The September meeting of the Walk Bike Council of Addison County was held on September 15, 2020 via Zoom.
Agenda:
- Introductions
- Introducing the Council's new liaison at LocalMotion: Jonathon Weber, Livable Streets Program Manager.
-
Walk and Roll to School during the pandemic (Erik) Had hoped to present at Walk Bike Summit
I’m willing to report out on the study that Middlebury College students undertook last spring looking at how students get to and from Mary Hogan Elementary School. I’d also be curious to hear what ideas council members have for the Safe Routes programs this year considering there are no Walk and Roll Wednesdays and visitors are not allowed on school grounds. - Safe routes and parking
- Route 7 navigation (thru school/shopping zone)
- Bike parking standards (design, placement, sheltering) Bus stop amenities (place to sit, bike parking) -Status update on Bike/Ped.
- Update on the Walk Bike Summit (Mike)
(Notes from the: May Meeting, January Meeting, October 2019 Meeting)
Continue below for full notes.
Attendance: Adam F, Bethany Y, Mike W, Jonathon W, Mary Y, Nate B, Laura A, Erik R, Doug M, Amy Y, Tim C
Introductions
Introducing the Council's new liaison at LocalMotion: Jonathon Weber, Livable Streets Program Manager.
Providing TA to communities with pop-up projects using their trailer of supplies to test out new infrastructure for community buy-in or short term tests to figure things out. New SRTS funding this year (travel planning, walk/bike action planning). Will keep running Bike Smart and hope to revive Walk Smart programs. Many other course/programs/resources available. https://www.localmotion.org/
Mary and Erik each received SRTS incentive boxes from Local Motion to use with programs (reflective shoe laces, etc…)
There are other Walk Bike groups across the state. Brattleboro, Rutland (in formation),
Walk and Roll to School during the pandemic (Erik) (shared slides from Middlebury College student project)
I’m willing to report out on the study that Middlebury College students undertook last spring looking at how students get to and from Mary Hogan Elementary School. I’d also be curious to hear what ideas council members have for the Safe Routes programs this year considering there are no Walk and Roll Wednesdays and visitors are not allowed on school grounds.
Erik shared a slide-set from student project highlighting reasons why students didn’t walk/bike to school and offered suggestions to overcome barriers. http://www.middlebury.edu/system/files/media/Schools%20Team%20Final%20Report_DM.pdf
Erik - no Walk/Roll Wednesdays since that is the remote learning day. Have put out “slow down for a safer town’ signs. Hoping to chalk messaging on Mary Hogan messages around thanks/gratitude for walking/rolling to school. Since no visitors are allowed at school, not sure what next steps are.
Brainstorm ideas: 1. A challenge model similar to Winter Passport to award points for walking at home. 2. Create a map of town with walkable/bikeable destinations to encourage walking/biking on own. 3. Reminders/Videos on how to cross roads safely (Tim had done this in Vergennes). 4. Reach out to Michele Gilbert at RISE VT
Safe routes and parking (Laura)
- Route 7 navigation (thru school/shopping zone)
A known trouble spot. Should there be crosswalks (Creek Road with plans for rapid flashing beacon; entrance to Rec Park - town would like to get rid of this one)? Walk/Bike Council members had reviewed the Rte 7 work and didn’t see any crosswalk elimination. Discussion around how to support crosswalks on Rte 7. Municipality is unwilling to have multiple RRB’s on Rte 7 - unsure why. Jonathon will look for guidance on placement.
- Bike parking standards (design, placement, sheltering) - Middlebury received bike racks from Vtrans as part of Bridge project. Specs were provided - not sure if followed for installation. A number of them can be moved once bridge project is done. Mike W & Jim Gish were involved with sighting, but public works did the installation.
- Bus stop amenities (place to sit, bike parking) -- Laura was in conversation with ACTR at one time to support these types of amenities.
- Safe Routes to Schools/Parks
Status update on Bike/Ped. Grants, both those that have been funded, and pending applications that are coming in for the September 30 deadline. (Mike)
Grants, both those that have been funded, and pending applications that are coming in for the September 30 deadline. (Mike) Grants from Middlebury (Exchange St sidewalk - working on Right of Way conflicts - hoping to construct next summer). Vergennes for sidewalk construction, town may be able to do more cheaply than the federal grants allow. Lincoln scoping project to connect sidewalk to elementary school from hotel. New Haven hoping to scope widening of Munger St (this grant application is a function of supporting the Triangle Loop). Bristol hopes to scope sidewalks on Munzel Ave.
Update on the Walk Bike Summit (Mike)
Postponed to May 2021. Motherload package has been paid for and can be presented to up to 100 ppl total. It can be shown anytime if we wish or held until May. There is interest is bringing e-bike/cargo bike lending program back to Middlebury ?this fall?. Jonathon will check on availability.
Triangle Loop update and next steps (Mike/Doug/Laura)
Bike/Ped grant in process for Munger St. If you aren’t familiar, review the final report for the final loop recommendation (with alternates through New Haven village). Name has yet to be finalized - other than “Triangle Loop” - Laura shared it feels like it is connecting all of the towns. There had been a conversation around different names… Adam will get a link on our website.
“Addison Farm to Town Trail” is one idea from Jonathan.
Should we come up with a short list of options and put those out to the community to vote on/choose? Who wants to carry this project forward? A specific subcommittee (name, brand, outreach, map/description, signage, kiosks, services in route). New Haven is the only town that officially signed off support. Vergennes was invited - but didn’t come. All road foreman have been engaged in the project. SE Group was asked to develop short presentations that citizens could present to their local towns for support. Next step to address community/town buy-in. What would we be asking towns to do? We might consider prioritizing the various SE Group recommendations. Should we determine a primary downtown Middlebury route?
Next step: a separate meeting sooner vs later to look closely at the report? (in 3-5 weeks) Doug & Adam will develop a ‘to do’ list/agenda.
Triangle Loop Final report:
https://acrpc.org/programs-services/transportation/bikeped/triangle-bike-loop/ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M-a9Lmarb9WB8Hd5m_5RhFkTSnr7u-hv/view?usp=sharing
Input for Facebook Page (Tim)
Tim asked for input for Facebook Page. Send any possible posts/updates to him. Be sure to also share to your own friends list.
Scheduling
Next meeting 7-9 weeks. Adam will put out a doodle poll.