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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-10CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Cycling Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:10 p.m. Present: Ms. M. Sehl (Chair), Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. M. Generoux, Messrs. S. Gibson, P. Walberg (Vice- Chair) T. Boutilier, P. Dedes, T. Reiser, M. Boos, M. Arges and L. Oakey Staff: Messrs. J. Joseph, D. Pimentel (minutes), M. Parris, J. Readman, W. Sleeth Regrets: Ms. T. Niesen Messrs. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2013 MEETING That the minutes of the November 12, 2013 meeting be approved as amended: Motioned by: Mr. M. Arges (carried) It was suggested by some CAC members that an appendix be included with the minutes that address unanswered questions that members may have raised. This could also include action items, if a specific member was required to provide further information at a later date. 2. 5 YEAR PRIORITY NETWORK COORDINATION STRATEGY & STAFF UPDATES • Mr. Joseph showed the CAC a presentation that will be shown to Council in January as part of the staff report • Included a draft copy of the long term priority table; most locations in 2014 will be in the Downtown as per CMP. Roadways that have been identified with red are not in the CMP but are areas where gaps exist. • Mr. Readman indicated that upon release of Book 18, Nyberg will be addressed relating to the contra -flow bike lanes; this will provide guidance for proper implementation. This will also include resident input (not yet determined on type of notification for residents) which is anticipated to occur early 2014; CAC will be notified of date for PIC • It was recommended that Ward Councillors be notified and /or contacted for any improvements in their particular Ward (i.e. Battler Rd; currently there are some parking concerns and turning conflicts identified by residents) • Where are sharrows being located on East Ave? Mr. Joseph indicated that final design is not complete but left of center in curb lane is the intended location; members raised concerns of vehicles parking on the sharrows and the sharrows being located within the door zone. • Staff will be further discussing the options available on Courtland Ave; speeds and insufficient bike lanes have been raised as a concern. Some of the design options are still open for change • Courtland /Stirling - counts for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists will need to be collected prior to a decision being made. It was indicated that some cost sharing between the City and the Region will occur if changes are made at this intersection. • City of Kitchener is anticipated to collaborate with the City of Waterloo with regards to way finding signs; they have implemented a lot within Waterloo and Kitchener should consider same type of design for consistency throughout the Region. • Has there been any feedback on the City's pilot project for the way finding signs? Review needs to be conducted to gain feedback CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 2013 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER • It was reiterated by Mr. Joseph that the 5 year strategy is flexible and has the potential to change each year. • GIS may be able to develop a map of the 5 year strategy and include within the CMP • CAC members asked for clarification on the cycle track son Blockline Rd; it was noted that the Iron Horse Trail under the expressway may not be there as the Region has some concerns with the restrictions put in place by the MTO. The IHT in this location will need to be revisited once the bridge is complete. • The overall intent of the strategy is to provide the CAC with the opportunity to provide comments /feedback for various projects going forward • There is opportunity available to provide infrastructure where it currently does not exist but is not identified in the CMP. This would include Queen St from Charles St to Margaret Ave; the cost of these types of projects will be determined on a per case basis • CAC members inquired to the timing of the Regions plan for LRT and how it will align with CAC priorities? • Mr. Joseph indicated that 2018 is when the transit hub will operate and staff will provide a temporary shelter until the hub is complete. 3. JANUARY COMMITTEE REPORT & PRESENTATION Some changes have been made and CAC were provided the updates of the presentation to ensure accuracy Mr. Parris indicated that 90% of the IHT will be complete by the end of week; the project has been delayed due some water main issues CAC members raised concerns that once the painting of lines occurs in the parking lot, non - cyclists vehicles will utilize the parking lot. In order to deter this type of parking it will require by -law enforcement and communication with neighbouring businesses. 4. PERFORMANCE MONITORING & EVALUATION STRATEGY It was noted that Dan Chapman is willing to attend a future CAC meeting to discuss and hear comments regarding open data; potentially in the Spring of 2014 The City of Kitchener will only distribute data in which they source and /or gather It was noted by a CAC member that there are discrepancies between Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge regarding collisions involving cyclists; The Region of Waterloo website provides a section where collisions can be viewed. 5. COLDEST RIDE OF THE YEAR Historically, February 7 has been identified as the coldest day of the year; this will be the proposed date for this year's ride, which is a Friday and ideally will take place in the evening An after work ride is preferred to a lunch ride and could include some type of social aspect to the ride; could also consider some type of fundraising with the event (advertising /marketing can be arranged once everything is in place) A participant from 2013 indicated to a CAC member that they would have never rode King St alone but the group aspect made them feel comfortable CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 2013 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER • It was suggested to keep the fundraising low key and informal; notify charity prior to selection, which could also provide their logo to promote the event On a motion by Mr. P. Dedes - it was resolved and carried: "That the Cycling Advisory Committee endorse and support the February 7, 2014 as the date for Coldest Ride of The Year" 6. OTHER BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS • CAC and other cyclists are not circulated to provide comments and feedback for various cycling improvements. It was suggested that it makes the City of Kitchener look bad as facilities are deficient for cyclists; Mr. Joseph indicated that the goal is to make that process more common in future projects • OTM Book 18 will be referenced for projects involving cyclists, if projects are aligned in time with the anticipated final approval of the document; the intent is that if Book 18 is adhered to, the need to seek comments from the CAC should be reduced • A CAC member asked, is a deficient bike lane preferred to having no bike lane at all? Some examples may be no buffer area, bike lanes within the door zone; Mr. Joseph indicated that the implementation of cycling infrastructure varies greatly on the type of roadway along with area businesses • Once the Margaret Ave bridge is complete, the width of the bike lanes will remain; the resurfacing of Margaret Ave may be the best time to alter some of the bike lanes; Mr. Joseph will be meeting with Engineering on a yearly basis to discuss potential locations for cycling infrastructure through the resurfacing program • City staff are currently working with Metrolinx regarding the potential to open Ahrens St at the tracks as it is currently closed and identified as a priority network • It was noted that the bike racks in front of City Hall were removed over the winter, which was for winter maintenance; staff are meeting with Operations to find suitable IocatioOns where the bike racks can remain in place. It was noted that the bike racks are no more intrusive than other street furniture along King St MILL ST (CD- OTTAWA ST INTERSECTION Mill St in its entirety is identified as a priority route in the CMP; with the LRT planned in this area, it may result in Mill ST being closed to one direction of travel which would affect the cycling infrastructure. This could include a median On Ottawa St which would pose as an obstacle for cyclists If CAC members can think of any solutions or recommendations, they may be able to be incorporated into the January report It was suggested that the Region should be made aware of concerns the CAC has with the cycling infrastructure at this intersection CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 2013 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER On a motion by Mr. M. Arges - it was resolved and carried: "That the Region of Waterloo ensure connectivity of the cycling infrastructure at the Mill St & Ottawa St intersection is maintained and that the CAC is consulted during the design phase of the intersection, as Mill St is identified in the Cycling Master Plan as a priority network" 111. ROLES FOR 2014 It was noted that both the chair and vice -chair are stepping down at years end CAC should put some thought into their desire to take on greater roles over the holidays, as a result of the chair and vice -chair stepping down It was suggested to indicate interest now and potentially vote in January; any members interested should inform Mr. Joseph via email 7. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Mr. P. Dedes - it was resolved and carried: "The meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm"