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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-12 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 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), M. Arges, D. Class, D. Hilker, B. Laube, and N. Mehés, Staff: Messrs. R. Schirm (Committee Administrator), P. Wetherup and Ms. K. Reinert (Recorder) Regrets: Councillor J. Gazzola, Messrs. S. Burek, T. Müller and Ms. P. Ji-Taylor CYCLING AND THE WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE 1. Sgt. Frank Heinrich, from the Waterloo Regional Police Services, was invited to attend this meeting to look at ways the Cycling Advisory Committee (C.A.C.) and the Waterloo Regional Police Services (W.R.P.S.) could work together to promote safe cycling, talk about programs, and traffic law enforcement and implementation where cycling is concerned. Mr. D. Hilker questioned what the W.R.P.S policy is on enforcement of the cycling ban on sidewalks. Sgt. Heinrich indicated that cycling on the sidewalk is illegal and is as much an issue of safety for pedestrians as for cyclists. This type of enforcement is a lower priority but for the past two years there have been two units (out of ten) serving the downtown core dealing with this and various other issues. The W.R.P.S. bicycle police officers are given a two-week bicycle training course prior to starting. When questioned whether there is any intention of expanding the units, Sgt. Heinrich commented that the W.R.P.S. is trying to be more proactive than reactive and work more efficiently. They are in the midst of restructuring from nine to six zones region-wide, moving some of the speciality groups back on the road to the frontline. There would, however, have to be a proven value to increase the bicycle units. Although the W.R.P.S. has a road safety/bicycle safety program at the Children’s Safety Village, Mr. D. Class inquired whether they have a cycling group oriented to interacting with youth to educate them on cycling safety and possibly teaming up with the C.A.C.? Sgt. Heinrich will take this inquiry to the W.R.P.S.’s communication group and report back to this group. Mr. T. Kenyon asked what are some of the major complaints police receive from motorists? Typical complaints are two or three cyclists “hogging” the roadway by riding side-by-side; cyclists not staying to the far right of the roadway, sidewalk or trail; cyclists not dismounting at crosswalk; cyclists not stopping for stop signs or traffic signals; cyclists riding the wrong way on the road and/or sidewalk, creating severe visibility issues. Mr. R. Schirm noted two things to be addressed; 1) discussion with W.R.P.S. regarding the interpretation of the HTA in regards to cycling. For example, with respect to the “hogging the road” complaint, cyclists, according to the HTA, are supposed to take the centre of the road when on a narrow roadway. What becomes the issue is the interpretation of what actually constitutes a narrow roadway. 2) What can the C.A.C. do to create synergy with the W.R.P.S in promoting not just safe cycling, but promoting cycling in general? Sgt. Heinrich responded with educating the public by putting something together with the W.R.P.S. The W.R.P.S. does a bicycling campaign in September that enforces both cyclists and motorists, and the C.A.C. should contact the Community Mobilization group at W.R.P.S. to co-ordinate with them. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2010 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 2 CYCLING AND THE WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE – cont’d 1. In summary, Mr. Kenyon stated he is open to hearing suggestions from the Committee, and Sgt. Heinrich will present back to his superiors at W.R.P.S. Mr. Schirm noted that both groups are here to help each other in promoting safe cycling and questioned, what is the best course of action in order to be more effective. There should be a regular dialogue with the W.R.P.S. in order to be sympathetic to each others perspective. Who at the W.R.P.S. should be the main point of contact regarding these issues? Sgt. Heinrich will check into this and respond back to Mr. Schirm. Mr. Kenyon thanked Sgt. Heinrich for attending the meeting and Sgt. Heinrich left some business cards for anyone who may wish to contact him directly after the meeting. After a brief discussion on what course of action the Committee would want to have take place with police, it was decided that a ride with a group of patrol officers, similar to the cycling tour with Norma Moores, would be beneficial and to have the ride in the spring of next year with further discussion to take place at the November meeting. Recommendation: Cycling tour with Waterloo Regional Police Services be discussed further at th the November 9 meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. That the minutes of the September 14, 2010 meeting be approved. Motioned by Mr. M. Arges Mehés Seconded by Mr. N. th Action Items from the September 14 meeting: 2.1 Use of Sign Waste Material Mr. D. Class commented that the Highway Traffic Act stipulates reflective material to be white on the front of the bicycle and red on the back. He has collected sign waste material three times and has a considerable amount of white and yellow strips in various sizes available. Suggestions were made to distribute these strips to the schools, and Mr. T. Kenyon offered to take it upon himself to contact the school board; the Children’s Safety Village, and Mr. Kenyon suggested contacting the Community Mobilization section of the W.R.P.S. and Mr. R. Schirm to contact Colleen Cooper to see if the Can Bike training officers would like to hand out the reflective strips at the recreation centres. Another suggestion is to tape a strip around the backpack handle rather than attaching to the bike and several Committee members were interested in trying this and anyone else interested is directed to contact Mr. Class. 2.2. Staff Reporting Timetable on Capital Works Program Mr. Greg McTaggart, from Engineering, was contacted by Mr. R. Schirm and he recommended that February/March 2011 would be the best time to make a presentation to this Committee on the major capital projects for 2012. Due to the election, the capital budget deliberation is being delayed and the recommended timing for Mr. McTaggart’s and Mr. Steve Allen’s presentation is optimal for effective feedback from the Committee. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2010 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 2.cont’d Similarly, Mr. Peter Wetherup and/or Mr. Dan Ritz will make a presentation on the trails projects for 2012 in February/March 2011. 2.3 Committee Terms and Reporting to Council th Committee terms expire November 30 and the new committee commences on January 1, th 2011. December 20 is the last Council date. Mr. R. Schirm commented, as a reminder from the Clerk’s Department, that protocol indicates that the C.A.C. reports through the Development and Technical Services committee to Council and should not go directly to Council with reports unless there is an important timing issue or for well defined and thought out political reasons. 2.4 Huron Road Re-construction Presentation to the Committee Mr. Muhammad Memon indicated that this project is not yet at the stage where a presentation to the C.A.C. is beneficial. The Committee can invite him to the January meeting and be able to provide timely input on the project at that time. Mr. Schirm also informed the Committee that preliminary design for the Strasburg Road extension includes cycle tracks as per Huron Road as well. COMMUNITY TRAILS MASTER PLAN 3. Mr. Peter Wetherup gave an update noting that the Trails Master Plan (T.M.P.) is proceeding with Marshall, MacLean and Monahan as the consultant. A trails hierarchy that was identified within the Cycling Master Plan is being considered. Trail classifications include transportation based trails with paved surfaces and winter maintenance such as the Iron Horse Trail as well as community trails, which do not necessarily provide the same level of connectivity and would feature stone dust, have been identified. Also included will be direction/wayfinding signage. Implementation will be in conjunction with the Cycling Master Plan (C.M.P.) and the Parks Master Plan (P.M.P.). Two open houses will be held at the following locations; 1) Conestoga Mall in Waterloo, where sport registration is being held and 2) the Kitchener Market (similar to the CMP open house). There is also a survey on the website and the contact person for the T.M.P. is William Sleeth. A meeting will be scheduled in early November and a second meeting will be scheduled when the draft has been completed. . COMMUNITY ACCESS BICYCLES 4 Mr. Peter Oldridge, MSW Intern in the CAO’s office was introduced by Mr. R. Schirm and was invited to attend to present his idea on community access bicycles to the CAC and get the opinion of committee members and, possibly, insight on how to go forward with the idea. The concept of this pilot project is to have bicycles, chariots and child carriers available at community centres for use by the public. Through Mr. Oldridge’s research, he has found various guiding documents with bicycle friendly policies and a needs assessment to justify this project for low income families, to also relieve some of the congestion and air quality issues in the region. In conclusion, there is a need to provide sustainable transportation alternatives. The way this project would work is, for an example, the participant needs to get groceries but does not have a vehicle to do so and cannot afford a taxi, the participant goes to a community centre to get a key to access a bicycle and trailer, goes to the grocery store to pick up the groceries, takes them home and returns the bicycle and trailer later that day or early the next day. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2010 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 4 COMMUNITY ACCESS BICYCLES 4. – cont’d Mr. Oldridge’s activity plan was to consult stakeholders such as City staff and community centres and consult with Recycle Cycles. He also spoke with Mr. Jason Hammond from Grand River Car Share and Mr. Hammond was willing to dedicate 20 bicycles to the project. Funding sources would be obtained through special events, advertising, local businesses, sponsors and grants. Chariots would be purchased while trailers could be built inexpensively. The administration would be staffed by community centres through Mr. Mark Hildebrand and Ms. Debbie Campbell. Ongoing administration and ownership is however an issue and would ideally fit within the mandate of the recommended TDM position, it was anticipated that this person could fill the role of co- ordinator and administrator. Sustainability of this program would be revenue from grants. Discussion took place and some suggestions were; i) possibility of having training sessions for students on how to maintain bicycles and get the students to perform maintenance on the bicycles through community hours ii) Sponsorship of one bicycle shop per one location to provide maintenance in lieu of advertising iii) Possibility of grocery store interest to provide bicycles Committee members were asked to contact Mr. Oldridge via email at peter.oldridge@kitchener.ca to provide comments and/or suggestions. Mr. Kenyon thanked Mr. Oldridge for his presentation and asked him to report back at a later date with how the project is shaping up. CYCLING MASTER PLAN REPORT CARD 5. Mr. M. Arges prepared the report card to Council and introduced it to the Committee. He split the report into six sections comprising of 1) Infrastructure, 2) Promotion, 3) Education, 4) Advocacy, 5) Land Use, 6) Comments. Grading would be factored from A-F and a Comment page was incorporated at the end. Mr. Arges went on to say that the format can be changed to whatever the needs may be and he would appreciate more input The report card should be presented to Council at least once per year via a report to DTS committee. Discussion took place and the following suggestions were made i) Mr. T. Kenyon commented that he liked the shape of the metrics and what is specifically reflected in the CMP would be useful. For example, overall cycling lanes constructed in given year; room to show trade-offs on what City has accomplished, or budget. ii) That the report card be condensed to one page and linked to specific numbers to provide more impact. iii) Obtain project information from Engineering and Parks that would be important for grading, for example 1) because of sheer amount, and 2) context iv) Prioritize the relative importance of projects and identify what has been accomplished. v) The February/March meetings will be the opportunity to review the projects for the 2012 report card vi) $200,000 budget should be included in the 2011 report card CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2010 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 5 CYCLING MASTER PLAN REPORT CARD - 5. cont’d Mr. R. Schirm indicated that there are enough stand-a-lone projects to report back to Council in 2011. 6. Mr. T. Kenyon, Chair, thanked everyone on the ad hoc committee and Mr. D. Class for his work on the sign waste project and it is much appreciated since it was more work than just the committee. ADJOURNMENT 7. That the meeting be adjourned at 6:11 p.m. Motioned by: Mr. D. Class N. Mehés Seconded by: Mr. N. Ronald Schirm Committee Administrator