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City of Houston Bicycle Advisory Committee Education Subcommittee met Dec. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the subcommittee:
Call to Order. Chair Tom Compson called the meeting to order at 2:35pm.
Roll Call:
Tom Compson, Chair (P)
Alejandro Perez, Vice Chair (P)
Tracy Alexander (A)
Zion Escobar (A)
Adam J. Williams (A)
Sandra Rodriguez (A)
Com. Kristine Anthony-Miller (P)
Beth Martin (A)
Lisa Graiff (A)
Trevor Reichman (P)
Jessica Wiggins (A)
Yuhayna Mahmud (A)
Nick Hellyar (A)
Judith Villarreal (A)
Amar Mohite (A)
Mike VanDusen (A)
Ana Ramirez Huerta (A)
Nikki Knight (A)
Robin Holzer (P)
Veon McReynolds (A)
Ex-Officio Members:
David Fields (P)
Ian Hlavacek (P)
Juvenal Robles (P)
1) Chair’s Report. Chair Compson gave the Chair’s Report:
• Friend had the opportunity to educate a driver on users of crosswalks earlier. Drives home the importance to notify citizens of the Lisa Torry Smith Act.
• Big victory in the passage of the infrastructure bill. We need to be focused in 2022 to look for opportunities and projects to secure that funding. Considering a workshop for next year.
• It would be great to have an in-person meeting in 2022, not just for meeting together, but to update the group photo with the new BAC.
2) Public Comment: None
3) Inventory of Available Curriculum/Programming for Bike Education. Chair Compson led a discussion with the subcommittee on what programming and curriculums are available, who are the target audience(s), and costs to implementation. Some existing programming can be hard to find for new users. How do we push out safety training for both cyclists and motorists? • Discussion
o SuperCyclist program was once funded by TxDOT. Train the trainer to instruct physical education teachers to show 4-5th graders bicycle safety. Could it be renewed? TxDOT: the organization that originally applied for the grant discontinued their program. There is an opportunity for another organization to apply for the grant and continue the work.
o TxDOT has a one-year grant for education safety programming. The application deadline is January 5th. Anyone interested in applying can connect with TxDOT to get implemented by October. BikeTexas may have existing information for grant. Could be something to consider for applying for the January 2023 deadline due to capacity.
o TxDOT is developing a bike resource guide, in beginning steps of contacting partners for input on the guide (METRO, City of Houston). In design process of guide. Will have a digital and print format available and cover traditional resources—maps, transit, etc—and useful information such as what to do in a crash.
o TxDOT is fundraising to purchase bike lights for distribution for cyclists who don’t have them.
o TxDOT working on a messaging campaign with yard signs informing cyclists and motorists of rules of the road. To be placed at key intersections where crashes are frequent. General handouts are available, but ones with language more specific to Houston are in design
• Trail activation: the district often pairs bikeways and trails with activities to encourage people to use them
4) Bike With Someone. Clint McManus of Traffic Engineers, Inc. Presented on the Bike With Someone Program done in coordination with BikeHouston
• Program Goals
o Connect experienced bikers with newcomers (people new to Houston and people new to cycling)
o Spread local knowledge in biking in Houston
o Grow community confidence in biking
• Program Details
o Users fill out Google form and are connected with a guide to help with route planning and ride with them
o BikeHouston follows up with the rider after the experience
o Looking for Volunteers! Visit https://www.bikehouston.org/bike-with someone
5) Open Forum.
6) Announcements and Events:
• Events:
• Next BAC meetings
o 1/26: Bicycle Advisory Committee
o 2/23: Infrastructure Subcommittee
o 3/23: Education Subcommittee
Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 3:45pm.
https://houstonbikeplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BAC-Education-Minutes_Dec-2021.pdf