Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2020-11-10 CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER November 10, 2020 The Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met electronically on Tuesday November 10, 2020, at 4 pm. Present: M. Clark, M. Rodrigues, G. Kirk, V. Hand, G. Piccini, D. Brotherston, Councillor S. Marsh, D. Hoshowsky, Staff: D. Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager L. Christensen, Multi-Use Pathways & Trails Project Manager B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services N. Lobley, Director, Parks & Cemeteries Delegations: Natalie Wennyk, Sustainable Waterloo Region Miranda Burton, Sustainable Waterloo Region Kevan Marshall, Region of Waterloo 1. Project updates The Cycling and Trails Master Plan was approved! L. Christensen thanked V. Hand for an excellent, composed delegation on behalf of the committee. Krug Street bike lanes are completed. G. Piccini commented that his kids found the parking lanes next to the bike lanes confusing. Wilson Avenue boulevard multi-use trail construction has begun. D. Brotherston commented that there’s been some positive social media on the project already and asked for a timeframe on filling the gap from Traynor Trail. B. Cronkite responded that it will be a project to pursue once staff capacity opens up following the grid and staff will also consider enhancements on Old Mill Road as well. Budd Park multi-use trail is completed. L. Christensen noted it will be winter maintained and could use some wayfinding at the entrance into the park. D. Hoshowsky asked if the Great Trail is closed at Manitou. L. Christensen responded that it is closed for Regional work for the River Road extension until September 2021 and has asked the Region to put up trail closed signs at entry points. 2. Downtown Cycling Grid D. Kropf shared a presentation for the proposed Downtown Cycling Grid, with approximately 3 km of separated bike lanes, 1 km of boulevard multi-use trail and 6 km of neighbourhood bikeways. The grid is designed to attract all ages and abilities of cyclists who want to cycle more but don’t feel comfortable cycling in mixed traffic downtown. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER November 10, 2020 G. Piccini asked about the status of the transit hub trail. D. Kropf responded that it will be complete by the end of 2022, with various components being integrated into other development or reconstruction projects. D. Brotherston asked staff to consider ways to deter vehicles from turning right from Lancaster into the bike lanes. M. Clark noted that King Street was on the Cycling and Trails Master Plan as a cycling facility and asked what the plan is for King. B. Cronkite responded that there is a long- term vision for a pedestrian promenade that could accommodate cycling, but that is still several years off. M. Clark asked if the Region is considering extending the boulevard multi-use trail on Weber, especially as land use is shifting through that area. B. Cronkite responded that the Region has not indicated any plans to consider that. M. Rodrigues noted the new multi-use trail from Mike Wagner Green to Queen Street. L. Christensen responded that initial designs are underway but still more work to be done before it can be built. M. Rodrigues asked if cyclists can navigate through the diverter at Chapel and Samuel. D. Kropf responded that they can, though it will be a bit awkward at the turn. S. Marsh noted that Ontario Street small businesses are struggling, and it’ll be a challenge for them to survive the pandemic and also adjust to this proposed project. Committee members responded that it would be better to defer this block than push it through major resistance, and that it’s better to find a solution later than do half measures like paint that set a poor precedent for illegal loading/parking. B. Cronkite noted staff are willing to consider a phased approach with Ontario Street in 2022-2023 and spend more time looking at possible options. M. Clark moved that the committee supports the Downtown Cycling Grid. Seconded by D. Brotherston. Passed unanimously. M. Rodrigues noted that G. Piccini and M. Clark have expressed willingness to speak on behalf of the motion and potentially speak to the Ontario Street considerations. 3. Travelwise Travelwise is a partnership with Region of Waterloo and Sustainable Waterloo Region. Natalie Wennyk, Miranda Burton, and Kevan Marshall provided an introduction to Travelwise, a program to reduce single-occupant vehicles in the Waterloo Region. Features of the program include a GRT Corporate Transit Pass discount, Emergency Ride Home, Online Carpool Matching, and Trip Planning & Logging. They requested CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER November 10, 2020 feedback on where Travelwise might go in the next two years, services offered, impact of COVID, future of sustainable commuting, etc. M. Clark wondered what information is available to make the pitch to an employer. Travelwise staff responded that information is available online and they can help make the pitch. V. Hand commented that the carpool matching wasn’t successful for her and it was a bit of a pain to log their trips and that the discounted transit rates would be helpful if it was for a shorter season when not cycling. M. Burton said there is now an app for easier logging. K. Marshall responded that the discount is now a monthly product so can fit the months that you use transit more. Carpooling matching will have to evolve to meet demand from ride-hailing services and some new, promising carpooling products are coming out in other jurisdictions. 4. Iron Horse Trail Wayfinding L. Christensen shared that the consultant has developed a proposed wayfinding plan for the Iron Horse Trail. There are two options for wayfinding sign layout and a subway style map will be at five different locations. L. Christensen also provided samples of trail etiquette signage. D. Brotherston requested the transit hub and/or ION Central Station be added to wayfinding signage at Gage. Support for the TransLink etiquette sample was given by multiple members because it covers the main things in a single sign. 5. Term in review M. Rodrigues thanked the committee for sticking with us over the pandemic and lots of big changes. D. Kropf and L. Christensen added their thanks for the volunteers’ dedication. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.