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Home My WebLink About2023-07-06 - BPAC Minutes 117 NW Lafayette Avenue, Bend, Oregon 97703 | P.O. Box 6005, Bend, OR 97708-6005 (541) 388-6575 bpac@deschutes .org www.deschutes.org/bpac MEETING MINUTES DESCHUTES COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, July 6, 12:00 to 1:30 pm DeArmond Room, Deschutes Service Center, 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend Members Present: Dave Thomson, David Green, Rachel Zakem, David Roth, Chris Cassard, Ann Marland, Wendy Holzman, Mark Smith, Neil Baunsgard. Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Tarik Rawlings (Deschutes County – CDD), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Henry Stroud (BPRD), Matt Muchna (Redmond BPAC), Chris Blake (City of Bend Streets Dept.), Mikko Wimpari (City of Bend Streets Dept.), Robin Lewis (City of Bend), Megan Perkins (Bend City Council) Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. Introductions Attendees of the meeting introduced themselves and, if applicable, identified the organization they represent. Approval of Prior Minutes The June 2023 minutes were approved. Public Comment There were no public comments. E-bike Roundtable Planning –Bend City Councilor Megan Perkins  Given the recent death of an e-bike rider in Bend, there have been discussions about having a roundtable discussion concerning issues about e-bikes. Councilor Perkins presented a summary of the discussions occurring thus far.  Want to tackle this issue in two ways: education and enforcement.  Roundtable will be held July 18 from 3-5 p.m. at Larkspur Community Center. Page 2  Enforcement: Rep. Levy is likely going to address the topic via one of her two allotted bills for the short session. Also, discussions from many city stakeholders of what can be done; what kind of law would actually make sense and would be clear? Also want to have a youth roundtable— what would make them feel safer?  Want to have more events around education (for instance, with Commute Options). Planning in progress. Want to work with schools in the fall.  Dave summarized previous BPAC ebike discussions, noted the challenges associated; BPAC hasn’t adopted a formal stance due to the overall confusion regarding the laws.  Chris Cassard encouraged the roundtable to also include other types of motorized vehicles (e-scooters, etc.)  Dave Green noted that these issues are associated with traditional bikes and pedestrians as well.  BPRD has always encouraged ebikes. They don’t have enforcement, so they try to focus instead on education and design.  Neil noted that if we had the same increase in the number of standard cyclists we would likely have similar issues. Note that 16-year olds can also drive cars and kill people. Good infrastructure and design is key.  Mark: possible this conversation can help improve the infrastructure/design improvements for all, not just e-bikes?  Chris Cheng: be mindful of language—what does “being a responsible cyclist” mean? Councilor Perkins noted that basic education is still necessary, especially for those who don’t actually know the rules of the road (i.e. young people.  Other comments: consider the weight/speed difference of e-bikes—that collision is not the same as with a regular bike. Consider that adults also ride and create additional risk.  Sunriver has 8 bike enforcement officers; BPRD has 4 stewards (non-enforcement). Can potentially report back at the end of the summer.  Wendy: emphasized need for some statewide rules  Potential integration with Summer of Safety—discussions underway Committee Business  New member recruiting update: received one application for at large and one for Redmond. Subcommittee has interviewed both; Dave will email committee the information and ask members to vote. New members need 6 votes.  Big Chainring awards. Plan was to do them at the end of the summer. Are they still relevant? Ideas: nominated by BPAC directly/internally—projects, people, etc.? Or existing way with additional publicity? Or first way and ask the community to vote? o Dave: let’s try the internal nomination strategy. Page 3 Other items: COACT: Transportation Safety Action Plan (Bend MPO) needs update to better address equity issues COACT has created a safety subcommittee and is looking at public education through media and requests a letter of support for a plan update via federal Safe Streets 4 All funding  Unanimous vote to provide letter of support Central Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit Planning  Last year was in Redmond; prior to that has been held in Prineville, Madras, Bend, La Pine  Will try to do some of the work in regular BPAC meeting rather than via a subcommittee.  Location. Mark can check at Sunriver.  Choose date: mid to late September. Try for September 19.  ID desired topics: Dave to send email to committee with info about location/date and potential topics. o Ideas: ADA accessibility for trails; trail design TSP Subcommittee Update  Draft is online. Planning Commission hearing is August 10. External Committee Reports Lava Butte – La Pine Trail Planning  Had presentation from Miranda from ODOT concerning refinements Other Updates Deschutes County  Tarik Rawlings is the new Senior Transportation Planner, replacing Peter Russell, who has retired but will be working part time for several months.  TSP hearing August 10 ODOT  All projects moving along as planned  Have funding to look at planning for connections between Bend-Redmond-Sisters Bend Parks  Closed on 450-acre property just outside of southeast Bend. This will be to accommodate future growth and future UGB expansions. Page 4  Finished Big Sky Park, which includes pump track, skills area  Getting close to finishing Drake Park improvements Commute Options  E-bike rebate through City of Bend was successful  OR Friendly Driver program built an e-bike safety course online, similar to the other programs COIC/CET  Rachel is moving to ODOT to work as a statewide planner. Derek will be attending BPAC meetings for COIC.  Began all recreational services including Bachelor service. Ridership hasn’t been what they were hoping for so potential continuation could be threatened if profit isn’t there. Looking for ways to help promote these routes. Ideas can go to elint@coic.org. Also have a survey on the website. Bend  Got funding for two street sweepers for bike lanes; subject to final Council approval. Will meet specs for pedestrian bridge. Advocated for by Councilor Campbell. Redmond  Working on a bike map; point in time count in September  Had a table at the Redmond Half Marathon to promote these items Meeting Adjourned at 1:38 pm Next Meeting Thursday, August 3 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm – via Zoom