Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Tuesday, May 21, 2019 6:30 p.m. City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street First Floor Conference Room Members Present: Joe O’Neil (Chair), Eric Papetti, Jayne O’Leary, Richard Frank, Michael Jaros, Ray Swartz, Josh Gillis Members Absent: Kylie Sullivan, Michael Williamson Also Present: Tom Devine, Senior Planner Call Meeting to Order O’Neil calls the meeting to order. Bike Share Update Devine reports that the bike share has now logged 12,000 rides. May has started off slower than April, but the numbers year over year are very strong but weather dependent. Jaros suggests that the end of the Salem State University semester may be bringing the numbers down. Papetti suggests Devine create a more regular ridership report for each meeting. Devine replies that he can provide basic data easily, but Zagster can provide deeper data upon request. O’Neil states that he has trouble ending his rides. Papetti and Jaros have had similar problems. Specifically, there is a problem with the phone communicating with the bike and sometimes it just takes a long time to lock. Devine announces again that the North Shore TMA is funding free Zagster annual memberships for City employees for Bike Month in May. In addition, Zagster is offering half off annual membership for anyone at the same time. Bike Master Plan Implementation Update O’Neil observed Toole Design Group staff conducting field work for the preliminary design and cost estimating for several bike plan recommendations. Papetti suggests having an annual work plan for the Bike Master Plan implementation. Devine says Michael Williamson created a spreadsheet to track all the recommended projects, which includes the six Toole is working on plus others that are happening outside that, like the Szetela Lane path. Some bike parking has been added, and more will come, furthering a Bike Plan policy recommendation. And the Planning Board now has bike parking guidelines. Discussion of Adaptive Bike Demonstration at June 18 meeting 1 Devine is uncertain whether the vender will be doing this at the Bike Committee meeting or as a standalone event. The Mayor has expressed a lot of interest in making adaptive bikes available whether through Zagster or some other way. Discussion of Bicycle Benefits Program Rollout Devine updates the Committee on the status of the rollout. The group reviews the list of businesses likely to be interested in members select which they would like to approach. Update on Potential E-Scooter Pilot Program Devine will email the latest program materials to the Committee. The Committee’s comments from a previous meeting have been heard. Devine agrees to put the Committee’s comments in writing. A scooter will be available to view in Salem soon and Devine will let the Committee know when and where. Discussion and Vote to Elect Officers Devine says this vote should happen annually. The Committee can discuss this now and determine whether to vote tonight or next month. O’Neil wishes to step down and allow someone else to take the Chair. Papetti expresses interest in being Chair. O’Neil says he might like to see the Committee expanded to include more stakeholders. Frank motions and Jaros seconds to elect Papetti Chair and all vote in favor. O’Leary motions and Gillis seconds to elect Frank Vice Chair and all vote in favor. Miscellaneous Updates Dan Shuman continues to advocate for a pump track since leaving the Bike Committee. He has general support from the Mayor and Park & Recreation Director. He prefers Upper Gallows Hill Park for this. The plans for the renovation of Lower Gallows Hill will be presented to the Park & Recreation Commission the same night as this meeting and the pump track will be shown as a potential future improvement. O’Leary asks about Phase 2 of the Canal Street bike path. Devine will send an email update about this project to the group. Papetti is eager to see the final striping installed at Lafayette St., Loring Ave., and West Ave. Papetti reports that there was an improper drain grate in the North Street Bridge area that has since been addressed. 2 Adjourn Jaros motions and O’Leary seconds to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. and all vote in favor. Approved by the Bicycling Advisory Committee on September 17, 2019 3