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Home My WebLink About050724 08.1 - Memo - Actions and Accomplishment of the BACTOWN OF DANVILLE ACTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMISSION (BAC) SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 — MARCH 25, 2024 Subject: Danville Town Council Meeting of May 7, 2024. Ordinance No. 2024-03, repealing existing Chapter 2-16 of the Danville Municipal Code and adding a new Chapter to create a Bicycle Advisory Board, Administrative Staff Report 8.1 Dear Members of the Danville Town Council May 7, 2024 We urge the Town Council to postpone any decision on a reorganization of the Bicycle Advisory Commission until the end of the year. The commission is in the process of evaluating and recommending changes to a number of important Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that will provide significant safety improvements to moderate interactions between cars, bicycles, pedestrians, and a -Bikes on Danville roads, intersections, and sidewalks. Most importantly, these are uniquely transportation issues, not Parks and Recreation issues, that should be addressed without delay by the Transportation Staff with collaboration from experienced Bicycle Advisory Commissioners. Right before the CIP study sessions is not the time to reorganize the Bicycle Commission. We urge you to preserve the commission at least through the end of 2024. BACKGROUND The commission was established to help the Transportation Department implement the Bicycle Master Plan. Over the past 18 months, the BAC has worked collaboratively with the Transportation Department and made significant contributions to the quality of the projects outlined in the Bicycle Master Plan. Every Commission member has had the opportunity to contribute, both during bi-monthly meetings (six in-person) and through their Subcommittee assignments between meetings. ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE COMMISSION OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS The BAC has been working to support the Transportation Department on implementing the Bicycle Master Plan, advising on bike related areas of the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), and working with the Town on other initiatives to improve the safety and enjoyment of cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists in Danville. • Teamed up with Town staff to review and approve the installation of 15 Bicycle Detections systems at seven key intersections along major cycling routes in Danville. • Collaborated with town staff to review and approve the Development Act Grant for 16 more Bicycle Detection Indicator Systems at Camino Tassajara Intersections. • Collaborated with town staff on the Diablo Road Trail Project design and construction plan to include Trail Crossing Improvements at Fairway Drive & Diablo Road, CIP C-055. • Held a Workshop in September where the Bicycle Master Plan project lists were vetted and discussed by Town staff and commissioners. Ultimately resulting in the BAC approval to move forward their request to add the striping of Class 1113 (buffered) or Class IV bicycle lanes along Camino Tassajara/Sycamore Valley corridor. The time - sensitive bicycle safety request was forwarded to the Town Council's consideration as part of the upcoming CIP update. Partnered with Town staff to review and approve a Transportation Development Act (TDA) grant application and grant request in the amount of $110,000 for the installation of RRFB Xwalk Systems at three locations including IHT at Hartford Lane, IHT at West Prospect, and Railroad Avenue at Love Lane. Application was submitted in January to the County and staff expects to hear results in early spring. Collaborated with Town staff to establish four Commission Subcommittees: Iron Horse Trail Crossings and Corridor Safety; Marketing, Education and Outreach; Bicycling to School, Routes, and Facilities Safety Assessments; and Bicycling Wayfinding and Connectivity. Each sub -committee commissioner met with the town staff between bi- monthly meetings. Commissioners worked between their bi-monthly meetings on their subcommittee assignments to conduct surveys, assessments which included Marketing & Outreach Plans. • Worked with Town staff to develop and approve a Commission & Subcommittee Work Plan for 2023/24. • Collaborated with Town staff to develop and present reports to the Town Council (March 27, 2023): o Danville Bike vs Vehicle Collision spreadsheet and ArcGIS Map. o Danville Iron Horse Trail Stakeholders Working Group Meeting (February 23, 2023). o Iron Horse Trail Report Bollards, Bicycles and Pedestrians (February 1, 2023). o Iron Horse Trail Safety Review (December 7, 2022). • Worked with Town Staff to research and analyze 178 Danville bike vs vehicle collisions from the California Highway Patrol State -Wide Integrated Reporting System (SWITRS),Traffic Injury Mapping System (TIMS) and actual Traffic Collision Reports (CHP Form 555). Worked with the Police Chief and Town staff to review and improve the Interactive ArcGIS Map 178 Bike vs Vehicle Collisions for presentation to the Town Council on April 4, 2023. o The Bicycle Advisory Commission reviewed and approved the ArcGIS Map for presentation to the Town Council on April 4, 2023. o Interactive ARGIs Map 178 Bike vs Vehicle Collisions Town of Danville 2 i R s • Worked with Town staff to review and approve the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at five Iron Horse Trail crossings within Danville. To include flashing stop signs for bicycles on the trail and bright halogen crosswalks lights to increase motorist, pedestrian, and cyclists' visibility at night. • Commissioners collaborated with Town Staff to review and approve the location of the Town's first permanent, cloud -based Bicycle/Pedestrian called an "Eco -Counter". The counter was installed this winter along the Diablo Road ("Barbara Hale") Trail. • Commissioners collaborated with Town staff to implement the first Interactive Town of Danville Collision Summary Map (bicycles & pedestrians). According to the town map, significant numbers of bicycle vs vehicle collisions are occurring in the areas shown on the Town of Danville's website density map— "yellow" below. We are eagerly anticipating it getting wider exposure in the community to help residents understand where collisions most frequently occur. As you know, most bike vs vehicle collisions occur at intersections, and taken as a single corridor, the Iron Horse Trail crossings are the single largest source of collisions in town. 3 F* County, -; I,lrup Club.. _ C 111 ille 7 Las yx, Tr arrtas _ F.agQrfit s' a - _c Nib eroess it ne* C or,I GiabI �ntry • Worked with Town Staff to review and update "Danville Connect App" with a Bicycle Safety section. • The Town reached out to the BAC to review the Draft of the Local Roadway Safety Plan (January 23, 2023). • Presented a Temporary Traffic Signage Policy Recommendation (August 24, 2023) to town staff. • The BAC and the Town conducted a detailed trail conditions survey and met with the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District to discuss (fill) large dangerous cracks and raised (lower) manhole covers on the Iron Horse Trail (March 16, 2023) and other areas in town. As a result, several large cracks and raised manhole covers were repaired. • The BAC and the Town developed and Approved a Commission & Subcommittee Work Plan for 2023/24. • Commissioners and Town staff with the Danville Police Chief to discuss the 30 Bicycle vs Vehicle Collisions at IHT crossings (2010 to present), Hartford Drive to Fostoria Way, joint Public Service Announcements and future coordination between the BAC and Danville Police Department. • Worked with Town Staff to install, "green delineators" to identify and separate the bike and vehicle lane on Diablo Road. rd s. C ro",5' �an ^ Y,ln - V VuI'lf. tLl' San R anon Br iii Y" Club • Worked with Town Staff to review and update "Danville Connect App" with a Bicycle Safety section. • The Town reached out to the BAC to review the Draft of the Local Roadway Safety Plan (January 23, 2023). • Presented a Temporary Traffic Signage Policy Recommendation (August 24, 2023) to town staff. • The BAC and the Town conducted a detailed trail conditions survey and met with the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District to discuss (fill) large dangerous cracks and raised (lower) manhole covers on the Iron Horse Trail (March 16, 2023) and other areas in town. As a result, several large cracks and raised manhole covers were repaired. • The BAC and the Town developed and Approved a Commission & Subcommittee Work Plan for 2023/24. • Commissioners and Town staff with the Danville Police Chief to discuss the 30 Bicycle vs Vehicle Collisions at IHT crossings (2010 to present), Hartford Drive to Fostoria Way, joint Public Service Announcements and future coordination between the BAC and Danville Police Department. • Worked with Town Staff to install, "green delineators" to identify and separate the bike and vehicle lane on Diablo Road. rd • Iron Horse Trail Street Crossings/Corridor Assessments included working with East Bay Regional Park District and Town staff to review the trail user data on the Iron Horse Trail at the Love Lane crossing. According to the data, from March 2019 to March 2020, 262,678 bicycles traveled on this section of the Iron Horse Trail, averaging almost 22,000 bicycles per month. • Education & Public Outreach o Supported outreach events, both the Bike to Workday energizer station in town, as well as the Bike Rodeo. o Reviewed draft bicycle safety brochure and video and provided feedback to town staff. o Provided a summary of bicycle related concerns/issues posted by local residents on Next Door and to town staff. o Planned to start attending Farmers Markets to disseminate outreach materials and support Town -related bicycle events, projects, and activities. o Routes to School subcommittee has begun to review bicycle facilities in vicinity of schools and identify potential needs such as bike racks to further encourage cycling to schools. o Wayfinding & Connectivity o Subcommittee has been mapping signed Bike Routes through Town. o As outlined in the BMP, development of a Wayfinding Project has been identified as a priority for the coming year. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMISSION WORK PLAN 2024 • Advance activities of the appointed BAC Subcommittees: o Iron Horse Trail Crossing/Corridor Assessments and Monitoring (Bruce & Alan) o Marketing, Education and Outreach (Angela & Dave) o Bicycling to School — Routes and Safety Assessments (Dave & Tyler) o Bicycle Wayfinding and Connectivity (Elliott & Bruce) • Review and Comment on 2024 bicycle improvement grant applications including TDA (CA Transportation Development Act), HSIP (Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program) and Safe Streets for All (Federal SS4A). • Receive updates and comment on bicycle -centric Capital Improvement Program Projects such as C-621, Town -wide Bicycle Improvements and C-607, Iron Horse Trail Crossing Improvements. • In collaboration with Town staff, plan and implement a "pop-up" bicycle demonstration project. • Collaborate with town staff on the Diablo Road Trail design and construction plan. • Actively participate in community events to promote cycling in Danville including the San Ramon Valley Street Smarts Community Bicycle Rodeo at Charlotte Wood Middle School (May 11) and 511 Contra Costa "Bike to Everywhere Day" (May 16). • Work with other non-government bicycle organizations (such as Bike East Bay) to support and advance Town bicycle initiatives. • Continue to identify opportunities to develop and implement the role of the commissioners as ambassadors to the community in support of the implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan. CONCLUSION 1. Continued Relevance: The commission's work remains crucial to the Town's success. Its goals and objectives are aligned with Bicycle Master Plan. 2. Unfinished Business: The Town has critical time -sensitive bicycle safety projects and initiatives that will be completed soon and need input from the BAC. Changing the Commission to a Board under Parks & Recreation would delay these efforts, potentially wasting the resources invested so far. The unfinished business are Transportation issues, not Parks & Recreation issues. 3. Specialized Expertise: The commission has specialized knowledge and expertise. Retaining the commission ensures continuity and preserves institutional knowledge to complete time - sensitive bicycle safety projects throughout the town. 4. Stakeholder Impact: The commission has established relationships with stakeholders, including the Transportation Department, East Bay Regional Parks, and San Ramon Valley cycling groups. Disbanding the commission will damage these relationships and harm Danville's reputation for welcoming cyclists. In light of these reasons, we strongly recommend that the Town. Council consider postponing any further discussion on the status of the commission until the end of the year. We are confident that, with the Town's support, the Bicycle Advisory Commission will continue to make valuable contributions toward protecting the safety of our community. Thank you for your attention to these time -sensitive bicycle safety concerns. Sincerely, Bruce Bilodeau, Bicycle Advisory Commission Chairman Alan Kalin, Bicycle Advisory Commissioner C-9