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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-08 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 8, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER Cycling Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:07 p.m. Present: Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. M. Sehl, Messrs. P. Walberg, M. Arges, P. Dedes (Chair), L. Oakey, T. Boutilier, and M. Boos (Vice-Chair) Staff: Messrs. J. Joseph, J. Readman and Ms. L. Nelson Regrets: Ms. M. Generoux, Ms. G. Mitchell, Ms. V. Van Cappellen, Messrs. T, Reiser, S. Gibson, W. Sleeth and M. Parris 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 10, 2014 Motion by Mr. T. Boutilier: That the minutes of the June 10, 2014 meeting be approved. Motion carried 2. STAFF UPDATES Nyberg Contraflow Bike Lane Mr. J. Joseph provided an update to the Committee. KCAC asked for a summary of public engagement for the project. Mr. J. Readman provided a summary, indicating that local residents attended a meeting with City Staff, that the common concerns were:  Loss of on street parking; the total parking available will however increase by switching parking to the opposite side of the street.  Potential for vehicular traffic to drive the wrong direction; a curb and signage preventing cars from entering the wrong side of the street will be installed KCAC members recommended that this case could be studied in the future as precedents for additional areas for Contraflow bike lanes in the city. Downtown Cycling Network Mr. J. Joseph provided an update to the Committee. KCAC members recommended linking the downtown cycling network with the new rapid transit corridor in the region, and requested an update on the Courtland and Stirling intersection. Mr. J. Readman explaind that City staff await a decision from the Region of Waterloo, and are considering a ‘road diet’ for the intersection. Curb Cut List Mr. J. Joseph requested an updated list for priority curb cut locations from the Infrastructure &Technical Sub-committee. PING Street Councillor Y. Fernandes provided an introduction about the City-developed mobile application:  Public can send information to the City about any issues  Issues are flagged and submitted to the appropriate supervisor, and given a work order Page 1 of 5 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 8, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER KCAC acknowledged that there should be a received receipt, and an expectation of follow up from the City, to indicate to the public that their issues are in fact being dealt with. Mr. J. Joseph indicated that a “Cycling” tile on PING Street may be a valuable tool and could be an interesting research project for a Sub-committee (ie. best practice review of reporting for cycling). Eco-counters Mr. J. Joseph provided an update to the Committee. Big Music Fest Volunteers Mr. J. Readman provided an update to the Committee. ACTION ITEM: Ms. L. Nelson and Mr. J. Readman to send an update to all confirmed volunteers by Thursday or Friday prior to the festival with volunteer instructions. Cycling Quiz Questions Mr. J. Joseph provided an update to the Committee: through ThumbsUp WR! there is an opportunity to send regional police a presentation about bicycle safety and rules of the road. If interested, KCAC could come up with some quiz questions to encourage police officers to read and review the material presented. Mr. J. Joseph indicated that the CAA website has a quiz with bicycle related questions, and asked KCAC members for additional ideas:  What can drivers be charged with for misuse of sharrows?  How do police deal with stolen bicycles and related public interactions (registering bicycles etc.)?  Connect with a specialist in bicycle theft.  Questions about sidewalk cycling.  When are e-bikes allowed on the roads and paths (licensed and unlicensed)? 3. SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES Education, Safety and Promotion Sub-Committee Mr. M. Arges reported that the Sub-committee is working on a post card to distribute as a police and BIA Ambassador handout that includes information about rules of the road. ACTION ITEM: Sub-committee to prepare for next session. Infrastructure and Technical Sub-committee Outstanding Curb Cuts: Sub-committee identified that those closest to priority cycling routes or Class 1 trails should be prioritized. Professional Development: Sub-committee recommended that the City of Kitchener sponsor 1-2 members of KCAC to attend cycling events such as Share the Road Coalition.  Councillor Y. Fernandes identified that other City committees do sponsor members to attend professional development events to help build relationships with other communities. Page 2 of 5 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 8, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER  KCAC members indicated that it could help show other municipalities how advanced Kitchener is, by bringing in members of the community to major events. Planning, Evaluation, and Governance Sub-committee Mr. P. Walberg reported that a final list of reference communities (Domestic, US & International) was created, and that Report Card material was distributed to all but two international cities.  Councillor Y. Fernandes indicated that she has a contact in Holland who can distribute the Report Card to Dutch contacts.  M. P. Walberg indicated that he has contacted the local tourism office in Copenhagen for an English-speaking contact. ACTION ITEM: Sub-committee to distribute member roles and responsibilities for review and analysis of reference community responses and feedback. 4. SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING INITIATIVE Mr. J. Joseph provided an update to the Committee: dates are booked for staff rides, and an inventory of signage locations along the Iron Horse Trail has been generated. KCAC asked if, similar to the Iron Horse Trail branding, whether the downtown cycling network will have its own sign and logo. Mr. J. Joseph responded that downtown cycling network signage will use a Bike Route signage symbol, rather than specialized branding at this time.  Councillor Y. Fernandes explained that from an Emergency Response perspective, naming trails as soon as possible is beneficial as it helps with location finding.  Could use a numbering system or kilometer marker at the bottom of all Bike Kitchener branding sign to help with location identification. KCAC inquired if members can join the wayfinding and signage rides. City staff indicated that it is a working tour and members are invited. ACTION ITEM: Mr. J. Joseph and Ms. L. Nelson to send out notification to KCAC members with an invitation for the rides. Mr. J. Joseph explained that after signage implementation, KCAC members should ride the routes and look for any gaps in directional signage! Ms. M. Sehl recommended that signage should link to rapid transit stops, ie.directional signage for “Future ION Station Stop”. 5. MARGARET AVENUE BRIDGE DISCUSSION Mr. M. Boos reported that Council voted and did not include a temporary pedestrian bridge for Margaret Ave, as it is expensive for a non-permanent structure. KCAC member discussion: Page 3 of 5 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 8, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER  Design work for a 3-track span bridge and look for available provincial funding for the rail corridor  Should have accessible Margaret Avenue Bicycle lanes as soon as possible, and that protected bicycle lanes should be considered a priority  Painted bike lanes have faded again. When roads are newly resurfaced, they sweat oil; once they are older, paint holds for longer  Revisit the design of Margaret Ave lanes using Book 18 guidelines before repainting  Thermoplastic is used for super sharrows downtown; could use a similar material for bicycle lanes, though it is more labour intensive and costly to implement Recommendations for protected (semi-permanent) solution: painted with temporary bollards; for example, Copenhagen uses Armadillo lane separator bumps. KCAC members can review People for Bikes (organization) infographics showing different options for cycling infrastructure. 6. COUNCIL RIDE UPDATE Mr. M. Arges provided an update to the Committee:  The ride was held June 26, 2014  Council attendees included Councillor Y. Fernandes, Councillor J. Gazzola, Councillor Z. Janecki and Councillor D. Glenn-Graham  A member of the press, from CBC also joined the ride  All participants enjoyed the route, which lasted 1.5 hours KCAC recommends continuing these rides every year, as Councillors were engaged with KCAC members and one another, and had productive discussions. 7. DOWNTOWN CYCLING NETWORK SURVEY Mr. J. Joseph introduced a draft survey to the Committee and requested feedback, and identification of priority locations for bicycle parking. Recommended additions to the survey included:  What do people feel about riding bikes through, to and from downtown festivals?  What streets do cyclists avoid?  Where should directional signage be located (ie. Community Centres, hospitals)?  Would you be opposed to private sponsorship of bicycle signage?  If you are riding downtown, where are you going?  Should there be mandatory bicycle valet parking at all downtown festivals (opportunity for volunteer group looking for exposure)?  Suggestion: avoid open-ended questions  Suggestion: book a room at a Community Centre for local Councillor and KCAC members to target & engage the public to administer this survey; this lets the broader community know that KCAC is an active group. Should also order uniform KCAC shirts for members to wear. ACTION ITEM: Mr. J. Joseph to send draft to KCAC for circulation and comment. Page 4 of 5 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 8, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER 8. PARTS TDM STRATEGY Mr. J. Joseph provided an overview of the project, and identified that the deadline for comments and feedback is Thursday, July 24, 2014. P. Dedes asked if there had been thought towards using the Building Code in order to require facilities for cyclists. Mr. J. Readman replied explaining that yes, it was considered; there are a few things that can be required and encouraged through incentives, such as minimum bicycle parking facilities (secure and unsecure). Mr. J Joseph provided information about recommended bicycle parking rates for different land uses, and directives resulting from the Strategy. KCAC member discussion and questions included:  Why are bicycle parking rates are low for senior residential land uses? In fact, senior citizens can be active cyclists. Mr. J. Readman explained that the particular land use refers to supported living facilities, where the supply of bicycle parking is mostly a factor of facility staff, rather than of residents.  Recommend changing language in the Directives from ‘incentivize’ to ‘incent’.  What is the City doing in relation to the impact on spillover neighbourhoods?  Is there consideration to extend this Strategy to cover iXpress station areas?  Could bike lockers be incentivized for public use as well as private use? Ms. L. Nelson provided an overview of the TDM Checklist, and facilitated a discussion about the technical questions that arose from its use and application, as well as questions regarding the standards and ratios used in determining potential parking reductions and height and/or density bonusing considerations. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Pioneer Drive: project likely has prolonged timelines. Mr. P. Walberg recommended that KCAC members meet in August, as there are only three more meetings before the end of the term. Members should begin to devote time to a transition strategy for new Committee members. Motion by Mr. M. Arges: To hold a Committee Meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2014. Motion carried. ACTION ITEM: Each Sub-Committee to bring ideas for a transition plan to KCAC in August, and to report on the transition plan to KCAC for the September meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. M. Arges: That the meeting be adjourned at 5:59 p.m. Motion carried. Page 5 of 5