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5 <br />Barrows asked if McCalip could address the safety issue which seemed to <br />be of great concern to NCDOT; having children and novice riders as well <br />as experienced riders on congested roads. She continued asking if roads <br />could be classified for the level of bike riders. McCalip responded that <br />was addressed in the suitability analysis. Two of those have been done <br />here and 90% of the roads in Orange County are only suitable for <br />advanced cyclists. They are too narrow. McCalip referred to areas that <br />have rider suitability maps and presented some of those maps. <br />Barrows continued that while maps were one way, she was thinking also <br />of designation signs along the routes. McCalip responded that the whole <br />concept of bicycle transportation is that cyclists can operate a bicycle <br />safely in mixed traffic with cars. That means that a cyclist must be of a <br />certain age (around 14 -15) and have certain skills (be able to operate a <br />car). It's better to have a driver's license because bicyclists have to obey <br />all of the same rules as drivers. He noted that he had a call about the <br />safety of Arthur Minnis Road for children to ride bicycles and he told the <br />caller it was not safe for children because of the speed limit. <br />McCalip that there should be paved shoulders on assigned bicycle <br />routes. <br />Barrows noted that she had received a letter from Blair Pollock, who is <br />on the Chapel Hill Bicycle Task Force, in support of the Plan. <br />Katz asked about the timefi=e for the first bike lanes. McCalip <br />responded that he felt it would be a long uphill battle because NCDOT is <br />just beginning to realize the need for funds for maintenance and more <br />pavement. It will also need legislative support. Katz continued that bike <br />lanes also have some tourist value. McCalip agreed, noting that some <br />states advertise cycling across their states. Katz felt that if safe bike <br />lanes were provided, there would be many using bicycles as their <br />transportation for work and not just recreational. <br />Mark Shultz, a member of the Bicycle Task Force, stated that it felt it is <br />an issue that cannot be avoided. The critical mass ?? in Chapel Hill rides <br />bicycles and he encouraged the Board to approve the Plan and make it <br />safe for cyclists. <br />Chuck Tharp, also a member of the Task Force, stated that he felt there <br />would be many who would bike to work if safety was not such a factor. <br />He felt that encouraging cyclists, by addressing the safety issue, would <br />ease some of the congestion on the roads. <br />McCalip informed the Board about the effective bicycling course which <br />has been held in the Planning Department with 4 1/2 hours class time and <br />4 1/2 hours on the road in traffic. He asked that anyone interested in the <br />course notify him and he would provide information. <br />McCalip stated that he had sent a copy of the draft plan to all surrounding <br />jurisdictions and the comments received did not really change anything in <br />the plan. He also sent one to the Raleigh MPO or CAMPO (Capitol Area <br />Metropolitan Planning Organization), and they provided some good <br />comments that could "dress the plan up" but did not make substantial <br />