Capital District Transportation Committee
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of
Meeting on July 7,
Attendance: Don Robertson (NYSDOT-
Region 1), Dominick DeCecco (Albany County
Legislator), Henrietta O'Grady (Saratoga County Heritage Trails Committee), Don
Odell (Albany County Department of Economic Development, Conservation and
Planning), Bert Schou (CDTA), Paul Russell (Town of
Colonie), Joshua Poppel, Katherine Forster (CDTC)
Regrets: Monique Wahba (City of
Vehicle
accident data for
Bike
sign standards for the New York State DOT are being revised. Don Robertson presented the bike sign
standards draft for the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). More discussion followed in regards to the
draft guidelines that the task force is trying to write (see below). Bert Schou would
like this task force to discuss road maintenance issues at a future meeting
(for example the dangers in regards to lack of sweeping, pot holes, etc.).
Bike
Symbol Email from DOT
The
task force discussed whether a bike symbol painted along the curb line would be
a good way to sign shared lanes that meet design standards. This would definitely be a reminder to
cyclists as to which side of the road to bike on. The task force would like to find out if
there are any types of signs that could be used because a sign would last
longer than a pavement marker. Staff
will research in the Federal MUTCD for other signs.
An
outline for the bicycle sign guidelines was presented to the task force. Some of the comments from the task force:
-
Too many signs from different organizations - how can we consolidate different
signs (i.e. Heritage Trails, Canal Corporation Towpath signs, etc.
-
Mileage markers should start at 0 in Cohoes and count up going towards both
Albany and Schenectady, then as the trail is extended at either end the mileage
can be added on.
-
Advertising should be explored so that signage can be funded.
Staff
will take pictures of the different signs on the trail and work on a draft for
the signage guidelines for the next meeting.
-
The League of American Bicyclists rally, GEAR 99 was held on June 18 to
21. It was a great weekend and was well
attended. Don Robertson and Henrietta O'Grady reported on the event in
Saratoga.
-
Dominick Dececco reported that there was an
article in the Times Union "In-line Skaters Scarce on Prime Pathway"
that said that the Town of Colonie will spend $30,000 over the next three years
to repave its 5.5 mile section of the Mohawk-Hudson bike trail.
-
In regards to other communities working on bike trails, the question
was raised whether Theag had done a SUNY student
workshop study on a bikepath from the Port to Coeyman's
Landing. Staff will inquire about this
project.
-
New York State Bicycling Coalition received a grant from the Governor
to follow up on some initiatives started by the Traffic Safety Council.
Please Note that the meeting will be
held on a different day than usual - Tuesday,
August 17, at the CDTC office, 5
Computer Dr. West, at 4:00 pm.