We also have the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. BPAC is tasked with making recommendations about roadway safety for cyclists and pedestrians. It is a parallel committee to the RTC with whom we collaborate and, to date, have not disagreed on any recommendations to the Select Board.
BPAC has focused first on what might be called the architecture of the town’s transportation network. The dangerous intersections. The missing crosswalks and roadside paths. The road corridors that invite speeding and are a hazard to folks on bike or foot. The trail openings that could connect neighborhoods safely while avoiding dangerous roads. If you missed one of BPAC's public meetings in the last year, a summary of a master plan for the town can be found here <https://drive.google.com/file/d/12BgXyWzMm9OfGbkJjXnJtFRzC0nDy5c9/view?usp=sharing>. It includes objectives, a change in engineering perspective, and a high level look at many safety enhancing opportunities. BPAC sees this as a living document that can be changed as we learn what is needed to make our roads safe for all. Roadway maintenance is also to be included in the plan, though it is not yet well defined. It will require study and include a database of the status of our roadways, annual specific investments, and a transition plan to get from the roads current state to where we’d like them to be. An major issue in maintenance has been roadway preservation, a long run cost saving with critical short term investments that have been vulnerable. In the most recent budget when national inflation was running at 7-8%, all of us at Town Meeting (I think it was unanimous) voted to cut the DPW’s budget slightly. BPAC and town administration hope that we can fund the study we will need to get on the right path to make our road network safe in 2024. Fingers crossed. > On Sep 1, 2023, at 2:18 PM, Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: > > We have the RTC, who advises the Selects, on this. > We can ask them. > Also, we would need to see the long range Capital Plan to understand when > this could be done. > Wholesale repaving and/or reconstructing does not come cheap and will, most > likely, require a new bond/tax. > > > ------ > Sara Mattes > > > > >> On Sep 1, 2023, at 2:12 PM, melinda bruno-smith <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> Yes, many roads in Lincoln are in dire need of repaving. >> >> Melinda >> From: Lincoln <[email protected]> on behalf of V Saleme >> <[email protected]> >> Sent: Friday, September 1, 2023 10:30 AM >> To: Bob Mason <[email protected]> >> Cc: [email protected] <[email protected]>; Alida ZweidlerMcKay >> <[email protected]> >> Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Bike lanes >> >> ….. which also implies that the majority of the roads in this town will have >> to be repaved first in order to accommodate- >> >> It’s important to note that many cyclists spend a great deal of time >> navigating around broken or missing pavement, well jutting out into traffic >> lanes as a result-it’s extremely dangerous. >> >> Vic >> >> On Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 10:24 AM Bob Mason <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> Bob, >> >> I agree with the sentiment that we need to change the cultural relationship >> between drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, but having dedicated >> infrastructure for cyclists/pedestrians is also a very important components >> of creating safe and accessible multi-modal transportation links. Hence >> dedicated bike lanes with physical barriers, rail trails, etc. >> >> bob >> >> On Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 9:57 AM Bob Kupperstein <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> >> >> On Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 9:44 AM Bob Mason <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> I’ve wondered and suggested to some that we consider enhancing the trail >> that goes up the spine of Lincoln so it can be used more by cyclists. >> >> It’s currently designated as a bike trail, but is really only suited for >> mountain biking. Such an infrastructure investment would allow greater >> connectivity, including to the schools with riders and walkers not even >> being close to a road. >> >> Bob >> >> Bob, I feel, as a cyclist, that this only avoids the growth that we need to >> take as a society - where we all really share the roads. >> >> We've been car-centric for so long, the mentality that only cars/trucks >> really belong on the road is hard to shake. But, we'll get there with more >> awareness. >> >> On Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 2:13 AM Alida ZweidlerMcKay via Lincoln >> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> Amen to this: >> >>>> as a conscientious driver, I hate a day when all the cyclists are out - I >>>> pray my way through Lincoln and Concord. I wish they had dedicated bike >>>> lanes. >> >> I want bikes to be out on beautiful days in our gorgeous town. But I’m >> terrified to pass them and end up following forever until I feel like I can >> get around them safely. I’m sure I annoy both the cyclist and the cars >> behind me. >> >> Bike lanes seem unlikely, given the land they require, but I sure wish we >> had them! >> >> Alida Zweidler-McKay >> 25 Birchwood >> -- >> >> Alida, I have to admit as a cyclist I get annoyed by cars that won't pass, >> though I know they're just trying to be careful. I also get very concerned >> when cars cross into the oncoming lane to pass - I've seen a number of >> close-calls when that happens. >> >> I suggest keeping in mind the 4' law/rule - if you're leaving 4' and driving >> within the speed limit, the cyclist should be/feel safe. >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ >> <https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/>. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln >> <https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln>. >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >
-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
