Salem Bike Path Committee
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem Bike Path Committee was held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 313 at City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street.
Members Present: Chairman Dan Shuman, David Bowie, Dan Cooper, Will Peck, Ernest DeMaio, Jeff Bellin, and Brad Sandler. Also Present: Frank Taormina, Staff Planner/Harbor Coordinator
Members Absent: David Hallowes
Public in Attendance: Bruce Mabbott (Salem Resident) and Paul Atkinson (Salem Resident)
Chairman Shuman called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. He acknowledged those members absent and present for the record.
Chairman Shuman asked if there were any comments or edits with respect to the January 9, 2013 Meeting Minutes. D. Bowie pointed out some edits on page 2 and page 3. Chairman Shuman asked for a motion to approve as revised. Motion was made by W. Peck, seconded by E. DeMaio, and approved unanimously.
Chairman Shuman welcomed those in attendance and asked their names for the record and asked if there were any public comments at this time.
Bruce Mabbott (Salem Resident) stated that he was appointed to the Committee and will be confirmed by City Council tomorrow night. The Committee congratulated and welcomed him.
Paul Atkinson (Salem Resident) introduced himself to the Committee and stated that biking saved his life. He explained that he had health problems in the past and took up biking as a form of exercise and leisure. Many years later he is a healthier and happier person because of biking. He heard about the Committee and is impressed that they are looking to improve biking conditions in Salem, with an emphasis on safety and bike accommodations. He did not have any specific comments just wanted to learn more and help in any way he could.
Chairman Shuman asked if there were any other public comments at this time, there being none he moved onto the next agenda item.
Discuss idea of Bike Work Stands
Chairman Shuman opened the item and turned the floor over to F. Taormina.
F. Taormina mentioned that Committee Member Dan Cooper send him some information about bike work stands. He discussed that matter with The City Energy Manager who managers the Salem Bike Share Program and he thinks that the idea could work in conjunction with the Bike Share Station. Presently when a bike at the station needs repairs it needs to be brought to the bike shop, repaired, and returned to the bike station. If a bike work stand were installed then the bike shop could perform most repairs at the bike station. He also stated that if a bike work stand were installed at the bike share stations the City could advertise them to the public to use as well.
Chairman Shuman stated that people could steal the tools or use the tools to steal parts off the bikes at the bike share station. Or people that use the bike stand to adjust or fix their bikes, could perform that work incorrectly and the City might be liable for it. Discussion ensured.
B. Sandler asked if one could be installed at the MBTA Parking Garage. F. Taormina stated that that is State property and the Committee would have to petition to the MBTA to have them installed. F. Taormina suggested that the Committee support and install some in Salem first, them if they are successful then approach the MBTA about the idea. The Committee agreed.
F. Taormina stated that there is always risk. The City puts a lot of trust in people that use the Bike Share Program. The bikes themselves could be stolen, let alone a part or a tool. He stated that all the issues surrounding liability could we worked out with the City Legal Department to indemnify the City. The QRL code on the bike stands could have a legal disclaimer on it, or we could install a sign near the stand that states for public use, city is not liable, etc.
J. Bellin asked if instruction of how to use the bike stand could be installed near the unit, as not everyone has a smart phone and can utilize the QRL code. F. Taormina stated that a laminated set of instructions could easily be installed.
F. Taormina also stated that he could provide the Committee with more information about the product and perhaps reach out to some communities that have installed them to see if they are successful or not.
D. Cooper understands that tools or parts could be stolen and the whole liability issue, however the idea of having a bike work stand in the City that a biker on the road could use to make minor repair at has merit, not to mention people that use the bike share station. He has used the bikes at the bike share station and the seats are never adjusted correctly and the stand will allow the user to make some minor adjustments or fill the tires before they embark on their ride. No biker is going to be able to make major repairs at the stand, but if someone needed to make a minor adjustment at the bike share station or for a biker while on the road, this could be very helpful. He also suggested that F. Taormina get more information about the product. The Committee agreed.
Chairman Shuman asked F. Taormina to gather more info and reach out to some communities that have installed them and get their feedback. F. Taormina agreed and will report back at the next meeting.
Review and prioritize future on- and off-road bike routes
Chairman Shuman opened up the item and turned the floor over to F. Taormina.
F. Taormina reviewed the future on- and off-road bike routes already on the working map from the last meeting and asked the Committee if they wanted to rank the top two or three in the order they would like to have them implemented.
Chairman Shuman stated that he likes the Jefferson Ave/Salem High School/Loring Ave Loop and he also likes the Loring Ave/Vinnin Square Loop.
J. Bellin likes the Derby Street loop to the Salem Ferry and Fort Avenue to the Salem Willows.
E. DeMaio stated that he is having trouble looking at the micro level, because he wants to ensure that the micro or big picture is reached. He is not sure that any of these routes will get regional effort of extending the bike path to other communities. He understands that they are nice extensions off of what has already been done, but he would prefer to see a route that goes west to Peabody, etc. Discussion ensured.
E. DeMaio stated that out of the routes previously selected by the Committee he would like to see the Lafayette Street bike lane extended to Derby Street and to Downtown, via lower Lafayette street and Charter Street to the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.
B. Mabbott (Salem Resident) asked if he could offer some suggestions. The Chairman opened the floor to public comment. B. Mabbott stated that at the last meeting the Committee talked about the City of Peabody’s Plans to reconstruct Lowell Street through their downtown, which they are going to incorporate a bike lane. He asked if that could be made available for the Committee to look at, along with the other traffic improvements in and around the North River Canal Corridor, so that the Committee could try and build upon the efforts in Peabody. F. Taormina stated that he has not pulled those plans nor has he reached out to the City of Peabody, but will do so and report back at the next meeting.
B. Mabbott suggested that Loring Avenue to Vinnin Square route is best as it connects to the both Swampscott and Marblehead.
Chairman Shuman asked if P. Atkinson has any public comments at this time.
P. Atkinson stated that he really like the bypass road bike path route and would like to see some extensions from that.
J. Bellin made a motion to prioritize the Loring Ave/Vinnin Sq route first and the Lafayette Ext/Derby/Fort Ave/Ferry route second. Seconded by W. Peck and approved unanimously.
Chairman Shuman asked if there is any further old or new business to discuss tonight.
J. Bellin asked what the status of the Salem Bike Safety brochure was. F. Taormina stated that he made all the edits and forwarded the safety brochure to John Pelletier at Mass-in-Motion to have it review and approved for funding. Once he get their comments, if any at all, then he needs to have it translated into Spanish again. After that he will bring it back to the Committee for final approval before it is printed and distributed.
There being none, he asked for a motion to adjourn. W. Peck makes that motion, seconded by D. Bowie and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Frank Taormina,
Planner/Harbor Coordinator
Minutes approved by the Salem Bike Path Committee at their March 13, 2013 Meeting
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