by Tommy Eden Minutes for Bicycle-Pedestrian Subcommittee of Urban Transportation Commission Thu., June 26, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd. 8th Floor Conference Room UTC members present: Tommy Eden, chair Mike Dahmus Others present: Elliot Kralj Thomas Butler Mitchell Ramon Emily Schwartz Mike Librik Steve Barnick 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. 2. PROPOSAL FOR IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ON LAVACA STREET DOWNTOWN Elliot Kralj reported that the pedestrian crossing of Lavaca Street at 13th Street downtown needed improvements for pedestrian safety. Specifically, he suggested either prohibiting parking between 12th and 13th Streets on Lavaca, installing flashing runway lights, or installing a traffic signal. The committee discussed the likelihood of getting approval for each of these treatments. Tommy Eden agreed to contact Alan Hughes to request a traffic study for a traffic signal. It was suggested that there could be more traffic at that location during the special legislative session. 4. PROPOSAL FOR SHARROWS ON GUADALUPE AND LAVACA STREETS DOWNTOWN Tommy Eden reported that he had contacted Linda DuPriest, who had said that she did not know of any use of sharrows in a lane which was less than 15 feet wide. Mike Dahmus agreed to research the use of sharrows, looking for a case where sharrows were used in a narrower lane. 3. DISCUSSION ABOUT TRAIL ACCESS FROM BARTON SPRINGS ROAD AND FROM RIVERSIDE DRIVE Steve Barnick, who lives in the Zilker Neighborhood, brought photographs showing some problems with the new curb which was built with the recently completed construction project on Barton Springs Road at Robert E. Lee. Tommy Eden explained that he had discussed the problem with several members of the Transportation staff, and that, without an Act of Congress, they were unlikely to replace the bicycle ramp which had been removed. Steve Barnick suggested that reestablishing the trail between Robert E. Lee and Barton Blvd. would help to relieve some of the problems which had been introduced when the bicycle ramp had been eliminated. Mike Dahmus agreed to write a resolution in time for the next subcommittee meeting in July. The committee agreed to aim for getting the issue on the UTC agenda for August. Steve Barnick would work on getting a resolution from the neighborhood association. 5. PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE PEDESTRIAN PLAN WITH REGARD TO PEDESTRIAN RIGHT OF WAY AND SIDEWALK EASEMENTS Mike Librik presented a proposed resolution to amend the pedestrian plan so that it would explicitly designate a pedestrian right of way regardless of whether a sidewalk exists. The subcommittee gave preliminary approval for the resolution and a web page which Mike Librik had completed. Tommy Eden agreed to contact Linda DuPriest regarding this issue and report back to Mike Librik. 9. DISCUSSION ABOUT PROPOSED BICYCLE LANES ON E. 51ST STREET Mitchell Ramon suggested that bicycle lanes be extended on E. 51st Street east of Berkman Drive, primarily because the Yellow Bike Project had increased the number of bicyclists using the street. The bike shop is located on that section of E. 51st Street. There was some discussion about whether the street could be reduced from four lanes to three lanes. Tommy Eden agreed to ask Linda DuPriest about extending the bicycle lanes on E. 51st St. 6. REQUEST TO REMOVE SIGNS WHICH PROHIBIT PEDESTRIANS FROM CROSSING TXDOT HIGHWAYS Tommy Eden had not contacted Richard Kroger about this issue. The issue would be placed on the subcommittee agenda again for July. 7. RECOMMENDATION REGARDING CAMPO POLICY FOR FUNDING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS The subcommittee approved the following resolution for UTC consideration: RESOLUTION REGARDING CAMPO METROPOLITAN MOBILITY FUNDS FOR BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS WHEREAS the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) staff has suggested changing a longstanding policy which requires that 15% of Metropolitan Mobility (STP4C) funds be allocated for bicycle and pedestrian projects, and WHEREAS the current level of funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects is inadequate, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Urban Transportation Commission recommends no change to the CAMPO policy requiring that 15% of Metropolitan Mobility funds be allocated for bicycle and pedestrian projects. 8. DISCUSSION ABOUT SETTING PRIORITIES FOR NEW BICYCLE LANES This issue was not discussed. 10. DISCUSSION ABOUT PROPOSED BICYCLE FACILITIES FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF MOPAC AND US 183 This issue was not discussed.