HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-14-062 - Nyberg Cycling Infrastructure Improvements Staff Rep►�►r
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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: Josh Joseph, Transportation Demand Management
Coordinator, 519-741-2200, extension 7152
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: June 5, 2014
REPORT NO.: INS-14-062
SUBJECT: Nyberg Cycling Infrastructure Improvements
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That an east bound contra-flow bicycle lane be installed on Nyberg Street between Ottawa
Street South and Sydney Street South, and sharrows be installed within the westbound
travel lane of Nyberg Street between Ottawa Street South and Sydney Street South; and,
That sharrows be installed on Nyberg Street between Borden Avenue South and Ottawa
Street south; and,
That parking be prohibited at any time on the south side (odd number side) of Nyberg
Street from Ottawa Street South to Sydney Street South; and,
That parking be permitted for a maximum period of three consecutive hours on the
north side (even number side) of Nyberg Street from Sydney Street South to a point 22
metres east of Ottawa Street South; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Services received a request from the Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee to
consider the implementation of a contra-flow bicycle lane on Nyberg Street, between Ottawa
Street South and Sydney Street South to improve cycling connectivity in the area.
The Iron Horse Trail (IHT) is part of the Trans Canada Trail system and currently ends at
Ottawa Street South due to existing development on the East side of Ottawa Street. The current
cycling route in this area requires eastbound cyclists to travel south along Borden Street, east
along Dundas Avenue and North along Sydney Street South.
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In December 2013, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation approved Ontario Traffic Manual —
Book 18 — Cycling Facilities. This provides guidance on the installation of contraflow bicycle
lanes. However, there has been some confusion with respect to the legality of the installation of
contraflow bicycle lanes in Ontario due to conflicting information contained within the Highway
Traffic Act.
In March, 2014 Ontario Transportation Minister Glen Murray tabled Bill 173: Keeping Ontario's
Roads Safe Act at the Ontario Legislature. Bill 173 includes many bicycle-related measures.
One measure included within the bill was clarification on the application of contraflow bicycle
lanes.
According to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Bill 173 was in Second Reading Debate when
parliament was dissolved in May 2014. The bill died on the Order Paper, due to the general
election being called and did not reach Royal Assent. A similar bill will need to be reintroduced
once a new government is formed for the items contained within Bill 173. However, the Ministry
of Transportation has confirmed that municipalities are able to install contraflow cycling lanes in
the interim and should follow the guidance of Book 18 on their design.
REPORT:
Currently Nyberg Street between Sydney Street South and Ottawa Street South operates as a
one-way street, in a westbound direction. On-street parking is permitted on the south side of
Nyberg Street from Sydney Street South to Ottawa Street South for a maximum period of
three consecutive hours. Parking is prohibited at any time on the north side of Nyberg Street
from Sydney Street South to Ottawa Street South, as outlined in the City of Kitchener Uniform
Traffic By-law No. 2007-138.
In response to a request from the Kitchener Cycling Advisory committee, staff investigated the
installation of a contraflow bicycle lane along Nyberg Street between Ottawa Street South and
Sydney Street South. A contra-flow bicycle lane is a bicycle lane travelling in the opposite direction
of motorized vehicles (see example images below).
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Staff reviewed roadway widths and determined that the installation of a contraflow bicycle lane is
technically feasible between Sydney Street South and Ottawa Street South. However,
implementation of the contraflow bicycle lane would require on-street parking to be relocated from
the south to the north side of Nyberg Street.
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Staff also reviewed general cycling connectivity in the area and are recommending the installation
of sharrows in both directions of Nyberg Street between Borden Avenue South and Ottawa Street
as well as the westbound travel lane of Nyberg Street between Sydney Street and Ottawa Street.
These sharrows will facilitate bicycle travel between Nyberg Street and the Iron Horse Trail while
avoiding vehicular traffic on Ottawa street.
Based on feedback received through consultation with local residents, staff is proposing to install a
raised median as outlined in the attached figure. Staff heard that there were existing concerns with
motor vehicles turning from Ottawa Street South onto Nyberg Street. The inclusion of a median
and appropriate signage will help reinforce that Nyberg Street remains one-way for automobile
traffic, while facilitating two way cycling travel.
Should Council endorse the recommendations within this report, all proposed cycling and
parking measures are expected to be installed in 2014.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The cycling initiatives 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 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.
• Dynamic Downtown: The City of Kitchener's vision for a vital and lively Downtown will
rely on more residents traveling by foot, bicycle, or public transportation.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding for the proposed cycling infrastructure improvements on Nyberg Street will be allocated
from the Cycling Master Plan capital budget. The estimated costs for signage, pavement
markings, and the installation of a concrete median on Nyberg Street at Ottawa Street South will
be approximately $17,000.
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COMMUNICATIONS:
In May, 2014 a letter was mailed to the 12 residential properties along Nyberg Street along with
each of the commercial properties. The purpose of this letter was to notify residents and business
owners of the proposed changes, to solicit feedback, and to let residents know that this proposal
would be presented to committee at a later date.
Staff received three comments from residents. The concerns raised were as follows:
• Vehicles travel the wrong way down Nyberg Street and the addition of contraflow bicycle
lanes may increase the confusion. Staff has modified the design to include a raised
median. This design change will reinforce the message to motorists and narrow the throat
of Nyberg Street to improve safety.
• Moving parking to the opposite side of the street will force drivers to exit parked cars into
live traffic. This is no different than parking on any two way street within the City.
• Snow is currently stored on the north side of the street, where parking is currently
prohibited. The City of Kitchener has parking provisions in place to ensure that vehicles are
removed during a snow event as well as parking restrictions during the night. These
provisions assist the city with clearing snow and should allow current practices to remain.
Potential design alterations were also suggested as part of the resident feedback. These include:
• Installing a multi-use path on the north side of Nyberg Street. This was not considered
since the existing location of Schneider Creek prohibits the installation of a multiuse path.
At the May 13th Cycling Advisory Committee, the following motion was passed in support of the
proposal for Nyberg Avenue:
THAT the City of Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee endorses the proposed cycling
improvements for Nyberg Street.
The motion was carried unanimously.
CONCLUSION:
As the City of Kitchener strives to improve quality of life, celebrate diversity, and develop
sustainably, cycling will play a key role in positively transforming our community and creating a
safer environment for all road users. The construction of a contraflow cycling lane along Nyberg
Street will improve connectivity for cyclist along one of the city's busiest cycling corridors.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
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Proposed Contra-flow Bicycle Lane and Sharrow Pavement Markings
Nyberg Street from Sydney Street South to Ottawa Street South
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A concrete curb is proposed in the hatched area at Nyberg Street and Ottawa Street South, to
improve visibility of the contra-flow bicycle lane and to create a physical barrier to discourage
motorists from traveling in the wrong direction.
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Proposed Sharrow Pavement Markings
Nyberg Street from Ottawa Street South to Borden Avenue
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