Andrea Suhaka lead the virtual TSAC meeting via Zoom on Thursday, June 18th, 2020. Twenty members were in attendance. Matthew Helfant, the DRCOG Senior Transportation Planner, & Lisa Houde kicked off the meeting by presenting DRCOG’s Coordinated Transit Plan to the group. Attendees gave feedback on the priorities of the plan, which included transit-friendly land use, increased focus on non-medical trips, and better allocation of funds.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of TSAC bylaws. The bylaws were approved, and a TSAC Vice President was appointed.
TSAC’s intern, Alyssia Simpson, reviewed the group’s Strategic Plan. Comments and amendments were made, and a committee dedicated to developing the plan was formed.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 sharp. Next meeting is Thursday, July 16th from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
Over the last few months, Denverites have seen the benefits of fewer cars on the road: cleaner air; quieter streets; and more room to walk, bike, and roll. Demand for bicycles was so high that Denver bike shops actually experienced a shortage of inventory as more people started biking around for recreation and transportation. Now as the city begins to open back up but social distancing requirements remain in place, bicycling is one way to prevent traffic, pollution, and noise from returning to their previous levels.
Before the pandemic, an estimated 50,000 people drove alone into downtown every day, with a quarter of those coming from just 5 miles away. As many Denver residents have been finding out, five miles or less is an enjoyable and reasonable distance to travel by bike. So if you’ve recently started biking around your neighborhood and are interested in trying out bike commuting, Bicycle Colorado’s Neighborhood Navigators are here to help!
The Neighborhood Navigators program is designed to build urban biking know-how and confidence among would-be bike commuters living near and commuting to downtown Denver. The program objective is to get more people on bikes more often, and in particular, as an alternative to driving alone into the city.
Through this program, experienced bike commuters, known as “Navigators,” will be matched up with less experienced “would-be bike commuters.” These trained, vetted and paid Navigators will show you, turn-by-turn and block-by-block, how to commute by bike from your home to work and back — safely and conveniently. Even if you’re not back in the office yet, it’s a great time to start trying out different routes to work by hopping on your bike. To sign up for this free service, visit the Bicycle Colorado website!
Like many rapidly growing cities across the United States, Denver wrestles with its car-prioritized legacy of interstate building and exit expansions through its increasingly traffic-snarled communities. Just off the Lincoln/Broadway exit today, the dangerous, multilane urban arterial roadway we know as Lincoln Street whisks cars as quickly as possible from I-25 into downtown. Not surprisingly, drivers take full advantage. They speed—and they crash—placing Lincoln in the High Injury Network. Read more
DENVER — The community pulled together thousands of dollars to help a paleta man after he was beaten unconscious earlier this month. Antonio Ramirez-Chavez, 64, was beaten on Thursday, June 11 by several suspects after selling paletas (Mexican-style popsicles) and snacks from his cart. The thieves assaulted Chavez and robbed him, taking off with $65. Read more
DRCOG’s Technical Advisory Committee held 2 work sessions to further talk through and refine the proposed next steps for developing the 2050 MVRTP addressing project eligibility, solicitation, and evaluation. Revisions focused on two aspects: • Revising the content of the proposed next steps based on feedback received • More clearly communicating the intent of the proposed concepts. One of the most important concepts underpinning proposed next steps to 2050 MVRTP regional investment priorities is expressed as the “Policy Framework and Desired Outcomes.” This framework was revised and depicted in a diagram that was inclusive of all the DRCOG plans and processes (Vison Zero, Coordinated Transit Plan, etc.) as well as planning efforts and processes from RTD, CDOT, FTA, and local governments/districts. Major themes for proposed MVRTP projects were presented as well.
The proposed solicitation process would take place through county transportation forums and a review of projects between DRCOG, RTD, and CDOT with an evaluation committee making recommendations to the TAC. TAC will determine investment priorities to send to RTC. For more information visit these links to the June 8th and June 15th work sessions.
Making transit safe and attractive for the youth in Sun Valley – Julia Wcislo, CDOT
Potential subcommittees:
- Outreach to various community stakeholders to be involved in the process and expand to other neighborhoods throughout Denver
- Create resources such as:
- Rider guides
- Identifying app based transit resource for youth
- Connecting youth to programs that help them become more experienced and confident public transportation users
- Connecting youth and transit police by working with a transit police to implement strategies to improve relations and create open dialogue between these two groups
- Access various datasets to help improve outcomes for youth in transit. For example:
- Showing percentage change in number of youth transit passes purchased
- Acquire data surrounding time it takes for youth to get to school and after school programs by taking public transportation
DenverConnect– Olga Garcia, Denver Office on Aging
- The Denver Office on Aging advocates for Denver’s older population by helping local agencies develop policies and programs that will improve the quality of life and accessibility to care and culture for aging residents.
- Denver Commission on Aging strives to make Denver the best community for older adults to age in place through advocacy, empowerment, and policy.
- DenverConnect:
- Mobile resource center designed to connect older adults with information.
- Brings city services and resources to neighborhoods, assisted living centers, and places where large concentrations of older adults are gathered. The program targets low-income and racial/ethnic minorities.
Member Sharing and Announcements
- RTD will start fare collection July 1st and the free Mall Ride will start June 21st.
- WestConnects will be at the Federal Center Station and Decatur-Federal Center to promote transit and learn what fears the public may have with returning to transit.
- DRCOG has free RTD tickets for people over 65 who live within the DRCOG region.
- DRMAC is having a Transportation Options Workshop on July 7th to train anyone who provides rides and/or connects clients with transportation options.
Next meeting:
July 15, 2020; 9-10 AM
Zoom Meeting
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