Present
Steve Ulvi, Shannon Dean, Doug McCutchen, Tim Dustrude, David Halpern, Maria Small, Liz Illg, John Stimpson, Mark Islam, Deborah Hopkins, Tracy Roberson.
Notices of upcoming events:
Trails Steering Committee Meeting: February 4 @ 4pm @ Library- all are invited
Bike Path Sub-committee Meeting: February 9 @ 5pm @ Whidbey Island Bank
Monthly Trails Committee Meeting: February 11 @ 5pm @ Whidbey Island Bank
SJITC Winter Pot Luck Dinner(everyone welcome): March 4 @ 6pm @ The Grange
Introductions
Members present expressed their interests in items such as a bicycle commuter pass program for the ferries, a mountain bike park such as the new I-5 Colonnade, biking for transportation, commuting and how to get people out of their cars and onto their bikes, town and county safety awareness and improvements and further implementation of the county Non-Motorized plan.
Maria Small enjoys bicycling and suggested that more people would bike if they felt safe. She is involved with Elderhostel and pointed out that they attempted a bike program and ended up dropping it because the roads are not safe.
John Stimpson representing Brisk Ride Before Work group (formally called SJ Cyclists) that has been riding on San Juan Island since the 1980’s. They will be ramping up their schedule of rides beginning in March.
Progress to date:
The minutes from the December meeting were approved without changes.
In response to the diverse interests represented in the course of past meetings 2 separate groups have been formed. One is a subgroup of the San Juan Island Trails Committee, following the goals and mission set forth in the Trails Plan. This group will run activities through them and depends on the mutual support of projects. Tracy will be the liaison with them. Tim put together a list of activities that each group would address (see below). Shannon has volunteered to head up the Bicycle Club group. The Bike Club does not have to report to the Trails Committee – they are a riding group that advocates and educates. Shannon has the email list of all people who have expressed interest in our meetings to date. She will distribute an email to announce the next Bike Club ride or meeting. The non-motorized plan contains some of our desired projects, but there continues to be a need for bicycle advocacy and further reaching goals.
Island Rec will most likely be the new parent organization for the San Juan Island Trails committee and a written agreement is being developed which includes a bicycle sub-committee as part of the Trails Committee.
Roles and Boundaries of each group
Potential activity list compiled by Tim from previous minutes for review and comment:
| TRAILS | CLUB |
| • Better and safer routes for cyclists • Town bike routes or trails • Interest in commuter trails near town • Continued mountain bike access and trails for recreation • Improved signage on roads •Safety education for bicycles and motorists •Provide off-road routes or separated trails within the ROW, wherever possible •Provide signed bike lanes, paved shoulders or widened curb lanes for bicycle commuters and faster cyclists •Minimize street crossings for bike/ped paths • Create a minimum 5′-wide planting area between separated trails and roadway • Provide alternate signed routes for bicyclists, to lessen conflicts and make accessible greater scenic variety • Provide signage with area maps and location finders • Continued access and responsible trail maintenance/building on the Mitchell Hill DNR property • Implementing the County’s Non-motorized transportation plan; scenic • Improving bicycle safety and facilities in the Town of Friday Harbor • Creating a Scenic Byway Plan that embraces multiuse trails • Network of multi-use trails created over several generations • Development of multi-use cross-country corridors for all • The conversion of roads/shoulders ratios • Preparation of maps for visitors to guide them for bicycling through the islands |
Exposure/Outreach/Public Relations • Increasing general bicycle awareness • We may want to engage in monthly rides with vests • Fabrication of reflective vests with catchy slogan or group logo that could be sold to members and others •Improving bicycle etiquette on existing trails (stewardship and safety) Safety and Education Fun Convenience |
There are some potential overlaps of interests between the two groups, however it was agreed that this list provides a great foundation that will continue to evolve as each group chooses their own priorities.
What about education and outreach to Backroads and other visitor groups? Perhaps a function of the Bicycle Club, as well as the Visitor’s Bureau and Public Works. David urged that this group not assign tasks to other the other groups; let them choose their own activities.
What is Our Name?
After some discussion it was agreed that a short and simple name was best: “Bike Paths” will be the official name of the SJITC Bike Paths Sub-Committee.
Potential Trail Projects:
A brainstorming session occurred, below is a list of all ideas presented:
• Multi-use trail around new ball fields in Town
• Land Bank Beaverton Marsh Preserve multi-use trail (adjacent to County Roadway). There is also a potential connection between this trail and the ball fields trail. A property which links to it is for sale. David who is a neighbor will write a letter suggesting he put a trail easement prior to sale.
• Multi use trail along Beaverton Valley Road beginning near Foxhall, if dump is re-located a huge need for a safe, off-road route will result.
• Pipeline trail connecting Town and Trout Lake Watershed
• Multi-use or mountain bike area in the Gravel Pit – Plan being developed
• Multi-use trail to get to Gravel Pit and Jackson’s Beach – thru Buck property
• Bicycle Boulevards throughout Town
• Bike trail on Warbass Way
• Review Bicycle Signage County-wide: “Share the Road” message
• Expanding shoulders on designated roads and pending road projects
• Expanding Airport Trails for Bikes
• Mitchell Hill DNR Land (currently only legal mountain bike area)
• Assess existing Trails Plan for bike path potential
Groups and processes we should be following:
County Parks Recreation and Land Preservation Plan (2009-2010)
Scenic Byways Corridor Management Plan (2009)
SJC Non-motorized Transportation Plan Implementation
Available grants and potential funding
Research of Multi-use trail costs
National Parks Service Mitchell Hill acquisition
Wrap up:
People are encouraged to continue to bring forward ideas even if they are only currently “wish list” possibilities. Over the course of the next few meetings we can refine both our roles and priorities lists.
Next Bike Paths Meeting:
February 9th 5-6:30 PM Whidbey Island Bank Community Meeting Room.
Topic: prioritize list and focus individual energies.
Inspiration:
Tracy mentioned that people may want to check out: www.cyclesanjuanislands.com – A Blog created by Carl Coburn on Orcas Island that seeks to distribute advocacy information and coordinate bicycle activities county-wide. There is a “Cyclists’ bill of Rights” and an interesting broadcast about the transformation that is occurring in New York City to make the streets more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.