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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2020-09-08 CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER September 8, 2020 The Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met electronically on Tuesday September 8, 2020, at 4 pm. Present: M. Clark, V. Hand, M. Rodrigues, G. Kirk, D. Hoshowksky, K. Wagler, D. Brotherston, E. Slofstra, S. Councillor Marsh, B. Farwell Staff: D. Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager L. Christensen, Multi-Use Pathways & Trails Project Manager 1. Committee recruitment D. Kropf encouraged committee members to re-apply and encourage others to apply. The committee discussed ideas for addressing barriers to applying to the committee, including:  Broader city communications  Bike clubs  Can be difficult to do the enrollment. Provide staff assistance.  Multicultural Centre  Recycle Cycles  Saturday bike tuneups in Victoria Park  Bike shops  Equity, inclusion and diversity task force members  Staff to provide a shorter link to members for easier sharing 2. General updates D. Kropf provided an update on projects currently underway:  Slow Streets (quiet streets closed to through traffic) installed on 9 streets and will remain until the end of October. E. Slofstra inquired if it is known how many signs are being stolen. D. Kropf responded that theft and vandalism has been a significant challenge.  Krug Street bike lanes have been painted on East to Becker. Remainder of lines, signs and bike symbols to come soon.  Franklin Street bike lanes are fully installed on Weber to Trafalgar. Lines have been painted on Trafalgar to Ottawa, with signage and symbols to come.  Stirling Avenue bike lanes are painted on Mill to King, with signage and symbols to come. Two stage queue boxes at Stirling/Mill are to be installed following completion of Mill Street reconstruction. Reconstruction is underway on Stirling between Mausser and Greenbrook, which will include painted bike lanes and cycle tracks.  Delta Street temporary closure in 2020 is now in effect. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER September 8, 2020  Tender for Wilson Avenue boulevard multi-use trail came in under budget. Construction in October.  Tender for Budd Park trail came in under budget. Construction in October. D. Brotherston asked what facility is planned on Mill from Courtland to Ottawa. D. Kropf responded there will be a boulevard multi-use trail. 3. Front-yard Garden Tours M. Rodrigues shared that the organizers of Front-Yard Garden Tours in Olde Berlin Town and Central Frederick neighbourhoods has invited the committee to set up a table to share various initiatives related to cycling and trails in Kitchener. Physical distancing will be maintained during this outdoor event. The event takes place on Saturday September 19, 2-4 pm. M. Rodrigues is planning to attend. V. Hand offered to help as well. 4. Fall engagement D. Kropf asked the committee for ideas on engaging the community in building a positive cycling culture. E. Slofstra commented that Cycle WR is helping make routes to school and it has been very well received. M. Clark suggested making routes for self-guided bike rides. The committee supported this idea, with the possibility of promoting it through Neighbours Day. M. Clark and V. Hand offered to help with making maps for routes. 5. Construction protocols for active transportation Committee chair M. Rodrigues requested information from city staff on how pedestrian and cyclist routes are maintained or accommodated during construction. D. Kropf explained that city staff follow Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7: Temporary Conditions. It provides basic uniform guidelines for traffic control in temporary work zones. Book 7 includes guidance specific to pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, the City of Kitchener Complete Streets Guidelines include a section on accommodating all streets users during temporary conditions. The committee was asked to share their experience of temporary conditions as a pedestrian or cyclist.  G. Kirk asked how people can report such concerns? D.Kropf responded that specific concerns can be reported through the corporate contact centre.  M. Rodrigues commented that Queen Street was recently a challenge with development on one side and city construction on other side. Would like to see CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER September 8, 2020 practices like transitioning sidewalks to a protected bike lane to keep access for pedestrians.  S. Marsh commented that a couple years ago a little girl came to Council to ask about temporary ramps on the lip of the curb cut when waiting on the asphalt to settle over a season. At that time, Council asked staff to make the asphalt ramp a best practice and is wondering if that is happening?  D. Brotherston commented there is lots of vague language, like “preferred” or “practical” so it’s easy for construction teams to take the easiest way out. There is also no prioritization between travel modes. Default priority remains to maintain vehicle access and then see what fits for sidewalks. Is there an enforcement mechanism? D. Kropf responded that staff proactively monitor sites as they are implemented. Brotherston asked if paperwork is required to close a sidewalk like it is to close a road? D. Kropf responded that yes, permits are required for closing sidewalks and fees for those permits were implemented last year. 6. Iron Horse Trail wayfinding L. Christensen reported that major components of Iron Horse Trail construction are coming to an end. City Staff will be hiring a consultant this fall to help them develop a wayfinding plan for popular destinations from the Iron Horse Trail. A wayfinding signage guideline has been created and we are planning to use this guideline to help create signs for the Iron Horse Trail. Liz shared a subway map style map. The committee identified possible destinations to include on wayfinding signs:  Union Street – Belmont Village, Grand River Hospital, Allen Station, Uptown Waterloo, Breithaupt Centre, Breithaupt Park, beverages and seating areas  Glasgow Street – Separated bike lanes on Belmont, public school, GRH Station, The Boardwalk  Gage Street – Transit Hub, Cherry Park,  Patricia/Cherry – small connecting trail could include just the street names. Possibly highland shopping and St. Mary’s hospital. Lakeside Trail.  Victoria Street – Transit Hub. KW Hydro.  West Avenue – Victoria Park, Henry Sturm trail.  Henry Sturm – Fischer Hallman (but needs wayfinding to get there given some trail aspects are not up to standard). Shopping centres on Highland. Lakeside Park.  Victoria Park – additional information as a major entry point. city hall, VP Station. Community centre. Library.  Queen Street – Library (but not the safest cycling route), Queen Station, King Street, city hall, downtown community centre  Mill Street – Market, Highland Courts, Sandhills Park, Courtland Avenue public school, Kitchener Market station, Cameron Heights pool  Madison – Market, Kitchener Market station CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER September 8, 2020  Courtland – wayfinding at Stirling too. Cameron Heights Pool. Ion stops. Lakeside Park. Meinzinger Park. MacLennan Park eventually.  Kent – Schneiders Development  Borden – Aud. Mill Station.  Ottawa – Rockway Centre, Rockway Golf, Peter Hallman Ballyard, Fairway Mall Additional comments related to broader wayfinding included:  Encourage the best route for cycling and not just the most direct  Encourage to share how long it will take to get somewhere if using major, farther destinations like the Boardwalk.  Include road names. May not be as helpful for people new to city, but major roadways are learned quickly.  Include how many minutes to get to downtown from various spots on trail  Use city hall as a landmark along multiple signs  Suggest not pointing to transit hub on Victoria since it is not the safest cycling route.  Will Victoria Park get a denser wayfinding treatment or at the boathouse? L. Christensen responded that accesses from the trail will be stronger. D. Kropf commented there may be opportunity to expand on wayfinding through park with downtown grid.  Business owners would probably value having more than just city hall. If using other shopping centres, also highlight downtown shopping centres.  Possibly use icons for things like shopping, restaurants, etc. to save space  Can wayfinding be extended to Trans Canada Trail along Courtland?  Green signs are harder to read than blue signs. Hard to read the ones along the separated bike lane pilot. B. Forwell requested to see a mockup of the signs. L. Christensen agreed to bring the plan back to the committee. 7. Volunteer appreciation On behalf of all city staff and city council, D. Kropf shared his thanks for the committee’s contributions over the past two years. Darren offered to buy drinks or ice cream for an in-person gathering outside if people are interested. The committee was open to a gathering and will find a date in the future. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.