858 Pearl St., Eugene

Attending the September meeting of the Eugene Bicycle Coalition were Lyndell Wilken, Bob Ransom, Richard Hughes, Paul Adkins, Vicky Mello, Kelley Howell, J.D. Howell, Jackie Murdoff, David Sonnichsen, Susan Stumpf, Kurt Jensen, Paul Moore, Jeff Willensky, Jim Wilcox, Sue Wolling, Lee Shoemaker (Eugene Bike/Alt Modes Coordinator) and David Roth (Eugene Public Works).

Sue posted details of upcoming Bike Safety Classes at Roosevelt Middle School, and encouraged members to contact Tom Powers if they’re able to volunteer to help with these on-bike classes.

Funds from Cycle Oregon

Jim distributed a card from Cycle Oregon thanking the EBC for hosting a rest stop for the ride. Jim has received a check from Cycle Oregon for $500, which he will deposit in a bank account designated for the Eugene Bicycle Coalition.

Crest Drive

While members of the Crest Drive neighborhood had originally requested time at this meeting to discuss designs for streets in the Crest Drive neighborhood (Crest, Storey and Friendly Streets), they later decided they’d prefer to invite a few members of the Bike Coalition to meet with Crest Drive residents at a separate time/place. The Coalition initially agreed to meet with the neighbors provided that the meeting is open to all Bike Coalition members who would like to attend. When further discussion made clear that the Crest Drive group was interested in meeting with some EBC members, but not others, however, the group decided instead to craft a written statement of the EBC’s position and send that to the Crest Drive neighbors.

Discussion then turned to design options for the streets in the Crest Drive area. Those present agreed that the Bike Coalition would accept a plan that included a safe sidewalk with a ramped edge, shared by bicyclists and pedestrians, continuously on the uphill-travelling side of the street. As long as such a facility for bicyclists is included, EBC members could accept either an 18-foot or 20-foot width for the travel lanes. (Background information: The City Council is scheduled to address the question of street width—but not overall street design--at their meeting on October 8). Members discussed, but did not take a position on, a minimum width for the shared sidewalk.

Merger with GEARS

Susan reported that GEARS has not had a meeting since the concept of merger with the Bike Coalition was raised. The next GEARS Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 2. Sue will attend that meeting to respond to preliminary questions from the GEARS board. It is anticipated that a few members from each group will then meet as needed to work out details of a possible merger.

Bike Parking at Market of Choice

Despite assurance from Standard Insurance, the company that owns the Woodfield Station shopping center, that covered bike parking would be installed by September, no such parking has appeared. Paul read a letter from Whitey Lueck, a south Eugene resident, requesting improved bike parking at Market of Choice. Richard and Sue agreed to contact Trond Ingvaldsen of Standard Insurance once again to request that the bike parking be installed as soon as possible.

Bike Summit

David reported that the City is planning a second Bicycle/Pedestrian Summit in early November to present the Bike/Ped Strategic Plan to the community and recruit support for implementing the plan. Sue requested that the next Bike Coalition meeting be a pre-summit discussion focusing on how the Bike Coalition can best take advantage of the Summit to formulate Coalition priorities and recruit new members. (Update: at the Department Advisory Committee meeting on Sept. 26, a decision was made to hold an Open House in early November to present the Strategic Plan, but to postpone the Summit until January to avoid the distractions of the holidays.) For more information about the Bicycle Strategic Plan and upcoming Summit, please see www.eugene-or.gov/walkbike.

Next Meeting: Monday, October 22