2014-08-26_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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125 communities, Mr. Culver advised that he found nothing defining or clarifying 126 higher restrictions for the use of bikes on sidewalks. Mr. Culver noted that the 127 City of Minneapolis stenciled sidewalk areas in their business districts where 128 bicycles were prohibited, but St. Paul was silent on that point. In performing a 129 "Google" search on that issue, Mr. Culver advised that he found that a lot of 130 people thought bicycles should not be allowed on sidewalks, and some already 131 thought it was against the law. Mr. Culver reported that there appeared to be a 132 considerable amount of confusion among the public. 133 134 Discussion included how the City of Roseville defined pathways (separations of 135 multi -use trails/pathways generally 8' or wider and blacktop) versus sidewalks 136 (5'-6' and concrete); differences in recreational and commuter bicycle uses and 137 needs; whether defining uses and protocol to avoid conflicts for those mixed use 138 facilities would be a worthwhile public relations initiative by the PWETC to 139 ensure their safest and most effective use; and the defi ition of pathways by 140 Roseville in its 2008 Master Pathwa Plan. 141 142 Mr. Culver duly noted the suggested c relations and educational initiative for 143 sharing in a future City s newslette d on the City's website; with Member 144 Lenz suggesting public education efforts with back to school articles in the 145 Roseville Review, would also be good timing and would possibly encourage more 146 users. 1W 147 148 Member Felice agreed with the need for good education, relating some of her 149 observations in bicyclers not following the rules, creating additional hazards for 150 vehicles on the roads and at intersections as well as for pedestrians. 151 11L Jim VL 152 At Member Wozniak's suggestion for additional signage on trails and/or 153 sidewalks, Mr. Culver noted the cost of installation and maintenance of signage, 154 and questioned how to designate differences in why or where that signage would 155 occur, exceptions and other problematic issues along with State law already in 156 place defining rights and rules. Mr. Culver advised that State law dictated that 157 bicycles on sidewalks were under the same rules as pedestrians and, while 158 vehicles were required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, it was prudent for 159 pedestrians or bicyclers to verify their safe crossing. Specific to bicyclers on 160 sidewalks or trails, Mr. Culver advised that they had the same responsibilities as 161 pedestrians; but when on roadways having a designated or marked bicycle lane, 162 then the laws and rights were different, and they were considered another vehicle 163 on the roadway. Mr. Culver emphasized the need for bikers, pedestrians and 164 drivers all needing to be aware of their responsibilities. Mr. Culver noted that this 165 was an ongoing struggle within that industry to be consistent between facilities. 166 167 Further discussion included rationale for Ramsey County's plan to install a 168 dedicated east bound right turn only lane versus a dedicated left turn lane on 169 County Road B-2 at Lexington Avenue as a more efficient traffic movement 170 system than split phased signal timing. Page 4 of 15