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Home My WebLink AboutATTAC Agenda 2022-03-08 Kitchener Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee: Agenda Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Office of the City Clerk 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Kitchener City Hall nd 200 King St.W. - 2 Floor Online Kitchener ON N2G 4G7 Chair – Matthew Rodrigues Vice-Chair – Victoria Hand Due to COVID-19 and recommendations by Waterloo Region Public Health to exercise physical distancing, City Hall is closed to the public. Members of public are invited to view this meeting electronically by contacting the Committee Administrator. While in-person delegation requests are not feasible at this time, written comments may be submitted, and electronic participation can be facilitated by contacting Darren Kropf at Darren.kropf@kitchener.ca. Delegates must register by 4:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the meeting in order to participate electronically. Written comments will be circulated prior to the meeting and will form part of the public record. DELEGATIONS None. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Duke Street Cycling Feasibility (30 min) 2. Vision Zero 2022 Staff Workplan (30 min) 3. Places and Spaces: Use of Alternative Spaces (20 min) 4. Pedestrian-First Street in the Market District (15 min) 5. Ontario Bike Summit (5 min) 6. Subcommittee updates (10 min) 7. Staff updates (10 min) COMMITTEE ADMINISTRATORS  Darren Kropf  Liz Christensen  Ivan Balaban Kitchener Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee 1. Duke Street Cycling Feasibility From: Vision Zero subcommittee Overview In collaboration with the City of Kitchener, the Region of Waterloo has developed preliminary design concepts for cycling improvements along Duke Street for review and input. These preliminary designs have been developed to improve cycling conditions along Duke Street while maintaining the street’s function for other users. More information can be found in the Region of Waterloo staff report at https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Council/Detail/2022-02-08-0900-Committee-of-the- Whole2/fe5b1a1b-60af-4eb9-9690-ae2f015cc980 and at https://www.engagewr.ca/duke-street-cycling-improvements. The Vision Zero subcommittee has reviewed and discussed this proposal. The VZ Subcommittee does not support the preferred option between College to Frederick on Duke for at least three reasons: 1.) Safety: The solution does not align with the VZ goals as it is not sufficiently safe for intended bike users. It is not an appropriate solution for all ages, all abilities, and puts - in particular - vulnerable users at risk. Safety concerns result from vehicle speed (even if 40km/h would be considered), distraction (signage, driver confusion/frustration) and ongoing two-way traffic. The label “neighbourhood bikeway” is misleading. The proposal, in fact, is more akin to a shared “bus-bike lane.” 2.) Connectivity: The proposed solution will create a gap in the cycling network with no safe alternatives. The City of Kitchener’s plans include proposed separated cycling facilities on Duke. 3.) Consistency: The City of Kitchener’s proposed plans include separated facilities for cyclists, and this is the baseline to consider in ensuring the downtown grid is successful. Expectations of Committee For discussion. The Vision Zero subcommittee has proposed a motion that may be moved and discussed: "The Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee (ATTAC) welcomes the Region of Waterloo’s proposal to create two-way separated bike lanes on Duke Street from Francis Street to College Street, but the Committee does not support the Region of Waterloo’s preferred option for cycling improvements on Duke Street from College Street to Frederick Street due to concerns over safety and functionality, as described in the Report of the Vision Zero Subcommittee, included in the March 8, 2022 ATTAC agenda.” Kitchener Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee 2. Vision Zero 2022 Staff Workplan From: Faranak Hosseini, city staff Overview Staff will be sharing the 2022 Vision Zero work plan. The main action items of this plan include network screening improvements, design guideline reviews, targeted enforcement, educational campaigns, and engagement efforts to raise awareness and receive feedback. Expectations of Committee The committee is encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed plan. 3. Places and Spaces – Use of Alternative Spaces From: Sabiha Syed, Parks Engagement Liaison Overview The City of Kitchener is continuing public engagement to inform our Parks and Open Space Strategy through Places and Spaces. We are now entering our second block of survey topics through EngageKitchener. In this block, we are looking for feedback on how you want pets to be able to use parks and how you feel about sponsorship of parks to allow for external funding opportunities. We also want to learn about the use of parks and open spaces as dedication and memorial spaces, and how you would like to use alternative space, like cemeteries and school yards. This survey will remain open until April 8. Use of Alternative Spaces Engagement:  What alternative (other outdoor) spaces does the public consider to be park space?  What alternative (other outdoor) spaces does the public currently use as a park space and what activities are being participated in? Examples of alternative spaces include:  Cemeteries as walking paths  Playing on outdoor school equipment during evenings and weekends. Expectations of Committee Discuss the above questions to provide staff with feedback that will help inform the Places and Spaces strategy. Kitchener Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee 4. Pedestrian-First Street in the Market District From: Darren Kropf, Cameron Dale, city staff Overview During a three-month engagement process in 2021, staff heard from 805 residents, business owners and stakeholders about making it easier to walk to the market and host events on the street. Top themes included:  A guiding vision  Each street has a different function and feel  Making your way around is a challenge  Maximize the Market's influence in the neighbourhood  Match street closures with activities and programming  Enhance the Eby Street entrance of the Market  Protect parking for businesses Read more about what staff heard in the summary document at Engagewr.ca/pedestrianfirstmarket. This also includes an action plan with 15 actions in three themes: 1. Create a definable "feel" to the Market District 2. Improve safety and comfort for getting around as a pedestrian 3. Make it easy to host events on Eby Street Expectations of Committee For information and feedback. 5. Ontario Bike Summit From: Darren Kropf, city staff Overview The Ontario Bike Summit is the premier cycling conference in Ontario, hosted by Share the Road coalition and partners. This year’s theme is “Resilience through Bicycle Friendly Communities.” It is being held on April 5-6 as a hybrid conference. In-person delegates will gather at Courtyard Toronto Downtown while online delegates can tune in through Pheedloop. Learn more at https://www.sharetheroad.ca/ontario-bike-summit- p157286. The City of Kitchener encourages a member from ATTAC to attend, and the City will pay for the conference registration fee of one attendee. In-person spaces have already sold out but virtual tickets are still available. This volunteer would be expected to provide a presentation to ATTAC, reporting on what they learned at the conference. Kitchener Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee Expectations of Committee If interested in attending on behalf of the committee, please express your interest. A random draw will be held if multiple people volunteer. 6. Subcommittee updates Overview All subcommittees are encouraged to provide an update on their discussions and actions since our last meeting. Expectations of Committee For information and discussion. 7. Staff updates From: Darren Kropf, Liz Christensen, Ivan Balaban, city staff Overview City staff will provide updates on a variety of projects underway. Expectations of Committee For information.