Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes - 2019-07-09 KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 9, 2019 The Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met on Tuesday July 9, 2019, at 4:00 pm in the Conestoga Room. Present: Mr. D. Brotherston, Mr. M. Clark, Ms. V. Hand, Ms. E. Slofstra, Mr. W. Waganka, Mr. D. Hoshowksy, Mr. T. Hannah, Mr. G. Piccini, Mr. M. Rodrigues. Staff: Mr. D. Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager Ms. L. Chominiec, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager Mr. B. Cronkite, Director Transportation Services Ms. B. Dolfi, Marketing and Events Co-op Student 1) Introducing Lisa Chominiec - Ms. Chominiec joined the city as the new active transportation project manager. She has past experience in active transportation in Cambridge and Brantford and is excited to join the Kitchener team. - Ms Gursoy and Ms. Parkes have retired from the committee and the waitlist will be consulted to fill their spots. 2) Update on subcommittees - Mr. Rodrigues asked the Advocacy Committee if there were any updates from the Region on Lancaster street reconstruction. Committee members were not aware of any news but identified it as a high priority. Mr. Kropf explained that a draft has been shared with city staff. Project is nearly 60% through design stage. Mr. Rodrigues requested that the Region present its draft to the committee for feedback. Mr. Brotherston offered to bring it up at the regional advisory committee as well. - Mr. Rodrigues explained they are coordinating the education piece for the Queen’s/Belmont project with city staff. Lisa is the primary contact for the engagement and communications strategy - Mr. Waganka shared that the Education Committee has a public education meeting coming up at the Rockway Centre about encouraging seniors to participate in the trail system. 3) Gaukel Street - Presented by Melissa Bowman and Sam Nabi - Idea originated from a tweet saying that Gaukel could be used as a pedestrian street when construction is done - Trying to have it approved before the construction is done so there’s a seamless transition - Gaukel Greenway concept o Pedestrian link from ION stations to King o Space for festivals and events o Could act as an extension of Carl Zehr Square or Victoria Park o Ideas include: public art installations, basketball court, etc. - Traffic considerations o Current road closure for Charlie West condo construction KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 9, 2019 o Busses have already been detoured and downtown hasn’t suffered major gridlock o Cars can continue going across the streets (Charles, King) but would not be able to turn onto it o Install planters at either end of the street (like on Gaudies Lane) to prevent traffic from using the road - Pilot project: Pop Up Park- public space in September o Waiting on funding from LoveMyHood o BIA city builder grant was approved - Committee questions/comments: o Q: why is the whole street not part of this?  A: Still GO and Greyhound service at Terminal, but would like to extend to the whole street if they can be accomodated o Concern: don’t want an overabundance of tables and greenery that would obstruct the pathway of cyclists and pedestrians. The more permanent infrastructure, the more difficult it is to program around (based on Spark St, Ottawa) o Q: Park vs Plaza: is this a stay place or a through place? Balance of people sitting, enjoying the space and people walking or biking through  A: Still under discussion. o Q: will the budget take away from things we need like winter maintenance, paving, wayfinding, etc?  B. Cronkite explained that the budget will not need to be significant for this project to be successful. o How can the committee remain involved?  A working group of staff and community members is being set up and they will bring plans back to this committee multiple times. - Mr. Cronkite explained that Aaron McCrimmon Jones will be the project manager on the city’s side. The road is expected to be closed for construction until 2020 which allows for more planning time and securing funding to close it under temporary measures and hire an external consultant to establish a long-term vision - Mr. Brotherston proposed a motion: o That the committee supports the initial plans for Gaukel Greenway as shown in the presentation. o Seconded by M. Clark. o Carried. 4) Bikefest review - Ms. Dolfi gave a presentation on the history of Bikefest and why it’s under review. - 5 committee members have attended bikefest in the past - Mr. Hoshowksy expressed that he didn’t like Carl Zehr square on a hot day is very hard. Previously discussed about having it at Vic Park near the Iron Horse Trail. Ride 2 years ago was incorporated (Ride for Angels), but was good attendance. No shade at City Hall. - Ms. Dolfi added that the square will be closed next year for construction. - Ms. Dolfi asked if BIkefest should be refreshed, revamped or ended. - Committee comments: o Publicity was non-existent as a newcomer to the town. Marketing has to be better. KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 9, 2019 o The work being done this year will have a more meaningful impact than bikefest. Infrastructure is the limiting factor for most people. Changing opinions is helpful, which bikefest can do—but without good infrastructure people won’t bike. If you have to split limited resources, what we are seeing this year is more valuable. o More staff time being spent on quality bike lanes, and then do bike launch events would be more valuable. o All the companies included, what do they have to say? This is to benefit them from a business point, but they should take the reins. o Bikefest came at a time when cycling was at a different state of maturity. Like the idea of tacking on a launch party i.e. want to come out and do tune-ups at this launch etc. “Mini bikefests” o Helped out survey with Liz, booth was always busy. Increasing the trails and bike presence at all the events would be more effective, than one 1 event singing to a converted audience. o It should’t need to be a ‘special event’. o Cycle WR is working on hosting more social events throughout the year. Not sure what it will look like yet. o Why did it get started in the first place? What was the objective?  Mr Kropf explained the event was to raise a positive profile for cycling, build the culture, build the long-term vision. Cycling isn’t quite where we want it to be, so let’s get people excited. o Like the idea to tack on our ersources to other existing events and expose our trails and biking system rather than doing own event with own limited resoucres. o Iinstead of a bike fest, have a very slow bike ride along the iron horse trail, and have vendors along the way, people are using their bikes etc. o Bikefest in Europe is endurance rides, 10k, with vendors, fun things happening. o CAKFA did an event similar like a scavenger hunt. Emily has been talking to Hilary in economic development re a passport for bike week etc. - Mr. Rodgrigues requested that staff return to the committee with a recommendation after further consultations have occurred. 5) Cycling and Trails Master Plan: Downtown minimum grid Ms. Chominiec presented on the topic of downtown minimum grid and examples of what it might look like from other cities. The grid should be Connected, Protected (All Ages and Abilities) and Rapid Implementation. Study area is the downtown, with significant connections: Iron Horse Trail, Spur Line Trail, Courtland Avenue trail, Queens/Belmont bike lane pilot. The committee broke into groups to discuss options and draw on maps which streets could be included. Feedback from activity:  Charles is really dangerous at night  Cedar is scary  Madison is better  Courtland is dangerous  Joseph is good KITCHENER CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 9, 2019  Idea: removable rubber curbs on King  King has the most destinations where people want to go and would benefit the most from bike traffic  Road should be designed to force cars onto non-cycling prioritized streets  Duke is a nice connection to Spur Line Trail o Duke will be closed to traffic when GO expands so there needs to be an active transportation route  Courtland area between Sterling and Victoria would be a good link but it’s not very safe  Joseph and Church would be safer than Charles  Madison to the far east  Benton and Fredrick connect to Courtland area  Victoria Park Water Street take you to Waterloo Street  I would not cycle down Charles at night. Duke is a safer area  There’s a massive hill at Cedar and Church  King could be a one way to traffic and one lane converted to a multi-way cycle lane  Charles has one bus route, Duke has 3  Benton is an easy win because it’s 4 lanes and doesn’t need to be  What about programming on King? Does that limit ability to do protected facilities? Need to use flexible/removable separation  What impact does cycling have on King Street businesses? Good for some, could hinder others. 6) August bike ride - Mr. Brotherston did not have a route yet but will closer to the date. - Mr. Kropf explained we don’t know if the separated bike lane pilot will be done before the ride on August 13. - About half the committee plans to attend. The meeting concluded at 6:05 pm.