event at Schuyler Flatts highlighting Schuyler history and the quadricentennial.

 

A. Ball reported that the Malta is working with CDTA to identify potential bus routes and shuttles in the Town.

 

R. Malhotra reported on the status of the Safe Routes to School Program.  Three of the projects (Shenendahowa, Bethlehem, and Fort Ann) are moving forward with all agreements with DOT in place.  The remaining three (Lake Placid, Stillwater, and Colonie) have not signed their agreement with DOT as of this meeting.

 

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 June 9, 2009 @ 4:30 PM. 

 

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, 247 Lark St., Albany NY 12210 is hosting a bicycle themed art exhibit to benefit the Albany Bicycle Coalition and the New York Bicycling Coalition.  For more information visit www.upstateartistsguild.org or email Rebecca.schoonmaker@uagmembers.org.

 

“Two Wheels Good” Bike Film Festival – May 8

The Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Ave., Troy; 7 PM.  Collection celebrates all aspects of bicycle culture, from competitive mountain biking to urban “alleycat” racing to daily commuting, bike polo, and Critical Mass.  Selection includes a variety of filmmakers and spans genres from documentary to narrative, animation to sports, art & music videos. Co-sponsored by NYBC and Troy Bike Rescue; valet bike parking available.  Admission by suggested donation.  See www.mediasanctuary.org for details and directions.

 

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 Washington Park.  The City of Albany is taking a step forward to promote green initiatives and reduce congestion on the roadways by encouraging attendees to RIDE, rather than drive, to the event.  Designated racks and valet bicycle parking and will be available at the Willett & Madison Ave. entrance and featured as part of the Tulip Festival Wellness Garden, promoting wellness of mind, body, spirit, and planet.   Steiner’s Sports will be on-hand to offer free safety checks and quick tune-ups to keep you rolling.  Visit http://www.albanyevents.org for full schedule of activities.

 

VEER the movie – May 14

8PM.  The Spectrum 8 Theaters (Albany).   Special one-time screening of new documentary of the Portland, OR cycling community.  Sponsors include:  CK Cycles, Steiner’s Sports, The Downtube, The Dead Presidents Lounge, Bomber’s Burritos, Lark Tavern, 518prints.com, UrbanVelo.org.  $6/($5 for ABC members).  Membership is free and you can sign up at the door.  ABC will also be collecting $$ donations for the KONA AFRICA BIKE PROGRAM.  Note:  group ride leaving Washington Park @ 7:30 pm.

 

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 County are encouraged to form Bike To Work Teams and compete for the highly coveted “The Gear Head Trophy.”  To register, go to www.healthytransportation.org.  For more information and resources on bicycle commuting, visit www.nybc.net.

 

Saratoga Bike to Work Day Challenge – May 15th

Saratoga Healthy Transportation Network is sponsoring the first annual Saratoga Bike to Work Day Challenge. Companies with offices or workplaces in Saratoga County are encouraged to form Bike to Work teams for Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15, 2009.

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

10AM, Colonie Town Park.  The Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club invites all local cyclists & their families to come celebrate Capital Bike Month with the club and meet some new cyclists/friends.  Rides of varying categories (casual, tour, mountain bike); potluck lunch; post-ride swap meet.  Consult the Ride Calendar on http://webmhcc.org for full details.

 

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 6pm at the Corning Preserve in Albany.

 

For your entertainment – How aware are you of cyclists?  Check out this British commercial from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTv4yD6BKlA.