HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2008 BAC minutes1
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
SAN LUIS OBISPO BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Council Hearing Room, City Hall
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
January 17, 2008 Thursday 7 p.m.
MISSION:
The purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Committee is to provide oversight and policy
direction on matters related to bicycle transportation in San Luis Obispo and its
relationship to bicycling outside the City.
ROLL CALL: Kevin Christian (Chair), Trevor Keith (Vice Chair), Jean Anderson, Ben
Lerner, Glen Matteson and Tom Nuckols. Tim Gillham was absent.
Staff: Peggy Mandeville, Principal Transportation Planner, Jill Francis, Minutes Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dale Sutliff, advocate for the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club introduced himself.
No further comments were made on items not on the agenda.
MINUTES: November 15, 2007
Action: Committee Member Lerner moved and CM Matteson seconded to approve the
minutes as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Collision/Volume Location Review- Foothill/Santa Rosa
CM Lerner pointed out that some eastbound Foothill Boulevard cyclists are positioning
themselves in the gutter next to the curb at the Santa Rosa intersection rather than
transitioning to the through bike lane. Staff suggested that the intersection be observed
and bicyclists interviewed to learn why bicyclists are not using the bike lane. Staff
requested that any observations made by Committee members should be forwarded to
staff. If an issue is identified, staff will take steps to address the issue and provide the
Committee with any action taken. CM Anderson volunteered to develop a flyer for the
intersection.
Action: The Committee postponed action on developing recommendations for the
Foothill/Santa Rosa intersection until additional information has been presented to the
Committee.
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DISCUSSION ITEMS:
2. Committee Member Items:
Morro Street Bicycle Boulevard
Dan MacKirdy, Morro Street resident, expressed concern regarding the impact of
changing stop sign orientations on Morro Street to accommodate bicyclists. He advised
the Committee that the vehicle traffic speeds have increased on Morro Street since the
stop sign changes were made.
Dale Sutliff, SLO Bike Club, noted that he does not travel by bicycle on Morro Street as
much as he would like because motorists accelerate past him.
The Committee discussed the issues raised and the information available from 2004
and 2007 traffic counts regarding traffic volume and speeds. Staff noted that
bulbouts/curb extensions and a traffic diverter are scheduled to be installed on Morro
Street this summer. It was suggested that adding a traffic island at the intersection of
Church Street could be a solution to deter through traffic from continuing to the end of
Morro Street.
Dan Mackirdy noted that he was pleased to learn of the traffic calming features that will
be added to Morro Street.
The Committee recommended that the “measures of success” for bicycle boulevards be
reevaluated and expanded to include neighborhood impacts. The Committee also
recommended that staff return with information about how traffic counts are tabulated,
including the 85th percentile speed.
Bike Riding on Sidewalks
Staff provided the Committee with the cost of fines for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk
($66 to $126). Chair Christian presented a Police Department listing of bicycle citations
provided by Barry Lewis noting that most of the cyclists were not fined. CM Anderson
spoke of witnessing frequent violations of the law. It was noted that police involvement
and education should be the main focus regarding bicycles on sidewalks.
Suzie Kees, SLO resident, suggested that the Police Department insist that violators go
to Bicycle Safety School instead of a receiving a fine.
Christina Seely, SLO resident, observed elementary school students riding on the
sidewalk on Broad Street near Utopia Bakery and she suspected they felt safer on the
sidewalk given the high volume and speed of the vehicle traffic.
Staff volunteered to discuss the issue with the Police Department and report their
recommendations back to the Committee. Chair Christian volunteered to attend any
meetings and seek input from Janice Goodwin, SLO Police Department, Bicycle Unit.
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Bikes on Buses
This item was deferred to a future meeting.
Other Committee Member items
Chair Christian spoke of the author of “Bicycling and the Law” and the potential for him
to speak to the residents of San Luis Obispo as part of his book tour.
CM Anderson notified the Committee of changes in the law that became effective on
January 1.
CM Nuckols notified the Committee that he will be unable to attend the March BAC
meeting.
Staff Items
Staff provided the Committee with updates on City projects related to bicycling.
Staff notified the Committee that there will be one opening on the advisory body and the
Advisory Body recognition event is scheduled for March 13.
Staff notified the Committee that upcoming agenda items will include the Orcutt Area
Specific Plan.
Staff notified the Committee that Adam Fukushima and Jill Francis have given notice
and will be leaving their respective temporary positions at the City.
Staff requested that the March meeting be held one week later, on March 28 and the
Committee concurred.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. to the rescheduled meeting date of March 28,
2008.
The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to including the disabled in all of its services, programs, and
activities. Please contact the Clerk or staff liaison prior to the meeting if you require assistance.
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