Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on November 10, 2009

Attendance: Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), Jeff Gritsavage (NYSDOT), Raj Malhotra (NYSDOT Region 1 Planning), Jason Purvis (CDTC), Jen Ceponis (CDTC), Todd Fabozzi (CDRPC), Carrie Ward (CDTA), Fred Mastroianni (Greenman-Pedersen Inc.), Mike Lyons (Town of Colonie), Devin DalPos (Saratoga County Trails Committee), Chris Marshall (Village of Altamont), Katie Bronson (City of Albany)

1.0 New Business

1.1 Bicycle Education -- update – CDTC and the City of Albany Planning Staff are working to together on a Bicycle Education Campaign which will be launched in early Spring 2010. The graphic designers have come back with draft designs for two of the four messages – “Ride Right” and “Be Seen.” The drafts were presented to the Task Force and E. Troy and D. Odell commented that the “Be Seen” graphic should be edited to dim streetlight and make Jason’s coat reflective. These recommendations have been forwarded to the designers.

1.2 Bicycle Parking w/CDTA – A bike rack vendor has been selected and a process for delivery and distribution is being developed. There is a 50/50 match (up to $500) for private businesses and 100% for public agencies. Installation is not included but can be done through a CDTA-contractor and additional fee. The program will officially be announced in the spring and applications for will be posted on both CDTC and CDTA’s websites. Applicants are responsible for making sure proper permits/variances are obtained before installing. $50,000 will be allocated to the program each year.

J. Gritsavage suggested that when choosing bike racks, safety should be kept in mind. The Lark Street area has had experience with bike racks that have sharp or jagged parts which pose a danger in slippery conditions.

1.3 Bike Map update – The updated Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Map will be available December 1. Below is a distribution pie chart from the last map printing.

1.4 NYSDOT/MPO Bike Ped Coordinators Meeting - Jason discussed outcomes of the coordinators meeting in Poughkeepsie.

1.5 Local Project Update

1.5.1.1 City of Albany Bicycle Master Plan – The final public meeting was on October 27 and the comment period ended on November 10. Two projects which were part of the Plan were implemented in early November which included sharrows on Washington Ave and bike lanes on Clinton Ave.

T. Fabozzi asked if the Bicycle Master Plan will be adopted by the City Common Council and K. Bronson responded that there is an interest in adopting it and the city hopes it will be integrated into the Comprehensive Plan. T. Fabozzi also commented that other communities should be able to use the elements of the plan which are generic and illustrative of bicycle facility treatments.

1.5.2 NYS Route 50, Saratoga Springs – Elan Planning has been hired to d project and it is moving forward.

J. Gritsavage shared his knowledge of plans and work that were done to connect trails across Route 50, in the study area, while he worked at NYS OPRHP.

1.6 TIP Update Process – CDTC is anticipating about $100 million and trying to develop a program for the anticipated allocation. The Priority Network was brought into question by the Planning Committee in how it may affect project evaluation. There are few stand-alone bike-ped projects and the set-aside is not known at this time. Another issue which will be reviewed by the Planning Committee is the cap on bike-ped projects.

1.7 CDTC Newsletter – This quarterly newsletter can be viewed on the CDTC website.

M. Lyons asked if the newsletter could be sent electronically via email to members or anyone interested. CDTC has tried to in the past but often has problems with other agency email filters and firewalls.

1.8 Pedestrian Action Plan Training – Training is scheduled for November 17 and 18 at NYSDOT Region 1 offices in Schenectady.

1.9 They just don’t get it -- Nothing new was reported.

1.10 Other New Business – J. Gritsavage is looking for feedback on mountable vs. vertical face curbing and other professionals’ experience with these types of sidewalk projects.

2.0 Upcoming Events

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2009 at 4:30 PM