November BPAC Meeting Report
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November BPAC Meeting Report
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee’s regular meeting was November 17. Meeting video can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/7dNVLEs1Qto?si=HOJ-ZRsSMxIQkmS9
The next meeting is at 5 p.m. December 5 in Sonny West Auditorium at Howard School.
Ascend Theater Greenway
As part of the agreement to manage Ascend Theater with Opry Entertainment Group the contract includes upgrades to the theater including the greenway. They promised to keep the greenways open 24/7 and to build an elevated trail between the theater and the river at a cost of $1 million. The presentation to BPAC from OEG with design details can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/7dNVLEs1Qto?si=T97G3wPME8Mu1A8I&t=2571
The design is also included in the agenda linked above.
Bike and Scooter Share Update
Most of you are familiar with BCycle the bike share system that has been in Nashville for over 10 years. They have fewer bikes today, about 200, than in the past. BCycle was owned by Trek Bicycle Corporation but was purchased by Bicycle Transit Systems an operator from Philadelphia that uses Trek/BCycle equipment.
BCycle is legally a “shared urban mobility device” operator under Metro law and is required to have a contract approved by the Transportation Licensing Commission. TLC is responsible for regulation of SUMDs including Lime, Spin and Bird scooters and bikes. Nashville currently has larger bike share, about 500 from those three companies, than at any time in history. That is because the TLC requires a minimum number of bikes available along with scooters.
NDOT reported to BPAC about the BCycle contract at the meeting. They have been working on an RFP since early 2024 and the process is not yet complete. BTS proposed a 10-year contract and a system funded by the sale of advertising in the public right of way on BCycle stations. After months of negotiations, a second RFP, more negotiations, and more legal questions the contract is now in review at the Mayor’s office. There is a significant lack of transparency in this process but my guess is there are objections to the advertising piece (just a guess).
The contracts for the dockless scooter/bike share end early next year. NDOT is working on a new RFP that could provide for expansion of micromobility in Nashville. The O’Connell administration has no plan for any of this unless it’s hidden away somewhere.
The SUMD operators pay fees to the TLC of about $300,000 per year. BPAC requested that NDOT staff research and report on where all that money went. It could be used for additional NDOT staff at TLC to expand and manage micromobility.
TPAC Deal and Siegenthaler Bike/Ped Bridge
Metro has reached agreement to build a new Tennessee Performing Arts Center on the East Bank. Previous communications with Metro staff indicated this may include changes to the Siegenthaler Bike/Ped Greenway. Hopefully, BPAC will ask the East Bank management team for an update on any designs. We were promised that the bridge would always be open.
An update on the ridiculous six-lane stroad planned for the East Bank was on the BPAC agenda. There was no report made because Metro Government obviously cannot make a decision or they’re keeping it secret (in my humble opinion).
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and condolences to all the turkey families destroyed by the holiday.
Obviously, this report is from the perspective of one BPAC member. If you have any questions about these issues that I can’t say publicly just get in touch with me.