Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee. Tuesday, February 7, :00 pm 6:00 pm Large Conference Room, City Hall Dover, DE AGENDA

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1 Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee Tuesday, February 7, :00 pm 6:00 pm Large Conference Room, City Hall Dover, DE AGENDA Welcome Approval of Agenda Approval of Meeting Minutes Old Business Items: o Capital School District Update o Restoring Central Dover Bike Rack Update o Senator Bikeway o May Bike Month Events Bike To Work Day Ride of Silence Announcements Adjournment

2 Bicycle Pedestrian Sub Committee Dover City Hall Large Conference Room Dover, DE January 10, 2017 ** DRAFT MINUTES ** Members Present: Jim Hutchison, Chair Chris Asay, Vice Chair Jayce Lesniewski Dave Moses Gerry Pennington Fran Riddle Andy Siegel Others Present: Carolyn Courtney Fran Cutrona Eddie Diaz John Fiori Kate Layton Invited Guests: Victor Santos, DSU Tim Winstead, DTCC Terry CALLED TO ORDER: Meeting opened at 5:00 P.M. The meeting was called to order. We began with a brief introduction of those in attendance. AGENDA The vice chair opened the floor for agenda review. With no changes to the presented agenda, it was accepted without objection. APPROVAL MEETING MINUTES Mr. Asay opened the floor for review of the November meeting minutes. Without objection the minutes were accepted without objection. COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS Mrs. Riddle noted she had reached out to Victor Santos of DSU and Wesley. He is interested in working with this committee. Unfortunately, Wesley representatives were unable to attend tonight. She would continue to work this, however would like a brief background from Mrs. Townshend on the Senator Bikeway and the potential for resistance. Ms. Courtney will have Mrs. Townshend and Mrs. Riddle speak on the matter. Mr. Pennington noted that Mr. Winstead was in attendance from DTCC Terry Campus. The chair offered some background on the subcommittee trying to improve and make Dover more bikeable/walkable. Mr. Winstead noted DTCC has previously partnered with the Dover Police on a pedestrian campaign, but we are always here to help and support in any way they can. It was noted the highly used paved pathway around the campus. He noted, they did not see many bicyclists as students, however many use the path. Mr. Asay introduced the Bicycle University program and noted to please encourage cycling. Is DTCC insterested in promoting cycling? Mr. Winstead noted yes, we would assist however in the years I ve been there I ve not seen a cyclist on campus. We do not have many that ride their bikes. They would sharing cycling training classes and other pertinent information that could be shared with their students. Mr. Winstead added they do have a bicycle patrol unit on campus. Also, Mr. Moses noted consider having a cycling team or club that may start out in the athletics department. Mr. Winstead this could be a good idea. Mr. Santos shared that DSU pedestrian safety is a very big deal for them. They did a pedestrian study with the student body to assist in improving safety. Working with DelDOT and the MPO we did a full inventory to make things better. A few things that came out of that, the area where Chik filet is located not has sidewalks in front, making a continues sidewalk, also a barricade with stick/chain fence along RT13. These were accomplished with CTF funds. A sidewalk was placed near the football field allowing bikes to enter the

3 campus without going thru the main gate, vehicle entrance. We would like to have an overpass or tunnel across RT13. It is a high priority for us to have a safe commuter campus and we re interested in how we can be a partner and help were we can. In response Mr. Moses questions about biking, Mr. Santos noted biking was not high on the student survey response however pedestrian access/safety was significant. The school representatives agreed that they would gladly work with the subcommittee for sharing their messages of promoting biking and walking. DELDOT BICYCLE POLICY PLAN Attached presentation, Mr. Fiori noted he is starting a state wide policy plan, a blue print for development of policy. He review who the stakeholders that are involved in the process, reviewed the key points, goals, work plan, and finally welcomed all to attend the public workshops. It was important to note, this plan is specifically to be a development plan for policy, not a project identification plan. Project requests should still come from MPO s, municipalities, and formal sponsors, they need to bring their projects to us. This is a policy plan on how to go from an idea to a project. With a brief discussion the members plan, such as how to get a project to reality and coordinate with stakeholders inside/outside of DelDOT. A timeline was presented. They will be working with the stakeholders in January. Again, public meetings would be starting on February 27, held thru March 1 in each of the counties. Beyond that we will do a public awareness plan and have this presented by the end of the year. The public workshops will be as follows: 2 in NC, 1 in KC, 1 in SC. Side note the working group meetings will be on odd number of months this year so they can give updates to the Delaware Bicycle Council. March the plan to review public input and discuss and refine the vision and goals from those meetings and then finalize goals and visions. It s early in the process and I ll keep you posted as we progress. In response to Mr. Asay, yes members of the public may sit in on these workshops. The chair noted the outgoing administration for Delaware was positive for Delaware, will the incoming administration have any effect on this policy or support? Mr. Fiori did not feel that it would have any bearing, he was unsure of Governor Elect Carney s position on cycling. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS Capital School District Update: Mr. Moses reported the ball is rolling. With discussion it agreed to have Mr. Fiori reach out to a list of CSD gym teachers asking to schedule the bicycle rodeo for approximately 6 8 weeks out. The curriculum would be taught first and then the rodeo would come at the end of the curriculum. Mr. Fiori and Mr. Moses would continue to follow up and move this along, keeping each other in the loop. Mr. Moses would like to see 2 4 opportunities this year and would offer a compliment to the bike application. Mr. Fiori will take the lead on contacting the schools for the rodeo and then work with Mr. Moses to get the curriculum to the teachers. Restoring Central Dover Bike Rack Grant: Mrs. Layton shared that the Restoring Central Dover grant funding came through for one complete bike rack, including the canopy. This rack will be ordered from Mastercraft here in Kent County and will then be installed by the City of Dover s facilities management crew in front of the Library. Mr. Cutrona noted he and the student were still very interested in seeing this project through and thought potentially a field trip to Mastercraft to see the construction, etc. Mrs. Layton will contract Mastercraft to get this rolling, she will keep Mr. Cutrona in the process. It was mentioned to attempt to get this built and installed before May, could even be a Bike To Work day focal piece if we could see it through before then. We would like to see a dedication, so photo ops as it s installed, etc. This is moving along nicely. Mr. Cutrona noted there is still a possibility of getting one installed at Dover High School as well.

4 Senator Bikeway: Mr. Fiori shared a brief update from Century Engineering. He noted they are submitting the survey, comments back by February 10 th, we usually give a month for this, the engineer will then go back and review. So, Phase 1 survey plans have been submitted for comments to the various DelDOT sections for their review and feedback. Phase 1 covers from the railroad west to Saulsbury Road. Bike Friendly Application: Ms. Courtney noted the current deadline for applications is February 9, they will not release the next application until after this round closes. I will go back in shortly after February 9 and get the Fall application and set up a meeting with Mr. Asay and the Chair to disseminate and prepare to present to members for their various assignments. We can expect to see this on the agenda in March. Walk Friendly Community: Mr. Diaz and Ms. Courtney noted the application was submitted. Mrs. Riddle and Mrs. Layton were thanked for their support and contribution to making it happen. We anticipate hearing a response by April. The application was made available for the members review on the city website and via . Mrs. Layton added her appreciation of Mr. Diaz and Ms. Courtney s efforts and all the work they did to get it submitted. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dover Duathlon April 15, 2017: Ms. Courtney noted we have one person already registered! We can now register and anyone who has resources to get event awareness out there it would be helpful. Post cards have been sent to last years participants, PSA s and media promotions will be rolling out. We are ready to approach last year s sponsors and looking for new sponsors. The chair requested these information be shared with the committee for sharing. ADJOURNMENT With no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:09 PM without objection.

5 Statewide Bicycle Policy Plan Blueprint for a bicycle friendly Delaware

6 Stakeholders Delaware Department of Transportation (Planning, Traffic, Project Development, Subdivisions) DEDO/Department of Tourism Department of Public Health Office of Highway Safety Dover/Kent County MPO & WILMAPCO City of Wilmington New Castle, Kent and Sussex County Planning Delaware State Police DNREC Department of Health and Social Services Delaware Bicycle Council Bicycle Groups (White Clay Bike Club & Sussex Cyclists) Greenway and Trails Delaware Greenways DART Department of Motor Vehicles Council on Transportation Public

7 Key Points Revise previous bike plan from Safety continues to be a factor of active transportation investment. Update of Project Development process; Department policies, procedures and manuals would be updated, resulting in constructing high quality bicycle facilities. Coordination of current efforts. This is the development of a policy plan and not a project identification plan. Project requests to DelDOT should come from the MPO s, municipalities or other formal sponsors.

8 Goals Develop a policy oriented master plan that will improve Delaware s bicycle friendliness by: Integrating broad goals into a unified strategic plan. Identifying and promoting the many efforts already underway. Ensuring that progress toward a more bicycle friendly state is maintained. Ensuring that all of the Department s efforts make bicycling safer, more comfortable, and more convenient.

9 Goals Stakeholders clearly understand how to get a project from idea to reality. Clear, effective processes for project identification, prioritization, implementation. Revised design manual. Strengthened cross department relationships and processes within DelDOT. Coordinated, complementary efforts among all stakeholders (inside and outside DelDOT).

10 Work Plan December 7, 2016 Introduced working group members, presented the goals and timeline. January 18, 2017 First working group meeting (Future working group meetings will occur on odd numbered months). Full project introduction; establish Vision/Goals. Outreach and promote bicycle policy plan for upcoming four (4) public meetings. February 2017 Provide update to the Delaware Bicycle Council. Preparation for public meetings. March 2017 Review public input; discuss and refine Vision/Goals. April 2017 Provide update to the Delaware Bicycle Council; finalize Vision/Goals. May 2017 Review existing conditions; review/categorize items. Beyond and through 2017 Public awareness (web, social media, traditional media, partners); develop recommendations/get feedback; develop implementation plan; develop/present Final Plan.

11 Public Workshops February 22, 2017 Sussex County; tentatively scheduled at the Georgetown Public Library, 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. February 27, 2017 New Castle County; tentatively scheduled at the Middletown High School, 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. February 28, 2017 Kent County; tentatively scheduled at the Dover Public Library, 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. March 1, 2017 New Castle County; tentatively scheduled at the Wilmington Public Library, 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.