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Project Catapult Update and Timeline
(February 9, 2009)
For the original project description and report, see http://www.lobv.org/catapult/pc1.pdf
To volunteer for any of the working groups listed below, e-mail info@lobv.org
Update
After our Jan. 31 meeting and subsequent conversations with COA bike/ped staff, Project Catapult is proceeding with the following working groups. Each working group will draft a report, which will be submitted for review to the City of Austin and other area entities as needed.
1. Nueces Bike Boulevard
The group will provide a vision of how the boulevard should enhance bicycle transportation by outlining key components to the facilities (e.g. removal of stop signs, removal of parking, limiting auto access, signage and striping, possible phases for implementation, etc.)
COA has just started initial planning for what a Nueces Bike Boulevard would look like, and so a report at this juncture from the bicycling community is timely and welcomed by the city.
2. Downtown Bike Zone Plan
The group will re-evaluate the LOBV Downtown Bike Zone plan to provide recommendations for "first steps" toward implementation. Additionally, the group will develop more comprehensive recommendations for the "Commuter Club" concept.
3. Public Education
The group will pull recommendations from the Street Smarts Task Force and outline steps and projected costs for implementation for the next fiscal year.
4. South Austin "bikeway" facilities on Congress Avenue
The group will inventory past proposals for bicycle/pedestrian improvements and will examine such issues as reverse angle parking, possible separated facilities inside of parking, climbing lanes, and short-term solutions to enhance safety.
Additionally, the group will examine past "roadblocks" toward changes on South Congress, such as concerns from businesses over parking.
5. Analysis/Recommendations for Bike Parking Downtown and at Major Activity Centers
COA currently is finalizing plans for removal of parking meters and retrofitting some meters as bike racks. However, converting some of the meters has been deemed infeasible due to cost and location, and COA has ordered some 400 "U racks" for placement around the city. The group will examine current proposals and develop recommendations for both bike racks and other possible "bike stations" downtown and at other major activity centers.
6. Transportation User Fee Allocation
The group will examine the feasibility and develop recommendations for allowing COA utility customers to designate their transportation user fee (which varies, but runs about $5 a month for residential users) to bicycle programs. Currently, those who do not own or use a car can request a waiver to the fee. The designated fee could help track bicycling and provide revenue for public education and "Commuter Club" projects.
Working Group Requirements
Volunteers should be willing to communicate with group members extensively via e-mail/phone and should try to attend meetings if possible. Working group coordinators will be responsible for delegating tasks to group members, providing weekly summaries to LOBV and drafting final reports.
Weekly Summaries
Weekly summaries of all working group efforts will be submitted to LOBV by the group coordinator. Summaries then will be publicized on the LOBV site and to area bicycling organizations and blogs.
Reports
Working groups will submit a written report that outlines:
1. Project/Program Description
2. Benefits for Bicyclists and the Region
3. Relevant Past Planning Work
4. Costs and Possible Funding Sources
5. Steps to Implementation
A note on reports: Project/Program reports are by no means intended to be detailed planning (or engineering!) efforts. Rather, the reports will serve to highlight key issues, benefits and desired facilities.
Timeline
Draft reports will be completed by February 27, 2009. Submission of reports to COA likely will occur in mid March.
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