Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on March 11, 2003

Attendance: David-Iman Adler (NYPCA), Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Kevin McLoughlin (citizen), Barbara Quint (Guilderland Pathways), Paul Russell (Town of Colonie), John Stangle (Village of Menands), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

February 2003 minutes were approved. B. Quint noted two spelling corrections to the January minutes.

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

2.1 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Update: J. Purvis reported that no additional Bike/Ped projects were funded at the March 5 CDTC Planning Committee Meeting. Two Bike/Ped projects have been funded for the current TIP Update. One project is in Guilderland and one is in Cohoes.

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis noted that a meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25^th at the Albany County Offices to discuss Regional Trail Maintenance Issues. Issues to be discussed include liability, cost sharing/savings, and lead agencies. J. Purvis encouraged members to attend the meeting.

3.2 Game Plan and Toolbox Update: J. Purvis noted that Deborah Spicer and Elaine Troy of NYSDOH's Healthy Heart Program will be helping with the health section of the document update.

3.3 Canalway Initiative: J. Purvis noted that the last meeting was held at the CDTC offices on February 24^th. The next meeting is TBD. The Canalway is currently working on an adopt-a-trail initiative.

3.4 Guilderland Pathways Committee: B. Quint noted that the Pathways Committee is trying to get on the Town Board's March 18^th agenda to present their final draft of their Sidewalk Master Plan. B. Quint reported that the first public meeting of Route 146/Carmen Road Study was held last week. The Pathways Committee is working with the town zoning board to get sidewalks included as part of new developments.

3.5 CDTC's Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network: J. Purvis noted that comments regarding the update of CDTC's Bike/Ped Priority Network are due Friday, March 21^st. J. Purvis reported that so far he had received comments from the City of Albany, the Town of Glenville, Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce, Guilderland Pathways, and the U.S.S. Slater. J. Purvis noted that the Slater was ineligible for inclusion on the network, because it is a destination rather than an access route. K. McLoughlin expressed interest in separating the bicycle and pedestrian facilities; so that the bicycle facilities are represented by line segments and the pedestrian facilities are represented as nodes or points. After a brief discussion it was determined that separating the network into two components would be too much work to be beneficial.

Members also discussed whether or not facilities should be taken off the network after improvements are made. It was suggested that there be a field in the network database that denotes what improvements have been made to each improved facility. Another field would be helpful to explain what the barriers to bicycle and pedestrian access are on each facility. J. Stangle inquired whether it would be possible to cross-reference the existing network with TIP and SPOT documents to summarize what improvements have been made to existing facilities. J. Purvis agreed to look up the information and create a summary.

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

4.1 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: T. La Salle noted that the green and white map will be reproduced in the next few months. At this time CDTC is looking for members input on the format and details of the map.

4.2 Other New business: D. Adler notified members that the Cycling the Erie Canal ride will take place on July 6^th-13^th 2003. The ride starts in Buffalo and ends in Albany. Volunteers are needed for the last two days. Please contact David-Iman Adler for more information.

J. Purvis noted that NYBC has started a list-serve pertaining to Bicycle/Pedestrian issues. NYBC is also sponsoring Bicycle/Pedestrian Workshops for 2003.

J. Purvis noted that the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee is sponsoring grants for bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic safety projects.Applications are available at www.safeny.com.

J. Purvis also noted that workshops on new laws regarding grant updates are being offered at HVCC on March 31^st form 9:00 a.m. - noon. Registration is required by March 24^th. Please contact Jason for registration forms.

E. Troy noted that the Healthy Heart Program is working on a walking campaign for adults age 40-65 in Binghamton.

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

- The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.