EBBC 4/21/09 General Membership Meeting
Rockridge Library, 7:30-9:30 pm
Draft Minutes
Dave Campbell, Chair
Introductions
27 people attended, including 5 for the first time.
Approval of minutes from March – APPROVED
Treasurer’s Report – Rick Rickard
Presented a balance sheet for Street Skills classes to date, and EBBC member sign-ups by event over the past 4 years. Full details will be discussed at the May Board meeting.
Robert Raburn reports we are at roughly 2100 members at this time, looking forward to growth with the upcoming events.
BABC Strategic Plan
The BABC is looking for approval of its draft strategic plan from all of the Bay Area bicycle coalitions. Andrew Casteel, BABC Director, presented this to the EBBC at our meeting in San Leandro. Motion to approve a letter of approval: APPROVED
CEQA LOS – Robert Raburn
We are concerned about the Level of Service Threshold aspect of CEQA which interferes with implementation of bike lanes on routes that are likely to see growth in traffic in the coming years. There will be appeals for letters on this as drafts are discussed.
Federal Stimulus – Robert Raburn
We need to keep attention on this so that the rapidly deployed funds won’t go solely to freeway projects. We have been working with Caltrans recently to push projects that will help cyclists, such as surface rehabilitation on overpasses and other routes commonly used by cyclists. Pleasanton is going to invest in several bike-lane projects. Berkeley is going to repave University Ave.
Bike to Work Day – Dave Campbell
BTWD is May 14; help is needed to put up posters. Contra Costa County did an employer mailing. There will be school versions as well. Many volunteers will be needed, including for the Bike Away from Work Party. Local communities are endorsing BTWD – see our website.
Bike safety classes – Dave Campbell
Classes are still going on, various classes coming up, including a class in Spanish in Fruitvale. Invite everyone to these free classes.
EBRPD Non-motorized path preservation – Robert Raburn
Should motorized vehicles be allowed on paved paths in the park district? e.g. on the Iron Horse Trail near the Pleasant Hill BART? This contentious issue has been discussed by the Board, leading to a vote for a letter to oppose NEVs (neighborhood electric vehicles) on bike/pedestrian paths. Today this was discussed by the EBRPD board, and they agreed with the letter by the EBBC, opposing motorized vehicles on these paths. Note that motorized vehicles are not permitted in bike lanes.
El Cerrrito Bicycle Safety Day – Sgt. Maples
May 16 noon to 4 pm – posters are being distributed and there will be a wide variety of activities for the community.
Guest: Jason Patton – City of Oakland Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Manager, Transportation Services Division – on Proposed Bicycle Wayfinding Design Guidelines
Jason presented a fascinating slide show and talk on the bike route signs that are being prepared for Oakland – large green signs that will tell cyclists that they are on a bike route, where they need to turn to continue on the bike route, where the route is headed, and how far it is to key destinations. Jason explained how these signs have been developed to fit with the needs of other agencies such as the Bay Trail, and he hopes they will be adopted at least in part by other communities in the east bay.
More information can be found starting at www.oaklandpw.com/bicycling
Minutes submitted by Tom Ayres (EBBC Secretary)