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D R A F T 218 Abigaile Pittman: Alex, would you give us an overview of the bill? 219 220 221 Jeff Charles: A lot of concerns raised by your group in Orange County were the fact that there was large groups 222 of bicyclists impeding traffic. There was wording in laws in bicyclist states was that cyclists couldn’t ride more 223 than two abreast nor impede traffic. That simple statement seems to do away with motorist concerns. I would 224 hope the legislature would look to what is going on in these states as we try to improve the health of our young 225 children and adults. 226 227 Alex Castro: Continued overview of bill. 228 229 Jeff Charles: One thing I am concerned about is motorist delays and mentioning about how bicyclists are 230 impeding emergency vehicles. It is fine to understand we may delay motorist sometimes. We have had four 231 incidents of road rage since June. We have had two deaths in the last six months. I am trying to understand the 232 weight being given to motorists. It is also important to protect bicyclists. 233 234 Alex Castro: My wife is a triathlete and sometimes I am dragged with her as a trainer. One of the positive things 235 was to ask for increased law enforcement presence. I got the law enforcement community involved. I think it is 236 important to form a work group with members of this community and the cyclists and put something together that 237 is useful to improve the safety of the road. 238 239 Tom Magnuson: I am the newest member of the OUTBoard and don’t understand our role in this discussion. I 240 experience the same thing as a pedestrian. 241 242 Paul Gutherie: This committee generated through staff an Orange County Bicycle Route Map as one of its 243 activities. I think we can be influential in that. Jeff, you are right on target but this is an issue that is bigger than 244 one or two. Number one, we have very lousy drivers in this county and surrounding areas. Second, I think 245 some folks are unclear on the rule of the road pertaining to bicyclists. Third, many of our highways are totally 246 unsafe for bicyclists and finally, we can take a hard look at the routes we promote for bicyclist use. 247 248 Heidi Perry: I ride recreationally and I do ride my bike to work daily. Roads are there for transportation and I 249 don’t think they should be closed to everyone and not just bikes. I think education is huge. When we talk about 250 motorcyclists and cyclists, let’s just talk about people because we are all people. 251 252 Abigaile Pittman: This is an update. I imagine Bonnie Hauser will be here next month to address the discussion 253 of bicycle safety. 254 255 Alex Castro: Bonnie is not the primary person on this. I have taken this because of my role on the OUTBoard. 256 With regard to your comment regarding the suggesting routing for bicyclists on the county map, there are some 257 areas that are unsafe for cyclists. 258 259 Tom Magnuson: Looking into ways of trying to change the way people see the road. Don’t get close enough 260 they can’t fall. The place we may want to focus on is driver’s education. 261 262 Abigaile Pittman: I need clarification. The plan for addressing bicycle safety issues, that went to the BOCC is 263 coming back to the OUTBoard in April and May, and then the group will report back to the BOCC in June. There 264 seems to be a different suggestion by Alex of taking it outside the OUTBoard and then reporting back. 265 266 Alex Castro: The point is, who will do the work? Is staff taking this on? I am suggesting a group including 267 members of the OUTBoard and others can come up with suggestions and come back to the meeting. 268 269 Jeff Charles: What type of meetings would these be? 270 14