Capital District Transportation Committee
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of Meeting on January
13, 2009
Attendance: Jason
Purvis (CDTC), Nelson Ronsvalle (Town of Halfmoon), Michael
Lyons (Town of Colonie), Raj Malhotra (NYSDOT Region 1), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), Jim
Levy (WSA/Niskayuna Resident), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Jen
Ceponis (CDTC), Katie Bronson (City of Albany), Todd Fabozzi (CDRPC)
1.0 New Business
1.1 Bicycle
Education – CDTC is coordinating internally to develop a bicycle education
program and allocating UPWP funds. The
program is anticipated to be tested within communities
with existing bicycle planning efforts, and if successful, copied and taken to
other willing communities.
E.
Troy – NYSDOH has initiated bicycle safety education programs in
the past which could be looked at as models or possibly adapted for CDTC’s
potential bicycle education program.
M. Lyons
suggested that CDTC contact AAA to propose a bicycle education piece in their
defensive driving classes.
J. Levy worked
on an education campaign in Vermont
and would be happy to share his work with CDTC.
Next Steps – The
program will be proposed to the Planning Committee in February for
approval. If approved, CDTC will
continue to discuss the program with the task force.
1.2
Potential US
Stimulus Package – A list of proposed transportation projects is being
developed by CDTC and NYSDOT Region 1 to be submitted for consideration in the
US Stimulus Package. The Planning
Committee will discuss the list and decide whether to move it forward. All municipal leaders and planners are
encouraged to attend the Planning Committee meeting to participate in the
process.
E. Troy announced that part of the $700 billion
bailout bill is a $20-a-month, tax-free reimbursement from their employers for
bicycle-related expenses, in return, employers will be able to deduct the
expense from their federal taxes.
1.3
Local Project Updates
1.3.1 Altamont Linkage - The last public meeting
was held on Thursday, Jan. 8 and the final plan is anticipated to be finished
in the coming weeks.
1.3.2 City of Albany Linkage
– The first public workshop is scheduled for Wednesday Feb. 25 at the Albany
Public Library Main Branch. There will
be an open house from 4:30-6:30 pm
followed by a workshop and presentation at 6:30
– 8:00 pm.
1.4
They just don’t get it… - nothing to report.
1.5 Other New
Businesses
1.5.1
New Agenda Items or ideas for future meeting discussion/presentation topics
should be forwarded to Jason.
The
Cornell Local Roads Program is sponsoring a “Complete Streets: Safer
Communities for Pedestrians and Bicycles” workshop on Tuesday, January 27 at 4pm in Saratoga
County (http://www.bike.cornell.edu/completestreets.html).
E.
Troy announced that the NYS Open Space Plan (http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/47990.html)
is open for public comment. There will
be a public meeting for the Capital Region on January 21 at NYS DEC Regional
Headquarters located at 1130 North Westcott Rd,
Schenectady from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
Comments can also be submitted via email.
The
Statewide Safe Routes to School committee is working on an action plan for
working with NYSDOT to build the principles of Safe Routes to School into the
Statewide Plan.
N.
Ronsvalle announced that there will be a Champlain Canalway Trail Public
Workshop on Thursday January 22 at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall from 2:00 – 7:00 pm.
J.
Purvis announced that a Statewide MPO bicycle/pedestrian coordinator meeting
will be held at CDTC on Wednesday, January 28.
The discussion will be shared at the February Task Force meeting.
R.
Maholtra announced that a solicitation for Scenic Byway grants has been
released. Contact Raj for more
information (bmalhotra@dot.state.ny.us
/ 388-0420).
2.0 Upcoming
Events
The next CDTC
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2009 @ 4:30 PM.