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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKCTAC Minutes 2021-07-13 CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER July 13, 2021 The Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee met electronically on Tuesday July 13, 2021, at 4 pm. Present: M. Rodrigues, M. Jackson-Brown, A. Simidzija, D. Brotherston, E. Bennet, B. Tracey, T. Slomke, G. Kirk, B. Forwell, J. Orita, L. Dramnitzki, V. Hand, J. Broscheck, Councillor S. Marsh Staff: D. Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager L. Christensen, Multi-Use Pathways & Trails Project Manager B. Cronkite, Director of Transportation Services 1. Trails Streetview L. Christensen shared the work of their team in capturing trail footage to be added to Google Streetview. A video captures 360 degrees video and imagery of trails. Focusing on winter-maintained trails and significant trails. More trails will be added over time and expand into parks. This provides a new way for residents to explore trails before going out to enjoy them and helps make operational maintenance more efficient. D. Brotherston asked how Google gets its GIS data for the bike layer and noted the separated bike lanes on Queen’s boulevard aren’t consistently shown. D. Kropf responded that there is a process to submit data and city GIS staff are investigating how to improve Google’s cycling layer in Kitchener. 2. Traynor Trail update L. Christensen explained that the Traynor Trail was re-tendered following design adjustments to accommodate Hydro One requirements. The big change is that asphalt wouldn’t work with underground hydro vault work, so it’ll be concrete instead of asphalt. Plan is to have construction completed by end of October. Committee members supported this plan and provided encouragement to make the surface as smooth as possible given the constraints of concrete. 3. Downtown Cycling Grid opening event D. Kropf provided a construction update on the Downtown Cycling Grid. A partial opening, including Joseph Street, is on track for mid-September. Water Street and Queen Street are scheduled to be completed early December. E. Bennett of the Events & Promotions subcommittee noted they are willing to plan an event but their meeting was cut short due to an internet outage. They will meet again following suggestions from this meeting. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER July 13, 2021 M. Rodrigues shared support for an event this fall, even if construction isn’t completely finished. It’s only been a year after the master plan approved and there’s something to show already, plus the event could get people excited for winter riding. S. Marsh noted that we will need to be sensitive to local frustrations and thank residents for their patience during construction disruptions. A Simidzija suggested two celebrations, one in fall and another in spring and to invite media. D.Kropf suggested Gaukel Street as the main meeting point for the event. 4. Fall promotions With pandemic restrictions easing, there may be opportunities to do outreach and promotion in the fall. L. Christensen is planning to create a promotional pamphlet on bike etiquette and could hand it out along with bells on the Iron Horse Trail. M. Rodrigues suggested free coffee too and to support businesses along the Iron Horse Trail. The Events & Promotions subcommittee will have further discussion. 5. Bike Parking resources M. Rodrigues noted that the Bike Parking subcommittee met to discuss ways to support businesses in need of bike parking. Businesses may want to offer bike parking but may not know where to start. The committee generated ideas for resources:  Recommended bike rack types  Space needs required (often not enough space provided to properly park a bike) in a one-page diagram  Direction on accommodating different kinds of bikes, such as cargo bikes or long- tail bikes  Draw on information from the Essentials of Bike Parking guide from the Association for Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. S. Marsh suggested a possible matching grant for businesses to install bike racks. B. Cronkite noted there was little uptake on a program like this in the past but that staff can consider it again. L. Christensen confirmed that support for businesses to install bike parking is included as an action item in the Cycling & Trails Master Plan. Further information on bike parking requirements for development applications will be shared at a future meeting. CYCLING AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER July 13, 2021 6. August bike ride E. Bennet shared that the Events & Promotions subcommittee met to plan a social gathering of a hike or bike ride followed by a patio. This would be on August 10 at 4 p.m. Further details will be provided via email. 7. Staff updates D. Kropf and L. Christensen shared several updates:  The Cycling and Trails Master Plan recently won two awards: Ontario Traffic Council – Transportation Planning Project of the Year & Canadian Institute of Planners Awards for Planning Excellence – Sustainable Mobility Transportation and Infrastructure category. Thank you to all the community members who participated in making this award-winning plan.  DSD-2020-63 Iron Horse Trail Crossings and cycling spot fixes was approved at Community & Infrastructure Services Committee on June 21, 2021. PXOs at municipal crossings of the Iron Horse Trail are scheduled to be installed this fall. Changing the stop control at Young and Ahrens was deferred pending further study for an all-way stop. M. Rodrigues requested an update to this committee following that study.  Staff report to change the committee’s name and terms of reference is tentatively scheduled for September 13 at Community & Infrastructure Services Committee. M. Rodrigues will speak as a delegation on the topic.  The Region of Waterloo provided staff with updated plans for a 3.0 m boulevard multi-use trail on Ottawa Street between Nyberg Street and Charles Street, connecting with the Iron Horse Trail and contraflow bike lanes on Nyberg.  The Region of Waterloo provided staff with information on boulevard multi-use trails on both sides of Ottawa Street between Valleyview Road and Strasburg Road. Construction is scheduled for 2021-2024.  Consultations on a pedestrian-first street in the market district could start as early as August. The committee will be invited to participate via email and discuss at a future meeting.  The city is hiring a second project manager in active transportation, who will likely be introduced at the next meeting in September. M. Rodrigues requested an update on Stirling Avenue reconstruction at the next meeting. Meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm.