SUNNYVALE bICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met in regular session in the West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, at 6:45 p.m. on August 18, 2005 with Committee Chair Mayer presiding.  

ROLL CALL

Members Present:             Kevin Jackson

Cindy Cotton

Thomas Mayer

Ralph Durham

Members Absent:   Thomas Reuner, excused

Gerald Gras, unexcused

Andrea Stawitke, excused

Staff Present:          Dieckmann Cogill, Transportation Planner

                                    Grace Kim, Department of Finance

Visitors:                    Arthur Schwartz

                                    Laura Mappin

                                    Fred Wiesinger

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION

Kim presented information regarding the City of Sunnyvale budget structure and process.

Wiesinger announced that Leadership Sunnyvale is accepting applications for the next session.

CONSENT CALENDAR

1.B. Approval of Agenda

1.C Approval of 2005 Calendar

Schwartz presented photographs that he had taken for consideration on the Sunnyvale Bicycle Map.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

At the request of a member of the public, Mayer heard item #5 first.

2.                                Results of the Study for Wolfe Road Bicycle Treatment.

Cogill presented the Staff report.

Public Hearing

Wiesinger stated that the study should call out the differences between NB and SB traffic and asked if bicyclists were counted at more than one location along Wolfe Road. He stated that the sharrow treatment is OK in some areas, and very uncomfortable in others. He also stated that there needs to be an educational component. In addition he stated that you can not draw any conclusions from a 1 day survey.  He doesn’t like the concept and does not support the continued installation of sharrows. Bike lanes would be a more appropriate installation. He believes that the sharrow placement sends the wrong message to motorists about bicyclists position. Sharrow markings should be in the center of the lane.

The committee made the following comments:

1. Sharrow placement sends the wrong message to motorists about bicyclists position
2. The Sharrow needs to be in the center of the lane.
3. Input should have been received from inexperienced cyclists.
4. It is dangerous for anyone to ride on that section of Wolfe anywhere but in the center of the lane.
5. Drivers didn’t actually modify their behavior based on the sharrow installation.
6. Include emails from public about the sharrow installation.
7. Include LUTE goals in the Report to Council. 
8. Sharrow should be kept as part of the toolbox. There are some areas where they could be effective if placed in the middle of the lane.
9. Pavement markings are better than just a sign and are more visible to motorists. The sharrows increase motorists awareness of bicyclists on the road.

3.                                Study and Budget Issue Development

The Committee Requested that 2006 Study Issue Papers be developed for consideration at the September 2005 meeting for the following items:

A.                 Update Corner Vision Triangle Ordinance

B.                 Policy for the Allocation of Street Space

C.                Design Standards for Bike Lanes Adjacent to On-Street Parking

D.                Plan Line Study for Increased Bike Space

E.                 Stevens Creek Trail off-street Access – revision of existing city policy

F.                 Standardize collection of bicycle and pedestrian counts.

G.                Reevaluate and expand hazard reporting mechanisms

H.                 Revise level of service guidelines to promote bicycle safety

I.                     Review and modify existing educational materials

J.                  Expand enforcement of the “zero-tolerance” policy for driver violation of pedestrian and bicycle safety

K.                 Create more extensive crosswalk policy

L.                  Research wrong-way riding collisions

4.                                Bike Plan Update Scope of Work

Cogill presented the proposed scope of work outline and requested BPAC comments or suggestions.

Mayer suggested that “bike rack survey be changed to bike parking survey. He also suggested that the bicycle parking demand at those racks also be measured. He also suggested that Wildwood be added back to the Bicycle CIP.

5.                                Bike Map Update –Bicycle Suitability Ratings

The Committee determined that the subjective rating does not need to be included in the determination of the suitability rating. They added that a 15 ft travel lane dimension should be used as the width for which a bicyclist and a car can comfortable ride side by side.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

·        BPAC ORAL COMMENTS

Durham noted the following issues:

1. Duane:   Pot hole and road break up. Right had lane / bike lane between AMD entrance and Duane Court. Westbound direction.

2. Ahwanee:   At San Petronio the street sign post is broken near the top and is being held together by the stop sign.

3. Carribean:   Between Crossman and Boregas the pavement is breaking up in the right lane and bike lane. Eastbound direction.

4. Bordeaux:   By AMB and creek. The south side of the bike lane on both sides have a 2-3 inch square edge where the road goes over the concrete bridge. Heading North.

5. Mathilda:  On bend to Sunnyvale/Saratoga there is a lip between the road and the gutter in the bike lane. Southbound direction.

6. Ahwanee:  Between San Petronio and Bike bridge. There is a dangerously low manhole cover, 2 inch drop. Westbound direction.

7. Persian/Fair Oaks:  The bike path sends you from Fair Oaks to Persian. There is no sign that shows how to get over 237. You cant go back to get over 237 on Fair Oaks because the bike lane is one way.

·        STAFF ORAL COMMENTS

Staff announced the City Skills Class.  

Staff also informed the committee of the intent to stripe a bike lane on Borregas Avenue from Moffett Park Drive to Caribbean Drive as part of the Sewer replacement project.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

None

 ADJOURNMENT