HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/07/2011 - MinutesMINUTES
BICYCLE SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, March 7, 2011
Attendees
Committee members: Denis LaBonge, John Heffernan, Tony Petros, Stephen Sholkoff, Nancy
Gardner (Excused absences: Barbara Danzi, Sean Matsler)
Staff: Dave Kiff, Jay Johnson, Brad Sommers, Dale Johnson, Tara Finnigan
Members of the Public: David Huntsman, Pete Van Nuys, Marshall Perkins, Dan Purcell, Amy
Senk, Jeff Fylling, Mahaise Cini, Hunter Cook, Arman Taba, Laura Curran, Karen Tringali.
1. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 and introductions were made.
2. Report from the chair: The CdM Residents Assn. will have its annual meeting April 20
at Sherman Gardens. This will be an opportunity for outreach to the community,
particularly regarding sharrows. At the April meeting there will be a call for volunteers.
Orange Coast River Park is working on a trails plan. Frank Peters requested that the
meeting date for April be changed, but there wasn’t a quorum at that point to make a
determination.
3. Old Business
A. Capital projects
i. Castaways: The area will be restriped and there will be “share the
path”signs;
ii. Stephen Sholkoff clarified his request for one-way ingress and egress.
iii. Downhill advisory signage–staff showed a proposed sign. It was
suggested that
iv. the language be “Control speed” instead of “Watch speed” and that in an
area like
v. Vista Ridge there be a sign midway down as well. It was also suggested
that the HOA entry areas on that road have “Watch For” signs.
vi. Sharrows and share the road signage–staff showed a proposed sign that
would alert motorists to a sharrows area and what it means. Staff has done
the measurements to determine where the sharrows would be place on
PCH through CdM. It was emphasized how important outreach and
education are on this subject, including an assurance that this will not
markedly increase bike traffic in that area. Also emphasized was the need
to indicate alternative routes.
B. Education and outreach
i. Subcommittee on bike map trail marking–the map will be online for
comment.
ii. Letter to HOAs re maintenance staff parking in bike lanes–the letter has
gone out to HOAs and maintenance companies putting them on notice that
the parking will be enforced.
iii. Subcommittee on outreach and awareness–the committee presented to
proposals, one that is bottom-up with rides and education, the other top-
down with council participation. Gardner will clarify certain elements
with the city attorney prior to next meeting. Funding was brought up, and
she said that if the committee finds potential grant opportunities she will
write the grants for submittal.
iv. Liaison reports–none on SART/CCC; Barbara Danzi sent around her
report separately.
v. Brochure update–responses have been received from committee members
and OCBC. Final comments must be in by Friday, March 11.
C. Police report–The police conducted a bicycle safety day aimed at education and
awareness for both cyclists and drivers and issues some citations, but most were
warnings. The department is going through the last five years of accidents
involving bicycles as a tool in education and understanding.
4. New Business
A. Trail issues–Steve Sholkoff presented a photo essay on the challenges of getting
from the Santa Ana River trail to the San Joaquin trail. The main problem is
inadequate signing, and Tony Petros said that this was an opportunity to improve
connectivity between communities and would research potential grant opportunity
which he would bring back to the committee.
Dan Purcell presented several minutes of GPS-linked video that featured several
bikes lanes in the City. Dan showed examples of potential hazards – road flares
left behind, broken glass, pedestrians standing in or immediately adjacent to the
bike lane, etc. He offered to ride & video any bike lane in the city requested by
the committee.
John Heffernan noted that several roadway hazards submitted through the Quest
system have not been addressed. Dave Kiff indicated he would follow-up on
those.
B. Lighting – Due to time constraints Dennis LaBonge offered to continue his
presentation until the next meeting.
C. Future Agenda topics
i. Report on Complete Streets Legislation
ii. Bike racks
iii. Changing state law re: penalties for accidents
iv. Continued item – Lighting
v. Key intersections / “Hot Spots”
vi. Outreach Plan & Implementation
5. Public Comment
Karen Tringali, CdM Residents Association, announced the CDMRA annual meeting will
be held on April 20 at Sherman Gardens and invited the committee to provide speakers
for a panel discussion. The committee will select representatives for the panel at its April
meeting.
Pete Van Nuys was asked to offer his Bike Safety 101 class in April, ahead of Bike
Safety Month. Frank Peters will be the point person.
Two residents (Mahaise Cini and Laura Curran) inquired about changing the color of
roadway striping and stenciling (for bike lanes, sharrows, etc.) to make them more
visible. The City follows federal and state traffic safety standards when signing and
striping.
A concern was raised that motorists honking or shouting at cyclists is jarring and could
lead to accidents.
In response to a question about how the recent fatality on San Joaquin Hills could have
prevented, the City Manager said that the cyclist was in the bike lane, had the correct
safety equipment, etc. It is early in the accident investigation, but it appears that the
accident was the fault of the motorist.
Dennis LaBonge noted a solar-powered stop sign in Huntington Beach and suggested
similar, lighted signage should be installed in concert with the sharrows.
6. Adjournment
Next meeting – April 4, 2011