HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-2025 Fairhope Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee Meeting MinutesFairhope Pedestrian & Bicycle Committee Minutes – July 2025
Attendees
Committee Members – Katie Bolton, Chris Riley, Gary Gover, Morgan Russell,
Mike Walker, Cal Cooper, Jack Graves
Guests – Fairhope Chief of Police - Stephanie Hollinghead; Staff Liaison - Nicole
Love; Fairhope Resident - Cathy Wall
Member Absence – Johnny Pruitt
Call to Order: 4:36 pm
Review/Approve May 2025 Meeting minutes: May Meeting minutes approved as
written
Administrative Items:
Committee voted and approved Katie Bolton as committee chairperson
Committee voted and approved Morgan Russell as secretary
Agenda Items:
SS4A (Safe Streets for All)
o Chief Hollinghead noted a reduction in traffic accidents with a goal to
reduce by 50% by 2035
o Attributed the reduction to installation of roundabouts and the electronic
speed displays (speed trailers)
Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Ordinance
o Discussed possibility of a city ordinance or state law regarding vulnerable
road users (pedestrians, cyclists, roadside workers, etc).
o Which could mean treating a case where a VRU is impacted be handled
differently than a vehicular accident (i.e. stiffer penalties).
o Chief Hollinghead noted that we will need to include the city attorney
Marcus McDowell in these discussions – Katie Bolton, Chief Hollinghead,
and Marcus McDowell
Electric Bicycles and Multi-use Paths
o Cathy Wall asked question regarding E-bike rules and are they supposed
to follow bike rules or vehicle rules. Katie clarified that currently e-bikes
are considered a bicycle and bicycles are to follow the same rules of the
road as vehicles.
o Open discussion among participants showed that there was a common
concern of reckless use of e-bikes on multi-use paths and sidewalks
throughout the city.
o Committee to investigate city ordinances around the country regarding e-
bike use on multi-use paths to determine what exists and could be
implemented in Fairhope – Morgan Russell volunteered to research and
send findings to Chief Hollinghead
Bicycle Racks at Eastern Shore Art Center
o Racks have been received
o Lindsey Lawrence (ESAC) helping to coordinate the project
o Johnny Prewitt (committee member coordinating on location)
Triangle Property
o Flying Creek Preserve (North Portion) is progressing and have a ribbon
cutting ceremony tentatively planned in August
o South portion focusing more on bike uses is still in the planning / approval
process
Environmental Committee
o Discussion of the city green space and the possibility of connecting green
spaces for pedestrians and cyclists
o Chris Riley and Cal Cooper volunteered to reach out to environmental
committee to work together on picking a common project
Open Discussion
o Cal inquired on past committee meeting notes and access to a possible
Google Drive – Katie to research
o Cathy asked about the rules around crosswalks with the city
Open discussion around pedestrians have the right of way in
crosswalks, using common sense, and making eye contact with
driver. Don’t assume that the driver sees you and yield to the driver
if necessary
Next Meeting – September 9th @ 4:00 pm
Meeting Adjourned – 5:38 pm
Submitted: Morgan Russell