February 19, 2004

Staff Reports

1. Discussion with Mayor Howe on General BPAC Issues

   Mayor Howe will be in attendance to discuss general issues with BPAC. Staff recommends the Committee welcome Mayor Howe and participate in the discussion.

2. Public Safety Neighborhood Resource Officer Traffic Safety Education Program

   At the November 2003 BPAC meeting, the Committee requested that the Department of Public Safety present details regarding their Neighborhood Resource Officer School Education Program. Public Safety Officer Dave Falletta will attend the meeting to present the requested information. Staff recommends the Committee welcome Officer Falletta and participate in the discussion.

3. Discussion with Public Safety Regarding a Possible Targeted Increased Enforcement Campaign

   At the November 2003 BPAC meeting, the Committee requested that the Department of Public Safety be available to discuss potential history of bicycle related citations. In addition, the Committee questioned the possibility of a targeted enforcement campaign in an effort to limit right of way violations against bicyclists. Public Safety Captain Mark Stivers will attend the meeting to present the requested information. Staff recommends the Committee welcome Captain Stivers and participate in the discussion.

4. Right-turn Study

   At the November 2003 BPAC meeting, the Committee requested that staff investigate methods to improve motorist and bicycle awareness in situations when right-turning vehicles merge into bike lanes at major intersections. Staff has identified three major intersections that require right-turning motorists to merge into a bike lane: Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road at Fremont Avenue; Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road at Remington Drive; Mary Avenue at Maude Avenue. Staff is investigating options for signage and/or pavement markings to warn motorists and bicyclists of the conflict. The following figure is a sign that Stanford University is currently using at some intersections along Palm Drive to warn right-turning motorists to yield to through bicycles on the parallel bike path. Staff is seeking input from the Committee on possible signage or pavement marking options.

   The City will install the selected signage and/or pavement markings at the three identified intersections as test cases to observe the success in improving motorist and bicyclist awareness. Staff will report back to the Committee as updates occur, and has added this item to the Active Items List (Attachment 3). Also, staff is pursuing education opportunities on this issue via the utility bill stuffer and the Quarterly Report. Staff recommends that the Committee provide input on signage/pavement marking options.

5. Bike to Work Day Planning

   The designated Bike to Work Day (BTWD) for the Bay area is Thursday, May 20, 2004. Staff is beginning to coordinate with the VTA Bicycle Program Coordinator and MTC to prepare for the energizer stations and plan outreach activities. Staff recommends that the Committee brainstorm ideas for BTWD, bringing forward any new ideas for the event’s activities.

6. Utility Bill Insert Concepts

BPAC has space reserved for the utility bill insert during the May/June cycle. The reserved space is approximately 8 ½ inches by 3 inches, double sided. Two topics have been identified for the insert: pedestrian safety and right-turn education. Within the space given for the May/June utility bill insert, BPAC can include both topics. However, this option may not allow for a thorough review of the issues. Other options include prioritizing the topics and choosing only one to cover or requesting a second utility bill insert space for BPAC. Staff notes that reservations are typically made a year in advance; a second BPAC topic may not be printed this year. In addition, staff notes that public outreach on other BPAC topics is periodically conducted through the City’s Quarterly Report.

1. Include both topics (pedestrian safety and right-turn education) in the May/June utility bill insert.

2. Choose one topic for the May/June utility bill insert.

3. Choose one topic for the May/June utility bill insert and request a second reservation for a future utility bill insert for the other topic.

7. Health and Safety Fair – Bike Rodeo Volunteers

The annual Health and Safety Fair will be held on May 22^nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A component of the Health and Safety Fair is the Bike Rodeo, in which City staff and volunteers assist with helmet fittings. The coordinator of the Fair has contacted staff and requested volunteers for the helmet fitting station. Staff recommends available Committee members volunteer for this event as it promotes safe bicycle activity within the City.

8. Bike Lane Warning Signs for Paving Projects

A recent paving project on Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road prompted raising of an issue regarding appropriate construction zone signs for paving projects. Staff seeks BPAC input on appropriate warning schemes for newly paved roads with bike lanes.

The construction zone SOP for bikes calls for advance signs (Bike Lane Closed, Watch for Bikes), a cone pattern around the work area, and maximizing remaining roadway space. In the case of a project to repave a bike lane, the work zone encompasses not only the bike space, but the entire roadway. During the preparation phase of the Sunnyvale-Saratoga project, advance warning signs were placed, but no cone pattern. In essence, signs were intended to warn cyclists of construction conditions ahead. The bike lane was completely obliterated.

Subsequent to the laying of new asphalt, a period of time passed during which no striping was present on the roadway, and utility covers/manholes/etc. were unpatched (large holes in the road/bike space). Advance warning signs were left in place, as an intended warning of construction conditions ahead. For a short period of time prior to patching of utility holes and temporary delineation of the bike space, the signs were removed.

City staff received requests from cyclists both to remove the advance warning signs after the new pavement was placed, and to replace the advance warning signs until the roadway construction was totally complete. The citizen complaining about the presence of the signs was concerned that the signs sent the message that the road was closed to bike traffic, when it appeared rideable. He also believed that more warning attenuation was needed at the specific locations where there were hazards, rather than at the outer limits of the project area only. The citizen that complained that there were no signs present felt that some warning was essential for cyclists of the dangerous conditions.

Staff believes that the warning signs as placed were appropriate, but that the message of the signs may be misleading. A "bike lane ends" message would be less offensive in this case, but the "bike lane closed" signs are more multi- purpose and asking contractors to carry a multitude of signs may be problematic.

Staff seeks BPAC input on possible methods for construction zone warnings in roadway repaving situations.

1. Approved December 18, 2003 Meeting Minutes

   Attached (Attachment 2).

2. BPAC Active Items Report

   Attached (Attachment 3).

3. BPAC Email

   Attached (Attachment 4).

4. 2004 BPAC Calendar

   Attached (Attachment 5).

5. 2004 AC Overlay/Reconstruction List

   Attached (Attachment 6).

6. VTA Tier 1 Project Update

   Attached (Attachment 7).

7. Deficiency Planning

   Attached (Attachment 8).

8. CMP Deficiency Plan Requirements

   Attached (Attachment 9).

9. Boards and Commissions Seats Expiring June 30, 2004

          Attached (Attachment 10).