pages: TransportationCommission/2012-01-25.pdf, 6
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TransportationCommission | 2012-01-25 | 6 | Barry Bergman stated that it is not advisable to have bicycle lanes to the right of the turning car lane. Commissioner Moehring called for public comments or questions. Lucy Gigli, President of BikeAlameda, started off by saying thank you to staff for being so diligent in answering questions and calls that have come to draft the guidelines. Since there are new commissioners, it is important to re-iterate the need to implement these guidelines to make Alameda's streets safer and help more cyclists riding on the streets. According to well documented research reports, cycling activity increases when the city accommodates all types of cycling skills and creates separate facilities such as cycle tracks (Fernside Street by Lincoln Middle School), Class I bike paths and buffered bike lanes. Again, she appreciates staff's efforts to get the best facilities for the City. Jon Spangler, Alameda resident and a League of American Cycling Instructor, he has been a bicycle advocate since 1970. This month he took a bicycle tour on a Sunday afternoon in Oakland where he saw the bicycle lane within the right turn lane. Protection of the door zone is important, but it is not feasible to expand streets to accommodate cyclists without angering drivers. Regarding Figure 13, on page 24 of 46, if you were driving a car into that intersection you would not go straight through the intersection by driving through the right turn lane. Therefore, you should not ride your bike that way. I recommend in that intersection always take the thru traffic lane. Figure 11, page 22 of 46, should be the preferred design alternative. Mr. Spangler commends the City of Alameda on the positioning of sharrows on the road and the City should continue the tradition of positioning the point of arrow of sharrows safely outside of the door zone. Also, the City should include "Share the Road" signage for cyclists and drivers. Furthermore, the city should erect informational signs stating Alameda is a "Bike Friendly" city and educational signs for cyclists to " Stay out of the Door Zone." He would also like to see a reduced defacto parking strip for automobile parking from 8 to 7 feet ultimately creating a psychological road diet for drivers to park closer to the curb. Finally, he would like the City to include a bicycle buffer (see Figure 7) next to the door zone rather than to the left side of the cyclist. Jim Strehlow, Alameda resident and local employee, would like to see signage appear once funding is available. Signage is good for people who are not familiar with the bicycle landscape, so lets prioritize this item. Commissioner Bellows stated that the guidelines are incredibly comprehensive and public input was great. Commissioner Miley also appreciated the public process, and reserved comments until the item is brought back in March. Commissioner Moehring would like to see more signage to educate the public to share the road and important for everyone to be more considerate. She also recommended that Mr. Spangler present a bicycle safety tip at each meeting going forward, such as bicyclists should share the Page 6 of 13 | TransportationCommission/2012-01-25.pdf |