Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-09 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER Cycling Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:16 p.m. Present: Ms. G. Mitchell, Ms. V. Van Cappellen, Ms. M. Generoux, Ms. M. Sehl, Councillor Y. Fernandes, Messrs. T. Reiser, M. Parris, and P. Dedes (Chair) Staff: Messrs. J. Joseph and J. Readman, and Ms. L. Nelson Regrets: Messrs. P. Walberg, M. Arges, L. Oakey, T. Boutilier, M. Boos (Vice-Chair), S. Gibson, and W. Sleeth 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2014 Motion by Ms. G. Mitchell: That the minutes of the August 12, 2014 meeting be approved. Motion carried. 2. MANITOU DRIVE CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE Councillor Y. Fernandes identified concerns about the Region of Waterloo preferred design, which incorporates a bike lane separated from the traffic by a 700mm roll curb. Alternative suggestions such as a multi-use pathway may be more appropriate for the location and road characteristics. KCAC members discussed other safety concerns associated with multi-use trails because of conflict points between cyclists and motorists at driveway entrances, and due to speed differentials between pedestrians and cyclists on the trails. Motion by T. Reiser: To support the Region of Waterloo’s preferred design of bike lanes separated from traffic by a 700mm roll curb along Manitou Drive. Motion Caries. 3. STAFF UPDATES Trail Entrances and Road Crossings M. Parris provided an update on the Trail Entrances and Road Crossings (Staff Report INS-14-022) brought to Infrastructure Services Committee September 8, 2014 and deferred to KCAC for discussion and recommendation. The purpose of the staff report is to put in crossings and trail entrances into the 2015 budget processes. The concern raised at Council was in relation to the control mechanisms identified on Page 13-4 of Staff Report INS-14-022, and to increased financial implications. KCAC member discussion:  Iron Horse Trail crossing conditions vary and should be determined case by case. Report will help to unify the crossings and establish a standard for the trail entrances, by following OTM Book 18 recommendations.  Information & Technical Sub-committee has prepared recommendations for trail crossings which could be adopted into a revised plan for Trail Entrances and Page 1 of 4 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER Road Crossings. KCAC refers to OTM Book 18 standards, which can be costly but are necessary to prioritize safe crossings.  Concern raised for safety and cost of stones planned to be located at the trail entrances.  Staff consideration should be given to additional design elements such as speed humps, and ensuring adequate provision of space for bicycles with trailers.  Consideration should be given to give cyclists the right of way at trail crossings – design could include a stop bar for motorists. Highway Traffic Act could explore provisions for cyclist and pedestrian right of way at mid-block crossings. Councillor J. Gazzola addressed the Committee and explained that a KCAC recommendation was requested for the report on Trail Entrances and Road Crossings. It was acknowledged that KCAC should be allowed adequate time to review and discuss the Staff Report in advance of a decision at the INS Committee Meeting. Motion by M. Sehl: To defer KCAC recommendation on Trail Entrances and Road Crossings (Staff Report INS-14-022), until the October 14, 2014 KCAC meeting. Motion Carries. Information Item: Trail Improvements M. Parris presented information and maps to the committee showing routing and trail options for a permanent route along Walter Bean Bingemans Trail, and for trail improvements to the Trans-Canada Trail at Huron Rd. KCAC member discussion:  Confirmed that the routes presented were part of the Multi-Use Pathways and Trails Master Plan.  Indicated surfacing would be stone dust and asphalt as appropriate.  Discussed the value of contract work for implementation, as set to $200,000 and $90,000 respectively.  Discussion regarding how future highway expansion would affect these trail improvements; trails would be re-routed underneath and north of future highway expansion.  KCAC members recommend trimming overgrown bushes alongside the proposed trail improvement locations Battler Road & Eckert Street Infrastructure Mr. J. Joseph provided an update to the Committee identifying that the service request was submitted to Kitchener Operations for the work required, and installation is set for completion in fall 2014. Nyberg Contra-flow Bike Lane Mr. J. Joseph provided an update to the Committee identifying that the service request was submitted to Kitchener Operations for the work required, and installation is set for completion in fall 2014. Page 2 of 4 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER Downtown Cycling Network Staff provided an update that installation of the Downtown Cycling Network be deferred to 2015, to accommodate Kitchener Operations’ scheduling, and to preserve installed materials from winter wear and tear. KCAC member discussion indicated that this deferral is an opportunity to further consult with Regional representatives to unify the downtown network along Regional Roads. Courtland Avenue and Stirling Avenue Mr. J. Joseph provided an update that Regional staff are supportive of future plans for installation of two (2) pedestrian refuge islands, and to build a trail along the Stirling Green for connectivity. The next step is to initiate an Environmental Assessment (EA) process which includes public consultation. Water Street Bike Boxes: Staff presented plans for an education campaign to be held at the Kitchener Market on Saturday September 20, 2014 from 10am – 12pm. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to distribute important information about the Bike Boxes to cyclists and motorists. Staff are looking for KCAC volunteers to be stationed at the intersection of Water Street and King Street to help distribute educational and safety materials. ACTION ITEM: Ms. L. Nelson to send scheduling request to all KCAC members, to indicate personal availability to volunteer for the event. PARTS TDM Strategy: Mr. J. Joseph informed KCAC members that the PARTS TDM Strategy was unanimously passed by Council on September 8, 2014. Included within the Strategy were bicycle parking rates, that will be reconsidered for inclusion in the Comprehensive Review of Zoning By-law (CRoZBy). 4. SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES KCAC Report Card and Kitchener Bicycle Account Ms. V. Van Cappellen provided an update that the PEG Sub-committee has consolidated Report Card surveys, having received six (6) municipal responses. Major findings include:  Some components of the Report Card are out of the control of a municipality, and therefore will be difficult to provide municipal recommendations for those items.  Canadian municipal responses received will prove valid in comparison to the City of Kitchener.  The international reference community (Groningen, Netherlands) had different priorities, as an advanced cycling community. Ms. L. Nelson presented a high level structure for the 2014 Kitchener Bicycle Account. KCAC member discussion:  Committee and Staff need to determine if Report Card and Bicycle Account are intended to be a combined document, or separate items with different purposes. Page 3 of 4 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER  The Purpose of the Report Card is to provide an objective review to Council of current cycling conditions, to be considered as a baseline for future performance targets, evaluation and monitoring.  Recommendations for a future iteration of the Report Card would be to include metrics that can be compared statistically across several municipalities. For example, the Report Card could request the number of kilometers of bicycle facilities built per capita, to allow for comparability between municipalities of similar or different sizes.  Respondent municipal responses should be presented as anonymous; however, Freedom of Information must be considered during preparation of the final report. KCAC members agreed to defer further discussion of the Report Card and Bicycle Account until the PEG Sub-committee has compiled all data, and made conclusions for each of the five (5) E’s. Once completed, further discussions about report purpose and structure shall be conducted. 5. SUB-COMMITTEE WORK PLAN DISCUSSION Mr. P. Dedes (Chair) reminded KCAC members that only two general meetings remain before appointment of new members takes place, and tasked each Sub-committee with the completion of a Sub-committee Work Plan. The Work Plan should outline ongoing projects and initiatives, and assist with the transition to new members for the next Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee beginning in January 2015. ACTION ITEM: Ms. L. Nelson to send KCAC members a Work Plan template, and the link to online application forms for Citizen Advisory Committees. ACTION ITEM: Each Sub-committee to complete its Work Plan. 6. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ms. M. Sehl: That the meeting be adjourned at 5:53 p.m. Motion carried. Page 4 of 4