HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-185 - Bicycle Facilities on Young Street and Duke StreetREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:August 12, 2019
SUBMITTED BY:Barry Cronkite,Director Transportation Services,519-744-2200 x 7738.
PREPARED BY:Darren Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager,
519-744-2200 x 7314.
WARD (S) INVOLVED:10
DATE OF REPORT:August 1, 2019
REPORT NO.:DSD-19-185
SUBJECT:Bicycle facilities on Young Streetand Duke Street
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RECOMMENDATION:
That bike lanes be installed on Young Street, between Duke Street West and Weber Street West; and,
That asouthboundcontraflow bicycle lane be installed on Young Streetbetween WeberStreet West
andMaynard Avenue and sharrows installed within the northbound travel lane; and,
That aneastbound contraflow bicycle lane be installed on Duke Street East between Cedar Street
North and Pandora Avenue North; and,
That two hour parking be reinstated on the north sideof Duke street Eastbetween Madison Avenue
North and Cameron Street North; and,
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
The2010 Cycling Master Plan identifies cycling facilities for Young Street and Duke Street.Both
streets are one-way, local residential streets that are comfortable for cycling on the road. Adding
contraflow bike lanes will enhance the connectivity of the streets to the wider cycling network.
The Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18 -Cycling Facilitiesprovides guidance for the design and
installation of contraflow bike lanes.
REPORT:
Contraflow bike lanes are designed to allow cyclists to ride in opposite direction of motor vehicles
on one-way streets. Kitchener installed its first contraflow bike lane in 2014 on Nyberg Street.
Young Street
The goal of acontraflow bike lane on Young Street is to providea safe and convenient cycling
access to/fromdowntown across Weber Streetfrom the Olde Berlin Townneighbourhoodand
bike lanes on Margaret Avenue.There is anexisting signed bikeroutealongCollege Street
***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
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(from Ahrens AvenuetoDuke Street West), however it is difficult to cross the unsignalized
intersection of Weber Street due to high vehicle volume and speed.
The Young Street cycling connection will allow cyclists to cross Weber at a signaled intersection,
with the assistance of a bicycle sensor and bicycle signal. The Region of Waterloo has been
circulated the proposal, and their staff have approved the installation of this equipment.The
installation of contraflow cycling facilities on Young Streetwill require the removal of five city-
operated parking metersbetween Duke Street West and Ahrens Street Westand seven regular
parking spacesbetween Ahrens Street West and Maynard Avenue.Parking is prohibited in all
bike lanes, including contraflow bike lanes, according to city bylaws.
The addition of conventional bike lanes on Young Street between Weber Street and Duke Street
provides directcycling access to the Kitchener City Hall ION station. It isnoted that these
conventional bike lanes will be 1.3 mwide, which isslightlybelow the preferred width of 1.5
1.8 m, due to limited roadway space.
Duke Street
The goal of the contraflow bike lane on Duke Street is to provide a safe and convenient access
to/fromdowntown using Duke Street.The current alternatives in this neighbourhood for two way
bicycle travelare King Street and Weber Street, both of which carry a significantvolume of
vehicle traffic.
The roadway width provides appropriatespace to install a contraflow bike lane. However, it will
require the removal of approximately nine parking spaces. It is worth noting thatfour spaces can
be reinstated on the north side of the streetbetween MadisonAvenue and Cameron Street
North.
Speed limit reduction
The installation of sharrowswithin the direction of travelon Young Street and DukeStreetassists
with wayfinding for cyclists and reduces the posted speed limit to 40 km/h. This follows the
direction given inthe approved August 21, 2017 staff reportINS-17-066, that directs all streets
with sharrows to use a 40 km/h posted speed limit.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority:Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure
Strategy:4.4 Develop a network of safe, comfortable and linked pedestrian and cycling facilities
and improve year-round maintenance on priority routes.
Strategic Action:Implement the 2010 Cycling Master Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding for the proposed cycling infrastructure improvements will be allocated from the Cycling
Master Plan capital budget.
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The estimated costs for signage, pavement markings, bike signal and sensorsand removal of
parking meters on Young Street is $42,000.
The estimated costs for signage and pavement markings on Duke Street is $14,000.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
council / committee meeting.Notice of the public open house was posted on the city website,
mailed to residents and emailed to Bike Kitchener newsletter subscribers. Signs were posted in
the boulevard spaceon both Young Street and Duke Street.
CONSULT A pubic open house was hosted at city hall on April 24, 4-8 pm. Forty-nine people
attended. Seventeen people provided written comments. Staff also met with Olde Berlin Towne
Neighbourhood Association and aresident group that is leading the placemaking project on
Duke Street (with support from King East Neighbourhood Association)to ensure compatibility of
both projects.
The majority of residents engaged(88%of written comments) were in support of the proposed
bicycle facilities. Residents expressed supportfor:
Direct routes into the downtown;
Reducedspeed limit;
Bicycle signal facilitating crossingWeber Street;and,
The cost-effectiveness of the project.
Some residents expressed concerns related to:
Desire for physical separation between cyclists and motor vehicles;
Safety at the intersection of WeberStreetand Young Street; and,
Loss of parking,notablyon Young Street next to Hibner Park.
Staff determined that separation is not warranted on these streets, given the lowmotor vehicle
volume and speeds and is working with the Region to design a safe intersectionat Weber Street.
Some parking was reinstated on Duke Street however the route as proposed on Young Street
is required to maintain the direct routeto downtown.
The Kitchener Cycling and Trails Committee provided the following motion at the April 9, 2019
meeting:
but ask staff to revisit the Young Street design in advance of the opeTheir suggestions
were incorporated into the design and are reflected in this staff report.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager Development Services
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Young Streetlocation
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Young Street and Weber Street intersection
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Young Street cross-section
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Duke Street location
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Duke Street cross-section
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