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Home My WebLink About11/10/2025 - Regular Agenda Packet - Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board College Station, TX Meeting Agenda Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840 Internet: www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting Meeting ID: 258 702 381 255 9 | Passcode: ZP7uJ9QV Phone: +1 979-431-4880 | Phone Conference ID: 347 290 912# The City Council may or may not attend this meeting. November 10, 2025 3:30 PM Bush 4141 Community Room College Station, TX Page 1 Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the meeting body will be present in the physical location stated above where citizens may also attend in order to view a member(s) participating by video conference call as allowed by 551.127, Texas Government Code. The City uses a third party vendor to host the virtual portion of the meeting; if virtual access is unavailable, meeting access and participation will be in-person only. 1. Call meeting to order and consider absence requests. 2. Hear Visitors. At this time, the Chairperson will open the floor to citizens wishing to address issues not already scheduled on today's agenda. Each citizen’s presentation will be limited to three minutes in order to allow adequate time for the completion of the agenda items. Comments will be received and city staff may be asked to look into the matter, or the matter may be placed on a future agenda for discussion. A recording may be made of the meeting; please give your name and address for the record. 3. Agenda Items 3.1. Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve the meeting minutes. Attachments: 1. September 8 2025 Minutes 3.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an overview of a safe passing ordinance. Sponsors: Carl Ahrens Attachments: 1. Safe Passing Summary 3.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the College Station Jingle Bell bicycle ride. Sponsors: Carl Ahrens 3.4. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an overview of bicycle and pedestrian improvements planned by TxDOT with the upcoming State Highway 6 corridor project. Sponsors: Jason Schubert 3.5. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an update on the development of the Active Transportation Master Plan. Sponsors: Jesse Dimeolo 3.6. Presentation and discussion regarding the following items related to biking, walking, and greenways. a. Public Meetings of Interest Page 1 of 9 Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board Page 2 November 10, 2025 b.Capital and Private Project Updates 3.7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings. •December 8, 2025 ~ Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board at 3:30pm in the Bush 4141 Community Room. 4.Discussion and possible action on future agenda items. A member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. 5.Adjourn. Adjournment into Executive Session may occur in order to consider any item listed on the agenda if a matter is raised that is appropriate for Executive Session discussion. I certify that the above Notice of Meeting was posted on the website and at College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas, on November 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. City Secretary This building is wheelchair accessible. Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services such as interpreters, readers, or large print are asked to contact the City Secretary’s Office at (979) 764-3541, TDD at 1-800-735-2989, or email adaassistance@cstx.gov at least two business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If the City does not receive notification at least two business days prior to the meeting, the City will make a reasonable attempt to provide the necessary accommodations. Penal Code § 30.07. Trespass by License Holder with an Openly Carried Handgun. "Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (Trespass by License Holder with an Openly Carried Handgun) A Person Licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (Handgun Licensing Law), may not enter this Property with a Handgun that is Carried Openly." Codigo Penal § 30.07. Traspasar Portando Armas de Mano al Aire Libre con Licencia. “Conforme a la Seccion 30.07 del codigo penal (traspasar portando armas de mano al aire libre con licencia), personas con licencia bajo del Sub-Capitulo H, Capitulo 411, Codigo de Gobierno (Ley de licencias de arma de mano), no deben entrar a esta propiedad portando arma de mano al aire libre.” Page 2 of 9 MINUTES BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND GREENWAYS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING September 8, 2025 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Scott Shafer, Board Members Matthew Jackson, Kathy Langlotz, Neo Jang, Joy Chmelar, Thomas Woodfin, Carla Robinson. MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning and Development Anthony Armstrong, Assistant Director Molly Hitchcock, Graduate Traffic Engineer Deanna Ordonez, Transportation Planning Administrator Jason Schubert, Senior Planner Jesse DiMeolo, Staff Planner Carl Ahrens, Staff Planner Joe Allen and Staff Assistant II Grecia Fuentes AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to Order, introductions and consider absence requests. Chairperson Shafer called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Hear Visitors. Robert Rose, former bike shop owner, raised his concern for health and safety for bicyclists on railroad tracks. He said that he became aware of a recent incident where a bicyclist’s front wheel became stuck between the gaps of the railroad tract and the pavement. He stated that he had also surveyed some of the railroad crossings in town and found that the flange gap protectors were either outdated, missing or had not been maintained. He told the Board that he was not sure whose responsibility it was to maintain these, but that it was a problem that needed to be addressed to make sure it was not an ongoing hazard. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Agenda Items. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.1: Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting minutes. Board Member Langlotz motioned to approve the meeting minutes from July, Board Member Robinson seconded the motion, minutes were approved 6-0. Page 3 of 9 AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.2: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the draft analysis of the pedestrian level of traffic stress at roadway crossings and segments as part of the Active Transportation Master Plan. Senior Planner DiMeolo presented this item. Board Member Woodfin joined the meeting at 3:36 p.m. Board Member Langlotz asked if the segments had to have a sidewalk to have an LTS rating. Planner DiMeolo said that the criteria did include a chart for segments that did not have sidewalks, but that it was very strict and based on speed limit. Chairperson Shafer asked about the volume of traffic. Planner DiMeolo said the volume was a factor that was included but was not added to the information on the slide presentation. He said that the volume was split into three categories: low, medium and high. Chairperson Shafer asked if this information on the Segments Map had been grounded, as-in field verified. Planner DiMeolo said that the perception was one of the limitations for LTS, but staff were still doing the best they could with the data and criteria they had gathered. He said that walking and biking audits could help to refine the information to be more accurate. Board Member Woodfin said he made the observation that Deacon Drive had a wide right of way and had been rated a 4, while other streets like Graham Road and Eagle Avenue that included bike lanes had a rating of 3. Planner DiMeolo clarified that they were still working on the modifications for Deacon Drive which included 4-foot sidewalks through most of it with a landscape buffer. This would move it into the next group bracket. Chairperson Shafer inquired about the midblock trail crossing on Southwest Parkway between Bee Creek Park and Lemon Tree Park that did not appear on the map. Planner DiMeolo stated that mid-block crossings were still being identified and added. Board Member Jang asked if leading pedestrian intervals (LPI) at signalized intersection had been included and remarked having one at Rock Prairie Road and Welsh Avenue would be good. Planner DiMeolo said LPI could be one of the modifications made to the crossings criteria. Board Member Woodfin said that he encourages staff to look into improving the city’s transportation services for our visitors, especially during the football season to make the city friendly. Page 4 of 9 AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.3: Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding proposed programs for the Active Transportation Master Plan. Planner Carl Ahrens presented this item. Chairperson Shafer said he liked the idea of physical signage because it was a good visual queue that would encourage people to use them more often. He said that it showed an added level of commitment by the community. Administrator Schubert said that naming or numbering bike routes and other types of wayfinding is one of the programmatic items proposed to be included in the new Master Plan. Board Member Jackson stated Dallas has identified biking routes. Board Member Woodfin said he has seen good wayfinding in Germany along the Rhine. Chairperson Shafer suggested adding a maintenance audit program. He said that this would help to keep up with cutting tree branches and removing vegetation from growing into the sidewalks path. This would make sure that all the sidewalks were usable to their full size. Planner Ahrens said that this could be submitted on the city’s website SeeClickFix to report the issue. Chairperson Shafer said that he thought a routine maintenance check would be good to have in place if it was possible to avoid safety problems on these paths. Board Member Woodfin suggested doing a micromobility study for New Main Street, Walton Drive and Texas Avenue. He said that this way staff could have the data as back up when presenting a request to city officials. He said some other cities do semi-annual counts. He asked if the city had ever shut down a busy street for an event before, other than for the Christmas parade. Board Member Langlotz asked if there would be any kind of prioritization list made. Planner Ahrens said that a list would be included in the Master Plan itself, but that they would definitely need to make a prioritization list to see what project to take on first. Board Member Jackson inquired if there is a local non-profit for biking as done in other areas. Robert Rose stated that there is a high school mountain bike club and other local organizations like the Road Rascals, A&M Cycling, A&M Triathlon, and Brazos Valley Mountain Biking. Chairperson Shafer asked staff when the completion of the new Active Transportation Master Plan would be completed. Planner DiMeolo stated that originally it was this fall, but due to other items coming up it was pushed back to this spring for completion. Page 5 of 9 AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.4: Presentation and discussion regarding the following items related to biking, walking, and greenways. a) Public Meetings of Interest – No related updates at this time. b) Capital and Private Project Updates – Board Member Woodfin asked for an update on the TxDOT project for Harvey Road. Administrator Schubert said that it is in the design process and that the first public meeting was tentatively being scheduled by TxDOT for December. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.5: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings. a) October 13, 2025 ~ Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board Meeting AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Discussion and possible action on future agenda items. A Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board Member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. Board Member Woodfin inquired about coordinating an LCI training course with staff to help Bicycle Friendly Community status. Chairperson Shafer asked if staff could look into trail etiquette signage for traffic to see who yields to who. He also wanted to follow up on finding out who would be responsible for funding shade structures on major intersections like University Drive, Harvey Mitchell Parkway and South College Avenue. Board Member Langlotz wanted to hear about an update on the Safe Passing Ordinance. Administrator Schubert stated that an item regarding safe passing would be presented at the next meeting. Board Member Jackson asked if there was an update on the State Highway 6 rebuild. This was regarding bike crossings on University Drive down to Harvey Mitchell Parkway. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ Scott Shafer, Chairperson Grecia Fuentes, Board Secretary Page 6 of 9 November 10, 2025 Item No. 3.2. Safe Passing Ordinance Overview Sponsor: Carl Ahrens, Staff Planner Reviewed By CBC: Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Greenways Advisory Board Agenda Caption: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an overview of a safe passing ordinance. Relationship to Strategic Goals: Recommendation(s): Staff will present the item and seek feedback from the Board. Summary: A safe passing ordinance is a legal regulation that requires motor vehicle drivers to maintain a minimum distance when passing vulnerable road users like bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists and is aimed to enhance safety for users and reduce the risk of collisions. City staff researched the topic and a summary is attached of what a potential safe passing ordinance could look like if one were to be implemented within the City with references to a Safe Passing Bill previously proposed in the State legislature and Bike Texas' summary of Safe Passing. The research was discussed with the other City departments, and it was determined to be challenging to implement from a legal enforcement and benefit perspective. Given the current traffic code framework in Texas, staff is recommending not to pursue this type of ordinance at this time but to incorporate the efforts into a Share the Road campaign as being proposed with the new Active Transportation Master Plan. Budget & Financial Summary: Attachments: 1. Safe Passing Summary Page 7 of 9 Safe Passing Ordinance What is a safe passing ordinance? - A safe passing ordinance is a legal regulation that requires drivers to maintain a minimum distance when passing vulnerable road users like bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, aiming to enhance safety for users and prevent collisions. It can also prohibit the “right hook” (turning dangerously in front of a vulnerable road user) and failing to yield when making a left turn. A link to the Texas State Safe Passing Bill is at the bottom of this document. o The safe passing distance would be 3 ft of separation for passenger vehicles and light trucks or 6 ft for commercial vehicles. The 6 ft distance aligns with the current Texas Commercial Driver’s handbook which recommends commercial vehicles to allow for 6 ft of passing distance due to the effects of wind from tractor trailers that can pull cyclists 3 ft closer. o Groups included in vulnerable road users can be a pedestrian, runner, physically disabled person, child, skater, construction maintenance worker, tow truck operator, stranded motorist, equestrian, and person operating a bicycle, motorcycle, or unprotected farm equipment, according to Bike Texas. o Oregon has further refined their Safe Passing law to also include a fall over distance in the event that a cyclist were to fall while a vehicle is passing. These occur on roads that are over 35 miles per hour. Summary: Vulnerable road users have the right to use the roadway by law in the state of Texas, however these users do not have the same protection (essentially armor) that vehicles do. Implementing an ordinance will create a safer environment for these users and provide written law that enforces it with punishable fines and charges depending on the severity of the case. Educational material would be essential, and potentially even providing demonstrations for people to visually see what safe passing looks like. Links: Texas Safe Passing Bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB00421I.htm Bike Texas Summary of Safe Passing Bill: https://www.biketexas.org/advocacy/safe- passing-2012/safe-passing-ordinance-faqs/ Example educational graphic from Oregon Dot: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Safety/Documents/BikeSafePassage.pdf Page 8 of 9 November 10, 2025 Item No. 3.3. College Station Jingle Bell Ride Sponsor: Carl Ahrens, Staff Planner Reviewed By CBC: Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Greenways Advisory Board Agenda Caption: Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the College Station Jingle Bell bicycle ride. Relationship to Strategic Goals: Recommendation(s): Summary: College Station is expanding city-sponsored community bike rides beyond the annual Cycle with Council held in May. Staff has developed a community bike ride, called the Jingle Bell Ride, which will start in Central Park on Saturday, December 13th, 2025 at 5 pm. The ride travels down bike lanes to some of the trails at Wolf Pen Creek Park and then returns to Central Park when the lights turn on to end the ride with a fun family-friendly ride through the lights. A Jingle Bell Run, the Christmas Parade, and other programmed activities are scheduled to or at Central Park on the prior Saturday, December 6th. Staff will provide more details regarding the proposed event at the meeting. Budget & Financial Summary: Attachments: None Page 9 of 9