Burlington Walk-Bike Council — Burlington, VT
Date: 2023-02-01
Time: 17:30

AGENDA - Burlington Walk / Bike Council
 February 1, 2023, Wednesday 6:00 – 7:30 pm
MEETING OPTIONS:
 1. In-person - DPW conference room at 645 Pine Street, Burlington
 2. Virtually - using Zoom:
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88225473951?pwd=YzFFQ1Q3Y3J4bzcwR2VNYWRFWnht
 UT09
 Passcode: 091788 (See other remote access options below)

AGENDA:
1. Introductions, Announcements, Updates and Public Comments (15 min)

2. Discussion on Possible Updates to City Ordinances Affecting Walking and Biking
(70 min)
As a follow up to the discussion at the December 12, 2022 BWBC meeting, we will review
a list of City ordinances and policies that have an impact on improved walking and biking
conditions, determine if there are others that should be included on the list, and determine
any priority items to address this year. Please review this Policy/Ordinance discussion list
in advance of the meeting to familiarize yourself with the discussion topic and to identify
any missing policy items.

3. Next Steps (5 min)


Previous Meeting – At the meeting on January 4 DPW staff gave an update on the Great Streets
Main Street project, with a focus on intersection design. Consultants for the project evaluated
roundabout intersections and signalized intersections, recommending the latter. Participants raised
concerns about the modeling and requested that four way stops be modeled as a possible
alternative.

Next Month: BWBC Meets Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

The BWBC is an all-volunteer advisory council to the City of Burlington. We work closely with and advise the Department
of Public Works and the Department of Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront on infrastructure improvements and policy
changes for walking and bicycling. The council also leads advocacy efforts and organizes events and activities that
promote and celebrate walking and biking in Burlington and beyond.

See www.burlingtonwalkbike.org (under construction) and BWBC Minutes and Agendas .
BWBC Community Liaisons
Erik Brown Brotz*, Ward 5, erik@burlingtontelecom.net, Chair
Greg Hostetler, Ward 2
Faith Ingulsrud*, Ward 6
Peter Keating, Ward 6
Karen Sentoff, Ward 4
Jason Stuffle*, Ward 1
Kerry Swift, Ward 4
Allegra Williams, Ward 3
* = BWBC Coordinating Committee



Remote access options for non-ZOOM participation: Phone one-tap : US:
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Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 301
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+1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 882 2547 3951 Passcode: 091788. International numbers available:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdoOfuotqF
 2023
Policy/Ordinance Topics
 Burlington Walk Bike Council
 February 1, 2023
 Potential Policy/Ordinance Topics
1. Pedestrian prioritization at traffic signals 9. Reduce barriers to neighborhood street
 closures
2. Automatic pedestrian cycle at high use
 signalized intersection 10. Neighborhood-wide resident-only parking

3. Idaho Stop 11. Updating Article I definitions to align with
 state definitions and regulations of e-bikes
4. No right on red
 12. Riding abreast prohibition
5. Remove potentially problematic aspects of 13. Dissemination of information
 pedestrian ordinance
 14. Impounding of biycles
6. Local complete streets policy
 15. Coasting/sliding restricted
7. Update/strengthen bike parking ordinance
 16. Reduce requirements for in-street crosswalk
8. Prevent sump pumps from discharging water signs
 onto sidewalks and streets
 17. Fire code & 24' minimum clearance
 Ordinance or
 Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?


 1. Pedestrian prioritization at traffic signals
Infrastructure Unclear Provide an advanced pedestrian phase Yes; "Establish pedestrian priority at all signalized
 at signalized crosswalks, allowing crosswalks, adjusting signal timing to provide
 pedestrians to start crossing before advance pedestrian phasing."
 motorized traﬃc is allowed to proceed.



 2. Automatic pedestrian cycle at high use signalized intersection
Infrastructure Unclear In high foot-traffic areas, change Yes; "Throughout Burlington’s downtown core and
 signals to automatically include a in high-foot traffic areas (such as UVM, and North
 pedestrian cycle during high traffic Street), pedestrian crossings should be timed to
 times, and during other times allow for cycle through automatically, without the need for
 rapid response to a push-button push-button activation. "
 request for a walk signal
 Ordinance or
  Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 3. Idaho Stop
Motor Ordinance Idaho stop laws typically allow people on Yes; Adopt the Idaho Stop Law - a law that allows
Vehicles bikes to treat stop signs as yield signs if no cyclists to treat a stop sign as a yield sign and a
and Traffic other vehicles are present at the intersection. red light as a stop sign. This law would also allow
 Unclear if BTV can do this without changes to cyclists to proceed cautiously through a red light
 state law. phase at T-Intersections.



This may be complicated by state law (23 V.S.A. § 1048), and Burlington ordinance 20-2

20-2 Compliance with chapter and state law required.
No person shall operate or cause to be operated any vehicle on any street of this city except in compliance with this chapter and
applicable state laws.
20-26 Stops at intersections.
(a) When stop signs are erected at or near the entrance to any intersection, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop
before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or if there is no crosswalk shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if
none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway
before entering the intersection, except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic control-signal.
(b) After the driver of a vehicle has stopped in obedience to a stop sign at an intersection where a stop sign is erected at one (1) or more
entrances thereto, such driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or
which is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard, but said driver having so yielded may proceed
and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle so proceeding.
Relevant State Law
23 V.S.A. § 1048 Stop or yield intersections

  (a) Preferential right of way at an intersection may be indicated by “stop” signs or “yield” signs.

 (b) Except when directed to proceed by an enforcement officer or traffic-control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop
intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near
side of the intersection, or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching
traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right of way to any
vehicle that has entered the intersection from another highway or that is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an
immediate hazard during the time when such driver is moving across or within the intersection.

 (c) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to the yield sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the
existing conditions and, if required for safety to stop, shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or,
if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting
roadway. After slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another
highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection.
However, if the driver is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, the
collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the driver’s failure to yield right of way. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff.
March 1, 1973; amended 1995, No. 73 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
 Ordinance or
  Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 4. No right on red
Infrastructure Ordinance Prohibit right on red for cars citywide or in a certain area


20-121 Traffic-control signals generally.

(e) Turn on red after stop: Except when a traffic-control device is in place prohibiting a turn on red or a steady red arrow signal indication
is displayed, vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make the turn indicated by such sign
after stopping as required by subsection (c) of this section. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within
the adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. The right to proceed with the turn shall be subject to the rules
applicable after making a stop at a STOP sign.
 Ordinance or
  Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 5. Remove potentially problematic aspects of pedestrian ordinance
Motor Ordinance Ordinances dictating where, when, and how people cross No
Vehicles and streets on foot. These can be used for pretextual stops,
Traffic and may also remove liability for drivers in crashes.

Violations are considered civil violations subject to $50 - $200 fine per 20-13. Ordinances to consider removing or adjusting:
20-135 Obedience to directions and signals: All pedestrians shall be subject to and comply with any direction of any member of the
police department and directions of all official traffic-control signs. Where such devices are not installed pedestrians shall be granted
those rights and be subject to the regulations as set out in this article.
20-136 Pedestrian-control signal: Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the term "Walk" or "Wait" or "Don’t Walk" are
in place such signals shall indicate as follows:
(a) Walk: Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the
right-of-way by drivers of all vehicles.
(b) Wait or Don’t Walk: No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially
completed his crossing on the "Walk" signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone while the "Wait" or "Don’t Walk" signal is
showing.
20-137 Manner of crossing street: No pedestrian shall cross a roadway at any point other than by a route at right angles to the curb or
by the shortest route to the opposite curb except in a crosswalk.
20-141 When pedestrians to yield to vehicles: Any pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway when:
(a) Crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection; and
(b) Crossing a roadway at any point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided.
20-143 Walking on roadway: Where sidewalks are provided it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along or upon an adjacent
roadway. Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking along or upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the
left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction.
 Ordinance or
  Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 6. Local complete streets policy
Infrastructure Ordinance Establish a Complete Streets ordinance for Burlington that
 is more comprehensive than the statewide Complete
 Streets law. Could require a certain level of traffic stress
 be achieved in projects.

 7. Update/strengthen bike parking ordinance
Infrastructure Ordinance Some updates recommended in PlanBTV Walk/Bike have Yes; See PlanBTV Walk/Bike, Pg.
 been incorporated, others have not. Parking ratio 152 for recommended revisions and
 requirements are supposed to be revisited every 5 years. additions

  8. Prevent sump pumps from discharging water onto sidewalks and streets
Development Ordinance Some sump pumps and foundation drains discharge water
ordinance in a way that results in water draining onto adjacent
 sidewalks and streets, resulting in walking and biking
 hazards, especially in winter. Provide enforcement to
 ensure that the sump pumps discharge into the sewage
 system or, if to the exterior, that they do not drain iinto
 sidewalks and roadways,
 Ordinance or
  Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 9. Reduce barriers to neighborhood street closures
Motor Ordinance Make it easier for residents to utilize neighborhood streets Sort of; Increase Open Streets event
Vehicles and for socializing, events, etc. frequency to 4 per year by 2018, with
Traffic the addition of play streets events in
 interested neighborhoods.


20-5 Play streets
(a) The traffic commission may declare any street or part thereof a play street and place appropriate signs or devices in the roadway
indicating and helping to protect the same.
(b) Whenever authorized signs are placed, erected or installed designating any street or portion thereof as a play street pursuant to the
provisions of this section, no person shall drive a motor vehicle upon such designated street, except persons who have business or who
reside within such designated street, and all such persons shall exercise the greatest care when driving upon such play street.

27-9 Playing games in street, marketplace or public park.
No person shall play at ball or at any game of chance or skill upon a street or upon any portion of the Church Street Marketplace District
without consent of the Marketplace Commission. Nor shall any person play at ball or at any game of chance or skill in a public park
without the consent of the park commissioners."
 Ordinance or
  Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 10. Neighborhood-wide resident-only parking
Motor Ordinance Allow resident-only parking areas to include more than
Vehicles and one street. Currently only residents of the named street
Traffic may park on it. Allowing residents of major streets to park
 on adjacent streets would potentially make it easier to
 remove on-street parking on the major street.



27 No parking except with resident parking permit.
(f) Permits. Parking services shall issue resident parking permits only to residents of streets, or portions thereof, that are designated
"resident parking only" for parking on that street pursuant to subsection (i) of this section.
 Ordinance or
  Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

11. Updating Article 1 definitions to align with state definitions and regulations
 of e-bikes
Motor Ordinance Burlington ordinance refers to e-bikes as either
Vehicles and motor-assisted bicycles or motor-assisted micromobility
Traffic devices, rather than using the three-class +
 motor-assisted bicycle system in state law. Also prohibits
 all motor-assisted bicycles and motor-assisted
 micromobility devices from sidewalks. This is not
 necessarily a bad thing, but something to discuss.

6-1 Definitions.
Bicycle: Any pedal-driven device propelled entirely by human power and having two (2) or more wheels.
Motor-assisted bicycle: Any bicycle with fully operable pedals and equipped with a motor that in itself is capable of producing a speed of
no more than thirty (30) miles per hour on a paved level surface. A motor-assisted bicycle is not a motor vehicle or micromobility device
and shall obey all traffic regulations applicable to bicycles, except as otherwise provided by law or other ordinances.
Motor-assisted micromobility device: Any motor-assisted device for personal transportation. This includes any device with no more than
three (3) wheels and a motor that in itself is capable of producing a speed of no more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour on a paved
level surface. Motor-assisted micromobility devices are not motor vehicles and shall obey all traffic regulations applicable to
motor-assisted bicycles, except as otherwise provided by law or other ordinances.
6-3 Riding on sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian pathways and in parks.
(f) No person shall operate a motor-assisted bicycle, motor-assisted micromobility device, pedi-cab or pedi-bus upon any sidewalk.
 Ordinance or
 Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 12. Riding abreast prohibition
Motor Ordinance Prohibits riding abreast "in traffic" except for when passing.
Vehicles and
Traffic
6-7 Riding abreast.
No person shall ride or propel a bicycle in traffic abreast of any other person riding a bicycle, except for the purposes of passing.

 13. Dissemination of information
Motor Ordinance Requires anyone who sells or rents a bike to provide
Vehicles and information about state and local laws governing operation
Traffic of bicycles.
6-15 Dissemination of information.
(a) Every person engaged in the sale or dissemination of bicycles shall inform each purchaser of city ordinances and state laws
governing the operation of bicycles.
(b) Every person engaged in the business of renting bicycles shall inform each person who rents a bicycle of the city ordinances and
state laws governing the operation of bicycles."
 Ordinance or
 Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 14. Impounding of bicycles
Motor Ordinance Allows police to impound someone's bicycle for second or
Vehicles and subsequent violations of the bicycle ordinance within a
Traffic 12-month period.
6-17 Enforcement.
(b) Subsequent offenses. In addition to any civil penalties provided for in section 27-21, a law enforcement officer apprehending a person
for a second or subsequent violation of this section during any twelve-month period may impound the bicycle.

 15. Coasting/sliding restricted
Motor Ordinance Seems to prohibit the use of sleds and also possibly skis
Vehicles and and other vehicles on streets as well as sidewalks (?)
Traffic Unclear what this ordinance is trying to regulate.
20-6 Coasting or sliding restricted.
No person shall coast, course or slide on a sled, sleigh or other vehicle in a street upon the sidewalks thereof, except such streets as shall
be designated by the city council or the mayor.
 Ordinance or
  Category Description In PlanBTV Walk/Bike?
 Policy?

 16. Reduce requirements for in-street crosswalk signs
Motor Policy DPW currently requires a resident to volunteer to monitor
Vehicles and and remove/install in-street crosswalk signs in order for
Traffic them to be used

 17. Fire code & 24' minimum clearance
Fire Code Unclear No mention of a minimum clear width found in VT Fire
 Code or in Burlington ordinance. Clarification needed as to
 whether this is a regulation we are adhering to or an
 informal policy.

 Burlington has adopted the National Fire Prevention Code
 (NFPA). The current (2021) edition says: Fire apparatus
 roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20
 ft (6.1m) (18.2.3.5.1.1). Unclear why we are requiring an
 additional 4' of clearance in Burlington.
 Burlington Walk Bike Council (BWBC)
 February 1, 2023 Meeting Notes
The monthly meeting took place 6:00- 7:30 pm via Zoom and at the DPW Office.

In-Person Attendees: Erik Brotz - Chair (Ward 5), Jak Tiano, Ryan Thornton, Bob Leidy, Grey
Johnson, Ravi Venkataraman and Julia Ursaki from DPW.

Online Attendees: Faith Ingulsrud (Ward 6), Dan Castrigano, Mary Manghis, Jonathan Weber
(Local Motion), Jason Stuffle (Ward 1), Gordon Dragoon, Serrill Flash, Jason Segelman.

A recording of the meeting is available here.

1. Introductions, Announcements and Public Comments
Erik Brotz opened the meeting. Participants introduced themselves and some made the
following announcements and comments:

 ● Erik will forward an announcement about a 2/15 Public Works Commission meeting on
 removing the on-street parking on North Winooski Ave to allow for a continuation of the
 bike lane. It’s important to have supporters there as there are still objectors who could
 influence the decision.
 ● Discussed the observation that unlike other cities, many of Burlington’s main corridors
 still have on-street parking and the adjoining neighborhood streets often have residents
 only parking so it’s hard to get the parking removed on the corridor streets. Removing
 the exclusive resident parking on side streets would allow for parking to be taken off the
 main streets.
 ● Public Works Commission has to vote to take parking off the main roads - they hold the
 decision.
 ● Following up on discussion from last month, Jason Stuffle reported that that he entered a
 SeeClickFix (SCF) for flashing lights on Colchester Ave at night to be reprogrammed to
 green on the main road and red on the side road with sensors/crosswalks giving right of
 way to side streets and pedestrians.

2. Discussion on Possible Updates to City Ordinances Affecting Walking and
Biking
Erik led a discussion of possible Policy/Ordinance updates using a presentation accompanying
these meeting notes. With 17 items, there will need to be a discussion about priorities - which
to address in the short term and those to address later.

 1. Pedestrian prioritization at traffic signals
 2. Automatic pedestrian cycle at high use signalized intersection
 ● Julia explained that the city is already installing new signals with
 pedestrian priority but not all old signals can be upgraded.
 ● Serrill mentioned that these first two items seem like the highest priority
 on the list
 ● Participants requested information about how many of the signals in the
 city are so old that they can’t be reprogrammed to provide Pedestrian
 priority.
 ● Julia said that decisions to replace old signals are made based on
 circumstances and context such as the concentration of older people in
 the area.
 ● Jason St. expressed concern about this approach as people who can’t
 cross quickly may be walking anywhere in the city.
 ● Participants listed some of the crosswalks that don’t allow enough time for
 pedestrians to cross:
 ○ Riverside Ave Path to Col Ave
 ○ Battery and College
 ○ Main St, East Ave, East Terrace, Spear
 ○ Catamount Lane, East Ave
 ○ Edmonds school RFB crosswalk
 ● Jason said he would send DPW a list of all those he is aware of.
 ● Driver speeds need to be reduced.
 ● In Burlington bicyclists are allowed to use the crosswalk on a green
 pedestrian light.
 ● Look at Main St. for future meeting - impact of bike/ped bridge and
 ensuring there are connections into the city. Julia mentioned there is
 VTRANS study on connections with the bridge starting up soon.

3. Idaho Stop - allows bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs. There’s some
 question of whether State law would allow municipalities to adopt this.
 Participants mentioned that they already do this when riding.

4. No right on red - discussed whether it would be practical to enact and enforce
 citywide. Signs would be necessary at every intersection.

5. Remove potentially problematic aspects of pedestrian ordinance - these include
 the types of provisions that prohibit jaywalking. Overall participants expressed
 support for this but discussion included the following points:
 ● Don’t spend a lot energy on the ordinances - focus on more physical
 structural changes that change behavior rather than legal wording that
 won’t do much
 ● ACTION - Provide a list to the city council ordinance committee and see
 how they feel
 ● Removing these provisions might seem merely symbolic since it’s not
 likely anyone has been fined recently. But you never know what the
 future will bring. Get rid of the rules that don’t make sense before they
 get enforced inappropriately.
 ● Removing these rules could be easy wins. Particularly #5 and #12.
 ● Clear up ordinance to a readable amount of actual useful information.
 Make it clear and concise
 ● Might seem symbolic but it’s important to remove the way the rules favor
 driving over other modes
 6. Local complete streets policy - there is a state complete streets policy but
 Burlington could have stronger wording in its policy and make it apply to all
 projects. For example a policy could dictate a certain time response for a
 pedestrian at an intersection.
 ● “Traffic stress” in the complete streets context is a measure only for
 bicycles. Does not consider the speed of traffic next to pedestrians (i.e
 Winooski Bridge).
 ● Need to update traffic study methods in Burlington to include more
 multimodal criteria and emphasis and not just use the state traffic study
 criteria.
 ● Consider adding a policy around maximum delay for pedestrians
 ● State policy part of Act 250 process; local review is through Design
 Review Board - easier to change

 7. Update/strengthen bike parking ordinance - this would apply to new development
 or changes in use and needs to be updated both for the thresholds when bike
 parking provisions are triggered and for the ratios of parking required. Current
 ordinance results in inadequate bike parking facilities.

 8. Prevent sump pumps from discharging water onto sidewalks and streets - due to
 the ice that forms on sidewalks and bike paths from the water discharged by
 sump pumps. Often the driveways on a property also become a conduit for
 water. Not clear what the best solution might be.

 9. Reduce barriers to neighborhood street closures - Make it easier to close
 neighborhood streets for single day events, and to allow larger events like
 OpenStreets more often.

 10. Neighborhood-wide resident-only parking - by eliminating this provision we could
 remove a barrier to parking removal on corridor streets, and it would help achieve
 higher parking utilization on side streets.

Participants noted that the items 11-15 were low hanging fruit with changes that could
easily be presented to the city council for consideration (see discussion under #5):
 11. Updating Article I definitions to align with state definitions and regulations of
 e-bikes
 12. Riding abreast prohibition
 13. Dissemination of information
 14. Impounding of bicycles
 15. Coasting/sliding restricted

 16. Reduce requirements for in-street crosswalk signs - there was little or no
 discussion on this item.

 17. Fire code & 24' minimum clearance - Jonathan noted that Burlington requires
 road widths for fire lanes to be 4’ wider than is required in the Fire Code. Julia
 responded that fire trucks need clearance to extend their outriggers when
 stabilizing to about 16 feet wide. Fire trucks are 8 to 9 feet wide - get actual max
 vehicle size. Other questions were raised about a possible difference between
 lane width and clear zone, and requirements for arterials vs. other streets.

Erik asked about where we go from here with deciding which policy changes to address.
Participants discussed the need to classify these 17 items into categories. Also consider how
much work and time it will take to pursue the items? How likely are they to succeed?
Make sure the proposed changes in the pedestrian and bike ordinances are agreed upon before
sending them to the city.

3. Next Steps
The Coordinating Committee will take the input from this meeting and further categorize the
items, obtain more information, and survey or set up a way to prioritize the items. They will also
draft a proposal for the “simple ordinance changes” before the next meeting. Gordon and Jak
offered to help.

In response to a question about whether the regularly scheduled BWBC meetings should start
at 5:30 PM instead of 6:00, there were no objections to changing the start time.

Erik closed the meeting shortly after 7:30 PM.