MEETING MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2008
Meeting was called to order at 8:18
Present were: Carol Dobek, Kathy Herrick, Dave Maynard, Don Ouellette, Ron Rencurrel, and Lois Roth-Johnson
Excused were: Bob Donahoe and Judy Parmalee
Guests: Mass Bike Coalition
Three members of Mass Bike Coalition met with us: John Fallender (former Chair of Orleans Bikeways), Rob Miceli (Chair of Cape Cod Chapter Mass Bike Coalition), and Dr. Ed Gross (Chair of Falmouth Bikeways and a Board Member of Mass Bike Coalition). The men spoke about their efforts on various committees to further biking and bike safety on Cape. They were interested in helping us with our efforts, since they have both political and practical experience, and we discussed the concerns we had as a committee. Of particular interest was safety of the tunnel under Route 6 and signage on the CCRT advising riders (one sign in each direction that says “Bikeway Narrows”). We encouraged them to view the tunnel after they left our meeting so that they could see the structure and signage at the tunnel. We then discussed the potential to bring other Cape bikeways committees together with them to work on common issues. We agreed to participate, and will wait for further information from them
regarding a joint meeting.
The men shared with us how we as a committee could become involved with road planning. References were made to the Massachusetts Manual of Uniform Highway Design, available online at EOT.gov, and Chapter 90 Guidelines. The State has mandated that pedestrians and bicycle traffic be considered in road design, and as a committee, we should get involved in the beginning of a project so issues concerning bike safety can be addressed. We were referred to Josh Leeman, an engineer from Mass Highway, who is responsible for information dealing with bicyclists on roadways.
A summary was made of how we could help each other and resources available to our committee.
The minutes from October 1, 2008 were approved.
Old Business
Membership Roster: Don Ouellette reported that it was completed and will be distributed.
Bikeways Website Review: Kathy Herrick recommended that the website should include the following items: a direct link to Mass Bike Coalition, the Bikeways Committee Charge, our Committee’s Long Term Planning document, and bike safety rules. She will contact the webmaster regarding these items.
Road improvement priority for biking/sidewalks: Bike safety was discussed by everyone. Dave Maynard raised the issue of auto driver responsibility: how much room should a driver give a biker? How do we educate bikers and drivers? How effective are signs – ride single file, share the road, etc? Dave addressed the role that the police can play in bike safety. Should we educate at the school? What do the police do? This will be continued next month. Ron Rencurrel will create a list for next month of streets that should be priority for future roadwork/bike lanes.
Bike safety rules postcards: Kathy Herrick presented the postcards. They were well received. We just need to be more specific on the general rules of the road. She will revise for next month.
Information Board repair at Brackett Road: Kathy sent a letter and photos of the boards to Chair Prudence Kerry and Bonnie Nuendel from the Visitors and Tourism Board. They cannot address the issue until the 2009 budget, but we asked that the signs be repaired before the 2009 summer season.
AmeriCorps application: Kathy reported that the application was submitted to Jon Peterson. She did not realize that a cover letter from Sheila Vanderhoff should have first been obtained. She will send the information to Sheila and ask for a letter of support from the Town and then reforward to Jon Peterson.
Orleans Bikeways Contact: Judy Weil is the current Chair. She and Kathy spoke about getting our committees together to discuss common concerns. Judi was receptive to the idea, and it appears that this will happen as part of the effort underway by the Mass Bike Coalition (see above).
Biking Grants: Hold for next month
Committee Size: Our recommendation of a maximum of nine members was approved. We have one vacancy.
New Business
Question - DCR bike safety postings: Kathy noticed two signs along the Nauset Trail that have a statement “Bike helmets required for age 12 and under.” She took pictures, and asked where we should forward the information since Massachusetts law requires helmets for age 16 and under. Members suggested that Judy Parmelee may be able to help in her role as Chair of the Friends of the Seashore. Kathy will forward this information to Judy.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:51. The next meeting will be December 3, 2008 at 8:15 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol-Ann Dobek
Secretary
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