EBBC General Meeting – 11/18/08 – Draft Minutes
Note: Our first EBBC new member meeting was held at 6:15, and ran concurrently with the board meeting. Approximately 30 new people were present, more than twice the number who had RSVPd – congratulations to the membership committee. Ian led presentations on the history and activities of our coalition, and introduced various board members and other volunteers. Over 30 people total were present. Many stayed for the general meeting, adding to the discussions.
Minutes from October general meeting – APPROVED
Grant application to ACTIA
We are preparing a grant application (due in December) for ACTIA for bicycle safety and neighborhood bicycle centers (with Cycles of Change). The decision will be made by the Alameda County Bicycle Advisory Committee. Robert explains that Measure WW (that just passed) will provide funds to Oakland for its parks; we have asked that some of those funds be used to set up neighborhood bicycle centers for classes, repair services, and other activities. Further discussion will be needed regarding budget issues.
Bicycle Transportation Account applications
Robert described the Alameda County Union City Blvd bike lane project, a proposal for bike lanes in an area of Union City which is a key section for cycling connection. EBBC is reluctant to support one application over others without further discussion of priorities and constituents.
At this point, there are no known plans for an application in Contra Costa County.
Segway HTs on EBRPD Class 1 paths
Lincoln, CA has NEVs – neighborhood electric vehicles – these are essentially golf carts, which are proposed for having access to bike lanes and paths, statewide. Locally, it has been proposed that 10 Segway HTs and 10 electric bikes be allowed, as part of a pilot project, on the Iron Horse Trail and the DeAnza trail for Contra Costa Center employees. Robert explains that concerns have been expressed about allowing motorized vehicles on these paths, and about setting a precedent for expanded use.
Discussion of issues included safety, access for people who may use electric vehicles to enjoy trails they could not otherwise use, difficulty of making clear distinctions, encouraging use of alternative transportation as long as safety issues can be addressed, distinguishing between smaller (e.g. electric bikes and HTs) vs. larger (e.g. NEV) devices, issues of vehicle weight and size, noise from motorized issues, the lack of training for users of electric vehicles, interpretation of multi-use trails. There is no clear consensus on any of these issues yet; we may be able to agree on exclude golf-cart-type vehicles on paths, and to consider weight and size limits for other vehicles.
Motion to oppose the pilot project: 13 yes, 11 no, 7 abstain
2009 Legislative Agenda Priority
Robert reports that several bills didn’t get through – one to allow cyclists to continue on crosswalks that are extensions of bikeways; cyclists get cited for riding there. We will pursue this again in the coming year. Our top priority will be to have bike lanes exempt from CEQA and Levels-of-Service problems.
Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and BCDC
Our current proposal, for about $10-15 million, would be for a solid barrier (rather than the $40 million movable barrier proposed earlier). The meeting has been rescheduled to December or January.
Regional Bicycle Plan
The plan is available, linked from our website. Members are urged to review the plan, particularly for their own county.
Announcements
Our annual retreat will be January 31, 2009 at Hidden Villa in Los Altos. All interested are welcome to attend. We will review our campaigns for the year, and will discuss possibly hiring one or more people to help staff EBBC. Costs will be subsidized. See our website for more details as they develop.
Guest speaker – Grey Kolevzon, co-founder of Cycles of Change, A Decade of Community Involvement