Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Tuesday, February 19, 2019 6:30 p.m. City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street First Floor Conference Room Members Present: Kylie Sullivan, Eric Papetti, Michael Williamson, Jayne O’Leary, Richard Frank Members Absent: Michael Jaros, Ray Swartz, Joe O’Neil Also Present: Tom Devine, Senior Planner Call Meeting to Order Papetti calls the meeting to order. Bike Share Update For the upcoming system expansion, Devine has given a final list of Zagster stations based on the Committee’s comments to Zagster. Based on the Committee’s input, there will be a station serving the Bridge Street Neck neighborhood at Collins Cove. The Community Life Center was a good candidate location, but there is a better nearby location at Boston and Essex Streets. The Community Life Center is somewhat disconnected from the neighborhood (especially before circulation is improved by the development of the adjacent property), and it would be difficult to quickly enough find a good spot onsite for a dock. The system will relaunch no later than April 1st while Salem State is pushing Zagster to start a little earlier. Frank asks whether some stations should be online year round. Devine agrees that a year-round system should be a goal, as is expanding the system to be regional. O’Leary asks if there will be promotional events. Devine says there will be coordination with Blue Cross to hold some events. Devine states that Blue Cross would like to see Salem engage the local business community with cycling through and Devine thinks there may be an opportunity to do it with the existing Bicycle Benefits network. The system has local businesses sign up to offer discounts or rewards to people who show a member sticker on their helmet. There is a critical mass of participating businesses in the core of Metro Boston and in other American cities. Papetti says he thinks the program founder may be able to help promote the program. Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Update / Discussion of Potential Pop-Up Bike Lanes Devine reports that the Mayor is interested in seeing the City do a pilot or popup bike lane. A location isn’t determined yet, but there may eventually be a call to action to help with outreach or even collect data or help with the setup. The City has been holding off on executing a contract 1 with Toole Design Group to advance other Bike Master Plan projects until a direction is determined for this, since there may be overlap between the two tasks. Jeff Bellin provides an overview of past efforts to for pilot or pop-up bike infrastructure. The Committee discusses options for location and type of demonstration projects. The Committee is interested in seeing a temporary street closure as part of a pop-up. Papetti suggested conducting outreach early. Miscellaneous Updates Devine updates the group on potential for funding for a pump track project. Funding through the Community Preservation Act is unlikely due to strong competition from many other City projects. However, the idea has general support throughout the community. Devine states that he submitted a MassTrails grant application for construction of the Salem Harbor/Szetela Lane Path that would connect the path terminus at Collins Cove to the Bentley School as well as the developable land at the power plant site. New Member Devine reports that downtown resident and frequent bike commuter Josh Gillis has been appointed by the Mayor to fill the vacant position on the Committee. Connor Ryan, who is interested and has been attending meetings as a member of the public, is unavailable to attend meetings for the next few months, but can be considered if another vacancy opens. Papetti suggests that terms be staggered rather than concurrent. Devine commits to looking into how to make that change. Salem.com Email Addresses Members update Devine on who still needs to be set up with a City email address. Meeting Minutes—November 20, 2018 Members note an error in the minutes. Richard Frank motions to approve the minutes with edits, Papetti seconds, and all vote in favor. Adjourn Richard Frank motions to adjourn at 7:18pm and all vote in favor. *** Approved by the Bicycling Advisory Committee on June 18, 2019. 2