Minutes from last PTO Meeting:  4/27

(see summary of plan here)
 

·   The Committee reviewed the community based process discussed at the last meetings about transportation options, air quality, and health.

·   Went around and focused on learning more about what everyone is doing and how we can support each other, since we all are engaging in our activities. 

·   Joan brought up bike-lane upkeep.  The group brainstormed on how to clean up these lanes and the possibility of choosing a color to draw more attention to the bike lanes.

·   How to do “Complete Streets”

o  Have color-coded routes.  Ex:  This is the route to work, shopping, etc.

o  How do we define “complete streets”

o  Neighborhood planning process w/people who normally bike and that really know route, so they identify problems on the routes that affect not only commuters, but local residents also.

·   Looked at beginning a comprehensive master plan

·   Communicated the need to include public transit in the idea of “complete streets” since we must offer ALL options to commute. 

o  Other options (biking/walking) can be combined with public transit.

o  Bus stops are put in high need, high traffic areas and those are very important for people to reach their destinations.  Even have some right outside Allen Neighborhood Center.

·   List Serv

o  Look at other commuting options in each community.

o  Discussed update on list serv: Bike Lansing and other commuting options

o  Marketing more to the public so they can utilize this.

·   Make Policy

o  Engage people at the community level

o  Have MDOT reach out to the community BEFORE they make decisions

o  At what point can people make change

o  Look at State policy and try to change it, but it’s not really possible to over ride the road commissions.

o  Vehicle Code = We need updating of vehicle code to make it more bicycle friendly

·   Story-telling through the media

o  Training

o  Important tool to connect & engage

o  Tools can be found on ICHD website-Janine

Prepared by  Cathleen Edgerly, Clean Commute Options Coordinator, Capital Area Transportation Authority