Attending: Sharon Hermach, Ray Dal Lago, Jerome Hughes, Joanne DeZur, Don Whistler, Mark Montgomery, Sue Montgomery and Bob Hoel
Meeting started about 7:45 and ended at 9 p.m.
The followings items were discussed but not necessarily in the order reported here.
Of most importance
We need to get cyclists out for the upcoming public meetings as a show of support for the issues. This is what the folks from Fairview had done. There was some discussion on how this could be done. Bob Hoel has learned that you do not need to be an Elmhurst resident to attend or speak at the various city meetings, either the Council or its standing committees, or the Park District. Therefore we will be calling upon all Club members as well as LIB and CBF members in the western suburbs. People should draw in even on affiliated friends who are sympathetic to the needs of cyclists.
Public Affairs and Safety Committee
After speaking with Mark Mulliner, the Alderman chairing this standing committee of the Council, it seems that the issue of bike safety will be placed on the agenda for the first meeting in August. This will be August 8 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. As indicated in the previous discussion we need to get as many people as possible out for this session. This committee will eventually make a recommendation to the Council on the formation of a bike task force. A note will be sent to the list serv prior to the meeting to encourage participation.
Update: This was actually moved up to the July 28 session and notice went out to the EBC list serv, and LIB and CBF members in the area.
Green Fest – August 9
Preparations for the Fest are coming along well though the volunteering has been slim. The Club will lead rides on a 4.5 mile course starting at the Gazebo on Spring Road and ending at Eldridge Park. Standard Club ride sheets will be signed by all participating to address any liability issues. It was suggested that a route sheet be prepared to return people from Wilder Park to the Gazebo. Because the ride leaders will be returning to the Gazebo to lead rides again it seemed that the leaders could help anyone back if that were necessary.
For the exhibit table we will have the following items on display: Club brochure and sample newsletters, Illinois Safe Biking booklet, wallet-size rules of the road, Trek’s “One World, Two Wheels” brochure. A “poster” should be displayed talking about the upcoming Council Public Affairs and Safety Committee meeting on Aug. 11. Bob Hoel will take care of this.
Sharon will contact Mary Moroney for the Club banner for our exhibit table as well as a couple of coolers (from the Metric Metro) to keep beverages cool for the volunteers.
Bob Hoel has put together a rough check list of details for the rides and exhibit table. This will be sent to Sharon, Joanne and Ray as they have experience with the Metric and they should feed back into Bob.
Ray will put out another note on the list serv to solicit the remaining needed volunteers. (Footnote: The silver-tongued devil was successful and we now have a couple of extras to cover non-shows.)
Bob will be putting out more detail on volunteer assignments before the event.
City Bike Ride
Discussions continue with Alderman Susan Rose to schedule a ride for city officials (both staff and elected officials). Our committee has identified Aug 22 as a good possibility. This date will be passed on to Susan. The purpose of this ride is to provide the officials with perspective of what it is like to bike in the downtown and near downtown area. This approach has been used successfully in other communities.
Traffic Citation
Jerome Hughes, an EBC member, received a traffic citation from the Oak Brook Terrace police. It appears that the citation was issued incorrectly on at least a couple of accounts. EBC will assist Jerome in any way that we can. Bob has been in contact with Ed Barsotti, LIB Exec. Dir., to clarify the laws and to identify an attorney who might be willing to work on a pro bono basis with Jerome. Bob will also meet with Mark Collins, the OBT Police Chief, to discuss the issue of biking in OBT and biking on Butterfield Road in particular in the hopes of learning the Chief’s thoughts on what is and isn’t allowed. The hope is to get the Chief to acknowledge that biking in this area is permitted (as stated in the State laws) and to educate his officers accordingly. It is unlikely that the Chief can rescind a citation once issued before it goes to court. A court date has not been set.
Bob Hoel mentioned that recently he had been cycling in OBT when a Fire Engine, not on a call, had made an illegal and abrupt right turn in front of him. A letter of complaint was filed with the Fire Chief and a written apology was received from the Chief explaining corrective and re-educational action taken with the officers involved.
Next Committee Meeting
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Bob Hoel. Please mark your calendars.