Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

DRAFT Meeting Minutes Salem Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. City Hall Annex 1st Floor Meeting Room & Via Remote Participation Members Present: John Wathne (Chair), Annie Wolf, Josh Nagle, Walter Morrell, Emmylou Manwill, Connor Ryan, Charlie Heaps Members Absent: Cat Seiferth, Matt Caruso, Paul Carson Also Present: Tom Devine, Senior Planner Call Meeting to Order Wathne calls the meeting to order. Public Comment Kevin Jordan, a new Salem resident who recently moved from Cambridge, introduces himself. He is a bicyclist and is interested in learning about the work of the Committee. The Committee lets him know that there is currently a vacancy on the Committee and he is welcome to apply to serve. Staff Update Devine informs the Committee about an upcoming Northern Strand trail ride as part of Essex Heritage’s Trails & Sails. It takes place on September 15 and takes riders on two optional routes, from Lynn to Malden or Lynn to Everett. Devine also lets the Committee know that the City is designing striped bike lanes for First Street between Traders Way and Highland Ave, and the Committee will have a chance to review this as it is developed. Bike Parking Ordinance The group discusses whether they can form a subgroup to work on a draft ordinance. Devine says he believes that would need to be posted as a public meeting. Nagle notes that the Beautification Committee operates with more leeway as they do volunteer work and plan events. Devine will follow up with the City’s legal staff for confirmation of the rules. Bikeshare Data and Program Updates 1 Document referenced: Salem Bluebikes Data through 8/31/2024, slide deck. In response to the group’s request from the previous meeting, Devine presents specific data for when each station is empty and full. The group discusses patterns and the need to ensure that bikes are always available. Devine also presents ridership data showing a decrease month over month and year over year. Devine believes the decline may be a result of the lower number of bikes available, but at the same time he expects high ridership as the tourism season ramps up. The City will be offering a free month of Bluebikes membership in October not only to residents as it has in the past, but to people who work in Salem too. Bike Valet at Public Event The group discusses the logistics of operating a bike valet at the upcoming food truck festival on September 21 and 22 at Salem Common. They need tickets, a ticket taker, signs, and someone parking bikes. Several Committee members offer to participate. Nagle and Devine will look into getting barricades. Devine will follow up on a legal waiver with the City’s legal staff. Safe Streets for All Action Plan Devine encourages the group to take the survey recently promoted on salem.com. He asks if the Committee would be interested in conducting a “Meeting in a Box” outreach session at the next meeting and they would like to. Heaps is interested in having crash data to review to support the discussion. Committee Vacancy Devine notes that the Mayor is seeking applicants to serve on the Committee. Meeting Minutes Ryan motions and Heaps seconds to approve the 4/3/2024 meeting minutes and all vote in favor. Adjourn Nagle motions and Ryan seconds to adjourn at 7:30 pm and all vote in favor. 2