HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-03 - 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, August 3, 12:00 to 1:30 pm
Via Zoom
Members Present: Dave Thomson, David Green, David Roth, Chris Cassard, Ann Marland, Wendy
Holzman, Neil Baunsgard, Mason Lacy, Matt Muchna.
Agency/Organization: Tanya Saltzman (Deschutes County – CDD), Chris Cheng (ODOT), Henry
Stroud (BPRD), Derek Hofbauer (CET/COIC), Andrea Napoli (Bend MPO), Kim Curley (Commute
Options), Jennifer Letz.
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.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Approval of Prior Minutes
The July 2023 minutes were approved.
Committee Business
Membership:
New member recruiting update: Steve Jorgensen opted to not continue; reopened the at-
large position and have interviews tomorrow.
Jennifer Letz has volunteered to apply for Sisters spot and will be undergoing
interview/process soon
OBPAC representation: Dave Thomson will be participating in an ex-officio capacity.
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Safe Streets for All Recap (Dave Green)
Robin Lewis organized the event but is unable to report back today
Two-day event, included two transportation planners from the Netherlands; funded primarily
by Bend MPO but also others; widely praised as well done!
Three components to the event:
o Two-hour presentation by Dutch planners;
o Workshops for community members: looked at 2nd Street from Greenwood to
Franklin and also 6th Street from Greenwood to Butler Market)
o Public meeting (100+ people), presentation from Dutch planner. This was recorded
and will be made available. Presentation focused on philosophy of transportation and
addressing all modes holistically.
Interagency coordination was excellent (ODOT, BPRD etc.)
Emphasis on the fact that we’re not just “building bike lanes;” rather, building a road that
serves the entire community in all modes
Cycling tour: the Dutch people were not impressed by roundabouts and general bike
infrastructure; wouldn’t let their own kids ride here; wide streets and few pedestrian islands.
They were happy that width of streets have potential.
Potential to incorporate any of this in tri-county summit? Possibly.
e-Bike Safety Roundtable Recap / Discussion
Henry provided an update on this project; he presented at the event itself
Event was mainly in response to the recent e-bike death. Group consisted of elected officials,
superintendents of Bend and Redmond schools, fire and police chiefs, BPRD. Round robin on
status of e-bikes and discussion of how to create safer conditions.
Was interesting to hear from police departments on their perceptions. Also, in Redmond it
appears to be less of an issue than Bend.
Mix of excitement about opportunities of ebikes and trepidation about relatively unregulated
industry and general safety issues.
Rep. Levy discussed potential legislation concerning different e-bike classes
BPRD shared that it’s tricky: want to encourage use, but there are issues with different classes,
speeds etc.
Next steps: education and enforcement; this group was particularly interested in education
aspect.
TSP Subcommittee Update
Draft has been available for public review online for several weeks
Subcommittee has been fairly pleased but of course would like more emphasis on bike/ped
August 10 Planning Commission hearing; discussed details on how to present
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External Committee Reports
Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee
Haven’t met in awhile but many individual projects are moving forward, each with their own
public engagement process
Baker Road Interchange Area Management Plan
Tech group of this project will continue after a pause. Project appears somewhat still dormant.
Other Updates
Deschutes County
TSP and TCP hearing with the Planning Commission August 10
ODOT
No big updates
Bend Parks
Drake Park continues to move forward
Rivers’ Edge community installed a fence on their private property blocking access; noted that
this is them, not BPRD, but BPRD will look at options
Commute Options
Have developed and distributed an ebike safety course online; also notes the OR Friendly Driver
program
Get There challenge is coming in October—will be a team challenge this year
COIC/CET
Summer Mt. Bachelor service has been underway 3x/day. Just passed about 400 trips total. So
far, most people are riding up and biking down. Lots of tweens. Have done a lot of outreach.
Planning an event on August 18—free Friday. Event at the Park & Ride at 9 am with demos on
how to load your bike. Possibly group ride on Ticket to Ride.
Bend
MPO: finalizing scope and contract for consultant for metropolitan tranportation plan update
Bend urbanized area has changed with the 2020 census. Lands within the MPO boundary have
more flexibility and might not need to include Tumalo.
Sisters
Locust roundabout is still scheduled to break ground in February with completion by May.
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Redmond
Redmond BPAC is doing a point in time count in September
Currently working on a Redmond bike map
A lot of Redmond discussions focus on the connection of the wastewater treatment plant, plus
west area, but these conversations are for projects in the future
Central Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit Planning
Location/date: haven’t yet heard re: September 14
Time: last year was 8:30 to 1 p.m. but people preferred 9-2, which would include time for lunch;
brown bag lunch unless something incredible happens
Keynote ideas:
o CO LandWatch?
o Ariel Mendez?
Or think about a broader theme first:
o Something specific to Sunriver since they’re hosting and are at the forefront of bike/ped
planning
o Freedom of transportation (choice?)
Topics/assignees
o Potential to meet at an additional time for rest of planning: Thursdays at noon
Meeting Adjourned at 1:35 pm
Next Meeting
Thursday, September 7 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm – in person, DeArmond Room, 1300 NW Wall Street,
Bend