Salem Bike Path Committee
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem Bike Path Committee was held on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 313 at City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street.
Members Present: Chairman Dan Shuman, Jeff Bellin, Ernest DeMaio, Brad Sandler, Bruce Mabbott, Will Peck, and Dan Cooper. Also Present: Frank Taormina, Planner/Harbor Coordinator
Members Absent: David Hallowes and David Bowie
Public in Attendance: Kurt Maw, Salem Resident and Race Director of the Witches Cup Bike Race
Chairman Shuman called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 May 15, 2013 Meeting Minutes. There none being, Chairman Shuman asked for a motion to approve. Motion was made by E. DeMaio, seconded by W. Peck, and approved unanimously.
Chairman Shuman welcomed those in attendance and asked if there were any other public comments at this time, there being none he moved onto the next agenda item.
Chairman Shuman introduced Kurt Maw, Race Director of the Witches Cup Bike Race, and noted the he (Chairman Shuman) is also the Co-Race Director and Sponsorship Coordinator for the Witches Cup Bike Race.
K. Maw gave a broad overview about the race which is on Wed, August 7th from 4-7pm. He also spoke about some items he is hoping the Salem Bike Path Committee could assist with. In particular he asked if the Committee could assist in directing race traffic to park at Bentley School and then take the existing bike route back to the Salem Common.
J. Bellin said that perhaps the Committee could organize a guided bike ride from Bentley to the Common.
D. Cooper stated that perhaps the City Parks and Recreation Department could lend them race signs that they could post from Bentley to the Salem Common to further assist. K. Maw agreed that would help.
F. Taormina stated that he would speak to the Director of Parks and Recreation and put that request in for them.
K. Maw commended the Committee on all their efforts to date and mentioned that a lot of people still don’t know that they exist and don’t know how much they have accomplished with respect to bike accommodations throughout the city.
D. Cooper stated that the Committee could have a table set up at the Commons during the race to pass out the bike safety brochures, bike routes map, and engage and interact with the public to inform them about all the Committee has been doing with respect to bike accommodations around the City. Discussion ensued.
W. Peck stated that he would be interested in manning that table. J. Bellin also said he would be willing to help out if he were available.
F. Taormina asked if K. Maw could include the Salem Bike Path Committee’s logo on the race poster as a partner or sponsor. K. Maw and Chairman Shuman stated that they could include the logo on the poster as they haven’t been printed yet. F. Taormina said that he would forward the Chairman the high resolution logo so that it can be added to the race poster.
F. Taormina stated that there is one more meeting scheduled before the race, so he will confirm with the Park and Recreation Department regarding their assistance and report back at the next meeting.
Discussion about hosting a bike rodeo
Chairman Shuman opened the item and turned the floor over to F. Taormina.
F. Taormina stated that he had a note from the last meeting that the Committee wanted to discuss hosting a bike rodeo. The Committee didn’t recall that discuss, but thought maybe Committee Member David Bowie may have brought up; however was not in attendance tonight. Discussion then changed to bike safety.
J. Bellin mentioned that he has recently has some bad encounters with cyclists that were not riding correctly. He stated that he would like to see some adult bike training seminars in Salem to educate adults on biking correctly and safely. He stated that most people don’t understand that bikers have every right to ride in the road and must follow the same rules as vehicles.
F. Taormina stated that perhaps the Committee could invite MassBike to come to Salem and hold some adult bike training seminars.
Chairman Shuman stated that the Committee doesn’t have a budget so how would we pay for something like that.
F. Taormina stated that we could discuss it with the Salem Mass-in-Motion Coordinator, John Pelletier. He may be able to fund such a thing.
E. DeMaio stated that if you don’t educate cyclists and motor vehicle operators then he feels it is pointless, as they both are to blame for bike safety.
F. Taormina stated that it unlikely that we will be able to target motor vehicle operators, and even if we could it’s unlikely we will be able educate them on bike rules and regulations. He stated that as part of the Bike Friendly Community Designation Application they asked if any driving schools in Salem educated their students on bikes. He stated that none of them do, so he suggested that the Committee try and target the next generation by educating student drivers about sharing the road with bikers and understanding that they have every right to be on the road then vehicles. The Committee agreed. F. Taormina stated that he would put this item on a future agenda, when they are ready to review the report card from the Bike Friendly Community Designation.
B. Sandler stated that he sees conflict between cyclists and cyclists and vehicles all the time.
W. Peck echoed that sentiment and added that he also sees conflict between cyclists and people on sidewalks. He also added that the Committee should work with SATV to create a public safety piece on biking that could run on public access TV. J. Bellin stated that he looked into that but the guy at SATV was busy. He stated that he will look into that again and try and work with them to put something together.
Chairman Shuman asked if there were any further questions regarding bike rodeos or bike safety. There none being, he closed the item.
Old/New Business
Discussion about installing more bike route signage
Chairman Shuman opened up the item and turned the floor over to F. Taormina.
F. Taormina informed the Committee that at the last meeting they discussed installing bike route signs on portions of the bike route from the bypass road bike path to Collins Cove, as there is no signs what so ever to direct riders. He prepared a map and photo log of several locations along this stretch where he thinks bike route signs should be installed.
The Committee offered suggestions and F. Taormina make a note of all of them. He informed the Committee that he would superimpose all the signs at each location and show the Committee at the next meeting. The Committee agreed.
Chairman Shuman asked if there was any more old/new business to discuss tonight as it was getting late.
Old/New Business
Update on distribution of Salem Bike Safety Brochure
F. Taormina quickly updated the Committee that the brochures (both English and Spanish version) is being printed and will be completed next week, then send to the Superintendent’s Office for distribution through the Salem Elementary Schools and Middle Schools before school ends on June 26th.
Chairman Shuman asked if there were any more old/new items, there being none, he asked for a motion to adjourn. E. DeMaio makes that motion, seconded by D. Cooper and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Frank Taormina,
Planner/Harbor Coordinator
Minutes approved by the Salem Bike Path Committee at their September 11, 2013 Meeting
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