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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-10 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 10, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:07 p.m. Present: Ms. M. Generoux, Ms. G. Mitchell, Ms. V. Van Cappellen, Ms. S. Taka, Councillor Y. Fernandes, Messrs. M. Boos (Vice-Chair), T. Boutilier, L. Chandler, P. Dedes (Chair), D. Hoshowsky, D. Kropf, and K. Young. Staff: Messrs. J. Joseph, J. Readman, J. Kolnick, M. Parris, and D. Pimentel, and Ms. M. Lanoue, Regrets: Ms. D. Chapman, and Mr. J. Sanderson 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 13, 2015 th That the minutes of the February 10, 2015 meeting be approved. Motion by: Mr. Young 2. ROAD DIETS Mr. Pimentel gave the committee a presentation outlining the road diets that would take place this year. The presentation detailed options for Westheights Drive, Union Avenue, Stirling Avenue, and East Avenue, as well as the trail crossing at Courtland and Stirling. Councillor Fernandes asked how the addition of bike lanes on East Avenue would affect access to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. Mr. Pimentel noted that conflict areas could be marked with green paint and that the cycle track would most likely be implemented on the park side where there are less conflict areas. Mr. Boos inquired if the cycle track would be connected to the re proposed cycle track. Mr. Pimentel said that he would look into the Councillor Fernandes asked what budget was going to be used to cover the cost of the aforementioned road diets. Mr. Readman answered that the cycling and traffic calming budgets would be used. 3. SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES The Infrastructure and Technical Sub-Committee Mr. Kropf went over what the sub-committee had discussed at their last meeting. He stated that they had looked at the options for Westheights Drive that Mr. Pimentel had presented to the committee at the February meeting. They also looked over the sub- previous years and decided to continue the wayfinding partnership with Region. On behalf of the sub-committee, Mr. Kropf asked for an update on the implementation of Sharrows. Mr. Readman answered that operations KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 10, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER was waiting for the pavement to warm up to the correct temperature needed for the sharrow installations to be successful. Mr. Kropf provided the sub- 4. The lane widths are wide enough to accommodate buses; there are buffers available to increase cyclist safety. The sub-committee suggested that the buffers between the two travel lanes be reduced and the buffer between parked cars and bike lane be increased. On a motion by Mr. Kropf It was resolved and carried alternative number four as the design for Westheights Drive. Mr. Kropf noted that the sub-committee has also looked at the Trans Canada Trail. Mr. Boutilier stated that the Sub-committee would like updates regarding trail construction. Mr. Parris said that the committee will be approached with a plan of action this year. Councillor Fernandes inquired if the LRT construction would be considered in the plan of action. Mr. Parris replied that it would be considered. Mr. Kropf asked for some updates on missing trail links. Mr. Parris replied that he would bring them to the next meeting. The Education, Safety, and Promotion Sub-Committee Ms. Mitchell provided the committee with details regarding the sub- checklist and postcard and sent them to The City of Kitchener communications department for review. They are hoping it will be an online resource as well as located at bike shops, community spaces and other cyclist friendly locations. Ms. Mitchell also noted that the sub- committee is hoping to make a video that details how to properly lock a bike. The Sub-committee stated their willingness to put work into planning Bike Fest so that the event can still take place this year. Ms. Mitchell said that the sub-committee has begun planning the councillor ride which is set to take place in June. They are planning on covering three wards and hope that committee members will come prepared to discuss items related to those wards. Mr. Dedes reminded committee members to be mindful of time constraints when planning the route, as the principle purpose of the ride is to speak to the issues surrounding the route. Councillor Fernandes KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 10, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER welcomed any suggestions the committee might have regarding the route. The Planning, Evaluation, and Governance Sub-Committee Mr. Dedes stated that the sub-committee met to finalize the report card presentation to the standing committee. The report card received a large amount of media coverage. He stated that he would reserve judgement for the moment regarding the feedback that they received from council. 4. TRAIL STRATEGIES JOSH JOSEPH Mr. Joseph gave a presentation to the committee regarding the prioritization of trail project implementations. Councillor Fernandes asked if being part of Safe Routes to School would be something he considered when prioritizing. Mr. Joseph replied that it is something being considered. Mr. Kropf inquired if Tourism was something considered in the prioritization. Mr. Joseph noted that he has not yet found a way to quantify tourism; however, heritage is included. Mr. Joseph continued his presentation by informing the committee of the signage and wayfinding strategy as well as the Iron Horse Trail improvement strategy and crossing improvement strategy. Mr. Joseph asked the committee for volunteers to help plan public meetings, walking tours of the trails, and survey promotion. More information will be provided at the committee meeting in June. Mr. Dedes remarked that the Planning, Evaluation, and Governance Sub- Committee would be able to assist Mr. Joseph with the trail related items mentioned above. 5. BIKE KITCHENER SUZIE TAKA Ms. Taka planning events for Bike Kitchener. She noted that The Working Centre has looked at the research conducted by the Toronto Cycling Think and Do Tank on how to create a cycling culture. The plan for Bike Kitchener events this year is based off of a toolkit developed by that group of researchers. This year it has been decided that instead of concentrating resources on Bike Fest, the resources will be spread over a few months and include a presence at 8 events, and the execution of 10 community rides this way one day affair. The Working Centre is in the process of creating a Cycling Friendly Event Guide that would give event organizers tips on how to make their events more accessible to cyclists. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 10, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. Hoshowsky noted that it would be a good idea for the City to promote cycling and walking as the primary method of transportation to events instead of the automobile. Ms. Generoux said that it would be very helpful if the city had a bike hub that provided information about cycling in the city and emphasized that the most important point is to encourage cycling in younger generations. Mr. Dedes mentioned the possibility of a bike summit that would be held in the region. Mr. Boos noted that TriTAG is already investigating the possibility of hosting an Active Transportation summit. Ms. Taka said that the planned community rides are focused on relationship building so people feel more comfortable and committed to riding. Ms. Generoux said that it would be nice to do a breakfast ride or neighbourhood rides to encourage those who do not normally cycle. Mr. Dedes noted that the committee can look at bike Kitchener as a hub and spokes model, where Bike Fest is the hub and other promotions, rides and events are the spokes. Mr. Readman reminded the committee that they must consider LRT construction schedule and ensuing road closures. King Street cannot be closed again this year for bike fest so committee needs to consider other venues and plan Bike Fest themselves if they would like to see it happen again this year. Councillor Fernandes suggested that the new committee members provide the committee with their opinion of Bike Fest. Mr. Chandler said that it should be held again this year as it has just started to gain momentum. Mr. Hoshowsky said that he does not see Bike Fest as an event that attracts new cyclists or very avid cyclist. Mr. Kropf noted that Bike Fest does not really attract people who do not cycle so focusing resources on creating a cycling culture would be better. Mr. Dedes commented that something should be done to keep Bike Fest going but it may have to be refocused. Mr. Boos stated that he has enjoyed Bike Fest but is still open to change. Mr. Dedes told the Promotion and Education Sub-committee to look into options for Bike Fest at their next meeting. 6. ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATES Mr. Pimentel gave a presentation from the Regional Active Transportation Advisory Committee regarding Bike Box installation and costs. Mr. Dedes inquired as to the updates for using e-bikes and e-scooters on trails. Mr. Pimentel said he would look into it. 7. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Mr. Boos It was resolved and carried he meeting be adjourned at 5:55