Bike-Ped Roundtable Agenda | April 2011

7/28/2019 Bike-Ped Roundtable Agenda | April 2011

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NOTICE OF MEETING

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)Central Iowa Bicycle Pedestrian Roundtable (Roundtable)

***************************Tuesday, April 19, 2011 12:00 p.m.St. Etienne Room, Armory Building

602 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA***************************

TENTATIVEAGENDA

I. Call to Order

II. Introductions

III. Approval of Agenda

IV. Approval of the Roundtables March 11, 2011, Meeting Minutes ..........

V. Discussion Items

A. Update Bike Month..............................................................................B. Update - Unified Bicycle Ordinance........................................................C. Trail Marketing Update ...........................................................................D. Bike-Pedestrian Project Updates............................................................E. Form-Based Codes ................................................................................F. Regional Trails District............................................................................

VI. Informational Item

A. Bike and Ride Data.................................................................................B. Dr. Crompton Presentations ...................................................................

VII. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee


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MEETING NOTES

DES MOINES AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPOCENTRAL IOWA BICYCLE-PEDESTRIAN ROUNDTABLE (ROUNDTABLE

March 15, 2011 City of Des Moines, St

12:00 PM De

Roundtable Attendees Present:

Marco Alvarez, City of West Des Moines

Andrea Chase, Natural Heritage FoundationDana Conn, Transportation Management Association

Jim Lane, City of Norwalk, Chair

Loren Lown, Polk County Conservation

Mindy Moore, City of Des Moines

Butch Niebuhr, City of Perry

Dennis Parker, Polk County Conser

Neil Ruddy, City of CarlisleStefanie Toftey, DART

Carl Voss, Trails and Greenways C

Ron Ward, City of Johnston

Vern Wiley, City of Altoona

Roundtable Staff Present:

Dylan Mullenix, Senior Transportation Planner

I. Call to Order

Chair Jim Lane called the March 15, 2011, Roundtable meeting to order at 12:00 p.m., at the St. E

Room, Armory Building, 602 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA.

II. Introduction

Participants introduced themselves.

III. Approval of Agenda

Participants approved the March 15, 2011, Roundtable meeting agenda.

IV. Approval o f the Roundtab les February 15, 2011, Meeting Notes

Participants approved the Roundtables February 15, 2011, meeting notes.


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Disabilities Act. Ms. Chase noted some trail managers and trail advocates are worried

new ruling will allow any power-driven mobility devices, including even automobile

used on trails. Ms Chase also noted the ruling places limits on the ability of a trail man

inquire about ones disability status.

Ms. Chase continued, noting the ruling went into effect on March 15, 2011. In order

the types of mobility devices allowed on trails, trail managers must complete an assessm

to why limits have been placed on the types of devices allowed. There is no set criteria o

the assessment should include, which likely will cause each jurisdiction to treat each

little differently. In addition, the assessments are not approved by any agency.

Dennis Parker noted the ruling essentially requires an assessment to be on file in order

someone for using certain mobility devices on trails. If the trail manager has prooassessment, the burden will fall on the trail user who was cited to prove the trail man

assessment was in violation of the Department of Justices ruling. The biggest hassle w

determine how a trail manager should document and make it known that an assessm

been completed.

Discussion ensued regarding the ability to conduct assessments on a system-level basi

than individual trail basis.

Mindy Moore commented that the ruling does not just apply to trail but rather all public

Chair lane summarized that assessments will be required by trail managers. Chair Lan

for Roundtable members to share their assessment techniques with each other so th

assessments can be as coordinated as possible.

V. (B.) Update Unified Bicycle Ordinance Draft

The Roundtable discussed the most recent version of the draft Unified Bicycle Ordinan

Carl Voss questioned whether the ordinance allows riding two-abreast on non-trail fac

Mr. Voss noted the ordinance discusses riding two-abreast on trails, but does not

whether it is allowed on streets.

Mindy Moore noted she still has concerns that she raised in February. These concerns i

Under Section 12- Bike Lanes Language under (a) regarding speed in bike lanes seems to

suggest someone riding at speeds at or above the speed of

traffic may not use the bike lane;

Language under (a)(4) regarding a bike lane not including a

marked shared lane does not make sense;


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V. (C.) Trails Marketing

Andrea Chase recapped the trails marketing meeting that took place in February, noting

Leaders from the National Parks Service discussed ways they could assist with marketinChase noted the most important discussion of the meeting concerned what attracts pe

trails.

Ms. Chase discussed having a smaller committee continue to work on the idea of pro

Iowa as the trails capital of the world. This committee would work on branding and ma

ideas and bring them back to the larger marketing committee.

Carl Voss noted the Bicycle Collective continues to work on the Cycle Central Iowa ma

identify tourism trail loops. The maps will show bike trails and bike routes using low-county roads, as well as recreational features along the trails like restaurants and places

Discussion ensued regarding the costs incurred by the Bicycle Collective to prepare th

and potential sponsorship opportunities that could be explored with local companies s

Caseys.

Chair Lane noted the marketing committee will meet again in April.

V. (D.) Bicycle-Pedestr ian Project Updates

MPO staff noted they have requested bicycle-pedestrian facility updates from the MPO

Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance member governments. These u

are starting to come in and the MPO staff should have updated maps to show the comm

April.

Discussion ensued regarding the purpose of the maps. The Roundtable members explaimaps would be used to identify bike-pedestrian facilities on the ground today, those t

programmed for development in the next few years, and those that may be long-term pl

have no specific date for construction. The maps would enable the Roundtable to det

where gaps exist within the system and strategize how to fill in the gaps.

Dennis Parker commented that he would find this information very useful.

VI. (A.) Bike-and-Ride Counts

Roundtable participants reviewed the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (D

and CyRide bike-and-ride counts for January and February 2011.


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Mr. Voss added the City of West Des Moines has approved its Bike Master Plan.

VIII. Next MPO Roundtable Meeting Date

The next Roundtable meeting is scheduled for April 19, 2011, at noon.

IX. Adjournment

The February 15, 2011, Roundtable meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.


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V. (A.) Bike Month

Discussion ItemBike Month:

Is to encourage people to try riding their bicycle for transportation,

increase cycling awareness, and promote a healthy alternative to

driving a car in the month of May;

Is nationally recognized and endorsed through the League of

American Bicyclists;

Bike to Work Week is May 16-20 2011;

Registration for 2011 event is available on Bike Iowas webpage:

http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/bike/BTWRegistration.asp; and,

MPO Staff:

Invited Tina Mowry Hadden to present an update on Bike Month

events at the April meeting.

Staff Contact: Zach Young, [email protected]

(515) 334-0075, extension #208.

V. (B.) Update - Unified Bicycle Ordinance

Discussion Item

The Metropolitan Advisory Committee (MAC):

Has developed a draft Unified Bicycle Ordinance for metropolitan

communities to consider adopting;

Will present the final draft ordinance to the MAC at its April

meeting; and,

Will provide an update on the feedback members have received

from their councils or boards.


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V. (C.) Trail Marketing Update

Discussion Item

The Trails Marketing Committee:

Met on Monday, April 4, 2011, to continue discussions from its

initial meeting in October 2010 about ways to market central Iowa

trails; and,

Will provide an update at the April 2011 Roundtable meeting.


(515) 334-0075, extension #208

V. (D.) Bike-Pedestr ian Project Updates

Discussion Item

The MPO staff:

Notes the MPOs Connect: Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian

Plan Chapter 4, Action 1.3 states, Establish a process to update

governments and agencies on new trail developments and

connection to the state and regional trail system;

Notes the benchmark for Action 1.3 are the following:

1.3.1 Benchmark: Provide active project updates

routinely to the Roundtable.

Has requested that MPO/CIRTPA member governments and

agencies send updated GIS trail information to the MPO/CIRTPA

staff when projects are completed;

Requests that MPO/CIRTPA member governments and agencies

contact MPO/CIRTPA staff with any questions;

Notes that trail updates ensure that all trail information reflects

current activity in central Iowa and will allow local stakeholders to

track progress on connecting gaps and completing trails within the

C l I T il S d


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V. (E.) Form-Based Codes

Discussion Item

The MPO staff:

Notes that the Connect: Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Chapter 1, Action 5.2 states, Encourage compact, mixed-use

development policies to create zoning and design guidelines for

pedestrian and bicycle-oriented development;

Notes that the benchmark for Action 5.2 reads:

5.2.1 Encourage revising local governmentcomprehensive plans to promote pedestrian-,

bicycle-, and transit-oriented development,

by 2012.

Would like the roundtable to consider updating the benchmarksunder Action 5.2 to read:

5.2.1 Provide elected officials, city managers,engineers, and planners in central Iowa with

fact sheets highlighting the benefits of

Form-Based Codes for health, transit,

climate change, economic development,

transportation investment costs, and livablecommunities.

5.2.2 Offer Form-Based Code workshops andtraining sessions.

5.2.3 Have the MPO and CIRTPA recommend thatcities and counties update their zoning

ordinances with Form-Based Codes.

5.2.4 Have all central Iowa cities and countiesimplement Form-Based Codes.

Notes that current zoning ordinances make pedestrian-, bicycle-,

and transit-oriented development illegal;

H id d l t F B d C d d


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V. (F.) Regional Trails Distr ict

Discussion Item

The MPO staff:

Notes that Chapter 4, Action 4.2 of the Connect: Central Iowa

Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan states, Explore the regional trails

district concept;

Notes that the benchmark for Action 4.2 reads:

4.2.1 Promote state enabling legislation allowingfor a regional trail district, beginning 2010

Notes that legislative language has been pursued in the past;

Notes that currently the High Trestle Trail steering committee is

looking into the concept and is putting together a taskforce;

Has invited Andrea Chase to present an update on these proceedings

at April meeting; and, Suggests that in light of potential cuts to conventional funding

sources, the roundtable consider making Action 4.2 a top priority

for 2011.


(515) 334-0075, extension #208


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VI. (A.) Bike and Ride Counts

Informational Item

Below are the most recent Bike & Ride Counts for the Des Moines Area

Regional Transit Authority (DART) and CyRide (Ames):

TABLE 1.DART Bike & Ride User Counts per Month by Year

Source: DART

TABLE 2. CyRide Bike & Ride User Counts per Month by Year

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

JANUARY - 334 717 718 521 341FEBRUARY - 425 378 623 973 356

MARCH - 553 833 1,183 1,935 N/A

APRIL - 771 1,256 1,904 2,792 2,902

MAY - 1,240 1,934 2,739 3,454 3,333

JUNE - 1,718 2,632 3,297 4,228 3,828

JULY - 1,803 2,823 3,968 4,446 4,174

AUGUST - 2,077 3,202 6,636 4,385 4,425

SEPTEMBER - 1,898 2,823 3,844 4,156 3,945OCTOBER 485 1,623 5,873 3,797 N/A 3,862

NOVEMBER 321 1,255 2,282 2,248 2,367 2,623

DECEMBER 99 1,064 701 701 910 1,316

TOTAL 905 14,761 25,454 31,658 30,167 31,105

2008 2009 2010 2011

JANUARY 17 22 134

FEBRUARY 38 63

MARCH 54 232

APRIL 53 322

MAY 189 248

JUNE 284 335

JULY 336 482

AUGUST 429 582

SEPTEMBER 87 401 576

OCTOBER 169 289 507

NOVEMBER 79 139 293

DECEMBER 36 53 146


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VI. (B.) Dr. Crompton Presentations

Informational Item

Dr. John Crompton, Distinguished Professor of Recreation, Park, and Touris

Texas A&M University will be giving two presentations in May titledThere

cities in this world that do not have a great park system. The dates for these

are:

Wednesday, May 4th

at 6:00 p.m. in the Des Moines Art

Center, 4700 Grand Avenue

Friday, May 6th

at 12:15 p.m. in HyVee Hall, 730 3rd

Street

RSVP Rebecca Linhart, [email protected] or 515-273-1403 t

complimentary ticket for this event. Please see attached letter for additiona

.


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Bike-Ped Roundtable Agenda | April 2011

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