Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on September 9, 2008

 

Attendance: Martin Daley (Parks & Trails New York), James Levy (WSA/Niskayuna Resident), Raj Malhotra (NYSDOT Region 1 Planning), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), Jason Purvis (CDTC), Jennifer Ceponis (CDTC), Mike Wtatt (NYSDOT Region 1 Planning), Todd Fabozzi (CDRPC), Jennifer Clunie (NYBC)

 

1.0   New Business

 

1.1  Transportation Enhancement Program Update – The review committee met on September 9 to develop a list of recommendations to present to the Planning Committee on October 1. 

 

1.2  Spot-Improvement Program – More applications were received that there is money available.  The applications will be evaluated by a review committee and  recommendations for funding will be presented to the Planning Committee on October 1. 

 

1.3  Safe Routes to School – New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) made an announcement of funding rewards for the Safe Routes to School Program.  The recommendations made by the joint CDTC and AGFTC review committee were all funded.  The complete funding list can be found on the DOT’s website under News and Press Releases (https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/news/press-releases/2008/2008-09-08).

 

1.4  D&H Rail Trail – The Albany County Legislature passed a resolution to proceed with the development of a Rail Trail connecting Voorheesville with downtown Albany via the former CP Rail Corridor.  The Village of Altamont is interested in acquiring the remaining section to extend the trail and The Village of Green Island is currently in the process of developing a trail along the former CP Rail Corridor there.  

 

1.5  Local Project Updates

1.5.1. Altamont Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan - Alta Planning & Design is working on the “existing conditions” for the Altamont Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.  Altamont will be including details regarding the plan in their upcoming Village newsletter.    The mayor has been very active in the project and hopes to use CDTC’s New Visions 2030 to preserve the character of Altamont.

 

1.5.2. Albany Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan – The review committee is scheduled to meet on Friday, September 12 to discuss consultant proposals and choose a consultant to carry out the study.  The study is anticipated to be integrated into the City of Albany’s Comprehensive Plan. 

 

1.6  They just don’t get it – Fortunately there was no news regarding bicycle or pedestrian unfriendliness.

 

1.7 Other New Business

1.7.1. Central Ave Raised Median – The raised median being constructed on Central Avenue will be landscaped and maintained by the Town of Colonie.  This is a victory for the bicycle and pedestrian advocates!

 

            1.7.2.  R. Malhotra responded to J. Levy’s concern about the intersection at Old Wolf Road and NYS Rte. 155.  DOT is involved in a shared project to construct a roundabout at the intersection. 

 

            1.7.3. M. Daley reported that Governor Patterson vetoed the multi-use trail bill because the master plans and studies being conducted by the NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation are thought to cover trail development/advocacy/maintenance. 

           

            1.7.4. M. Daley announced that Parks & Trails New York has made capacity building grants available for park and trail groups to build and protect parks and trails in communities across the state.  See website for more details: http://www.ptny.org/advocacy/grants.shtml.

 

            1.7.5. J. Clunie reported that there was an article in the Metroland about bicycle commuting.  Also, there will be an event co-sponsored by the NY Bicycle Coalition (NYBC) and the Troy Bike Rescue featuring author and critical mass co-founder Chris Carlsson’s documentary on the open source software movement, bicycle sub-culture, guerilla gardening, and the Burning Man festival at the Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy on Monday, September 15 at 7:00 pm.  Visit the website for details and directions: http://www.thesanctuaryforindependentmedia.org/.

 

There will be a bike ride in Albany on Saturday, September 27 to welcome Pearson Constantino into Albany from his cross-country trip to encourage on-road cycling safety.  He is working on a documentary called “The Long Bike Back” and clips will be shown after the bike ride at the Upstate Artist Guild on Lark Street.  The event will end in Washington Park in Albany.  Email J. Clunie for more details (Jennifer@nybc.net).

 

            1.7.6. E. Troy announced that the NYS Department of Health (DOH) released an RFA for community based healthy organizations modeled on the Robert Wood Johnson healthy living by design program.  It is currently not known when recipients will be announced.

 

            1.7.7. D. Odell reported that the Albany Bicycling Coalition has received many complaints about stolen bikes and all cyclists are reminded to lock their bikes to something when not in use. 

 

            1.7.8. M. Wyatt reported that he has observed a raise in awareness of multi-modal transportation needs in general at DOT.

 

1.7.9. T. Fabozzi recommended the group watch the disturbing footage of a NYPD officer knocking a cyclist off their bike.  The video can be found on You Tube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWTzX5b1JmA.

 

A Smart Growth Guide is being developed as an effort between CDRPC and CDTC to illustrate good planning practice in the Capital Region and serve as a guide to planning board members.

 

2.0  Upcoming Events

 

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for October 1, 2008 at 4:30 PM.  Other CDTC meetings open to the public: Planning Committee Meeting on October 1 @ 9:30 am.