Bicycle Task Force Meeting Minutes

Hugh Worthy, Phillip Gilmore, Karen Hundt, Tom Ingledew, Daisy Blanton, Marty Brown, Guy Beaty, Annie Daniel, Greg Laudeman, Joe Thomas, JIm Ledbetter, Chris Gilligan, R.C. Hoff, Colleen Carboni, Doug Erwin, Cheryl Shouse, Ben Taylor, Melissa Dickinson, Philip Pugliese, Susan Goldblatt, Carla Askonas

2 Bicycle Traffic Count Project

Everyone assigned a traffic intersection should continue to collect data. Please note temperature and weather conditions at time of data collection. All counts and forms should be complete by our January meeting.

3 Bike Plan

3.1 Progress Update

3.1.1 Report from Ben Taylor, Traffic Engineering

Phase I signage is complete with the exception of routes on hold due to construction (Chestnut, Dodds/Main, MLK, McCallie and Bailey). St Elmo markings will be complete once weather permits.

3.1.2 Report from Annie Daniel, CARTA

See document: http://www.bicycleracks.com/

Bicycle racks for CARTA buses have been ordered and should arrive soon. See www.bicycleracks.com for more information on the Sportworks racks. Installation should be completed over next 6 weeks. Design for Incline racks have not been finalized yet.

3.2 Greenway Expansion

Funding has been provided for the University Greenway which will extend from the Brown Academy near MLK Blvd to the Tennessee RiverWalk. This will be paved.

3.3 Adoption of Master Bicycle Plan by local municipalities

As reported earlier, Ringgold narrowly approved the Master Plan. Rossville is currently considering adoption. Residents have been asked to communicate directly with city leaders to promote adoption.

3.4 McCallie / Bailey 2-way conversion and bike lanes

BTF member Jim Ledbetter has been selected by the Mayor to serve on a committe to evaluate design changes along this route. The original Master Plan called for a bike lane on both McCallie and MLK/Bailey. Under a two-way conversion scenario, it is recommended that bike lanes be provided for on McCallie Ave only. McCallie road width would allow for the following:|Parking 7'|Bike Lane 6'|East Bound 9'|West Bound 9'|Bike Lane 4'|

This would provide for onstreet parking on one side of McCallie while preserving a complete east/west bicycle corridor as approved under the Master Plan.

(Note: In the MPO meeting of Dec 12, the MPO approved inclusion of the McCallie/Bailey conversion into both the Long Range Plan and the Transportation Improvement Plan. Chris Gilligan requested that consideration be given to ensure that the intent of the Bicycle Master Plan is preserved.)

3.5 Traffic Calming on Tremont St

After review, it was determined that the traffic calming tables on Tremont Street do not pose an undue risk to cyclists. As with any road hazard, care should be taken especially if in a large group of cyclists. These tables are strongly supported by the local community.

4 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Call for Proposals

See document: http://www.activelivingbydesign.org/

4.1 BTF will apply for $200K grant

BTF will pursue application for this grant of up to $200K over 5 years to promote daily activity. BTF is well-positioned to coordinate an interdisciplinary team for this proposal. This could include public health, parks and recreation, architecture firms, mapping agencies, Trust for Public Land, school systems, etc., to promote cycling, walking and skating activity. This grant could become a critical element in providing for a full or part-time Bicycle Coordinator as specified in the Master Plan. Thanks to Cheryl Shouse for bringing this to our attention.

If you are interested in working on this grant proposal directly, there will be a informational conference call with the Foundation on Wednesday, December 18th, between 3:30 and 5:00 PM. This call will be held on the 3rd Floor of the Development Resource Center, 1250 Market St. If you are planning on attending this call or if you are unable to attend but wish to participate in this project, please let me know. Our initial application must be submitted by January 31st.

You may learn more about this grant application at www.activelivingbydesign.org.

5 Lookout Mountain Trails / SORBA Grant

Lula Lake Land Trust will be connected to Cloudland Canyon State Park via a trail system for hikers, cyclists and equestrians. These trails will ultimately link to Greenways and facilities in the Bicycle Master Plan.
Members of the Chattanooga Bicycle Club  presented the LLLT plan to the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) board, and they were all very enthusiastic and supportive. We hope to endorse the plan at the next board meeting in March. If it's approved, we will have the help of planners, engineers, designers and construction experts on the SORBA board to assist with the details of the project.

SORBA agreed to consider the trail (or a section of it) as our National Trails Day project for 2004! That's major, because we expect 100-200 folks to show up that day to work (so we had better plan what we want them to accomplish!).

Work continues on the grant proposal... we will begin our grassroots organizing & trail network design process in early 2003. 
See http://www.chattbike.com/gilligan/archives/00000044.html for information.

6 Public Events / Meetings

6.1 HIll City/Northside Transportation Meeting

Marty Brown attended this event on November 21. Primarily concerned with traffic safety along Bell Ave.

6.2 Upcoming Events

6.2.1 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Conference Call - DRC, 3rd Floor Wednesday, December 18, 2002 3:30 PM

6.2.2 BTF Meeting - DRC, 2nd Floor Thursday, January 09, 2003 12:00 PM

6.2.3 Greenway Task Force - DRC, 3rd Floor Thursday, January 16, 2003 12:00 PM. (Contact Carla Askonas at carla.askonas@tpl.org for more information or updates.)

Submitted by Philip Pugliese