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Bicycle Task Force Meeting MinutesDecember 11, 20031 AttendancePhilip Pugliese, Melissa Dickinson, Ben Taylor, Tom Ingledew, Cheryl Shouse, Hugh Worthy, Daisy Blanton, Jim Ledbetter, Joe Thomas, Jenny Berni, Colleen Carboni, Rob Eldridge, Phillip Gilmore, RC Hoff, Karen Hundt2 Event Reports2.1 Red Bank Christmas ParadeSeveral members participated in the Red Bank Festival. Unfortunately there were some communication errors, and our group was not expected to participate. Melissa spoke with the director and we will try this again next year.It was also suggested that we support participation in the Chattanooga Christmas Parade for 2004. The consensus was that this would be a good venue to promote cycling as it is more of an actual parade event. 2.2 Bicycle Friendly Community Poster ContestCheryl Shouse, Melissa and Marty Brown coordinated with teachers and students of Battle Academy and Normal Park schools to set up an excellent event at Waterhouse Pavilion on Tuesday, December 9th. Over 50 students presented artwork representing bicycle safety. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place as well as several Honorable Mentions were presented at the City Council meeting. The Health Department presented goody bags to each participant and The Hershey Kissmobile was present to hand out candy and play karaoke for the kids. We had a very favorable response from students, teachers and parents. WDEF-News12, was on hand to mark the event and Lorie Tessmer from the Lookout Mountain Mirror was there and had the opportunity to interview David Utley, our TDOT State Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator, Tom Ingledew, Hugh Worthy and Daisy Blanton.. 2.3 City Council PresentationMr. Andy Clarke, Director of State and Local Advocacy for the League of American Bicyclists, and Anthony Yoder, Senior Program Director, joined us at the City Council Meeting to present Chattanooga as a Bicycle Friendly Community. Council Chair John Franklin was most receptive to our group. After my brief introduction, Andy Clarke spoke about Chattanooga's progress as a bicycle friendly community and recognized the city's special efforts in traffic engineering and signage. He had Councilman Franklin accept his congratulations and took a photo opportunity. Mr. Franklin then made several comments with regard to Chattanooga's strong bicycle community and referred to his recent visit to Portland, Oregon. Cheryl Shouse then explained our earlier Poster Contest event and introduced the winners. Chairman Franklin then had all of the parents stand as well. Thanks to everyone who was able to attend. 3 LCI Training3.1 Road I ClassI apologize for not explaining myself properly at the meeting today. Originally we had selected January 10th-11th for our class dates. At the time I was still seeking an instructor who can make those dates and did have an instructor available to teach on January 24th-25th. Just this evening I received confirmation that we do also have an instructor available for January 10th-11th! Chattanooga Bicycle Club has graciously offered to subsidize this training for its members! Please let me know if you wish to attend.
Location requirements: Tables for students, room for bicycles, overhead projector w/ white wall or screen, TV with VHS Tape, outdoor cycling area and route. 3.2 Certification TrainingTo be scheduled. If you haven't expressed interest in this class already, please let me know. Requirements include Road I Course and LAB Membership. Course fee is $175.00 but we are looking at help on this. 4 McCallie/Bailey RoutesBen Taylor reported that McCallie Ave will be marked as "Share the Road" between Dodds and Central in both directions. They are still looking at 3rd and 11th Streets to connect with downtown. 5 2004 Projects5.1 LCI TrainingWe would like to have several League Certified Instructors ready to offer our own training classes beginning this spring. 5.2 Bike To Work / Education / Business ConnectionsColleen Carboni is working on expanding our Bike to Work Program. It was suggested that we promote Bike Commute Logs to students and employees of area business to generate interest in commuting. Joe Thomas will contact the Scenic City Chamber branch regarding business involvement. Ben Taylor has additional bicycle racks on hand that could be installed at participating companies. CBC would like to promote the Scavenger Hunt Ride more widely as a tie-in to Bike to Work. We will plan on hosting day-time events at Waterhouse Pavilion during Bike Week. A suggestion to host a pre-Nightfall type event for bicyclists was discussed but was deemed to be outside the scope of our abilities at this time. 5.3 MTB IssuesThe "Working Group" continues to coordinate with the Outdoor Chattanooga Initiative to promote mountain biking. Trey Commander has already mapped Stringer's Ridge and provided the GPS data to the RPA. Hugh Worthy is still working with Jerry Mitchell to outline plans for the VAAP site. 5.4 FundraisingSuggestions were made on expanding our efforts by fundraising. Initial training classes, downtown banners, brochures and other educational material will all require dollars. Creating maps of our area for distribution at bicycle shops, welcome centers and downtown kiosks has been a revenue source for some communities. 6 Other Items6.1 Bicyclist KilledThe recent death of a bicyclist last week was discussed. Daisy brought up the concern that the initial report suggested that the man was advised by police not to be riding in the street. Ben Taylor has reviewed the police report and it appears that the man was crossing an intersection with no lights in the dark and rain. Rob Eldridge made the point that BTF should have a process in place to respond immediately to this type of event. This will be on an upcoming agenda for sure. 6.2 BTF MissionIt was brought up that we should clarify our mission and objectives as we prepare for 2004, specifically that we prepare a budget and proceed to garner grants, gifts and and other funds necessary to complete our objectives. Here is text from our Bylaws which I have also attached as a PDF. It is of course subject to review and change by our membership at any time. MissionTo devise a plan and programs to facilitate and promote the safe use of bicycles as a viable mode of transportation and recreation for all ages and skill levels. MembershipThe BTF shall be composed of citizens, government agency representatives, and business representatives interested in transportation planning pertaining to bicycling. Official membership will be given to persons, agency representatives, or business representatives who attend three consecutive meetings. Voting privileges will be active for the third consecutive meeting attended. Membership privileges will be reviewed at the end of each calendar quarter; those members not attending at least one regularly scheduled meeting during that quarter will lose their voting privileges. Organizational Objectives
6.3 Officer ElectionsAs indicated by the Bylaws, officer elections for Chairperson and Vice-Chair will be held at our next meeting on Thursday, January 8, 2004. You may submit nominations to me at any time prior to or at the meeting. Current office holders and current subcommittee leaders selected by the Chair:
Special thanks of course to Melissa Dickinson and the RPA for their outstanding support; to Ben Taylor and Traffic Engineering; and to the Chattanooga Bicycle Club (Tom Ingledew, Daisy Blanton and Hugh Worthy especially). 7 Addendum: MPO Staff Meeting HighlightsThe Metropolitan Planning Organization held its December Executive Staff Meeting at 1:30 PM, December 11th. There is no Board meeting this month. 7.1 Early Action CompactThe MPO is working on a progress report to the EPA as part of the Early Action Compact to meet ozone pollution requirements. By March, 2004, it must submit a complete list of Control Measures under consideration to reduce emissions. Number 2 on this list is: Bike trails and bike racks at work sites! 7.2 Public Involvement PlanThe MPO is reviewing and working to improve its Public Involvement Plan. As Bicycle Task Force is an MPO committee, we may find this document a useful guideline as we continue to engage the public, official representatives and other key stakeholders. 7.3 Bicycle Friendly CommunityA brief report on Chattanooga's selection as a Bicycle Friendly Community was submitted at this meeting. The MPO has requested that the Bicycle Task Force provide a summary report on the status of the Bicycle Facilities Master Plan at the February MPO meeting. Philip Pugliese
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