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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-014 - Cycling & Bicycle Parking Initiatives1 h~TC~NER . , . Development & Technical Services Report To: Chair Vrbanovic and Members of the Environmental Committee Date of Meeting: January 18, 2007 Submitted By: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning Prepared By: John McBride Ward(s) Involved: All Wards Date of Report: January 12, 2007 Report No.: DTS 07-014 Subject: CYCLING AND BICYCLE PARKING INITIATIVES RECOMMENDATION: For information purposes. BACKGROUND: At the October 19, 2006 Environmental Committee, staff were asked to investigate the possibility of implementing a number of cycling and bicycle parking initiatives put forward by the Waterloo Region Concerned Cyclists and provide a status report to the January 2007 Environmental Committee meeting. These included: • The installation of bicycle racks at all City owned facilities; and, • The inclusion of bicycle traffic as a separate item from vehicle traffic in all regularly conducted traffic counts; and, • The provision of bicycle parking for all new developments; and, • Undertake a review as to the need for and availability of bicycle parking in the Downtown; and, • Installation of directional signage for bicycle parking in locations that are easily viewed and readily accessible to the public; and further, • That bicycle parking be addressed, and appropriate stakeholders be consulted, when pertinent studies are undertaken or updated (eg. any Transportation Demand Management Initiatives, any future City wide or community Master Transportation Plans, Kitchener Bikeway Study). REPORT: The inclusion of bicycle parking facilities in both existing and new developments as well as within public spaces is an important, albeit small, component of the overall transportation network. The cost of road and parking infrastructure, as well as capital and operating vehicle costs, has started to shift the awareness of transportation alternatives away from the automobile towards other modes, including cycling. A number of initiatives have begun or are planned in the immediate future to support cycling and other modes of travel. This approach is supportive of efforts at intensification in the urban centres and may end up being one of the more preferred methods of travel as urban densities increase in the future. The issues that have been raised by the Environmental Committee have been addressed in the following manner. The installation of bicycle racks at all City owned facilities. There are a number of opportunities to provide bicycle racks in City facilities. Most community centres and pools have bicycle racks and if a need is identified for more, than additional racks can be added. Streetscape design in the Downtown includes the ring and post bicycle rack. A total of 14 were installed along King St between Stirling Ave and Madison Ave as part of the 2006 reconstruction. Likewise a number will be installed in 2008 along King St between Frederick St and Francis St as part of the King St reconstruction. In addition, $20,000 has been included in the 2007 Capital Budget (subject to Council approval) for the provision of additional bicycle racks in City parking facilities throughout the core. At an installed cost of approximately $300 each, there are sufficient funds for about 60 additional ring and post racks. The intent is to convert a number of off street vehicle parking spaces to bicycle parking spaces so that a wider distribution of spaces are available. The inclusion of bicycle traffic as a separate item from vehicle traffic in all regularly conducted traffic counts. Bicycle traffic will be counted separately in City manual traffic counts. The provision of bicycle parking for all new developments. Bicycle parking (bike racks) are already required as part of all new site development projects requiring Site Plan Approval by the City. The number of bike racks required are not presently contained in the City's Urban Design Manual. A copy of the proposed City's Urban Design Standard for Cycling Facilities is attached which outlines the requirements for bicycle parking spaces. This new standard is proposed to be presented to the Development and Technical Services Committee this spring. Undertake a review as to the need for and availability of bicycle parking in the Downtown. A number of locations have previously been identified as needing additional bicycle parking including: • King St from Victoria to College • King St from Young to Frederick • Civic Square • Victoria Park • Civic District • Duke St • Weber St • Library/Regional building As previously stated, additional bicycle parking will be incorporated along King St as part of the streetscape design as well as in Downtown surface parking lots. Staff would ask for the assistance of the cycling community in identifying opportunities for additional bicycle racks. Installation of directional signage for bicycle parking in locations that are easily viewed and readily accessible to the public. It is anticipated that the installation of numerous bicycle racks on street and in parking lots will significantly increase the visibility of the racks and negate the need for directional signage. However, if an opportunity for a significant number of bicycle parking spaces can be developed, directional signage would be considered. That bicycle parking be addressed, and appropriate stakeholders be consulted, when pertinent studies are undertaken or updated (eg. any Transportation Demand Management Initiatives, any future City wide or community Master Transportation Plans, Kitchener Bikeway Study. Cycling is a legitimate mode of transportation and is included as an alternative in both City and Regional Transportation Master Plans, Transportation Demand Management programs, Cycling Master Plans, etc. These studies tend to be more route or corridor oriented, but the provision of parking can be acknowledged and considered as part of the overall needs. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Subject to Council approval, $20,000 has been included in the 2007 Capital Budget for the installation of additional bicycle racks throughout the Downtown. John McBride, Director Transportation Planning Proposed Design Standard For Cycling Facilities To be included in the Revised Urban Design Manual Cycling Facilities The design of our urban areas has a significant impact on people's ability/willingness to cycle. The bikeway and trail network recommended in the City's Bikeways Study identifies a network of routes and design specifications intended to make cycling a viable mode of transportation Bicycle Racks Bicycle racks must be designed so that they ^ Do not bend wheels or damage other bicycle parts ^ Have two points of contact with the bike; ^ Accommodate U-shape bike locks ^ Accommodate locks which secure the frame and both wheels ^ Are protected from motor vehicles ^ Do not trip pedestrians ^ Are covered where users will leave their bikes for a long time ^ Are easily accessed from the street and ^ Are securely anchored to the surface or a structure Bicycle Parking Dimensions ^ Bicycle parking spaces should be at least 1.8 metres long and 0.6 metres wide, and overhead clearance in covered spaces should be at least 2.1 metres ^ A 1.5 metre aisle for bicycle maneuvering should be provided and maintained beside or between each row of bicycle parking Covered Parking Canadian winters have mild temperatures and periods of intermittent rain. Many short trips can be made by bicycle without getting wet; however, if the bicycle must be left unattended for a long time, a rider might hesitate to leave it exposed to the weather Covered parking is necessary for long-term parking (most residential and employee uses). For customers, visitors and other occasional users, covered parking is also beneficial. Covered spaces can be building or roof overhangs, awnings, lockers or bicycle storage spaces within buildings Location The effectiveness of bicycle parking is often determined by location. To reduce theft, a highly visible location with pedestrian traffic is preferable to obscure and dark corners. Because of its smaller size, the bicycle can be parked closer to the rider's destination than that of a car Bicycle parking should be located in well lit, secure locations within 15 metres of the main entrance to a building, but not further from the entrance than the closest automobile parking space, but in no case further than 15 metres from an entrance where several entrances are involved. Curb cuts at the rack location discourage users from riding on the sidewalk to access the racks Bicycle Parking Requirements Land Use Recommended # of Spaces Primary or 10% of the number of Secondary students, plus 3% of the School number of employees College or 6% of the number of University students, plus 3% of the number of employees Commercial 6% of the number of or Office automobile spaces (GLA) required by the Zoning B -law 12% of the number of Institutional automobile spaces (GFA) required by the Zoning B -law 4% of the number of Industrial automobile spaces (GFA) required by the Zoning B -law Multi-Unit *10% of the number of Housin residential units *This number could vary depending on the tenant mix Note -bicycle parking spaces shall be conveniently located to the building entrances.