Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Monday, January 22, 2018, 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Dan Shuman (Chair), Raymond Swartz, Jayne O’Leary, Michael Williamson, Kylie Sullivan, Richard Frank, Michael Jaros Members Absent: Eric Papetti, Joseph O’Neil Also Present: Tom Devine, Senior Planner; Matt Smith, Director of Traffic & Parking Shuman calls the meeting to order. Bike Master Plan Listening Session: Beth Isler of Toole Design Group will lead an open-ended discussion to obtain input from the Committee to support the development of the Bicycle Master Plan Update. Bicycle Master Plan listening session notes provided by Beth Isler of Toole Design Group The discussion largely focused on the map of Salem, marking up needed connections to destinations, streets and intersections that are problematic for bicyclists, and areas that are relatively pleasant for bicycling. The notes made on the map will be added to the issues and opportunities map that Toole Design Group is preparing. The rest of the discussion focused on broader topics as to what the Plan should do for Salem, including:  Making the City bikeable so that people can get anywhere by bike  Creating better connectivity within Salem and to other communities o The commute from Beverly is difficult because of the bridge; need to clarify to bicyclists whether they should be on the sidewalk or provide a bike lane; also the left-turn onto Bridge Street is challenging o Getting to downtown from different neighborhoods is difficult o Must improve connections at the train station o Improve wayfinding to show people how to get around o The network should go to the south/Lynn as well as to the north o Include a recreation element: get people into parks (and off roads) via mountain biking  Developing design guidelines o Adding bike parking to different districts and uses (commercial, schools, condos, etc); for example, if you’re a new business, you should add bike parking in proportion to car parking; what should that proportion be? o Provide ways to retrofit condominium complexes for secure bike parking; developers and owners should know about bike options o Construct safe designs: people don’t ride because they feel like the roads are not safe 1  o Developers should be required to supply parking for bikes the same way they are required to supply parking for cars o Create an attainable checklist for permitting o Develop a framework for every engineering project (and keep it simple) o Maintenance  Education and outreach o Instill community cohesiveness: there’s room for everyone; promote a new way of thinking and acceptance of each other  Part of the methodology for developing this cohesiveness is to work with existing stakeholders, and recognizing that cars aren’t going to go away o Education: many people don’t know what the rules are; drivers aren’t looking for bikes  Additional ideas o Consider the impacts of autonomous vehicles o Sustainability o Demographics seem to be getting younger; this is an opportunity for Salem o Connect this Plan to Imagine Salem o Create contra-flow lanes, for example, on Essex Street o Provide repair stands Update on the Boston and Bridge Street MassWorks Project Devine reports that this project is still under review by the Conservation Commission Miscellaneous Updates Devine states that the Planning Board is expecting revised plans for the redevelopment of the junkyard at 16-18-20R Franklin St, perhaps as soon as for the Planning Board’s February 1st meeting. Devine will share the plans with the Bicycling Advisory Committee. Devine remarks that he shared the Committee’s comments on the 132-144 Canal Street project with the Planning Board. Eric Papetti is planning to present on biking at the February 20 South Salem Neighborhood Association. Jayne O’Leary says she attends those meetings regularly and may be able to be present at that one. Devine announces that Joe O’Neil has a schedule conflict over the next several months that will make it hard to attend Monday Committee meetings. The Committee determines that Tuesdays are generally better. Devine will take a look at whether meeting space is available for Tuesdays. Devine reminds the Committee of the upcoming Bike Plan Open House scheduled for Tuesday, February 27. Shuman and Devine discuss how to advance a potential pump track project. 2 Approval of Meeting Minutes Adjournment O’Leary motions to adjourn, Williamson seconds, and all vote in favor. The meeting adjourns at 7:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tom Devine, Senior Planner Approved by the Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee on March 20, 2018 3