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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Agenda 2021-02-09 CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER February 9, 2021 The Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met electronically on Tuesday February 9, 2021, at 4 pm. Present: R. Hunsberger, B. Tracey, E. Bennett, L. Dramnitzki, G. Kirk, M. Rodrigues, T. Slomke, J. Broschek, D. Brotherston, J. Broschek, J. Orita, A. Simidzija, M. Jackson- Brown, B. Forwell, Councillor S. Marsh, G. Piccini, V. Hand Staff: D. Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager L. Christensen, Multi-Use Pathways & Trails Project Manager A. McCrimmon-Jones, Transportation Planning Manager B. Cronkite, Director of Transportation Services 1. Welcome and volunteer support M. Rodrigues encouraged members to reach out if they are any supports to help with their participation during the stresses of the pandemic. 2. Workplan development At the start of each term, advisory committees are encouraged to brainstorm potential priorities and projects to form a workplan for the next two years. Using an online brainstorming application, committee members identified their ideas under various themes, using the Cycling and Trails Master Plan framework. Major themes and next steps will be provided at the next meeting. 3. New terms of reference A. McCrimmon-Jones explained that the committee’s terms of reference have been under review to determine if an expanded mandate is appropriate. There have been calls for a “road safety” committee, which would have some overlap with this committee and may be better to be combined. T. Slomke expressed concern that Complete Streets is specific to infrastructure design but wants to keep committee’s focus on the people using the streets and ensuring safety of vulnerable people. G.Kirk expressed support for the idea of including more users in committee’s mandate and that active transportation seems like a good term to describe it. D. Brotherston suggested splitting the committee for those focused on transportation versus recreation G. Piccini commented that it’s important to see Complete Streets included in mandate because infrastructure is key to increasing use, though prefers the term Active CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER February 9, 2021 Transportation. A subcommittee for recreational component could be encouraged as well. B. Tracey supported the term ‘active’ as it includes anything non-automotive. J. Broschek expressed support for a more holistic approach, since dealing with bigger issues like climate change and equity are all connected and can be dealt with in a broader mandate. Stronger subcommittee structures would be needed to tackle the broader mandate. B. Forwell supported Complete Streets because pedestrians and cycling often get squeezed out to make things fit for an automobile. With the master plan approved, more infrastructure is coming and a broader mandate could facilitate even more. B. Forwell prefers the name of Active Transportation and Trails. S. Marsh expressed support for greater attention to active transportation in street reconstructions and noted that Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) also focuses on safety of vulnerable users so don’t want to overlap mandate with them. Could have a cross appointment for subcommittees between GRAAC and this committee. M. Rodrigues stressed the importance of the name not losing active or trail components. City staff will review comments and provide a basic outline of a new terms of reference for further discussion and decision-making at the next meeting. 4. E-scooter consultations The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) launched a new, five-year pilot to permit Electric Kick Scooters (e-scooters) on roads. The province outlined that it is up to municipalities to pass by-laws to permit the use of e-scooters locally and determine where they can and cannot operate. D. Kropf encouraged committee members to complete the online survey to give their feedback. A representative from the Region of Waterloo will attend a future meeting to summarize what was heard and gather feedback for implementation of an e-scooter pilot project. 5. Upcoming infrastructure projects D. Kropf and L. Christensen provided a brief overview of some of the projects scheduled for construction in 2021, including:  Downtown Cycling Grid, with separated bike lanes on Joseph, Water and Cedar streets, plus several neighbourhood bikeways CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER February 9, 2021  Delta and Sydney multi-use trail  Wilson Avenue (Wabanaki-Goodrich) boulevard multi-use trail  Mill Street bike lanes (Stirling to Ottawa)  Stirling Avenue bike lanes, ultimately extending from Greenbrook to King  Gaukel and Eby pedestrian-first streets  Traynor Trail  Walter Bean Trail  Four pedestrian bridges replacements: Victoria Park/Jubilee Drive, Vanier Park, Lynnvalley Park, Rothsay Avenue  Iron Horse Trail wayfinding  City has applied for stimulus funding, which must be completed in 2021, for two trails: o Filsinger Park trail from Fischer Hallman to Lawrence o Wilson Park trail from Kingsway to Vanier D. Brotherston noted that Dixon Street is pretty bad and wondered if it could be lined up to match up with trail work in Wilson Park. D. Kropf responded that Dixon will be reconstructed in 2025. D. Brotherston asked if the Traynor Trail will be able to connect to trails around Peter Hallman Ballyard. L. Christensen responded that the Region of Waterloo is considering options. B. Forwell asked whether the underpass at Westmount could be redesigned instead of an at-grade crossing. If not, he encouraged to use alternate paths to cross Westmount and supported using the footpath along the creek instead of the big hill. L. Christensen responded that underpass modifications is beyond scope and budget. M. Rodrigues noted there may be an advocacy role to ensure the Westmount crossing is safe. T. Slomke noted that the Easy Riders use the trails in Filsinger Park regularly and requested they be informed of construction so they can adjust route plans. G. Piccini commented that improved wayfinding at the south end of the Iron Horse Trail would really help to demonstrate all the new connections and asked if pedestrian lighting will be included on Delta. L. Christensen responded that lighting was not able to be included. D. Brotherston noted that both a bike box and two stage queue box would be helpful and wondered why both aren’t included. D. Kropf agreed to research it further. D. Brotherston expressed support for the missing link on Wilson as it is important for pedestrian access to LRT as well. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER February 9, 2021 B. Tracey requested bigger wayfinding signs from the Iron Horse Trail to Fairview Mall, similar to Waterloo. D. Kropf responded that the new wayfinding sign standards are bigger and the current ones will be replaced as wayfinding expands in the future. B. Forwell expressed concern that the Stirling bike lanes are not for all ages and abilities because the bike lanes are squeezed between the parking and vehicle lanes. D. Kropf responded that keeping the bike lanes between the curb and parking lane would increase maintenance costs and Stirling Avenue will see future reconstruction to improve the design. 6. Winter Bikealoopza D. Kropf explained that last year the city celebrated Winter Bike to Work Day. Things look a lot different this year, but on Friday February 12, people are encouraged to ride their bike for essential exercise in their neighbourhood. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.