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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-069 - Cycling Advisory Committee1 K KR Development& Technical Services REPORT Report To: Development & Technical Services Committee Date of Meeting: May 12, 2008 Submitted By: John McBride Prepared By: Ronald Schirm wards} Involved: All Date of Report: April 29, 2008 Report No.: DTS-08-069 Subject: CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: That the City of Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee be instituted effective September 2008; and further, That the Terms of Reference for the City of Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee, attached to this Report, be adopted; and further That a Cycling Advisory Committee Account be established with $400.00 for meeting expenses in 2008. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: As the City tackles challenges related to air quality and traffic congestion more emphasis needs to be placed on modes of transportation other than single occupant vehicles. Active modes of transportation, such as cycling, are environmentally friendly, reduce traffic congestion and promote health and better quality of life in our community. In order to increase the modal share of cycling, programs and facilities need to be developed, enhanced and promoted. A Cycling Advisory Committee for the City of Kitchener would be instituted as a vehicle to advise on development and delivery of bicycle policies, programs and facilities to promote and enhance cycling within the City. Two proposed objectives of the Committee would be to provide input to the update of the 1998 Kitchener Bikeway Study and to develop a link within the City of Kitchener Website dedicated to cycling in Kitchener. As with all other City Advisory Committees, the Cycling Advisory Committee will follow Policy I- 60 with regards to membership and structure, including the co-chair system with a Council Member and a lay member sharing responsibility of the Chair. BACKGROUND: DTS Report DTS 07-124 from August 13, 2007 recommended that a Cycling Advisory Committee be instituted in 2008 as part of the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Initiative that is currently being developed. Transportation Planning has been requested by Council to establish this Committee as soon as possible independent of the pending TDM Program. REPORT: In the early 1990's The Twin City Cycling Advisory Committee, which was chaired by Councillor Mike Wagner, dealt with various cycling issues. The membership of the committee included Councillor Wagner, Councillor Joan McKinnon, City of Waterloo, and staff from both cities, Waterloo Regional Police Service and various cycling advocates and retailers. The chief mandate of the Committee was to aid in the compilation of the Regional Cycling Master Plan (1994). At a meeting dated September 29, 1994 the Committee decided that it had fulfilled its original mandate, the Regional Cycling Master Plan, and that it needed a meeting of various stakeholders to set a mission statement and strategy for the Committee. This meeting was never held. In April 1998 staff at the City released the City of Kitchener Bikeway Study. This document deals with a vast array of cycling issues in the City, including The Cycling Environment, user's needs and expectations, Cycling Network and a recommended Plan. However, without proper advocacy within the City much of what was contained within the Report did not materialize. One of the primary purposes of the proposed Cycling Advisory Committee would be to monitor the installation of cycling facilities and provide assistance in the development of programs as cited in the 1998 Bikeway Study, as well as assist in the co-ordination of implementing the Regional Cycling Master plan, 2004. Several Municipalities in Ontario have Cycling Advisory Committees that have varied mandates and membership. The common thread with most of these committees is the idea of advising on program and infrastructure development and delivery of cycling policies as well as advocacy. The Region of Waterloo at present has a Regional Cycling Advisory Committee that is comprised of private citizens from throughout the Region. The membership is drawn from residents with skills and demonstrated expertise in cycling areas of concern and not as representatives of particular agencies, organizations or interest groups. Similarly, the City of Waterloo has just enhanced their Trails Advisory Committee to include transportation, including cycling and pedestrian issues. Council recently approved the City of Kitchener Air Quality 5 Best Bets for 2007 as presented by the Environmental Advisory Committee. Best Bet Number 3 is "Facilitate Modal shift to Bicycle Transportation." The recommendation further states that "Staff will investigate the potential to: develop a detailed City network of on- and off-street bike lanes, routes and paths linking the community trails, major recreational and employment destinations in the community; develop local streets and intersections to include bikeways; design bike facilities at transit terminals; develop and implement a program which facilitates and encourages greater and safer use of the bicycle." The detailed City network of on and off street bike lanes, routes and paths already exists in the 1998 Bikeway Study. Major recreational and employment destinations have been identified in the Regional Cycling Master Plan 2004. There are also many guidelines for end of trip facilities in both documents. What is needed is advocacy and guidance to staff and Council on implementation and construction of the programs and facilities that have been identified. This is an area where a Cycling Advisory Committee would be of great benefit. The Committee will dedicate time and resources to the smaller, quick win issues that are important to cycling in the City. As well, it is recommended that the Committee in fairly short order begin work on two larger issues, first of which is the development of a website dedicated to cycling in Kitchener. This website, which would be part of the larger City of Kitchener website, would promote programs, policies and facilities related to cycling. Way finding, routing and mapping would be of the utmost importance in promoting cycling to both local residents and to visitors from outside our Region. Secondly, the 1998 Bikeway Study needs to be updated to reflect present conditions. An important element of this would be to coordinate the network and facilities with those cited in the Region of Waterloo Cycling Master Plan 2004. Although this project would be conducted by Staff and a consultant, the Cycling Advisory Committee would be an important partner in the completion of this task. The City of Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee would be drawn from citizens with skills and demonstrated expertise in cycling areas of concern and not as representatives of particular agencies, organizations or interest groups. The focus of the group would be twofold. One would be to advise Council on policy, programs, installation and maintenance of facilities etc. that relate to cycling. The other would be an advocate for cycling in the community, promoting programs and facility development. Included with this report is a proposed, detailed, Terms of Reference that clearly articulate the purpose and scope, responsibilities and composition of the Committee. According to Council Policy I-60, in order to institute a Cycling Advisory Committee a Councillor would need to agree to Co-chair the Committee, along with a lay member. Staff resources would be needed to administer the Committee and to liaise between the Committee and staff that are working on issues related to the Cycling Advisory Committee. It is recommended that staff resources to administer the Committee come from Transportation Planning, with regular staff representation from Community Services, Design and Development being present at meetings. Other staff resources, including Parks Operations as well as Engineering and Planning, would be used on an as needed basis. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There will be staff time dedicated to this Committee from both Transportation Planning and the Community Services Department. As well, meeting expenses, to cover refreshments and other sundry meeting related expenses, will be incurred for a total of $400 for the 4 monthly meetings in 2008. A total budget of $1000 should be set for 2009 to cover a total of 10 monthly meetings. These anticipated expenses are similar to those of the other Advisory Committees. An account for this Committee will need to be established for budget purposes. COMMUNICATIONS: The contributing Divisions have been contacted with regards to providing staff resourcing for this Committee. Legislated Services has been consulted with regards to this proposed Advisory Committee and will undertake the process of soliciting for appropriate committee members as well as Council representation, as is done with all City Advisory Committees. CONCLUSION: As the City begins to embrace Transportation Demand Management initiatives, cycling programs and facilities will become increasingly important in the goal of creating sustainable forms of transportation that assist in improving air quality, quality of life issues and ultimately give residents more choices in transportation modes. To this end the presence of a City of Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee is an excellent vehicle for assisting Council as well as an advocate for cycling within the City as well as the Region. Ronald K. Schirm, Supervisor Crossing Guards Transportation Planning John McBride, Director Transportation Planning DTS Report 08-069 City of Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee Terms of Reference 1. Purpose and Scope: The purpose of the Cycling Advisory Committee is to provide community input and assist Council in creating a livable and environmentally friendly City that is accessible and safe for people of all ages and abilities to cycle and that the transportation system can appropriately accommodate cyclists. The Cycling Advisory Committee advises Council and Staff on the design, development and delivery of bicycle policies, programs and facilities to promote and enhance cycling in the City of Kitchener. 2. Committee Composition and Reportina: The composition of the Committee will be: a) 1 member of Council b) 9-11 members of the Community-at-large. In filling the community-at-large positions Council will endeavour to include as membership in the Committee, private citizens from throughout the City. The membership is drawn from residents with skills and demonstrated expertise in cycling areas of concern and not as representatives of particular agencies, organizations or interest groups. Members will be appointed for a term of two years ending November 30. The Committee shall, from amongst it members, choose a Committee Co-Chair who is not a member of Council, to co-chair the committee with the appointed Council Co-Chair. Meetings will be held monthly or at the call of the Chair and minutes will be kept by the committee administrator who will distribute the minutes to all of Council and the Corporate Management Team. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Council's Procedural By-law. The Committee shall report through the Development and Technical Services Committee unless the Council Co-Chair deems it expedient that a report be made through another directly to Council. Should the Committee feel asub-committee is required to deal with specific issues; such sub- committee shall be ad hoc in nature, with a specific, clearly articulated mandate. All sub- committees shall be reviewed annually to determine whether they need to continue. Membership on sub-committees may be expanded to include people who are not advisory committee members, to take advantage of individual expertise. 3. Quorum A quorum for this Committee is 5 members 4. Responsibilities: 1. Advise Council and Staff on cycling issues that are in accordance with the City of Kitchener Bikeway Study as well as the Regional Cycling Master Plan and the City's Official Policies Plan. 2. Assist in monitoring the priority, extent and effectiveness of cycling facility construction. 3. Assist in the development of support programs (education, safety and security) on an ongoing basis. 4. Advise on measures required to implement the City's commitment to cycling. 5. Assist the City in developing cycling policies and strategies. 6. Liaise with other Municipalities, governments and agencies with regards to programs, policies, legislation, continuity and connectivity. 7. Serve as a forum forthe public and/or agencies to discuss all matters regarding cycling within the City. 8. Act as an advocate for cycling in the City, promoting and increasing public awareness of cycling as a sustainable and healthy form of transportation. 9. Measure and celebrate successes.