Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of the Meeting on June 12, 2012

 

Attendance: Linda Von der Heide (Rensselaer County), Mary Harding (NSYDOT SRTS), Carrie Ward (CDTA), Susan Olson (NYSDOT RI), , Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Brian Kehoe (NYBC), Gina Gillooley (NYSDOH), Mike Lyons (Town of Colonie), EJ Krans (Capital District Community Gardens), Leah Mosall (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 New Business

 

1.1 Bike Rack Program

 

Those awarded bike racks in 2012 were reminded to submit their photos of the installed racks to Carrie.

1.2 Enforcement Training Recap

 

·       J. Purvis provided an overview of the enforcement training continuum.  The 2 day in-person endcap was held on April 30th and May 1st at the NYS Police Training Academy on the Harriman Campus.  J. Purvis shared another example of enforcement efforts for bicycles and pedestrians from the Elmira MPO

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1.3 Bike Month

            1.3.1 Bike to School Day

 

The Shen school district held an event in 2 sessions on June 1st.  A Who Wants to be A Millionaire type of game was played with safety questions.  More than 300 students participated.  It was suggested that in the future events be a single day going into health classes

 

Events were also held in the Bethlehem and Burnt Hills School Districts.

 

D. Odell mentioned that Mayor Jennings has asked the ABC to help integrate bicycle safety into the school system.

 

 

1.4  Projects getting national attention.

·       There was a brief discussion about Senator Schumer supporting the bicycle and pedestrian accommodations along the bridge.

·       The Zim Smith trail was recognized as part of the National Recreation Trails system

 

1.5  Safe Routes to School

·       The solicitation is now out and available on the NYSDOT website.  Applications are due on October 5th.  Applications received by August 31st are eligible for a pre-screening for completeness.  Pre-screened applications do not guarantee funding.  Region 1, CDTC and AGFTC are hosting a second workshop on July 23rd at the Crandall Library for interested sponsors/applicants.

 

1.6  John Poorman’s retirement

·       At the time of the June meeting, the Administrative and Financial Committee were selecting John’s replacement.  Since the meeting, they have announced that Mike Franchini, formerly of Albany County, will be the new Executive Director.

 

1.7  Scheduling of July-December meetings

The following dates were selected for upcoming meetings

July 10th

August 14th

NO MEETING SCHEDULED IN SEPTEMBER

October 9th

November 13th

December 11th

1.8  Local Project Updates

·       Alta Planning and Design was selected to progress the Albany Bike Plan Implementation Study

·       The Watervliet Bicycle Master Plan is yet to get underway

·       M. Lyons reported that a section of the MH Trail near Dunsbach Ferry Road has been paved.  Mike also mentioned that Route 9 north of the Latham Circle is being paved.  S. Olsen is checking on the status of bike/ped accommodations

·       B. Kehoe stated that NYBC produced a report on bike/ped safety using DOT data comparing state investments in bike/ped facilities.  Brian hopes that the document can be used as an advocacy tool to secure more funding.  NYBC has a fundraising campaign underway and continues its congressional outreach

·       M. Harding reported that the Walk to School Registration is now open on the national site

·       CJ Krans reported that the CDCG received funding from the DOH with one element of the grant to implement transportation policies such as Complete Streets.  They have partnered with CDRPC to identify possibilities in East and North Greenbush.  He is hoping to work in Rensselaer and Troy to improve bike/ped progress, possibly through the use of sharrows.

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2.0 Upcoming Events

Meetings Open to the Public:

NEXT CDTC BIKE & PED TASK FORCE MEETING: July 10, 2012 9:00 AM