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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2017-09-12 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th September 12, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Ms. M. Oviedo, Messrs. M. Drasdo, E. Bliefert, D. Hoshowsky, B. Jenner, T. Mollison, and J. Williams. Staff: Mr. D. Pimentel, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager Mr. J. Barton, Associate Landscape Architect Mr. B. Cronkite, Interim Manager of Transportation Services Ms. M. Salvucci, Active Transportation Student Delegates: Mr. T. Slomke, Easy Riders Cycling Club 1. BIKE SHARE FEASIBILITY STUDY Mr. D. Pimentel provided the details of the feasibility study and the scope of work for Climate Innovation Program grant opportunity for the study. Both the study and the grant opportunity were discussed at a prior Kitchener Cycling and Trails Action Committee (KCTAC) meeting. However, for the grant application, the Region of Waterloo would like formal committee. Discussion ensued regarding how Community Access Bikeshare (CAB) will fit into the study and the results of the study. It was noted that CAB has been included in the application and study process; the results of the study will determine any future decisions. Discussion ensued regarding what other associations should endorse the feasibility study. It was suggested that conversations with the business improvement associations may be beneficial. Mr. D. Pimentel stated that an endorsement from KCTAC would strengthen the application for the grant. On a motion by Mr. T. Mollison It was resolved and carried: o Mr. E. Bliefert provided a second to the motion. o Mr. M. Drasdo called for a vote on the motion; all 7 members supported the motion. 2. ONTARIO MUNICIPAL COMMUTER CYCLING PROGRAM Mr. D. Pimentel provided a summary of the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling (OMCC) Program, which was discussed at a prior KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th September 12, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER KCTAC meeting. As an update, ton for th the grant was submitted on Friday September 8 with the project list that was previously shown to the Committee. One project on the application was Stirling Avenue. o The section of Stirling Avenue between Highland Road and Mausser Avenue is already scheduled for reconstruction in 2018 so bike lanes will be added during the construction period. o An area of focus along Stirling Avenue is the Stirling Avenue and Highland Road intersection. Discussion ensued regarding the potential to implement a bicycle cross-ride and bicycle signals as the intersection has lower traffic volumes. As the intersection is scheduled for reconstruction, upgraded cycling features, such as bike signals and cross-rides, may be considered. o Concerns were voiced over the hills on Stirling Avenue and attention was brought to more level, but less direct routes that run parallel to Stirling Avenue. However, it was stressed that the OMCC grant focuses on commuter cycling, and thus, the most direct route must be focused upon. o The intersection of Stirling Avenue and Courtland Avenue is also an area of focus. Concerns were raised over the use of pedestrian and cyclist islands in an area with high amounts of bus and truck traffic. It was reiterated that the goal of the funding is to create direct routes for commuter cyclists. Another project on the OMCC application is to potentially retrofit the bridge connecting Shirley Avenue and River Road with a bicycle gutter. Another project is the implementation of bike infrastructure on Bedford Road between to create the missing connection between the Iron Horse Trail and the Trans Canada Trail. Another project is the implementation of segregated cycling infrastructure on Wilson Avenue between Traynor Avenue and Homer Watson Park. o There were concerns regarding the future installation of a round-a-bout at Wilson Avenue and Goderich Drive. o It was established that bike infrastructure along Wilson Avenue is essential in creating a direct link to Conestoga College and the City of Cambridge. Another project is improving bike parking by aiming to add 50 bike racks or 100 bike parking spaces per year of the grant. KCTAC can aid in figuring out where the racks can be placed. Some concerns were voiced regarding cycling infrastructure inconsistencies between cities and different areas. However, it was noted that all cycling infrastructure must comply with Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18 which dictates the standards. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th September 12, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER 3. WAYFINDING SIGNAGE improvements and the coverage of wayfinding in the media. Mr. J. Barton stated that he is looking for increased involvement and input from KCTAC members in regards to wayfinding. The improvement process requires crowdsourced information which can be collected by committee members. Mr. E. Bliefert provided an update on his efforts with taking pictures of current wayfinding signage throughout the City but has not been able to upload and fully document them all. Mr. E. Bliefert would like to expedite the process of wayfinding signage improvements. Mr. J. Barton describes one of the biggest challenges is creating a regionally consistent system as both the City of Waterloo and the City of Cambridge have significantly different designs than the other. Mr. J. Williams stated that he will provide Mr. J. Barton with an accessible and active google document for people to input their information. Mr. T. Slomke suggested that the Easy Riders could possibly help collect data if they are provided with more detailed instructions and a route map. The subcommittee will further coordinate. 4. BIKE CHECK AT TERRY FOX RUN Mr. M. Drasdo discussed the Terry Fox Run which will take place on Sunday, September 17th in Victoria Park. Mr. M. Drasdo stated that he is interested in offering Bikecheck but needs at least one volunteer from KCTAC in order to make it happen. Without a volunteer, Bikecheck will not be able to run this year at the Terry Fox Run. The volunteer will be needed from 11:00am to 2:00pm on Sunday th September 17. Mr. M. Drasdo stated that he will do the set up and takedown so the volunteer will not have to worry about that. Mr. M. Drasdo suggested that if any committee member was interested in volunteering for Bikecheck, they should contact him as soon as possible. 5. CYCLING IN THE MEDIA Mr. D. Pimentel discussed an article in the Kitchener Post written by Mike Farwell that discussed the responsibilities of all modes sharing the road. Mr. D. Pimentel suggested that the Committee may possibly be interested in looking at guidelines for how to write an article regarding cyclists. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES th September 12, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER Overall, the importance of positivity and decreasing the divide between cars and bikes was stressed. The article will be sent out to the Committee with the meeting minutes. This topic will be further discussed at the next meeting in October due to the interest of some committee members that were absent. 6. NEW BUSINESS Ms. M. Oviedo stated that she is interested in joining a subcommittee and if any subcommittee lead is looking for more help, to let her know. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. ACTION ITEMS Mr. J. Williams will provide Mr. J. Barton with a goggle document for the wayfinding signage project. Committee members will contribute to the wayfinding Google Document once it has been posted. Committee members interested in being volunteering for Bikecheck at the Terry Fox Run will contact Mr. M. Drasdo. OTHER ITEMS th The meeting on Tuesday, October 10, will be held in the Learning Room instead of the Conestoga Room.