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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2021-04-13 CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER April 13, 2021 The Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met electronically on Tuesday April 13, 2021, at 4 pm. Present: R. Hunsberger, B. Tracey, E. Bennett, L. Dramnitzki, G. Kirk, M. Rodrigues, T. Slomke, J. Broschek, J. Orita, A. Simidzija, M. Jackson-Brown, Councillor S. Marsh, G. Piccini, V. Hand, D. Brotherston Staff: D. Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager L. Christensen, Multi-Use Pathways & Trails Project Manager A. McCrimmon-Jones, Transportation Planning Manager F. Hosseini, Transportation Planning Project Manager 1. Vision Zero F. Hosseini provided an update on progress to create Kitchener’s Vision Zero strategy. Vision Zero is a new way of thinking to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. In Vision Zero, no preventable traffic related loss of life is acceptable. Vision Zero acknowledges that humans make mistakes and our transportation network should be designed to account for human mistakes and errors. The final Vision Zero document and staff report to City Council is planned for the end of 2021. Collision analysis showed that school children, older adults, pedestrians and cyclists are overrepresented in collisions. Three focus areas include Vulnerable Road Users, Location, and High Risk Driving, with actions grouped under the headings of Engineering, Education, Engagement, Enforcement and Evaluation. J. Broscheck asked if there are more tangible short term and long term goals and noted that collision analysis is just the tip of the iceberg because some people won’t choose active transportation because it’s not safe enough. F. Hosseini provided an example of implementing countermeasures at a specific location with a collision, and then conducting before/after analysis to determine if those measures could be applied city- wide. D. Brotherston encouraged staff to develop criteria that can account for street designs that deter vulnerable users. Collision data may make it appear to be safe for vulnerable users but that’s because people wouldn’t dare try to use the street. People’s feeling of safety is important too. L. Dramnitzki suggested automobile insurance or personal injury bars as a stakeholder who may have data that can assist with the city’s goals. M. Rodrigues noted that initial discussion at City Council questioned if zero was too ambitious or difficult to achieve but pleased to see this strategy will frame how that can be achieved. Survey results separate speeding and geometry but those really need to CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER April 13, 2021 be tied together. Enforcement should be at the bottom as it’s not the most reliable or treating all citizens equally. A. McCrimmon-Jones noted there is a Vision Zero subcommittee that can be more involved in the future. A. Simidzija suggested a partnership with local companies that collect traffic data. A. McCrimmon-Jones responding that staff is partnering with private sector for data collection by running several pilots with different tech companies. The University of Waterloo has also brought access to a broad set of data that is very valuable. 2. General updates D. Kropf provided a variety of updates:  There will be a meeting for all chair and vice chairs of Kitchener advisory committees on May 6. M. Rodrigues and V. Hand have agreed to attend and will report back to the committee.  Staff recommend re-instating the Slow Streets program in 2021, which is being presented to Community & Infrastructure Services committee on April 19.  The tender has been awarded to reconstruct Delta Street into a trail and build a boulevard multi-use trail along Sydney Street.  The tender has been awarded for the first phase of the Downtown Cycling Grid, on portions of Joseph, Water and Queen streets. Cedar Street was deferred to 2022 because the tender was over budget.  The Region of Waterloo shared a list of active transportation projects under construction in 2021, including Victoria, Lackner, Ottawa, Strasburg, Highland and Fischer-Hallman.  The Province of Ontario announced a five-year pilot project to allow municipalities to choose where and how e-cargo bikes can be used. The Region and cities plan to participate in the program as part of a broader Micromobility program in 2022. L. Christensen shared sample Iron Horse Trail wayfinding and etiquette signs, and a new trail entrance standard with a removable bollard that says no vehicle access. J. Broscheck expressed support for reinstating Slow Street. His experience on Waterloo Street showed that better communication on what “slow” means would be helpful and that sabotaging the signs was a huge issue. Committee members offered the following suggestions in relation to trail signage:  D. Brotherston suggested use yield signs instead of stop signs and noted that the majority of users do not understand the right of way at crossings. Some vehicles will go around stopping vehicles and that is a really big risk. When there isn’t an island or lanes are wide enough for people to go around, it can be a major risk. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER April 13, 2021 We need the design to match the rules for the crossing and we don’t have that in the city right now.  R. Hunsberger noted the new refuge island on Victoria Street has created some confusion on whether cyclists need to stop so a stop sign would be appropriate. Ringing the bell is also very important.  S. Marsh asked if staff have done any education to drivers on what to do at an intersection of a trail. A. McCrimmon-Jones noted that trail crossing education is identified as an opportunity in Vision Zero  T. Slomke suggested including the street name at each crossing  G. Piccini noted that since the island was added at Union/Spurline it’s been so much easier to cross, with close to 75% of cars now stopping to let someone pass. 3. Joseph Street & Stewart Street reconstruction S. Yonemitsu, Region of Waterloo staff, provided an update on Transit Hub Trail development. There was a federal funding announcement to complete the multi-use trail to the transit hub. Phase 1 through Raddatz Park and Cherry Park was completed in 2021. Phase 2 includes a portion built by Perimeter Development next to a new parking garage that will join from Stewart and across CN rail to Joseph. The Region then picks up from Joseph to the grade separation at Central Station. Starting construction in fall of 2021, following agreement with LP Holdings land. Committee members expressed support for the Transit Hub Trail. In response to questions, S. Yonemitsu explained the transit hub will include LRT, GO trains, buses, Via Rail, bike parking, etc. and the trail would connect over King Street. There is more information on the Region’s engagement page. Pedestrian/cycling access is not likely to remain open since Perimeter will be responsible for the construction of the trail as part of a large construction project. D. Kropf explained that the reconstruction of Joseph and Stewart streets in 2022 will integrate with the Transit Hub Trail. Both streets are proposed to have multi-use trails on one side for pedestrian and cycling use. D. Brotherston expressed support for the trails and how staff are using the Complete Streets scorecard. He wondered if it would be possible to keep the trees on Stewart Street. D. Kropf responded that there is no way to save the trees since Stewart is a narrow right-of-way and can’t be converted to one-way as a dead-end street. 4. Franklin Street reconstruction D. Kropf introduced the reconstruction of Franklin Street in 2021. The Cycling and Trails Master Plan states that Franklin Street would have separated bike lanes between Connaught and Kingsway and a Neighbourhood Bikeway between Connaught and CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER April 13, 2021 Wilson. Sidewalks currently exist on both sides and many mature trees exist in the boulevards. The proposed cross-section includes wider sidewalks and painted bike lanes between Connaught and Kingsway, with a future opportunity to add protection along the entire Franklin Street corridor. Nearly all the mature trees are protected with this cross section. V. Hand noted that she bikes this route frequently and is often forced off the road by a truck in the middle of a crossing at Weber. D.Kropf noted that advanced stop bars are now a standard to give visible priority to cyclists and that green crossrides may be considered there. D. Brotherston noted that Complete Streets recommends 8 m radii instead of 9 m and the bike lanes would make the effective turn radius even tighter. Also requested greater traffic diversion if bike lanes can’t be fit the entire street. 5. National Active Transportation announcement M. Rodrigues explained that the Government of Canada has announced $400 million for Canada's first active transportation fund, and the development of Canada's first National Active Transportation Strategy. This is an opportunity to voice our affirmation for the federal government supporting active transportation. A draft letter was shared with the committee. J. Broscheck expressed excitement for funding and is eager to hear about timelines. E. Bennet noted some typos and really liked the line about streamlining the process. D. Brotherston moved that the committee endorse the letter and send to the leaders listed. Seconded by B. Tracey. Carried unanimously. 6. National Volunteer Week D. Kropf and L. Christensen thanked volunteers for their contributions to the community. A gift bag will be delivered to members when the stay-at-home order lifts. S. Marsh echoed the gratitude and also offered to deliver some items. 7. Subcommittee updates B. Tracey noted that the trail standards subcommittee is still working on what they’d like to see for improved signage and curb cuts. More detail will be shared in the next agenda. No other subcommittees had updates to share. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm