Complete Streets Advisory Board

SARATOGA SPRINGS COMPLETE STREETS ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 5:00 P.M. SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. PUBLIC COMMENT 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- 6/2/2016 MEETING 3. CDTC MINI-GRANT (CARTON) a. CDTC Bike Grant Progress Report (Attached) b. Camp Saradac – Helmets to City of Saratoga Springs Campers c. Update on League Cycling Instructor Certification/Bike Skills 101 (Press Release Attached) 4. UPDATE ON COMPLETE STREETS PLAN 5. UPDATE ON CAPITAL BUDGET ITEMS a. #4 Pedestrian Safety Improvement Proposal - $523,800 (bond request) b. #7 Saratoga Greenbelt Trail Downtown Connector - $2,268,665 - $883,238 bond request c. # 11 Bicycle-Pedestrian crossing -Crescent Ave/Rt 9 - $55,000 6. UPDATE ON THE SARATOGA GREENBELT TRAIL - DOWNTOWN CONNECTOR AND CRESCENT AVE. 7. UPDATE ON 2016 GREENWAY CONSERVANCY FOR THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION 8. UPDATE ON TAP 9. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE MAINTENANCE OF TRAILS a. FUNDING b. VOLUNTEER – ADOPT A TRAIL 10. OTHER BUSINESS 11. ADJOURN  2016 Capital Coexist Traffic Safety Ambassador Mini-grant Program Tina Carton City of Saratoga Springs, NY 8/5/2016 Henry Street Bike Party Capital District Transportation Committee Capital Coexist Traffic Safety Ambassador Mini-Grant Program 1. Lead Organization: City of Saratoga Springs 2. Organization Type: Municipality 3. Address: 474 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 4. Contact Person: Kate Maynard, AICP and Tina Carton, Sustainability 5. Phone Number: (518)587.3550 6. Email: kate.maynard@saratoga-springs.org and tina.carton@saratoga-springs.org 7. Progress Update on Proposed Project or Event: Task 1: Establish a prominent, publicly accessible location for the pop up event The City of Saratoga Springs Complete Streets Advisory Board partnered with the Henry Street Business Association for the Second Annual Henry Street Bike Party to hold our pop-up bicycle and pedestrian safety event. The Henry Street Bike Party is hosted and organized by the Henry Street Business Group, a collective of Henry Street business owners, whose mission it is to revitalize Saratoga Spring's gut district and make Saratoga a healthier and more exciting place to live. Part of the proceeds will go to benefit Bikeatoga a non- profit, volunteer-driven organization based in Saratoga Springs, and towards revitalization efforts to make Henry Street a more bike friendly place. The bike party was expected to draw 500 visitors and to date is the largest family community bike party in Saratoga Springs. The Henry Street Bike Party took place on June 12, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It featured an adult big wheel race, a kids bicycle parade and Kids Story Ride in Congress Park, bike decoration contest and exhibit, a bike rodeo, free bike helmets and safety gear, bicycle stunts and tricks contest, live surf rock music, food, drinks, vending and more. All activities were free and suitable for the entire family. The City of Saratoga Springs Complete Streets Committee, Planning Department Staff, and Alta Planning and Design tabled at the event and provided free bike helmets properly fitted by a professional bike helmet fitter as well as free bike safety lights and reflective safety Velcro bands. All visitors to the booth received bike and pedestrian safety tips and safety promotional material. The materials were a mix of CDTC, Capital Coexist, Transportation Alternative, and NHTSA created fact sheets, brochures, and coloring pages detailing bike safety tips and steps to properly adjust and hit helmets. In total, 53 helmets were fitted with the majority of these “small” but adults – many parents – also fitted for helmets. In addition, a member of the City of Saratoga Springs Complete Streets Advisory Board, Bikeatoga, and the City of Saratoga Springs Police Department hosted a Bike Rodeo to show children the safest way to ride. The bike rodeo was very well received and attendees requested another bike rodeo either at the third annual Bike Party or another City sponsored event. The City is currently organizing a second bike and pedestrian safety event to take place at Camp Saradac on August 19th. Camp Saradac, located at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center, is a NYSDOH licensed full day summer camp for children ages 5-15. It is hosted by the City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department. Campers participated in camp safety day with the police and fire department on Tuesday, June 28th which included a bike safety presentation. The City ordered additional helmets with the remaining funding and is working with Cornell Co-operative Organization to assist with the helmet fittings. Task 2: Provide training for 2 interested persons to become League Certified Instructors able to teach Traffic Skills 101 courses to public via community organizations. The City of Saratoga Springs is working to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety within Saratoga Springs and surrounding communities. As part of the Capital Coexist grant Saratoga Springs requested funding to train 2 interested persons to become League Certified Instructors able to teach Traffic Skills 101 courses to the public via community organizations. Prior to registering for the League Certified Instructor course, students first had to successfully complete Traffic Skills 101. The City of Saratoga Springs worked in partnership with Bikeatoga to offer Traffic Skills 101(aka Road 101) course on July 20th, and 27th and August 10th from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Saratoga Springs Regional YMCA, 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY. Bikeatoga generously donated half of the fees and the Saratoga Regional YMCA donated the training space for free. Ten students attended the class with one student, Dan Lynch, registering for the August 19th, 20th and 21st Albany League Instructor course. It is expected that one other student will still register for the August training. On June 8th, from 10am-6pm, members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department partnered with the Complete Streets Advisory Board and other community volunteers to conduct a Pedestrian Safety Education/Enforcement detail focusing on problematic crosswalks along Broadway, Church Street, Division Street, Washington Street and West Circular Street. Before interacting with the public, the committee members received training from the City of Saratoga Springs Police Department on state and city law regarding traffic safety best practices and rules of the road. This came in handy when the volunteers interacted with the public later in the day. In total, the committee had 142 public interactions, distributed 61 pieces of traffic safety literature, and 40 warnings were issued. Saratoga Springs Police Officers issued 29 tickets, one arrest and 12 verbal warnings. Citations included Failed to Yield Right of Way to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk, Walking Against a Solid "No Walk" Signal, Improper Passing, Failing to Stop for a Red Light, Use of Mobil Phone While Driving, Speeding and one Arrest for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. Overall, this was a successful initiative with positive responses from the press and City Council. Project Costs: The City of Saratoga Springs is invoicing for reimbursement for $3,207.71. Due to free bike lights and educational materials provided by CDTC and in-kind printing services provided by the City of Saratoga Springs, the City received permission from Capital District Transportation Committee to change the materials list. Additional helmets were purchased as well as tabling materials such as Complete Street t-shirts and banner. These materials were useful during the pedestrian safety day when the committee members engaged the public. A detailed invoice is included as back-up. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2016 New classes scheduled for Confident Cycling: Hands-on Course (Traffic Skills 101) The Complete Streets Advisory Board is proud to announce that Claire Nolan, League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor, will be offering Traffic Skills 101 (aka Road 101) course on July 20th, and 27th and August 10th from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Saratoga Springs Regional YMCA, 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY. Bikeatoga has generously donated half of the fees and the Saratoga Regional YMCA is donating the training space for free. Traffic Skills 101 is designed to develop individual’s knowledge and expertise in the craft and science of bicycling— the ability to use a bicycle with confidence and competence for pleasure, utility and sport under various highway, climate, terrain, and traffic conditions. This course combines classroom discussion and parking lot activities with on-road practice of the principles of vehicular bicycling. The instructor for this course is certified by the League of American Bicyclists and has years of experience and training. The Traffic Skills 101 class complements efforts in the City to promote bicycling and walking. On June 20th, Saratoga Springs unveiled its Complete Streets Plan. The Saratoga Springs Complete Streets Plan aims to improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit users in the city’s neighborhoods. “People want to safely bike and walk in our city. Residents are really crying out for bike lanes, bike safety, and walkability. Traffic 101 will help our residents feel comfortable navigating through the streets and our trails enjoying all that Saratoga Springs has to offer.” said Mayor Joanne Yepsen. For more on the Complete Streets Plan visit: http://www.saratogaspringscompletestreets.com/ Cost is $25/person Includes materials and manual. Each participant needs a working bicycle, helmet, and lock. Pre-registration is required. Contact: Claire Nolan cbnolou@gmail.com or by phone at (518) 209-6477. Successful completion of Traffic Skills 101 is mandatory prior to registering to become a League Certified Instructor. League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) are certified to teach the Smart Cycling classes to children as well as adults. Their goal is to help people feel more secure about getting on a bike, to create a mindset that bikes are treated as a vehicle, and to ensure that people on bikes know how to ride safely and legally. Once certified as an LCI, individuals are able to teach the LCI curriculum and are covered by an insurance policy that indemnifies them while teaching a class. For more information visit bikeleague.org/ridesmart or email education@bikeleague.org. The City of Saratoga Springs Complete Streets committee will be offering two full scholarships for individuals interested in going to the next step and becoming League Certified Instructors. Classes are generally not held in our area, but this summer we are pleased to announce that the class will be held at SUNY Albany. More information is available the www.bikeleague.org. Press Release Contact: Doug Haller – City of Saratoga Complete Streets Advisory Board douglashaller@aol.com 90 Elm Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-577-0286