LEXINGTON BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee is an advisory committee to the Lexington Board of Selectmen. It replaces the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway committee which was established in 1992 and has since been dissolved.

The functions to be performed by the reorganized committee are listed below. These functions are to be performed consistent with the terms of the License Agreement of December 1987 between the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) and the Town of Lexington. The agreement specifies, "Lexington agrees that it will use the line segment as 'a Bikeway', a way established for the passage of bicycles and other conveyances which operate without motor power."

Members:

13 (including nine citizens appointed by Selectmen and four ex-officio members nominated by their respective boards or committees, representing the Selectmen, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and Recreation Committee)

Appointed By:

Board of Selectmen.

Length of Term:

Three years, staggered appointments.

Appointments Made:

September 30.

Functions:

The Committee shall advise the Selectmen on all matters relating to bicycle routes and general bicycle policy to serve the best interests of the Town of Lexington and its citizens and those of neighboring communities affected by these facilities. These functions include but are not limited to:

  1. Monitoring and advising on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway and on other approved routes in Town with attention to such factors as safety, landscaping, drainage, signage, and other related factors.
  2. Monitoring and advising on the operation, maintenance, and security of the Lexington bicycling facilities with the objective of encouraging their harmonious use and enjoyment by a variety of patrons, including all non-motorized users.
  3. Working with Town officials, State agencies and representatives of nearby towns to develop connecting bikeways and bicycle routes, agreed upon rules of the road and consistent policies and procedures for the operation, maintenance and security of the Bikeway and other bicycle routes.
  4. Collaborating with non-government groups and associations to encourage and coordinate participation in the care and maintenance of Lexington bicycle facilities, safety programs, and other educational efforts.
  5. Working with Town committees and employees and with commercial interests to promote bicycling activities and amenities that will benefit Lexington and other communities.
  6. Articulating and responding to the concerns and interests of abutters, commuters, and other users of the Lexington bicycling facilities.
  7. Reviewing and advising on proposals for the extension of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway and its linkage to bikeways in adjacent towns.

Criteria for Membership:

The citizens should be committed to the functioning of the Committee. Citizen members will serve for three-year terms on a staggered basis, with three to be appointed or reappointed each year at the end of September.

A position of honorary membership shall be given for life to individuals by unanimous committee vote for their extraordinary service to committee goals and to the community at large.

Policies and Procedures:

Meetings will be held bimonthly throughout the year, alternating with Friends of the Minuteman Bikeway and at a specific date, time and place announced in advance. All meetings will be open to the public.

Minutes will be taken at each meeting.

On its first meeting following the appointment process, the Committee will elect one of its members to serve as Chair for the following year. The Chair can be removed for cause at any time by a majority vote of members present in public meeting, providing a quorum of seven (7) Committee members are present.

The Chair may appoint ad hoc subcommittees from the membership from time to time to study specific issues of concern to the Committee. Such ad hoc groups shall serve for periods not exceeding one year, unless formally extended, and their work will deal exclusively with the purpose announced when created.

Reference:

Original charge adopted by the Selectmen on October 21, 1992; revised November 1994. Charge revised November 2001.