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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2017-06-13 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th June 13, 2017 ȃ ΐ ȃ CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. L. Paprocki, Ms. K. Young, E. Bliefert, D. Brotherston, M Drasdo, D. Hoshowsky, and J. Williams. Staff: Mr. J. Barton, Multi-use Pathways and Trails Project Manager Mr. D. Pimentel, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager Ms. H. Kelly, Active Transportation Marketing and Events Student Delegates: Mr. B. Cronkite, Interim Manager of Transportation Planning, City of Kitchener 1. BIKESHARE Mr. D. Pimentel spoke about his involvement with IMPACT (Intermunicipal Partnership for Active Transportation) and the goal to enhance the current Bikeshare system in the Waterloo Region. Mr. D. Pimentel said information has been gathered in regards to Hamilton Sobi system and exploring different options. Mr. D. Pimentel said they are working on a feasibility study, and the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo have the funds available. The Region and City of Cambridge still need to get the budget approved. Mr. D. Pimentel said the implementation cost needs to be looked into. Mr. D. Pimentel said this will be an expansion of the current Bikeshare system already in place. Mr. D. Pimentel said the benefit of a system like Sobi is the data it provides to cities; it is easy to track who is using the system and where. Councilor Y. Fernandes asked about the timeline for the feasibility study. Mr. D. Pimentel responded 2019/2020 would be the launch of the program Mr. M. Drasdo asked if someone is actively looking for grant money to implement a project like this. Mr. D. Pimentel responded that he is on a mailing list that alerts him when new grants are available. Mr. D. Pimentel said this project would not fit the criteria for the recent Ontario Municipal Cycling Commuter Program. Councilor Y. Fernandes suggested we would be reducing carbon emissions, so it may be possible for grant money eligibility. Mr. D. Pimentel stated approach. Mr. D. Brotherston responded that Montreal has also had a program similar for many years. Mr. J. Barton stated Hamilton implemented the program all at once and it was quite successful, which is the reasoning behind an implementation plan similar to . Montreal introduced their system in segments, which did not lead to a successful system. 2. 40 KM/H REPORT Mr. D. Pimentel stated staff wanted to propose to change the speed limit where there Mr. D. Pimentel said the first step is changing these streets to 40 km/h and then going from there. Mr. D. Brotherston asked if the City of Kitchener has data to support this change in speed, and if this changes how implementation is decided. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th June 13, 2017 ȃ Α ȃ CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. D. Pimentel explained this is not a standard policy, but rather raising awareness as the overall goal. Concerns were raised about associating the change in the speed limit with cycling as it may heighten pe on safety. Mr. D. Brotherston asked if there was data to support drivers respecting the 40 km/hr limit. Councilor Y. Fernandes spoke about the pilot projects through school zones and if that is being implemented throughout the City. It was agreed cycling infrastructure should be supported by the neighbourhood. Mr. B. Cronkite spoke to the speed limit slowing down in school zones. Mr. B. Cronkite Mr. B. Cronkite said more people will change their driving habits in these areas which will change their subconscious. Mr. M. Drasdo disagreed with this and believed drivers think less and the signs will not work. Mr. M. Drasdo suggested that road construction should be changed as a change of speed may not work with just signs. Mr. B. Cronkite responded that creating an association between bike infrastructure and 40km/h zones would create a safe driving mentality, similar to how people know to slow down in school zones. Ms. L. Paprocki spoke about increased fines in school zones, and asked if this would be the same for these zones. Mr. B. Cronkite responded that it would not be the same as it would be more about safety and education. Mr. M. Drasdo asked about how the City of Kitchener plans to educate. Mr. B. Cronkite responded saying distributing the information to the industries, getting involved in the media, and social network coverage. Mr. E. Bliefert raised concerns about potential confusion and frustration if there is an inconsistency with road speeds within a neighbourhood. Mr. B. Cronkite responded that the speed limit changes would be within the same area so there are not changes in only one area of a neighbourhood and the changes would mostly occur within the downtown core. Mr. D. Brotherston agreed it should be kept within the downtown core and cycling would not receive as much negativity or backlash. Mr. D. Brotherston asked about all residential streets being lowered to 40 km/h. Mr. B. Cronkite responded that it is a provincial wide initiative and all cities need to participate in order for it to be successful. Mr. B. Cronkite stated an endorsement would only be necessary from the committee one time, and for any further changes to 40 km/h endorsement would be assumed. On a motion by Mr. J. Williams - It was resolved and carried: The committee endorse the recommendation within the report presented by staff to reduce the speed limit to 40km/h on roadways that are designated primarily as shared use (i.e. sharrows) for a minimum of 75 meters. Mr. M. Drasdo calls for a vote on motion; 5 members support the motion and two members did not vote KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th June 13, 2017 ȃ Β ȃ CITY OF KITCHENER 3. TRAILS AND WAYFINDING SIGNAGE Councillor Y. Fernandes started by suggesting signage should include distances to specific places. Mr. J. Barton said this is a major priority for next year. Mr. J. Barton suggested that the subcommittee find information for signage to expedite the process. Mr. J. Barton said most trails have yet to be named and that there is still much work to be done in deciding on wayfinding sign locations, as well as the level of information to include on them such as trail name, trail information, accessibility description, and proximity to the next intersection or amenity. Subcommittee can also provide other relevant information. Mr. J. Barton is interested in feedback with regards to where wayfinding signage should be located and opinions on the level of information required at each station. Mr. J. Barton asked that any interested committee members, or anyone else with a fair understanding of what is required, identify possible sign locations using a Google Doc chart of possible sign information (to be made available on the KCTAC Google Drive) for each proposed sign location. o Mr. D. Brotherston suggested a form/map where people can contribute to data. o Mr. M. Drasdo stated sign uniformity is important. o Mr. E. Bliefert said there needs to be inventory done regarding what information is available now. Mr. E. Bliefert provided photos to show the different signs and what information is on them. o Mr. E. Bliefert suggested taking the best ideas from different cities and make the best signage possible, while keeping uniformity. o Mr. E. Bliefert suggested looking into students helping them to include trails on Google Maps. Mr. J. Barton stated Operations at the City of Kitchener is using a GoPro to give a better picture of required trail maintenance by showing the state of a trail in disrepair against what it is supposed to look like . Mr. J. Barton asks the committee to provide information on any emergency trail repairs or maintenance via another Google Doc. Councillor Y. Fernandes asks Mr. J. Barton to clarify: Mr. J. Barton is asking to have pictures of problems on trails and also a picture of the Goggle Maps location pinpointed to be uploaded onto Google Drive. Councillor Y. Fernandes also asks what the wayfinding signage information will be complied for. Mr. J. Barton responds that the information will be helpful for deciding where the signage is placed, and with what level of information. Mr. E. Bliefert asks if anyone would like to join the subcommittee: Ms. K. Young is interested in the subcommittee. 4. BIKEFEST FOLLOW UP Mr. D. Brotherston suggests BikeFest could have had more conversation, similarly like Krug Street. Discussion ensued about the overall success of Bikefest and the comments received. However, improvements for next year could include more branding, KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th June 13, 2017 ȃ Γ ȃ CITY OF KITCHENER another map, give-aways, cycling ambassadors and potentially becoming more involved with the event next year. It was determined that comments received at Bikefest would be distributed through email. 5. SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS Mr. D. Brotherston proposed a subcommittee for improving connectivity which can work together with the wayfinding subcommittee. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.