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Meeting Information



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`SAN FRANCISCO BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(BAC)

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (Polk Street), Room 408

MINUTES

The meeting was called to order at 6:25 PM

1.      Roll Call/Attendance:

Present - Andrew Thornley(District 1), Dianna Waggoner(District 3), Janice Buike Voorsluys(District 4), Bridget May(District 5) @ 6:33, Dale Butler(District 6), Will Henning(District 7), Rufus Davis, Jr.(District 10), Casey Allen(District 11) @ 6:31;

Excused - Jerry Ervin(District 8);

Note - Cynthia Powell, District 9 representative to the BAC, has moved to Berkeley and will therefore be resigning from the Committee

2. Approval of minutes of January 21, 2004 (6:28)

3. Public Comment:

Greg Hayes suggested that the Bicycle Advisory Committee might consider the possibility of intervening or taking a position in the legal action against the construction of a new parking garage in Golden Gate Park.

3. Chairman's Report:

· Attended a recent meeting of the Transportation Department's Technical Advisory Committee learning about the status of bicycle transit projects on Masonic, LHH and parts of Market Street.

· The policy portion of the Bike Plan update shall be completed in review draft form by April with public comment scheduled to begin after April 6th.

· The environment review process will perhaps slow down all projects.

· On Saturday, February 21st Supervisor McGoldrick is holding a district forum on transportation issues.

4. Member Reports:

· Dianna Waggoner(District 3) related a recent incident of a bicyclist getting a ticket in the Broadway Tunnel for riding on the sidewalk. Since this is the safest way through the tunnel how do we change this? Josh Hart of the Bicycle Coalition informed the Committee that he spoke with David Owen of Supervisor Peskin's office and that the Supervisors are open to making it legal to ride on the tunnel sidewalk as it was before then Supervisor Molinari changed the rule. Andrew Thornley said he would place the issue on the March agenda for a discussion of requesting the change and/or adding a special light such as at the Cronkite Tunnel.

· Will Henning(District 7) suggested the public and Committee members check the Department of Parking and Traffic web site to monitor bike related projects. Two projects of interest to District 7 are at Portola and 17th and Laguna Honda.

· Bridget May(District 5) informed the Committee that she is working on building membership on her women's bicycle racing team

5.      Department of Parking and Traffic Report (6:50):

· Dierdre Weinberg of the Department of Parking and Traffic distributed the three page DPT Bicycle Program Report for the meeting.

· Dierdre also reported that the bike racks at the Main Branch of the Public Library are going to be replaced.

· Of special interest to the Bicycle Advisory Committee was item 7 which details an ongoing discussion that the Congestion Management Agency (CMA) is considering a policy of permitting bicycle/pedestrian funding to be used for non-bicycle projects. A follow up meeting is to be held.

· Chairman Thornley added to item 14 of the DPT report that he had met with BART officials to discuss signage.

· Casey Allen(District 11) asked if the SPOT postcards were still available so individuals could suggest and advise low cost fixes for signs and other issues relating to transit and especially to bicycles. Ms. Weinberg responded that the Department is not presently considering returning to the postcards but suggests that individuals use 585-BIKE or bicycle@SFGov.org

· Community meetings to be held on the Page Street traffic calming circles. The heaviest "yes" circle will have permanent installation.

6. San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Report (6:58)

· Josh Hart informed the Committee that only three U.S. cities with similar LRV operations deny access to bikes on the transit cars. The SFBC is working with Muni on improvements to bike access policies and asks the BAC for support.

· Page Street traffic calming circles are going forward thanks, in part, that the Fire Department found the circles did not create a serious obstacle to access. The concept of converting Page Street to a bicycle boulevard was discussed.

· An article on a bicycle boulevard in Palo Alto was distributed

· To see the special bicycle education for city employees see http//sfbike.org

· The general public and SFBC like the concept but that drivers need education.

· There is also a problem that many stop signs have been removed.

· Traffic diverters which has some support but also some opposition.

· Unfortunately there is very limited funding so there may only be one circle made permanent as a study.

7. Old Business (7:05)

a. Website Update: there has been progress on getting the website up and running properly.

b. BPU: the plan is moving forward. Chairperson Thornley is meeting with Supervisor McGoldrick on February 20th.

c. Address and Letterhead: Janice Buike Voorsluys announced that we will soon have a mail box for return mail and letterhead for correspondence.

8. New Business (7:10)

Page Street Bikeway

· Josh Hart reported on the status of the Page Street traffic calming circles and the possibility of traffic diverters making Page Street into a Bikeway

· Mr. Hart then read a Haight/Ashbury traffic circle resolution requesting the BAC consider adopting and submitting the resolution in support. Rufus Davis (District 10) asked what if the neighbors vote down the traffic circles and the BAC supports in the face of the opposition. Mr. Hart responded that there has been more opposition for the removal of the stop signs being removed rather than the circles. Bridget May(District 5) pointed out that an actual permanent traffic circle are nicer than the temporary circles and that she likes the circles as a bicyclist but not as a pedestrian.

· Public Comment from Victor Veysey: Let's put up yield signs rather than stop signs so that the circles can maintain a smooth flow rather than stop and go. Signs should be added "Yield to Bicyclists". Drivers need education.

· Public Comment from Greg Hayes: He has seen near misses. Mr. Hayes oppose traffic circles because of the loss of safety but if there are circles then we should have four way stops. Would like to see more data.

· Dale Butler pointed out that most, if not all, changes in traffic patterns that inconvenience the automobile will be at least initially opposed by drivers. What is the bigger issue that necessitates the circles?

· Will Henning went on record opposing the resolution at this time. Casey Allen added that individuals could act in support as individuals.

· Chairman Thornley suggested putting the resolution on the next agenda which would be after the neighborhood vote which was agreed to without a vote.

Bike Plan Update

· Chairman Thornley announced that he had CDs showing the bike plan which anyone could have if they wish.

LOS standards reform / CEQA clearance

· Bill Wika pointed out that the planning department is one of many departments working with the transit authority in strategic analysis toward rearranging city streets to better serve all modes of transit.

· Chairman Thornley announced that Paul Maltzer of the Planning Department would be available to meet on February 25th at 11:00 am on the 5th floor of 30 Van Ness to discuss the CEQA process. It was moved by Casey Allen and seconded by Dale Butler to hold a special meeting of the BAC for the 25th at 11:00am for the sole purpose of a conversation between Mr. Maltzer and the BAC regarding the CEQA process. The motion passed unanimously.

· Casey Allen moved to adopt the unbinding LRV resolution. The motion was seconded by Diane Waggoner and was passed unanimously.

9. Public Comment (8:05)

Victor Veysey announced that he would like to establish a Bike Theft Task Force to promote better bicycle security and improve police work and support when a bicycle has been stolen. Mr. Veysey suggests the Task Force would have an eighteen month life which would include six months to study the issue and then six months for legislative work. Mr. Veysey asked that this idea be placed on the April agenda.

Greg Hayes spoke to the BAC.

10. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM