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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2017-07-11 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 11, 2017 - 1 - CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:09 p.m. Present: Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. L. Paprocki, Messrs. E. Bliefert, D. Brotherston, M. Drasdo, B. Jenner, and R. Mazumder Staff: Mr. J. Barton, Associate Landscape Architect Ms. M. Salvucci, Active Transportation Student Delegates: Mr. B. Cronkite, Interim Manager of Transportation Planning, City of Kitchener 1. ONTARIO MUNICIPAL COMMUTER CYCLING PROGRAM  Mr. B. Cronkite described details of the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program. The City of Kitchener will be applying to the grant which is due August th 16, 2017. Mr. B. Cronkite stressed the grant’s focus on “commuter” cycling and provided lists of eligible and non-eligible project examples, as well as the City of Kitchener’s proposed project list.  Councillor Y. Fernandes feels that the Shirley Avenue ramp should be a priority whereas Wilson should be further down on the priority list because there is a trail that already supports that area.  Discussion ensued over the amount of funding that cycling receives from council.  Discussion ensued about the City of Kitchener’s Cycling Master Plan/ Active Transportation Master Plan creation/update.  Mr. E. Bliefert supports the wayfinding option on the priority list as he feels it is important to improve what already exists.  Mr. B. Cronkite stated an endorsement would be necessary from the committee in order to move the project list forward for the grant application. On a motion by Mr. B. Jenner – It was resolved and carried: “Motion that the Committee accepts the list of projects to be submitted to the OMCC grant.” o Mr. M. Drasdo calls for a vote on motion; 6 members support the motion and one member was not present at this time. 2. NEW ITEMS  Mr. R. Mazumder raised concerns over crossings between the Waterloo Spur Line Trail and the iron Horse Trail. o Mr. J. Barton mentioned that many of the issues with crossings are challenging to deal with due to jurisdictional boundaries. o Mr. B. Cronkite stated that the City is currently working with the Region in regards to pedestrian crossover legislation. The pedestrian crossovers allow for the right-of-way to shift from vehicular to pedestrian priority. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 11, 2017 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER o Mr. D. Brotherston noted that many of the crossings are within 200 metres of intersections and legislation states that pedestrian crossover installation needs to be more than 200 metres away from an intersection. Mr. D. Brotherston wondered how the City was approaching this issue.  Mr. B. Cronkite responded that the City will be conducting counts and will look at the crossings from a case-to-case basis. The city will also be using Jubilee Drive as a pilot for the new pedestrian crossovers. o Mr. R. Mazumder asked if pedestrian islands been considered.  Mr. B. Cronkite responded that if there is enough space in the right-of-way, pedestrian islands are considered.  Ms. L. Paprocki brought stickers and an article from the London Health Sciences Centre that was written about Share the Road Cycling Coalition.  Mr. R. Mazumder suggested that the Waterloo region Police Service may be interested in collaborating for educational purposes in regards to the one-metre passing law. It was noted that Guelph Police recently borrowed a device from Ottawa Police to measure the distance between drivers and cyclists and educating the drivers on the one-metre law. A meeting between the Police and KCTAC would provide an opportunity to arrange an educational campaign and to produce promotional materials such as flyers, a media release and swag to further increase awareness.  Mr. B. Cronkite discussed BikeKitchener’s presence at events through Bikecheck. Bikecheck allows the public to get information about cycling and provides a great outreach opportunity. However, Bikecheck is low on volunteers and would require increased support in order to properly educate the public on issues addressed by KCTAC.  Mr. M. Drasdo discussed the uncertainties surrounding electric vehicle (scooters, e-bikes) use on trails. Mr. J. Barton responded that trail rules regulate users based on speed and if the vehicle has pedals. There were concerns about the potential increase in electric vehicle use in the future.  Mr. D. Brotherston discussed a Public Information Centre that was held by the Region in regards to expanded bike infrastructure by Westmount Rd. W. and Victoria St. S. which he heard about through TriTAG. Mr. D. Bortherston was interested in ensuring communication between the Region and the City for this project. Mr. B. Cronkite recommended informing the City of any ideas for projects and the City would take responsibility for communicating them to the Region. 3. SUBCOMMITTEES  Mr. E. Bliefert discussed the progress made by the Wayfinding Subcommittee. Mr. E. Bliefert has begun to put together project parameters, document existing content on signage, taking pictures of signs and street names, and making a database of all existing signage. Mr. E. Bliefert has also collected data on information found on Toronto signs and has begun to make a list of important information that should be included on signs. Finalization of information to include on signs can be discussed by KCTAC. It was also noted that improved signage could be beneficial to emergency services but improvements should not KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 11, 2017 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER be based on benefiting emergency services as cellphone GPSs already provide assistance. Interest was shown in having small, nonobtrusive distance markers on trails that exceed a certain length. 4. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m. OTHER ITEMS The meeting in August will be a social event held at The Boathouse.