Capital District Transportation Committee
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of Meeting on
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
1.5 Local
Project Updates
1.5.1.
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
1.6 They
just don’t get it – Fortunately there was no news regarding bicycle or pedestrian
unfriendliness.
1.7 Other New Business –
1.7.2. R. Malhotra responded to J. Levy’s
concern about the intersection at
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
There will be a
bike ride in
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