Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Tuesday, September 17, 2019 6:30 p.m. City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street First Floor Conference Room Members Present: Eric Papetti (Chair), Michael Williamson, Michael Jaros, Ray Swartz, Jayne O’Leary, Kylie Sullivan Members Absent: Josh Gillis, Joe O’Neil Also Present: Tom Devine, Senior Planner Call Meeting to Order Papetti opens the meeting. Canal Street Path, Phase II Tammy Harrington of the Salem Trolley at 8 Federal Street speaks. Harrington says she has concerns about how the Canal Street Path’s construction will affect the property where the Trolleys are stored at 10 Broadway. Devine says he only has general information to report. The project is starting this season, probably in the southern segment first. He provides Harrington with his business card so that he can connect her with City staff who can provide her with more detail. Bike Share Data Presentation/Shared E-Scooter Pilot Document referenced: “Salem Bike Share, Annual Report, 9.1.2018 through 8.31.2019,” provided by Zagster. Devine presents the content of the data report to the Committee. Papetti stresses that a common stat for reporting ridership is trips per bike per day. Devine reports that the system’s stat is somewhere below 1 for pedal bikes. He seeks peer cities to compare Salem to. Lowell has higher overall numbers, but the per bike per day ridership is similar. Papetti recaps ongoing concerns about the bike share’s functionality. Devine says that the bike share operation and ridership are important measures to consider for judging the success of the scooter pilot, as we don’t want to scooter system to cannibalize the bike share. Ridership peaked in July, when the scooters were deployed, and has not continued its past rate of growth. Papetti complains that scooters block access to bikes at McGlew Park, the app doesn’t reflect where bikes actually are, and rebalancing does not appear to be happening at all. Overall, he is disappointed with Zagster. Other members echo concerns with the bike share app, compared to the smooth functioning of the scooter app. Devine suggests users continue to email these problems to him and Zagster. 1 Pop-Up Bike Lanes Devine states that a report presenting the ridership data and survey responses is forthcoming. Sullivan suggests that if pop-up lanes are done again, signage about the pop-up should be more visible and welcoming. Swartz was concerned that the signage didn’t indicate whether it was one- or two-way. Bicycle Benefits Rollout Document referenced: “Bicycle Benefits Program” flyer, undated. Williamson shares his draft flyer promoting to program. Members provide suggested edits. FY20 Community Preservation Plan – Request for Comment/Input Document referenced: “City of Salem Fiscal Year 2019 Community Preservation Plan & FY18 Annual Report,” Community Preservation Committee, 12/12/2018. Ed Moriarty of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) presents. He refers to previous visits to the Committee where potential CPA-funded projects and their eligibility were discussed. Devine remembers that they discussed how a linear park that includes a bike path would likely be eligible, versus a path by itself, which would be ineligible as only a transportation project. Devine states that in the past, the group requested that the Community Preservation Plan favor projects that that include bike accommodations and that was incorporated. Since then, the 2018 Bike Master Plan is now incorporated into the Community Preservation Plan. Papetti highlights the North River and Harmony Grove Road as a perfect location for a linear park. He also wonders whether additional amenities could be worked into the Canal Street path when the time comes. Moriarty remarks that the CPC can fund a range of studies that are typically needed to get a project off the ground. Devine will draft a comment letter for the Bike Committee’s review. Collective Procurement for North Shore Micromobility Program Devine reports having a meeting with representatives of North Shore communities today to discuss this. Many communities want pedal bikes, some are open to e-bikes, and all are skeptical of scooters. However, the market supports scooters more than the other devices. MAPC has their finger on the pulse of the industry and is good at navigating through it. The North Shore communities are interested in putting out a Request for Information that shows what is available in the market, rather than starting with a full RFP. Beverly has the highest interest. Peabody and Marblehead have some interest as well. Salem may turn out to be the only community to have scooters anytime soon. In addition, communities are hesitant to fund a 2 system, which would be a challenge for the region unless there is a large systemwide sponsorship. Bike Master Plan Projects Preliminary Design and Cost Estimates: North Street, Bridge Street Neck, Fort Ave., Jefferson Ave., Washington Street (Mill Street to Bridge Street) Documents referenced: • Toole Design Group Memorandum Re: Jefferson Avenue & Margin Street Preliminary Design Assessment – from Lydia Hausle and Preston Buehrer, to Tom Devine and David Kucharsky; 6/18/2019. • Toole Design Group Memorandum Re: Bridge Street Neck Preliminary Design Assessment – from Lydia Hausle and Preston Buehrer, to Tom Devine and David Kucharsky; 6/18/2019. • Toole Design Group Memorandum Re: North Street Preliminary Design Assessment – from Lydia Hausle and Preston Buehrer, to Tom Devine and David Kucharsky; 6/18/2019. Devine announces that these design memos have been finalized based on the City’s and Committee’s comments. The Washington Street memo is still in progress. There is no final memo for Fort Ave. because the City skipped ahead and is proceeding with the design of the two-way cycle track. That is in the hands of the striping contractor who will complete the project this season. North Street is in the spotlight through the combination of this design memo, the pop-up bike lanes, a Buffum Street traffic calming project, and an upcoming walk audit. Harmony Grove Road Devine reports that he continues to coordinate with City of Peabody staff. They are developing a scope for a study, potentially to be funded by the Solomon Foundation, to look at multiuse path connection options. Currently this is a gap in the Salem and Peabody path networks that are underway. Jaros asks if a path would run along the river. Devine says it could run any number of routes. Papetti suggests an easement along the river would be easier than taking over the rail tracks. Williamson suggests that space could be taken from the roadway. Devine states that Peabody is working to develop a Riverwalk behind their downtown where they are purchasing properties and easements. Papetti says the MassDOT bike plan shows Peabody as having high potential for biking. Sullivan wonders how much Peabody’s Main Streets program is involved in bike planning. Papetti asks if there is any update on the short-term striping for Harmony Grove Road. Devine responds that it will be in kind. He has seen no indication that Salem Oil & Grease, with their path segment, will happen anytime soon. Downtown Bike Lane Striping Devine reports that the work is underway and scheduled to be completed later this month. Harbor Connector (Szetela Lane) Path 3 Devine reports that the next step for this project is review by the Conservation Commission, which will include a public hearing. Discussion of Potential Complete Streets Grant Application Devine states that the City is probably going to submit a funding application for the Essex Street (Washington Street to North Street) reconstruction project. NACTO Conference: Discussion and Lessons for Salem The Committee chooses to table this item. Announcement of New Member Appointments Devine announces that the Mayor has nominated three new members. Alexandra Maranto works downtown, lives on Bridge Street neck, and has a young child she would like to ride more with. Matt Caruso, formerly of Salem Main Streets, lives in Vinnin Square and bikes daily to the Salem Commuter Rail. John Wathne, a structural engineer, lives in the Common neighborhood and has an office in downtown Salem. Discussion of New Regular Meeting Date Members agree that changing to Wednesdays would work with their schedules. This would be the first Wednesday of each month. Devine asks if for the transition the Committee wants to meet in two weeks or in six weeks. Papetti says the additional meeting would be fine, it just would be short if there is not much to cover. The group agrees to try to meet in two weeks. Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes—April 30, 2019 and May 21, 2019 Williamson motions and O’Leary seconds to approve the minutes and all vote in favor. Adjourn O’Leary motions and Swartz seconds to adjourn at 7:52 p.m. Approved by the Bicycling Advisory Committee on January 8, 2020. 4