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Home My WebLink AboutINS-14-064 - Bicycle Lane Installation - Battler Rd & Eckert St Staff Rep►�►r I r Infrastruc�ture5ervrresDepartment wvwuukitchenerra REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: June 23, 2014 SUBMITTED BY: Justin Readman, Director of Transportation Services, 519-741-2200, extension 7038 PREPARED BY: Ronald Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards, 519-741-2200, extension 7232 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Wards 3, 4, 5 DATE OF REPORT: June 6, 2014 REPORT NO.: INS-14-064 SUBJECT: Bicycle Lane Installation — Battler Road and Eckert Street RECOMMENDATION: That Bicycle Lanes be installed on Battler Road from Strasburg Road to Huron Road, on Eckert Street from Dixon Drive to First Avenue; and, That parking be prohibited at anytime on both sides of Battler Road from Strasburg Road to Huron Road; and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly. BACKGROUND: The Cycling Master Plan, approved by Council in August 2010, is a comprehensive document with recommended facilities, a cycling network, including a priority network and several recommended programming initiatives. The Cycling Master Plan Update Report (14-002) outlines several locations for the installation of cycling facilities including the locations identified in this report. The Cycling Master Plan bases the recommended cycling facility on the road classification, which is inherently based on the function and traffic volume of the roadway: "On major collector roadways, which carry from 5,000 to 8,000 vehicles a day with a posted speed limit no greater than 50 km/h, the preferred bikeway type is bike lanes." (Pg. 59, Kitchener Cycling Master Plan, 2010) Staff have identified two segments of major collector roadways, all part of the identified cycling network, where the installation of bicycle lanes has a nominal impact on the surrounding neighbourhood and where there is adequate right of way width from curb to curb to accommodate bicycle lanes and vehicular travel lanes without moving curb lines. These locations provide needed connectivity within the network. 6 - 1 REPORT: I. Battler Road Battler Road is a major collector roadway in wards 4 and 5 from Strasburg Road to Old Huron Road. The 500 metre segment identified is the portion from Strasburg Road to Huron Road has a pavement width of 10 metres throughout and one lane in each direction. There is a southbound left turn lane at the north leg of the intersection of Huron Road. Installation of a bicycle lane is possible with little or no grinding of current road markings. No parking anytime signs will be installed in conjunction with the bicycle lanes as per the general provisions of the Uniform Traffic By-law. A bicycle lane would provide connectivity between the eventual cycling facilities on Strasburg Road to Biehn Drive, both identified as part of the cycling network. The section of Battler Road south of Huron Road to Old Huron Road is not part of this project as the installation of bicycle lanes is not feasible at this time because of the current lane configuration. No parking anytime signs are recommended where bike lanes are adjacent to the edge of road or curb. At present there are two businesses within the affected area of Battler Road. These businesses feature adequate onsite parking. They will be notified as part of the installation process. II. Eckert Street Eckert Street is a major collector roadway in Ward 3. This 185 metre long roadway connects Dixon Road with First Avenue and Kingsway Drive. Eckert Street is part of the cycling network and is part of the pilot wayfinding sign project as identified within the Cycling Master Plan. The Wayfinding sign project was installed in 2013. Eckert Street is an important connection as it provides a safe and comfortable route under the Conestoga Parkway. The wayfinding route utilizes Dixon Street, Eckert Street and the trail connection to Connaught Place in providing a comfortable cycling route from Downtown to the pedestrian bridge across the 401. Eckert Street has one travel lane in each direction and a pavement width of 13.5 metres. There is adequate pavement width to provide a bicycle lane with little or no change to existing road markings. Eckert Street is already signed as a No Parking Anytime zone on both sides of the roadway in its entirety. The only residence that abuts the street is 91 Dixon Street. The residence will be notified of the recommended installation. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The installation of bicycle lanes as outlined in this report align with many elements of the City of Kitchener's Strategic Plan, including: • Leadership and Engagement: The City of Kitchener is taking an active leadership role by investing in cycling and engaging the public to better understand how to encourage people to ride bicycles to work, school, and other activities. • Quality of Life: Promoting and encouraging cycling will lead to an improvement in quality of life through reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, and providing residents with more opportunities for physical activity. • Environment: Cycling is a sustainable mode of transportation that emits zero greenhouse gas emissions. By supporting cycling, the City of Kitchener is taking an active role in becoming more environmentally friendly. • Diversity: The City of Kitchener is committed to providing residents with equitable 6 - 2 access to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of civic life. Cycling as a mode of transportation provides current and future residents of Kitchener with an affordable and accessible means of transportation. • Development: The Strategic Plan specifically mentions supporting transportation alternatives and developing communities that are safe and connected. Cycling is a sustainable transportation alternative that complements and supports people-friendly development. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The cost for the installation of approximately 700 metres of bicycle lane identified within this report will be approximately $7000.00 and will be taken from the cycling budget. This cost includes the installation of signs and the painting of symbols and lines. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Kitchener's Cycling Master Plan was strongly guided by public input through consultation with the Cycling Advisory Committee, stakeholders, and members of the public at various cycling tours, stakeholder workshops, and consultation events. The City of Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee is a citizen-based committee that provides advice to council and staff on the design, development and delivery of bicycle policies, programs and facilities to promote and enhance cycling in the city. The Cycling Advisory Committee will continue to act as a prominent voice in the community for cycling related issues and solutions and will continue to work with members of the public, staff and Council towards these goals. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department 6 - 3 Proposed Bicycle Lanes Battler Road from Strasburg Road to Huron Road I iff I�,11 CReek Noyffi BrMA"h 158 115 ----------—- 1655 ........................ 9 b"Ovskou rfl S wp 60 6 11 fill i fll[ kb/ ----------- ........... .......... ---------- ...... -------- ------ ------ ----------1 2 7 S Proposed Bicycle Lane 6 - 4 Proposed Bicycle Lanes Eckert Street from Dixon Street to First Avenue J t 1 IN If I l I O u rI .., III J � �N 100 5 III III 1 �I son ��..V� . Y Proposed Bicycle Lane • • • • • Existing Trail 6 - 5