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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-14 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 14, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Cycling Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Messrs. M. Arges, S. Burek, D. Class, B. Forwell (Vice-Chair), T. Kenyon (Chair),B. Laube, N. Mehés, M. Turner, Councillor Y. Fernandes and Ms. M. Sehl Ms. J. Tomero Staff: Messrs. R. Schirm (Committee Administrator), P. Wetherup and Ms. K. Reinert (Recorder) Regrets: Messrs. P. Dedes, D. Hilker, Councillor J. Gazzola was also in attendance at this meeting. 1. That the minutes of the May 10, 2011 meeting be approved. Motioned by: Mr. S. Burek Seconded by: Mr. M. Arges Action: Mr. R. Schirm to forward the Official Plan Review E-Newsletter to everyone on June 15, 2011 . MULTI-USE PATHWAYS MASTER PLAN 2. Mr. William Sleeth, Landscape Architect, has replaced Mr. Peter Wetherup on this committee. Mr. Sleeth was a colleague of Mr. Wetherup’s and is staff lead for the M.U.P.M.P. and all trail issues will go through him. Mr. Sleeth met with the consultant June 13 and received the completed M.U.P.M.P. draft. Staff review will take place for a couple of weeks, followed by broader staff and stakeholder review, and public review over the summer. Mr. Sleeth would like the email contact list for this committee so he can either send out the draft or let committee know where to find it. He would appreciate receiving individual th comments by August 30 and a half-hour will be scheduled for review and discussion during the September meeting. OUTCOME OF THE JUNE 13 COUNCIL MEETING. NEXT STEPS 3. Mr. R. Schirm reviewed the outcome of the June 13 Council Meeting. Council, after much additional deliberation approved Option C of the staff report. The following was approved: 1) One full time position of TDM coordinator/Cycling Co-ordinator. 2) Transportation Project Manager to look after traffic calming and special projects. st The positions are effective July 1 but, realistically, staff will be hired and in place in September. The CMP and TDM will be fully funded at $400,000 in the 2012 budget which includes 200,000 for CMP implementation. The already approved $100,000 for 2011 has allocated to for the two FTE positions and $50,000 has been deferred to 2012. The CAC should consider another presentation to Council at budget time. Mr. D. Class asked why $15,000 couldn’t be spent on starting the sign project so some accomplishment could be seen this year. Mr. Schirm indicated that one of the issues is that $100,000 is designated for traffic calming and the second issue is that the individual will not be starting until September which will be advantageous because it allows the position incumbent and the committee to prepare for 2012. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 14, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 2 OUTCOME OF THE JUNE 13 COUNCIL MEETING. NEXT STEPS 3. – cont’d The committee agreed that Mr. Kenyon made an effective presentation and the presence of the delegation of a large number of cyclists with their bike helmets made a significant impact and should be considered in the future. Mr. B. Forwell suggested that the committee needs to be prepared for the next meeting and everyone should work on what needs to be done over the summer months, for example, safety projects and signage from each of the wards should be made available for the September meeting. Mr Schirm made the suggestion to develop the report card for implementation and, if in agreement, a presentation will need to be moved forward to September as well. ACTION: Mr. Schirm will investigate the feasibility of a presentation on report cards for the September meeting. GREAT COMMUTER RACE 4. . Mr. R. Schirm asked the committee to reconsider the date for next year and change it to the Wednesday or Thursday of the Commuter Challenge week when councillors return from the FCM conference. The race went well resulting with Messrs. D. Class and D. Hilker winning on their e-bikes; Messrs. B. Forwell and N. Mehes, came in second, by a minute or so, in the hybrid car sponsored from Heffner Motors, followed by Councillor Fernandes, cyclist, and Ms. J. Romano, transit rider, arriving at the same time. Messers. S. Burek and N. Mehes to provide footage to Mr. Schirm. Mr. B. Laube noted that although there were three articles in the Record, there was no media coverage at the event and Councillor Fernandes suggested that invitations should be given for media to join in the race. Mr. Class suggested making teams for each of the three modes and Mr. Forwell thought it may be a good idea to have a celebrity rider. Mr. Schirm recommended that the new cycling person, along with the sub-committee, look after this next year. Mr. Schirm is on the executive for the Tour de Waterloo and will pass on valuable information. He also went on to say that next year it will be great to kick it off with signage as the route will probably be Fairway but will be decided by the committee. COMMUNITY ACCESS BICYCLES 5. Mr. P. Oldridge updated the committee on this project. They have purchased 36 single speed, coaster brake style bikes, half of which are 17” wheel base. Five bikes will be available at the seven host centres located between Central Fresh Market to Lutherwood on King Street. The bikes will be maintained every two weeks. The way the program will work is interested parties are required to register at the Working Centre to receive a member I.D. card which will allow them to go to any one of the seven host centres. The participant will have their I.D. card scanned at the host centre to obtain a key to take either a small or larger bike out for a maximum of 24 hours. A data base and all paperwork will be maintained by the Working Centre. The program will be launching mid-July and Mr. Oldridge will send the pamphlet to CAC members for their information. The pamphlet will be put on Facebook, the city website, Kitchener Citizen and at rack locations. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 14, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 3 When asked if there was a carrier provided with the bike in the event that someone goes grocery shopping, the answer was no. Suggestions for this were to possibly purchase saddle bags, wire baskets, or crates with bungee cords. COMMUNITY ACCESS BICYCLES 5. – cont’d User feedback was discussed and the intent is to have a comment on the registration form asking “can we contact you at the end of the year?” Within the registration documentation, it will be noted that participants are required to wear a helmet. The age and/or size limit will need to be worked out. Mr. R. Schirm is intending to order the bike racks June 15. GUELPH BIKE SUMMIT 6. This is a mini, pre-cursor to the Bike Summit to be held in Ottawa. Mr. B. Forwell attended the meeting in Guelph and noted the key items discussed. Of particular interest, was the desire to focus on female participation and the research that is being done at the University of Guelph and Queen’s University. Mr. Forwell will provide a copy if anyone is interested. Various guest speakers were in attendance and spoke on topics from emphasis of sharing the road with cars, to bicycle storage at transit stations, moving bike lanes onto the boulevard, signage, and paid parking reimbursement if staff take bikes or transit instead of cars. Also mentioned was the Niagara area and how much further ahead they are than us but it was also noted that it is a major tourist destination. If anyone is interested in obtaining Niagara cycling routes, email them and they will respond back. OTHER BUSINESS 7. Mr. M. Arges commented that a friend from the Cambridge Cycling Committee was in Hamilton for a cycling meeting and noted that there are new maps available for Niagara, Hamilton and Burlington; the maps can be accessed via a code that can be cell phone and GPS enabled. The Hamilton CAC members meet face-to-face with Members of Council for a one to two hour meeting to discuss funding and connectivity. Hamilton completed 78 of the 79 projects planned and funding is provided from the development charges. Councillor Fernandes questions what type of projects were done and Mr. Schirm to find out. The cities of Hamilton and Cambridge are partnering in trail development. thth Can Bike 1 and 2 classes are being run at the Breithaupt Centre; CanBike 1 - June 25 and 26 and CanBike 2 in July. Mr. D. Class would like more profile on stewardship to Council other than photographs of graffiti on 401 bridge; there has been a pedestrian light trigger missing for weeks which Councillor Fernandes has already contacted the Region on and information that kids have been pulling off tape from trail gates has been passed on by the CAC. Mr. B. Laube asked about the railway line to Waterloo Region update. Pamphlets were hand-delivered last Thursday and people had to register. There was major support for a multi-use trail from Ahrens/Breithaupt streets to connect with the Laurel trail but they don’t want it past the old train station. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 14, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 4 OTHER BUSINESS 7. – cont’d There are no funds available at this time but there are hopes that federal funding becomes available to enable the project. The plan is to do the design over the summer followed by a PIC in the fall. th. The next Square to Square is being held in Waterloo on July 17This event will include a portion of King Street in Kitchener for the first time. Councillor Fernandes has been involved from the planning stages on with this and there is a great deal of interest in getting a large cycling presence at these events and invited everyone to come out. Councillor Fernandes will be riding with Messrs. Forwell and Class. If there is anyone else who is offering to ride, please let her know. Mr. M. Arges asked for follow-up from last month’s discussion of support for LRT. Mr. T. Kenyon submitted something on behalf of himself because there was no quorum. ADJOURNMENT 8. On motion of Mr. M. Arges, and all committee members were in favour, that the meeting be adjourned at 5:46 p.m. Ronald Schirm Committee Administrator