Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-11 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Cycling Advisory Committee met on his date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Messrs. T. Kenyon (Chair), B. Forwell (Vice-Chair), Councillor J. Gazzola and Messrs. M. Arges, D. Class, D. Hilker, N. Mehés, and T. Müller Staff: Messrs. R. Schirm (Committee Administrator), and Ms. K. Reinert (Recorder) Regrets: Messrs. S. Burek, B. Laube, P. Wetherup and Ms. P. Ji-Taylor APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. That the minutes of the April 13, 2010 meeting be approved. Motioned by Mr. D. Hilker Seconded by Mr. D. Class BLOCK LINE & HOMER WATSON BLVD. ROUNDABOUT 2. Mr. Steve van De Keere, Head of the Transportation Expansion Program, and Mr. Marcus Kroker, Senior Project Manager from the Region of Waterloo were invited to this meeting to present the Region’s plans for the roundabout at Block Line Road and Homer Watson Boulevard. Mr. T. Kenyon identified this roundabout as a potential issue for subsequent bicycle routes and could be seen as a barrier to cycling and ultimately be a detriment to increased cycling. This may be an opportunity or “red flag” for cycling issues in the future. Although solutions have as of yet not been developed, discussions have taken place at the City level in liaison with the Region with regards to creating more cycling-friendly roundabouts. A public consultation in regards to the Block Line Road & Homer Watson Boulevard project was held in April 2009 at St. Mary’s High School. Regional Council has already approved the project and budget as it is today. The detailed design has been finalized and the Region is moving ahead with utility locates at this time and a tender for next summer. The roundabout design was reviewed with the C.A.C. Splitter islands at both the north and south leg will provide a large area for pedestrians, including the large number of students attending St. Mary’s Secondary School, to enter and exit the roundabout; cyclists will also have the option to utilize the platforms if they choose not to travel with the main flow of traffic. The six (6) meter crosswalk will be painted and include texture change as well as supporting signage indicating right of way. The three lane entries will have striping. Discussion took place and the grade separated concept cannot be considered at this location for various reasons. It must be noted that the grade separated pedestrian and cycling facility proposal was discussed at regional staff level one year prior to final design approval. First and foremost, the design has been finalized after an extensive consultative process. In addition, there is no additional land available for any further expansion of the facility, particularly on the northeast corner of the intersection. At this point, the developer at the northeast corner is not prepared to cede any further land that would be required to expand the roundabout to accommodate a multi-tiered facility. Mr. Van de Keere was however unsure how much additional space would be required for a multi-tiered roundabout. Finally, Mr. Van de Keere CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 2010 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 2 BLOCK LINE & HOMER WATSON BLVD. ROUNDABOUT 2. – cont’d speculated that the high cost of providing one multi-tiered roundabout would be equivalent to providing approximately 3 conventional roundabouts and the Region’s priority would be to install more conventional roundabouts. He has however, not researched the cost of such a facility. The Region’s prime mandate of safety and good deflection is utilized to eliminate speed but he acknowledged that providing an increased comfort level for cyclists is a challenge; possibly the Cycling Master Plan will help address the comfort issues that exist at high traffic volume roundabouts. Messrs. Van De Keere and Kroker were thanked for their presentation and left the meeting. The Region’s presentation addressed the issue of the grade separation roundabout and decision needed to be made regarding how the C.A.C. wishes to proceed with the report/presentation Mr. B. Forwell had planned to present to Council. It was decided that Mr. Forwell should proceed as it would be beneficial to inform Council of grade separation roundabouts and also for consideration for future roundabouts. ACTION:Councillor Gazzola to advise Mr. R. Schirm whether Mr. Forwell’s presentation thth should be scheduled for either the June 28 or August 30 Council Meeting. Once the date is finalized, Mr. Schirm will email to committee members in case they wish to attend. . COMMUTER CHALLENGE 3 Mr. David Johnson is not available to start the race. Mr. R. Schirm emailed but hasn’t received a response on whether Mayor Halloran is available to be the motorist or possibly, now, the starter. Mr. K. Seiling has agreed to be the transit rider and Mayor Zehr will congratulate the winner at the end of the race. Councillor B. Vrbanovic is also keen on participating. It was decided that 20 to 50 cyclists should be at the photo-op but only a small group of three to five cyclists should take part in the challenge; the remaining cyclists to travel a different route and meet at Civic Square. Mr. Schirm contacted the Communications Division and they are excited and willing to help with getting the word out on this challenge. st The challenge is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1 with an approximate start time of 8:30 a.m. A couple of committee members, including Mr. D. Hilker, will be riding with Councillor Gazzola along with Mr. Terry Pender who will be taking photos along the race. Mr. N. Mehés will be in the vehicle along with the car driver and Mr. B. Forwell has volunteered to co-ordinate the timing. ACTION:Mr. R. Schirm to look after the following: a) To confirm cycling route b) Check with the Communications Division regarding TV camera availability at 8:30 a.m. start time CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 2010 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 3 c) Obtain megaphone and ribbon for the finish line . COMMUTER CHALLENGE 3 – cont’d d) Email request for video cameras e) Contact Regional Police to inform them of the Great Race f) Investigate cost for golf shirts ACTION:Mr. D. Hilker to organize cyclists to attend at Civic Square. ACTION:Mr. T. Kenyon to email Mr. N. Mehés where the vehicle is to park at the University of Waterloo. ACTION:Mr. N. Mehés to check into obtaining donuts/cookies for the finish line. CYCLING MASTER PLAN 4. th Mr. R. Schirm indicated that the presentation to be given at the May 19 Public Information Centre in the rotunda of City Hall is not available for review by committee members yet. .Ms. Norma Moores and others from the Steering Committee will be in attendance. A presentation will be made at 6:30 p.m. to include policies being developed, proposed network and the type of cycling facilities. ACTIONMr. R. Schirm to send email regarding the P.I.C. to everyone on Wednesday, : th May 12. Mr. D. Class questioned whether it would be an advantage to provide the top ten list for repairs to be included in the Cycling master Plan. Mr. Schirm indicated that it is a great idea but does not need to be done through the Cycling Master Plan. The list for trails can be directed to Mr. P. Wetherup and the list for roads should be forwarded to Mr. Schirm who will send it to the Operations Division. Mr. M. Arges suggested that a formalized list should be provided by the committee once a year in October/November, similar to the list Mr. Wetherup had provided, and the list should be forwarded to the respective divisions so they can report back to this committee. ADJOURNMENT 5. On recommendation by Mr. Tim Kenyon, the meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m. Ronald Schirm Committee Administrator