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Massachusetts Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 11:00 AM
Central MA Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC)
Union Station, 2 Washington Square, Worcester
1. Welcome/Introductions: Catherine Cagle chaired the meeting that began at
11:10 AM with a review of the standard MassDOT safety briefing. She also
thanked the Central MA Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) for hosting the
Board’s first-ever meeting outside of the State Transportation Building.
In attendance: Members: Cameron Bain, Glen Berkowitz, Catherine Cagle,
Tom DiPaolo, Steve Heinrichs, Wendy Landman, Josh Lehman, Jeff
McCollough, John McQueen, Steve Miller, Lea Susan Ojamaa, Joe Repole, Jim
Tozza Member participating by conference call: Rosalie Anders Members
Absent: Ken Brissette, Dan Driscoll, Melissa Dullea, SGT Shawn Lydon, Janie
Katz-Christy, Rob Miceli, Danny O’Brien (David Watson attempted conference
calling) Guests: Matt Chase (VHB), Jonathan Church (CMRPC), Arthur Frost
(MassDOT), Rick Handfield (MassDOT), Robert Peters (MassDOT), Karin
Valentine Goins (Walk-Bike Worcester) Guest participating by conference
call: John Allen
2. Announcements
 Karin Valentine Goins, a former Board member, discussed the Walk-Bike
Worcester initiative, which began as a Mass in Motion program. Its
primary objective is to improve walking and bicycling conditions in and
around Worcester.
3. Regional Overview
 Jonathan Church, from CMRPC, spoke of behalf of his organization, which
represents the southern half of Worcester County, and gave an overview
of their region.
o CMRPC adheres to MassDOT’s GreenDOT Policy, and supports
the Regional Bicycling and Pedestrian Task Force.
o CMRPC conducts counts along paths, and works to improve snow
removal along sidewalks.
o Its multi-modal objectives are achieved through actions such as
installing bicycle racks on buses and at major transit hubs, like
Union Station (where the northern terminus of the Blackstone
Bikeway will be sited), as well as the new Worcester Regional
Transit Agency bus hub.
o Safety objectives are achieved by identifying and improving highcrash locations.
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Arthur Frost, from MassDOT’s Highway Division District 3, addressed a
number of on- and off-road projects underway in the 77 communities
within the District.
o In some cases there are limited rights-of-way; design
parameters and interests also vary by community.
o The process of accommodating walking and bicycling is subject
to review at many levels.
o One example is the new Route 9 Bridge over Lake
Quinsigamond, a $110 million project. Current plans are to
widen sidewalks for pedestrians and shoulders for bicyclists.
o The Assabet River Path has already been constructed in
Marlborough and Hudson. The Maynard and Acton segments
are currently in design. There are environmental challenges
(wetlands) as well as other design challenges, such as
negotiating the Maynard town center.
This portion of the agenda prompted a number of Board questions and
input. The Board agreed to spend more time on this discussion and
reduce the time spent on work plan topics.
It was agreed that learning more about the region and the District Office
was very valuable.
4. Bay State Bike Week: Catherine Cagle announced the following:
 The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) recently designated Arlington,
Newton and Salem as “Bicycle Friendly Communities.”
 MassDOT was designated a “Bicycle Friendly Business” by LAB, the only
DOT to be so recognized.
 A “bicycle breakfast” will be held on the morning of Thursday, 5/17, at the
State Transportation Building.
 Wendy Landman announced the Bike-Walk Summit is scheduled at the
State House, 10 AM – 1 PM, on Thursday, 5/17. Three legislative items
will be addressed: Senior Zones; 25 mph prevailing speed; and vulnerable
users.
 Jeff McCollough announced that the Westfield ride featured the Mayor;
Karin Valentine Goins noted that the Worcester ride would feature
television coverage to help raise awareness for healthy transportation in
Worcester.
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5. Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): Robert Peters provided an overview of
RMV initiatives to improve bicycling and walking conditions.
 Public outreach is provided through The Driver’s Manual, in both print and
electronic formats; Kindle is now being utilized. Over 9,000 new drivers
are added every month.
 The Manual has become more inclusive over time; walking and bicycling
have become more prominent.
 Driver’s Education is another important component of changing
awareness and behavior for all modes.
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The safe driver exam has six groups of questions and includes questions,
such as on the White Cane Law, which are legislatively mandated.
Pedestrian questions have always been included in the exam but last year
a bicycling question was added to all exams.
6. Work Plan: Encouragement and Engagement: The underlying objective is
to provide and support mode choice. Catherine Cagle cited the results of this
year’s Bay State Bike Week rush hour race involving a bicyclist, walker, and
transit rider. It was a fun event that raised awareness of mode choice. Each
mode was highlighted in a positive way as it could be the best choice for a
person depending on their trip.
MassDOT is in the process of setting a mode shift goal for the Commonwealth.
At our March 2012 Board meeting we had a presentation and robust discussion
on the mode shift goal.
7. Future Meetings: Attendees were reminded that the Old Colony Planning
Commission (OCPC) will host the meeting in Brockton, 70 School Street, on
7/18; and that Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) will host
the meeting in Lowell on 11/21. The 9/19 meeting will be held at the STB. All of
these meetings are scheduled 1 – 3 PM, the regular time.
The meetings at the Regional Planning Agencies are accessible by transit, and
consistent with the Board’s charge to represent interests Statewide.
8. Adjournment: The meeting ended at 1:10 PM.