Athens in Motion Commission

Athens in Motion Policy & Projects Committee Wednesday February 9, 2022 Location: WEBEX Attending: Lauren Blais Laura Bracci (American Heart Association) Mark Ebell Teresa Friedlander Scott Long Aaron Redman Cole Scott Daniel Sizemore Taylor Worley Lauren Called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. She then shared the agenda (The agenda is linked here). Lauren shared the minutes from the January meeting minutes and entertained a motion to approve. Teresa seconded. No discussion; 7 in favor, 0 opposed. 1. Complete Streets Policy Presentation Aaron shared a draft PowerPoint presentation for the Mayor and Commission to be given by Lauren as Chair of Athens in Motion, with Daniel for staff support. Daniel will coordinate with the County Manager’s office to have this added to the work session agenda. Everyone appreciated Aaron’s quick work in putting the presentation together. Wordsmithing and styling (text sizes and fonts) will be coordinated by Lauren. Laura Bracci will provide some visuals from the Heart Association on the public health benefits of active transportation. Mark will also mine his files for visuals. When the presentation is final, Lauren will circulate to the entire Athens in Motion Commission for their information and comments in advance of a future AiM monthly meeting. AiM has already voted to approve the CS Policy Revision, so no additional vote will be needed. 2. Bike Ordinances, continued Cole Scott continued sharing his compilation and analysis of state laws and local ordinances in Georgia regarding all aspects of bicycle transportation and safety.( Priorities ranking sheet 2) Discussion continued at #22 about the establishment of bike lanes. Greenways and the Greenway Plan are specifically mentioned in existing ordinances; Athens in Motion is not. Is this because the AiM Plan was “accepted” rather than “adopted”? Does this affect AiM’s place in the County’s legal structure? Daniel will get clarity on this and make recommendations about what changes to existing legal code (or requirements for new code) might be needed. He suggests that meeting with Leisure Services and the Planning Departments could provide insights. Creating safe spaces for bicyclists involves educating drivers and bicyclists about where bikes may travel and when they have right-of-way. Athens in Motion’s Education & Communications Committee will address this. Should adults be required to wear helmets? No. Biking on sidewalks is not legal in ACC for anyone over the age of 12. The consensus is that changing that is both confusing and risky. Sidewalks are simply too narrow for both types of users. Storm drainage grates present hazards to bicyclists. Daniel will check with TPW about design standards (if any) and advocate for designs which will not catch wheels and are at grade (rather than in a depression). Bicycle parking is a complicated issue. Covered and convenient bike parking encourages users. While usage remains low, cyclists should be able to lock their bikes on poles etc., as long as they don’t block sidewalks or handicap ramps. UGA does not permit bike parking in parking decks. Could they convert a car space or two in each location to a bike rack? (This is a question for Blaine Van Note.) Lauren will reach out to Patrina Huff (TSPLOST 2023 Advisory Committee) on this topic. 3. Next Meeting March 9th at 4:30 The discussion will continue at #30. Meeting adjourned at 5:45