Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission
August 19th, 2004
Regular Minutes

Roll Call

Call to Order
Secretary Robbins called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.

Approval of Minutes July 15, 2004
Marvin noted that the first paragraph under "New Business" should be moved up to the end of "Rolling Stops & Walking."

Bungay/Marvin m/s to approve the minutes of July 15, 2004 as amended. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed.

Public Forum
None.

Safe Routes Program Discussion (Scott Bricker, BTA and Lynn Mutrie, ACTS Oregon)
Mutrie explained the Alliance for Community Traffic Safety (ACTS) and noted that they had awarded a grant to the City and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) to conduct the Safe Routes Program. She noted that ACTS was also putting on the Oregon Transportation Safety Conference in Wilsonville from September 22nd to September 24th. She noted that scholarships were available, and she offered to leave registration materials. She discussed the conference format and curriculum.

Bricker provided some background information about the BTA. He noted that they had been conducting Bicycle Safety Programs in Ashland since 1999, and he added that the program had now expanded to 19 communities in Oregon. He discussed the fact that spring programs had not been carried out as expected this year, but he added that additional staffing had been arranged and that they are planning to conduct Walk to School Day programs on October 6th, with a number of smaller events leading up to that date.

Bricker and Mutrie noted that the grant funds needed to be spent by September 30th. Bricker stated that the BTA would provide additional funds if needed and he pointed out that Brad Jones, Doug Staples, and volunteers may conduct several events by that time. He explained that Keith Massie might be conducting another helmet give-away, and that Jones and Staples were coordinating donations. Bricker explained that BTA had received a grant from Nike to conduct the October 6th events, and would have design and promotion assistance from Nike, in addition to funding and give-away items.

Bricker stated that he was on hand to gauge commission interest and seek feedback. He pointed out that the BTA may evolve into funding a program within the community, either through RVTD or possibly a program formulated with the current BTA instructors. He noted that a website was in progress and that there would be a possibility for links to individual schools.

Chapman noted that bells were a popular give-away item, and suggested that a helmet fitting be part of the event. Robbins discussed the need to focus on creating habits, and he noted that both parental fear and the hills in Ashland serve as barriers to forming the cycling habit. Bricker discussed the idea for a walking schoolbus, and he added that getting parents involved was a key to the success of the program.

Bricker noted that the BTA was planning a "media school" press event that would get coverage in the Tidings as well as placing a half-page ad in the Oregonian. He distributed a sample press kit and explained that it would be modified for Ashland, and added that there would be stuff kits as well that would include wrist bands, stickers, and similar items for kids.

Speed Limits
No report.

SprocKids Program
Mutrie noted that Doug Detwiller who founded the program was a former colleague, and stated that she thought very highly of him and the program. Robbins discussed the program as a possible focus for the Education and Outreach subcommittee. Bungay added that it would work well for home schoolers. Robbins suggested looking at implementation and discussed the possibility of bringing the program to Ashland at a future meeting.

Chapman/Marvin m/s to authorize staff to purchase the SprocKids program materials shown in the packets. Discussion: It was noted that with shipping, the cost would be $90 and that program funds could be used for the purchase. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed.

JPR Underwriting
Christman stated that he would like to have this item moved to next month's agenda.

Subcommittee Reports
Car Free Day - It was noted that the next meeting of the subcommittee would be at 5:30 on Tuesday the 24th at the Railroad Park.

Education/Youth Outreach - Robbins noted that he was looking at how much time he had available to pursue this, and he discussed the need to get the schools to buy-in to the program. Bricker suggested that Julie Ponder, a teacher at the Middle School, might be a good contact.

Bicycle Friendly Communities Application - Mutrie noted that Andy Clark, the executive director of the League of American Cyclist's, would be in town soon for Cycle Oregon, and might be available to meet and discuss potential areas to improve in "going for the gold."

Neighborhood Safety/Safe Routes - Marvin volunteered to join Chapman on this subcommittee. Chapman noted that they were looking at a neighborhood speed watch and also at mechanisms to pass on neighborhood complaints. Robbins noted that the mapping projects done by ACTS might be an interesting idea here.

New Business
Members stated that they wished to discuss bicycle parking in the downtown and to look at bike rack designs.

Agenda Items for Next Month
Draft Downtown Plan discussion, bike rack installation and bike rack designs, SprocKids program, and JPR.

Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Next Meeting: Thursday, September 16th, 2004