Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2021-05-11 CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER May 11, 2021 The Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met electronically on Tuesday May 11, 2021, at 4 pm. Present: R. Hunsberger, B. Tracey, L. Dramnitzki, G. Kirk, M. Rodrigues, T. Slomke, J. Broschek, J. Orita, A. Simidzija, B. Forwell, 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 B. Cronkite, Director of Transportation Services 1. Micromobility Kevan Marshall, Region of Waterloo staff, introduced plans to establish a micromobility program, which is being established collaboratively by staff from the three cities and region. This would establish a shared system for bicycles, e-assist bikes (e-bikes) and e-scooters. A feasibility study has been completed and the provincial Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has opened a pilot window to allow e-scooters on roads. Consultations on e-scooters asked about a range of scenarios between no e-scooters allowed and e-scooters could be allowed anywhere. Staff’s preferred option is to allow e-scooters on trails, all roads with reserved bike lanes and any road 50 km/h or less. Future action includes modifying e-scooter permissions, developing a competitive process for sharing micromobility companies and launching a system in spring of 2022. MTO has also announced a cargo e-bike pilot program, and an e-bike redefinition proposal, and these permissions would also be integrated into bylaw updates. D. Brotherston noted the preferred option is hard to explain because it is different than just wherever bikes can go and could restrict access to specific destinations. K. Marshall responded that this is the preferred approach for the pilot window and could be expanded in the future. G. Kirk asked if the province might extend their 5-year pilot since the pandemic has delayed the launch of some systems. K. Marshall responded that there has not been an indication from MTO on an extension. Staff’s plan would be aligned with the pilot window. V. Hand asked what would happen if someone didn’t realize they were on a street over 50 km/h and there isn’t enough infrastructure to get places successfully. Further discussion on this topic will be held at future meetings. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER May 11, 2021 2. New terms of reference A new Terms of Reference was circulated with the agenda, based on feedback from previous meetings. T. Slomke moved: “That the committee accept the new Terms of Reference and endorse its adoption to City Council.” Seconded by D. Brotherston. Carried unanimously. S. Marsh noted a delegation from the committee would be appreciated when it is presented to City Council. 3. Complete Streets 2023 The Complete Streets subcommittee prepared a memo on potential improvements to city street reconstructions in 2023. Comments to be added to the memo include:  wider sidewalks on St. George on both sides because they are constrained with retaining walls and hydro poles  higher emphasis on intersection design for Spadina, including section on Glen. Consider how Spadina should look in order to inform that intersection.  huge opportunity to improve the pedestrian realm on King Street and beautify it, slow down traffic. Lots of development coming there. There isn’t a lot of room on King Street but given Weber and Charles aren’t good for cycling, King may be the last chance to make a connection through there. At same time, Ottawa Street to the Expressway has already been constructed to prioritize vehicles so King may not be as essential for cycling from a network perspective. B. Tracey moved: “That the Complete Streets subcommittee memo be amended with the comments above and provided to staff for their consideration; and That street reconstruction plans be presented again to the committee in the future.” Seconded by L. Dramnitzki. Carried. 4. Iron Horse Trail crossings D. Kropf introduced a staff proposal to install Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs) to all Iron Horse Trail crossings of city-owned streets, as well as raised crossings or refuge islands to improve safety and accessibility. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER May 11, 2021 B. Forwell expressed support with all the proposed crossings and suggested that West Avenue also have beacons because of curve and blind spots. D. Brotherston shared excitement for improvements of these crossings and wanted to know if the current raised crossing standard will be changed, if pedestrian signals were considered, if Stirling Avenue could be improved, if there’s a plan for Palmer Avenue and what can be done at Ottawa Street. D. Kropf responded that the raised crossings will remain smooth and flush, that signals and Stirling Avenue intersection are the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo, and that the Region is planning a new boulevard multi-use trail on Ottawa Street that will better connect to Nyberg Street. M. Rodrigues suggested that advocacy at the regional level may be helpful to request improvements to the Courtland and Stirling intersection. B. Forwell requested the Region to present designs for Ottawa Street to this committee because that crossing is so important. G. Kirk moved: “That the committee supports the proposed plan to add PXOs and raised crossings to city-owned street crossings of the Iron Horse Trail.” Seconded by D. Brotherston. Carried unanimously. 5. Trail construction in 2021 L. Christensen shared plans for upgrading the Traynor Trail, currently out for tender. It will be upgraded to asphalt with line painting, and provide proper trail entrances. Wayfinding would come at a later date. B. Forwell asked if there will be a crossing to get to the Fairway LRT Station. L. Christensen responded that the crossing would be at the nearby signals, but a drop curb will be provided at the trail entrance. L. Christensen shared that Victoria Park and Vanier Park bridge construction is underway. The bridges will be wider than currently exist, and the bridge in Victoria Park will fit with other heritage bridges in the park. A tender for Rothsay Ave bridge replacement is also completed. The bridge is currently closed because it is unsafe. The trail will be replaced and upgraded to 3.0 m asphalt. L. Christensen shared that staff hosted a Walter Bean Trail kick-off meeting to fix a damaged portion of trail due to Grand River flooding. Construction is anticipated in 2022-2024. It may include an environmental impact study and will have future public engagement before a preliminary design is presented to the committee. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER May 11, 2021 6. Better Benton D. Brotherston introduced a proposal for improving Benton and Frederick streets. This proposal would convert half of the street into a separated cycle track. This would complement the downtown cycling grid, shorten pedestrian crossing distances, and improve access to LRT stations. More information and a petition are available at betterbenton.netlify.app. D. Brotherston would like to bring this proposal and petition to Regional Council as a private citizen in the future. Committee members expressed support for the vision and effort to put this proposal together. T. Slomke moved: “That the committee supports the vision behind Better Benton and encourages further efforts to promote this project.” Seconded by J. Broscheck. Carried. D. Brotherston abstained. 7. All Advisory Committee Chairs report M. Rodrigues and V. Hand attended a meeting of all City of Kitchener advisory committees to build on feedback from the previous All Committee Meeting and identify areas of collaboration regarding Strategic Plan implementation. It was discussed that improved communication between the committees would be helpful to discuss specific areas of overlap. A status update on implementing the strategic plan was provided. Under People Friendly Transportation, Complete Streets was completed in 2019 and other items are underway. There will soon be another discussion on what comes after this strategic plan V. Hand notes there a lot of people passionate about what’s happening in cycling and trails. Some are concerned that the city is trying to put cyclists on sidewalks and Vicci explained that’s not the goal. S. Marsh noted the pandemic will impact completion of all items and City Council will be directing staff to provide an update on what can be achieved within the original timelines. 8. 50x30WR report J. Broschek introduced a new initiative called 50x30WR, which is a grassroots, community-led campaign advocating for Waterloo Region to commit to a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, in line with the imperatives of climate science and centering social justice and well-being. It tries to be more ambitious in CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER May 11, 2021 addressing climate change. There were three meetings hosted, on housing, transportation and food security. It was an informal dialogue to exchange ideas. 9. Staff updates D. Kropf noted that the Region of Waterloo has delayed the construction of the pedestrian bridge over highway 7&8 to next year. Construction on the Downtown Cycling Grid is going well, and Slow Streets have been installed. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.