HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-27 - BICYCLE TRAILS CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEEFebruary 27, 1995
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
ITEM NO._________
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: BICYCLE TRAILS CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
"BIKE TO WORK DAY" RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Direct Police Department staff to review vehicle parking encroachment problems within the bike lanes along Seashore Drive and pursue rigorous enforcement within existing laws and
ordinances.
2. Refer the increasing of additional red curbing to the West Newport- Ocean Front Comprehensive Plan Committee for discussion in a community forum.
DISCUSSION:
In the attached letter to City Council dated April 25, 1994, the Bicycle Trails Citizens Advisory Committee recommended three actions to provide operational improvements to the Seashore
Drive bikeway.
The first recommendation requests rigorous enforcement of existing parking regulations regarding encroachment of parked vehicles into the bike lanes. The Committee's staff liaison
to the Police department has relayed this request to the parking enforcement division. It is recommended that City Council direct staff to review the situation and take appropriate
action within existing laws and ordinances concerning this problem.
The second recommendation concerns the implementation of increased red curbing similar to State highway standards along the inland side of Seashore Drive to improve sight distance
at intersecting streets, alleys, and driveways. The attached memo from the City's Traffic Engineer cites the balance between improved sight distance and the demand for parking. Increased
red curbing would reduce parking in the area. It is for this reason that staff recommends that this proposal be referred to the West Newport- Ocean Front Comprehensive Plan Committee
for discussion within a community forum.
The third recommendation requests increased advisory and speed limit signage. As discussed in the City Traffic Engineers memo, the existing 85th percentile speed of 26 MPH indicates
that the placement of 25 MPH speed limit signing would have a minimal effect on the speed of vehicles and that the 85th percentile speed also limits the ability of the City to lower
the posted speed, if desired, below 25 MPH. Historically, advisory signing has proven to be ineffective in modifying driver behavior. Existing physical conditions also limit the placement
of such signs should they be desired. Also, past concerns by area residents indicate that there is some sensitivity to "unnecessary" signing in the form of "sign pollution". City
staff recommends that no additional signing be approved.
Benjamin B. Nolan
Public Works Dept. Director
Attachment
SGB:so