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HomeMy WebLinkAbout121024-03.2 Correspondence from Bruce Bilodeau 120424Marie Sunseri From: Bruce Bilodeau <bbilodeaubjbi@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, December 5, 2024 5:34 PM To: Marie Sunseri Cc: Karen Stepper Subject: Town Council Study Session: Item 3.2 Discussion of status of the Bicycle Advisory Commission Attachments: Why Does Danville Need a Bicycle Advisory Commission 2024-11-12 .pdf; Danville Bicycle Advisory Committee 2024-11-12 email from Todd Gary.pdf ***CAUTION*** THIS EMAIL WAS NOT SENT FROM DANVILLE STAFF This email originated from outside of the Town of Danville and was not sent from a Town Staff member! Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Marie, I'd like to make sure that the following documents are made available to the Town Council prior to their study session at 10:00 AM next Tuesday Dec 10, 2024. The documents are relevant to their agenda item 3.2 - Discussion of status of the Bicycle Advisory Commission. • Attached document "Why Does Danville Need a Bicycle Advisory Commission 2024-11-12.pdf' signed by me, Alan Kalin, Angela Wang, Charlie Neary, Karen Stepper (as individual), Elliot Call, Kevin Donovan, Jane Joyce, and Tim White. • Attached document "Danville Bicycle Advisory Committee 2024-11-12 email from Todd Gary.pdf" As this email was sent to you and Karen Stepper on Nov 12, you should be able to find the original in your email. Thanks. Bruce Bruce J. Bilodeau 231 Scotts Mill Ct Danville, CA 94526 bbilodeaubjbi@yahoo.com (925) 549-1612 m The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. [George Bernard Shaw] Photo credit Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group Why Does Danville Need to Keep the Bicycle Advisory Commission? EXECUTIVE SUMMARY November 12, 2024 This fall, the Danville Town Council will decide the future of their Bicycle Advisory Commission (BAC). They will either eliminate it, make it a board under the Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission, or keep it as is. The BAC has provided valuable expertise and with Town Staff has improved cyclist safety in Danville. We advocate for keeping the Bicycle Advisory Commission as is to continue to enhance safety for Danville's residents and visitors. Danville is a Popular Destination for Bicyclists Danville is in the middle of the San Ramon Valley, a popular bikeway for Bay Area cyclists. They are attracted by the relatively quiet residential streets and restaurants, the Iron Horse Trail (IHT), and nearby destinations like Mt. Diablo. In 2019, nearly 270,000 cyclists rode past the East Bay Regional Park District's bike counter on the IHT in Danville: an average of 21,900 per month! Danville's Bicycle Crash Rate is High So Safety Should Be High Priority But Danville is not quite as safe for cyclists as one might imagine. Since 2009 there have been 201 bike vs vehicle collisions/injuries in Danville, averaging 16 per year since 2018, for an injury rate of 36 per 100,000 population (SWITRS and Crossroads Collision Data), almost three times the US average of 13 per 100,000 (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration). Comparing Danville with other Bay Area residential towns, Danville ranks at or near the top in crash rate. 1 Establishment of the Bicycle Advisory Commission Recognizing that traffic from cars, bikes, e -bikes, scooters, and e -scooters was increasing, Danville's Town Council approved a Bicycle Master Plan in July 2021. A year later they established the Bicycle Advisory Commission, consisting of six experienced cyclists to help implement the Bicycle Master Plan. The BAC advises the Town Council and collaborates with the Town's Transportation Staff and reviews key Capital Improvement Projects to help improve bike facilities and safety for all road users including pedestrians. Changing Trends in Cycling and the Town Bicycling popularity is increasing, but more importantly, higher speed electric two -wheeled vehicles are proliferating rapidly, especially among young riders, with staggering increases in the number and severity of collisions. The number of injuries in the US of e -bike and e -scooter riders increased from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022, according to UCSF. Despite increasing threats to safety, on May 7, 2024 the Danville Town Council considered changing the BAC to a Board under the Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission. After some heated discussion, they delayed until this fall the decision to either implement the board, eliminate the BAC altogether, or keep it as is. Why Keep the Bicycle Advisory Commission? The Transportation Staff is primarily concerned with automobile traffic, while the BAC focuses on bicycle and scooter safety and transportation issues, neither of which are the focus of the Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission. The BAC is unique among the Town's commissions in prioritizing the safety of Danville's residents and visitors. In contrast, "The Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission advises the Town Council on acquiring, developing, and maintaining park and recreation facilities and providing leisure and human service programs for Town residents." While both Commissions serve Danville residents and visitors in real and relevant ways, transportation and road -user safety planning and implementation carry exceptional consequences for road users. Moving this critical safety focus and advocacy to the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission will dilute the effectiveness of the BAC. Maintaining the BAC as a commission best ensures continued focus on critical safety issues, close coordination with Transportation Staff, and well-informed implementation of improvements for all road, sidewalk, trail, and path users in Danville. Bruce Bilodeau Alan Kalin, COL, United States Army (Ret.) Angela Wang Charlie Neary Tim White Karen Stepper, Mayor, as individual Elliot Call Kevin Donovan Jane Joyce If you would like to express your opinion on the BAC, please send an email today to Danville's Mayor, Karen Stepper (kstepper@danville.ca.gov) with a copy to the Town Clerk, Marie Sunseri (msunseri@danville.ca.gov) who will distribute it to the entire council. Or better yet, attend the Danville Town Council meeting when the BAC is on the agenda. 2 BACKGROUND The remainder of this document provides in-depth supporting documentation about how Danville's BAC has contributed to a safer and more welcoming environment for all active transportation users, information about the popularity, significance, and growing challenges of cycling in Danville, some concluding thoughts and relevant Appendices. In -Depth Information 1. Bicycle Advisory Commission: Purpose and Accomplishments 2. Cycling in the Town of Danville: Popularity, Reach, Economic Impact, Collision & Injury Data 3. Conclusion 4. Appendices 1. Danville Bicycle Advisory Commission: Purpose and Accomplishments The Town Council established the Bicycle Advisory Commission to: 1. Advise on the implementation of the Town's Bicycle Master Plan. 2. Assess the conditions, operations, and safety of existing bicycle facilities and non - motorized transportation. 3. Review proposed bicycle -related policies, programs, projects, plans, funding applications, and legislation. 4. Coordinate with the public, including bicycle -related organizations, businesses, and local agencies, to promote cycling projects and programs. 5. Develop and disseminate bicycle awareness and education materials to the community. (Ordinance 2022-024), such as collaborating with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and Danville Police on e -bike and scooter safety. TOWN OF DANVILLE TRANSPORTATION STAFF AND BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND BAC 2024 WORKPLAN Since the first meeting on September 26, 2022, 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. Starting with most recent, following is a summary of BAC actions and accomplishments: • Collaborated with the Town staff to review and comment on the proposed establishment of a Town of Danville Municipal Ordinance prohibiting the use of bicycles, e -bicycles, scooters, and e -scooters on sidewalks in the Downtown business district (May 20, 2024). 3 • Collaborated with the Town staff on the Streets Smarts program at Charlotte Wood Middle School (May 11, 2024). • Teamed up with the Town staff for the Bike to Workday in Danville (February 2, 2024). • Collaborated with the town staff to review and approve Capital Improvement Project #601 on Camino Ramon Blvd from Kelley Lane to Fostoria Way. This included an improved bicycle lane, green -backed sharrows and signage; Bike May Use Full Lane. • 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 2023 where the Bicycle Master Plan project lists were vetted and discussed by Town staff and commissioners. This resulted in the BAC approval to move forward their request to add the striping of Class IIB (buffered) or Class IV bicycle lanes along Camino Tassajara/Sycamore Valley corridor. The time -sensitive bicycle safety request was forwarded for 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 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 2023 to the County and was still pending in May 2024. • 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 meets with the town staff between bi- monthly meetings. Commissioners worked between their bi-monthly meetings on their subcommittee assignments to conduct surveys and 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). 4 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 (2009 to June 2022) from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) - Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), Contra Costa County Sheriff Records, Danville Crossroads System and Traffic Collision Reports. (See Appendix C for details.) • 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 • 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. • Collaborated with Town Staff to review and approve the location of the Town's first permanent, cloud -based Bicycle/Pedestrian counter called an "Eco -Counter". The counter was installed this winter along the Diablo Road ("Barbara Hale") Trail. • 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 yellow areas shown on the Town of Danville's website collision density map (Figure 1). We are eagerly anticipating getting wider exposure in the community to help residents understand where collisions most frequently occur. 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. 5 T Collision analysis 2009 to 2022 by Transportation Division LAS TRAMPAS RIDGE BPtnpGe e�� 1p o.4 Lai trams • Vols igen Presse • 1.0 •+ h-h�'.., .�C3 LC _ F S Ramon Figure 1. Heat map of 170 Danville bike vs vehicle collisions, 2009 - June 2022. Most of the yellow hot spots are at Iron Horse Trail crossings and at intersections and driveways in the downtown area (Source: Danville Crossroads Database) • 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 trails and streets in town. As a result, several Targe cracks and raised manhole covers were repaired on the IHT and several Town streets and trails. • The BAC and the Town developed and approved a Commission & Subcommittee Work Plan for 2023/24. • Commissioners and Town staff met 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. 6 • Worked with Town Staff to install "green delineators" to identify and separate the bike and vehicle lane on Diablo Road. • 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, the Bike to Workday energizer station in town, Streets Smart Program at Charlotte Wood Middle School 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. • Wayfinding & Connectivity o The subcommittee has been mapping signed Bike Routes through Town. o As outlined in the Bicycle Master Plan, development of a Wayfinding Project has been identified as a priority for the coming year. Bicycle Advisory Commission Work Plan 2024-2025 • Advance activities of the four appointed BAC Subcommittees: o Iron Horse Trail Crossings o Marketing, Education and Outreach o Bicycling to School — Routes and Safety Assessments o E -Bike & E -Scooter Education and Outreach o Bicycle Wayfinding and Connectivity • 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 on an Iron Horse Trail to slow bicycles down at the crossing. 7 • Collaborate with town staff on the Diablo Road Trail design and construction plan. • Actively participated 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. • As transportation technology rapidly evolves, including advancements in e -bikes and e - scooters, and as new traffic management concepts emerge, the Transportation Staff faces the challenge of ensuring safety across Danville's roads, sidewalks, trails, and paths. The BAC plays a vital role in providing perspectives from cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists to enhance overall safety. • Advising the Town Council and staff, the BAC ensures that serious safety issues receive appropriate attention. On July 6, 2024, Danville passed Ordinance No. 2024-07, adding Chapter 4-19 to the Danville Municipal Code prohibiting riding electric bicycles and motorized scooters on sidewalks in business districts within the Town. • The BAC Marketing and Outreach Sub -committee can support local businesses in attracting cyclists and enhancing their experience. Developing and Enhancing Safe Bike Routes Through Town A Bicycle Advisory Commission can assist in identifying the best routes and collaborating with Transportation Staff to make roads more welcoming for cyclists. Serious cyclists and bike commuters generally prefer major streets with designated bike lanes but may opt for less trafficked roads when possible. Casual cyclists, such as students or families, prefer quieter residential streets. Clear and consistent signage could guide cyclists to suitable routes or trails. Danville's Bicycle Master Plan outlines cyclists' needs, but a four-year-old plan cannot anticipate all current requirements. As the town's population grows and cycling technology evolves, a knowledgeable Bicycle Advisory Commission can help Town Staff identify necessary improvements and update the Bicycle Master Plan to ensure safety, comfort, and budget adherence. 8 2. Cycling in the Town of Danville: Popularity, Reach, Economic Impact, Collision & Injury Data POPULARITY OF BICYCLING TO AND IN DANVILLE Danville is in the middle of the San Ramon Valley. Its small-town character attracts local riders and pedestrians from communities to the north and south. One of the most popular bicycle and walking paths in the San Ramon Valley is the Iron Horse Trail (IHT), a former railroad right-of-way that runs 32 miles from Pleasanton to Concord, almost five miles of which runs through Danville. Each month thousands of adults and children walk and ride their bicycles, e -bikes, scooters, and now e -scooters on the IHT. They travel to the business district for coffee, lunch, or dinner, or commute to school or work, or just go for a ride. Often in the morning, people take a morning stroll talking with their friends as they walk their dogs. On a typical Saturday morning, a few hundred people travel to the Farmers Market along the Trail. In 2019, nearly 270,000 people rode their bicycles on the IHT past the East Bay Regional Park District's bicycle counter at the Love Lane crossing in Danville. That's an average of 22,000 per month! Each year, thousands of road and mountain bikers either ride from their homes or park their cars on Danville streets to access the trails in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, Mount Diablo State Park, and Diablo Foothills Regional Preserve. The San Ramon Valley Mountain Bike Club and Monte Vista Mountain Bike Club frequently use local streets, trails, and paths for their training sessions, which involve over 200 students (ages 12 to 18), parents, and coaches. These clubs hold training rides three times a week, attracting more than 100 participants and often staging these events from local schools or churches. (See Figure 2.) Casual riders are drawn to Danville for its relatively flat terrain and small-town charm, which offers low traffic volumes. Both residents and visitors use bikes and scooters to travel through town, whether to visit the Farmers Market or enjoy coffee and meals at local restaurants. On pleasant afternoons and evenings, families and couples often ride into town for dinner or to enjoy local ice cream shops. Danville's small-town atmosphere also encourages thousands of children to ride bikes, e -bikes, mopeds, scooters, and e -scooters to school. 9 i a� All Cycle Spm Sports Global Heatmap ,yrs 4 ,C U'6 TZRA! PRESERVE .Camino. Tassajar.a B Figure 2. This global cycling heatmap from Strava shows where road and mountain cyclists ride who use Strava to record their rides. The darker the line, the more often people ride those roads (note that 1-680 can't be seen). The data used to make this map does not typically include families or children riding to school, museums, grocery stores, or parks. REACH: DANVILLE ATTRACTS CYCLISTS FROM ALL OVER THE BAY AREA The Amgen Tour of California, a professional bicycle road race (2006 to 2019) put Mount Diablo and therefore Danville on the cycling map. As a result, Danville has become one of the most popular cycling destinations in Northern California. That's a bold statement, but it's true. Danville is the ideal staging area for a ride up and down the mountain and is the primary access route to Mount Diablo State Park (MDSP), a premiere cycling destination for thousands of cyclists of all ages and abilities in Northern California. MDSP data indicates 103,000 bicycles rode into Mount Diablo State Park in 2014. The vast majority of those cyclists start from, return to or just ride through Danville as they travel on Danville Blvd, Hartz Ave, Railroad Ave, Camino Tassajara, Sycamore Valley Road, Diablo Road, Green Valley Road, etc. on their way up to the summit of Mount Diablo via the Diablo Community Services District roads, and Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd to Southgate Road. 10 120,000 100,000 80,000 N N 60,000 .) U 40,000 20,000 0 MDSP Cyclist Growth i 08109 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 Year Figure 3. Cyclists riding Mount Diablo 2008-2014. Source: Mount Diablo State Park) According to video surveys conducted in 2019 and posted on Mount Diablo Cyclists, 60% of the vehicles on Mount Diablo roads are bicycles. On a typical Saturday morning, 800+ bicycles share the roads on Mount Diablo with 700+ vehicles. In addition, every year thousands of cyclists ride up ("The Loop") Northgate Road (Walnut Creek) to the Junction or Summit of Mount Diablo then down Southgate Road stopping in Danville. Peet's Coffee on Railroad Avenue in Danville is crowded with cyclists on any Saturday morning. Many of the riders stay for hours, attracted to the small-town character, shops, and restaurants. Riding on Hartz Ave, Diablo Road, San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville Blvd, Iron Horse Trail and local streets, they stop in Danville to share coffee, beer, and lunch) on their way back to their homes in Danville, Alamo, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Orinda, Moraga, Berkeley and other nearby cities. In addition to individual riders, Danville's prime location also attracts group rides from all over the Tri -Valley and beyond. Several large Bay Area cycling clubs (e.g., Valley Spokesmen, Grizzly Peak Cyclists, Berkeley Bicycle Club, Delta Pedalers, Oakland Yellowjackets, VeloRaptors, Fremont Freewheelers, Diablo Cyclists) organize group rides that start and end in Danville. Every weekend, cyclists drive from cities throughout the Bay Area to park their vehicles in Danville at Sycamore Park & Ride, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, shopping centers, streets, etc., before they go for a ride. Every Saturday and Wednesday morning the House of Pain (HOP), a high tempo bicycle group (70+ riders), stages rides in Danville for its fast -paced ride out to the Livermore Valley and back to town. Next time you're out and about, take a moment and look at how many vehicles in and around Danville have a bicycle rack on the back! ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CYCLING ON DANVILLE Cyclists contribute economically to the areas they frequent. Cycling is not only a sport but also a social activity. After a ride, cyclists often stop for coffee at local spots like Peet's or Starbucks or enjoy lunch at restaurants in the downtown district, such as Pete's Brass Rail, The Growler, and 11 Hazy Barbecue. Danville's small-town charm also attracts casual cyclists to visit bars and restaurants, especially on warm weekends. RECENT BICYCLE vs VEHICLE COLLISION & INJURY DATA (JANUARY 2017 TO JUNE 2023) The Bicycle Advisory Commission works closely with the Transportation Staff to prioritize new bicycle facilities, analyzing collision data to identify the most impactful locations for safety improvements. By analyzing past bike -vehicle collisions and injuries reported by Danville Police, the BAC helps target areas where new facilities could reduce future collisions and injuries. Working closely with the Town Council and staff, the BAC ensures that serious safety issues receive appropriate attention. Analysis of Bicycle vs Vehicle Collision data (Town of Danville's Crossroads data, January 1, 2017, to 2023) shows: • Danville experienced an average of 16 bicycle -vehicle collisions or injuries annually since 2018, with more than one cyclist injured each month. • Out of 94 bicycle -vehicle collisions/injuries, 80 (85%) occurred on eight primary roads and Iron Horse Trail Crossings within Danville. • Children (ages 6 to 16) accounted for 20 (21%) of these collision injuries. • Senior citizens (ages 60 to 89) made up 21 (22%) of these collision injuries. • There were 2 fatalities and 84 injuries (15 severe, 22 reported pain, and 47 non-visible). • Most collisions/injuries happened at intersections, crossings, Highway 680 on/off ramps, and high -traffic driveways. Compared with other suburban Bay Area communities, Danville's bicycle crash rate ranks among the highest. 80.0 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0 BICYCLE CRASH RATE (PER 100,000 POP.) (SOURCE: CROSSROADS, SWITRS, TIMS) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 imemDanville --San Ramon —i—Walnut Creek Pleasant Hill —X—Dublin - Concord - Pleasanton — 4—Morgan Hill — U—Rohnert Park ( Santa Rosa —X—Hollister Figure 4. Bicycle crash rate per 100,000 population in Bay Area suburbs. 12 DANVILLE'S HIGH INJURY NETWORK (January 2009 - June 2024) By addressing high collision - injury areas and focusing on safety improvements, the BAC can significantly enhance the quality of life in Danville for all active transportation users. Analysis of bicycle vs vehicle collision data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) - Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), Contra Costa County Sheriff Records, and Danville Crossroads System (2009 to June 2024) shows: • 201 Bike vs. Vehicle Collisions/Injuries occurred on roads and Iron Horse Trail (IHT) crossings within Danville from January 2009 to June 1, 2024. • 88% (178) of these collisions/injuries happened on nine major roads, ten IHT crossings, Highway 680 on/off ramps, and business driveways in Danville. Detailed breakdown of collisions on high injury network: • Iron Horse Trail Crossings: 39 o San Ramon Valley Blvd: 9 o Greenbrook Dr: 8 o Sycamore Valley Rd: 7 o El Capitan Dr: 4 o Hartford Rd: 4 • Diablo Road: 25 o Highway 680 On/Off Ramps: 5 • San Ramon Valley Blvd: 25 o IHT Crossing: 9 o Boone Court: 4 • Hartz Ave: 22 o West Prospect Ave: 3 o W. Linda Mesa Ave: 2 o High Volume Driveways 5 • Camino Tassajara Road: 19 o Crow Canyon Rd: 4 • Danville Blvd: 13 o El Portal Ave: 5 • Greenbrook Drive: 13 o IHT Crossing: 8 • Sycamore Valley Road: 13 o IHT Crossing: 7 • Railroad Ave: 6 o San Ramon Valley Blvd: 4 13 0 0 o 0 o0• 0 •. o DIABLO • • a BLACXHAWK • • • ©r[sae Figure 5. Cluster map of bike crashes in Danville, Jan 2009 —Jun 2024. Trails are shown in green. (Source: SWITRS, Danville Crossroads Database) 14 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION 1. The Bicycle Advisory Commission has continued relevance: The BAC's work remains crucial to the Town's success and safety record. The BAC Workplans' goals and objectives are aligned with the Bicycle Master Plan and the recent e -bicycle and e -scooter ordinance 2024-07 passed by the Town Council. 2. The Town has unfinished and time -sensitive projects that will benefit from the input from the BAC: The Town has critical, time -sensitive bicycle safety projects and initiatives currently underway that need input from the BAC. Most importantly, well-informed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) can provide significant and effective safety improvements to moderate interactions between cars, bicycles, e -bicycles, scooters, e -scooters and pedestrians on Danville roads, intersections, trails and sidewalks. 3. Relevant and specialized expertise is important to safety: The commission has specialized knowledge and expertise (bicycles, e -bicycles, e -scooters and scooters). Retaining the commission ensures continuity and preserves institutional knowledge to complete time -sensitive bicycle safety projects throughout the town. 4. Stakeholder relationships are needed - and take time to establish: The commission has established relationships with stakeholders, including the Transportation Department, Police Department, East Bay Regional Parks, and San Ramon Valley cycling groups. Disbanding the commission will damage these relationships and reduce Danville's ability to carry forward critical safety improvements. For these reasons, informed by the data and information presented in this paper, we recommend continuing the BAC as currently structured. 15 APPENDICES A. Background information on Bicycle Commissions/Committees Many communities across the country have bicycle advisory commissions or committees. Their roles generally include: 1. Promoting cycling as a healthy, eco -friendly transportation mode. 2. Developing and reviewing policies and plans to enhance bicycle infrastructure and safety. 3. Ensuring transparency by highlighting important safety issues. 4. Advocating for cyclists' interests. 5. Improving infrastructure planning and design. 6. Promoting cycling safety through education. 7. Engaging with the community on cycling issues. 8. Coordinating with various entities to enhance cycling conditions Examples from Nearby Communities • Pleasanton: Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Committee advises the Parks and Recreation Commission and Traffic Engineering Division. • San Ramon: Seven -member Transportation Advisory Committee addresses bicycle transportation issues. • Dublin: Alameda County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. • Pleasant Hill: Uses Contra Costa County's Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. • Walnut Creek: Bicyclist Advisory Committee reports to the Transportation Commission and Safe Routes to Transit Plan as requested by staff or the City Council. Reasons for having a Bicycle Advisory Commission 1. Grant Funding: To qualify for Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds, a Bicycle Advisory Committee is required to review and prioritize bicycle and pedestrian projects. 2. Customized Design: A commission can improve planning and design by incorporating input from experienced cyclists. 3. Coordination: Collaborates with countywide and regional plans, such as the Contra Costa County Active Transportation Plan. 4. Technology: Keeps up with advancements in cycling technology, such as e -bikes and e -scooters. 5. Stakeholder Relationships: Maintains crucial relationships with local agencies and stakeholders. 16 Keeping Up with Technology Development Rapid technology development of cycling and active transportation technology has significantly increased the use of e -bikes, bikes, e -scooters and scooter traffic, especially among casual cyclists (adults, children & families), which has increased the potential for road, sidewalk, trail and path conflicts. A Bicycle Advisory Commission can keep track of these developments and help the Town Staff identify unique solutions that best fit Danville's needs B. Danville Schools 2 -Wheel Transportation Survey An informal survey was conducted in August 2024 by visiting bike corrals during school hours at some of the local schools. Middle Schools (11-13 years old) • Charlotte Wood, 878 students (August 12, 2024): o 151 bikes (analog) o 10 e -bikes & mopeds o 7 e -scooters o 4 scooters o About 20% of the student population use these modes of transportation • Diablo Vista, 881 students (August 27, 2024): o 49 bikes (analog) o 21 e -bikes & mopeds o 50 e -scooters o 1 scooter o About 14% of students use these modes of transportation. • Los Cerros, 500 students (August 27, 2024): o 16 bikes (analog) o 25 e -bikes, mopeds & off-highway motorcycle o 17 e -scooters o About 12% of the student population use these modes of transportation. High Schools (14 —18 years old) • San Ramon Valley, 1981 students (August 19, 2024): o 71 bikes (analog) o 17 e -bikes o 12 e -scooters o Approximately 5% of students use these modes of transportation. • Dougherty Valley: • California: • Monte Vista: 17 Elementary Schools (5 —10 years old) • Montair • Vista Grande • Green Valley • John Baldwin • Greenbrook, 642 students (August 28, 2024): o 151 bikes (analog), o 21 scooters o 3 e -scooters o 27% of students use these modes of transportation • Sycamore Valley Private Schools • St. Isidore C. Analysis of 201 Danville Bike vs. Vehicle Collisions The BAC worked with Town Staff to research and analyze 201 Danville address bike vs vehicle collisions (January 2009 to June 2024) from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) - Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), Contra Costa County Sheriff Records, Danville Crossroads System and Traffic Collision Reports. According to analysis of bicycle vs vehicle collision data, 178 (88%) of the 201 Bike vs Vehicle collisions occurred on nine roads with Danville addresses. Most of 178 collisions occurred on or near intersections, IHT crossings, crosswalks, and high-volume driveways. Primary Bicycle Bikeways, Routes & Trails 1. Iron Horse Trail Crossings 2. Diablo Road 3. San Ramon Valley Blvd 4. Hartz Avenue 5. Camino Tassajara Road 6. Danville Blvd 7. Greenbrook Drive 8. Sycamore Valley Road 9. Railroad Avenue Bike vs Vehicle Collisions (Class I) (Class II) (Class 11) (No Class) (Class 11) (Class II) (Class III) (Class 11) (Class 11 & No Class) 39 25 24 22 25 12 13 13 7 (Note: because most collisions occur at intersections, there is some duplication in these numbers) 18 From: Todd Gary Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 5:30 PM To: kstepper@danville.ca.gov Cc: msunseri@danville.ca.gov Subject: Danville Bicycle Advisory Committee [Ms. Sunseri, please distribute this letter to the Town Council, and ensure that it is received and considered as a comment when the Town considers any changes to the Danville Bicycle Advisory Committee.] Mayor Stepper, I thank the Town for the many things it has done to improve the safety of cyclists in the Town. As a Danville cyclist, I appreciate that. And yet, the work is not done, by a long shot. Lives remain at risk, that can be saved. I ask the Town Council to retain the current placement, structure and functioning of the Danville Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) instead of eliminating it or changing it to a board under Parks and Recreation. I ask the Town to leverage the experience and expertise of the BAC to improve the safety of Danville's cyclists, drivers, residents and visitors. This work matters, and the BAC can and does help bring better solutions that save lives. I am a Danville resident. I am also a Danville business owner. I am a Danville cyclist. I commute to work and back on a bicycle almost every day in Danville from my home (in Magee Ranch) along the Diablo Road corridor to my office (at 50 Oak Court) and back. I also ride recreationally, and am a coach on the San Ramon Mountain Bike Club. My office (indeed, where I sit and type this letter) overlooks the Iron Horse Trail, so I observe hundreds of Danville trail users every day. And of course I drive in Danville. In these varied capacities, I bring a wide variety of experiences and data to support my request. Just one example is the explosive proliferation of e -bikes (especially Super 73's and other e -vehicles popular with middle school students), which needs addressing urgently. While many of these riders primarily use the Iron Horse trail, many do not. They are fast vehicles (in excess of 20 mph), and can be made even faster with a simple app hack that middle school riders know about. Middle school youth riders do not have licenses or learner permits, and do not know or understand the typical hazards in roadways with cars — blind spots, traffic flow, hidden driveways, or how their own riding impacts vehicles. This rapid use proliferation is a new phenomenon, qualitatively and quantitatively, and does not lend itself to old standards and rules. Youth riders' lives and wellbeing are at risk. Danville is ground zero for that risk. We have an obligation to help keep these young riders safe. As a bike commuter, I have experienced road feature designs that work, and those that don't, from a cyclist's perspective. Staff who do not regularly ride the roads on bicycles do not understand these perspectives. The deep, first-hand knowledge and experience that the members of the BAC bring to assist in problem solving, project prioritization, design and implementation, and community collaboration is very needed in the work that the Town and staff do in its transportation work. And make no mistake — this is Transportation work. Nothing I do or experience daily in my commute pertains in the slightest way to Parks and Recreation. It is not recreational, and it is not done in a Danville park. (If I ride recreationally, it is in Mt. Diablo State Park, not a Danville park.) Park & Rec cannot redesign an intersection or traffic controls. Parks & Rec can enrich lives, but they are not charged with saving lives. Such expertise is strictly in the domain of Transportation, and Transportation staff need the input of experienced cyclists. The problems staff face are not easy ones. It would be senseless to throw away deep expertise and volunteers who can help the Town and staff improve the safety of the lives of countless Danville residents, youth and visitors. The following reasons support retention of the current placement and functioning of the BAC: 1. The Bicycle Advisory Commission has continued relevance. The BAC's work remains crucial to the Town's success and safety record. The BAC Workplans' goals and objectives are aligned with the Bicycle Master Plan and the recent e -bicycle and e -scooter ordinance 2024-07 passed by the Town Council. 2. The Town has unfinished and time -sensitive projects that will benefit from the input from the BAC. The Town has critical, time -sensitive bicycle safety projects and initiatives currently underway that need input from the BAC. Most importantly, well-informed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) can provide significant and effective safety improvements to moderate interactions between cars, bicycles, e -bicycles, scooters, e -scooters and pedestrians on Danville roads, intersections, trails and sidewalks. 3. Relevant and specialized expertise is important to safety. The commission has specialized knowledge and expertise (bicycles, e -bicycles, e -scooters and scooters). Retaining the commission ensures continuity and preserves institutional knowledge to complete time -sensitive bicycle safety projects throughout the town. 4. Stakeholder relationships are needed - and take time to establish. The commission has established relationships with stakeholders, including the Transportation Department, Police Department, East Bay Regional Parks, and San Ramon Valley cycling groups. Disbanding the commission will damage these relationships and reduce Danville's ability to carry forward critical safety improvements. For all of these reasons, I ask the Town to retain the BAC as a commission, serving under the Town's Transportation department, and to leverage, not diminish, the expertise and value it can bring to helping the Town keep its residents and visitors safe. Thank you. Todd Gary 101 Sunhaven Road Danville CA 94506