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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-127 - Bikeway Study UpdateREPORT Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s~ Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: Council August 18, 2008 John McBride Ronald Schirm All August 13, 2008 DTS 08-127 BIKEWAY STUDY UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Submission of a City of Kitchener application to the Ontario TDM Municipal grant Program be endorsed; and further, That commitment of the City's 50% share of the proposed project budget to update the 1998 Bikeway Study, be approved in principle, and referred to the 2009 Capital Budget process, subject to final confirmation, as required by the Ontario TDM Municipal Grant Program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City of Kitchener has the opportunity to apply for a grant from the Ontario TDM Municipal Grant Program to update the 1998 Bikeway Study. Pending a successful application, the Grant would provide matching funding to the City for the completion of this project. In DTS reports 08- 069, Cycling Facilities Report and 07-124, Cycling Advisory Committee Report it was identified that the Bikeway Study needs to be updated in order to provide the enhanced direction needed to improve and expand cycling infrastructure, policies and programming and ultimately increase the modal share of cycling within the City of Kitchener. The Ontario TDM Municipal Grant Program represents an excellent opportunity to complete the Bikeway Study Update at half the cost to the City. A key requirement for the Grant is a letter to the Ontario Municipal Grant Program committing the City to its share of funding for the project. This financial commitment can be contingent on receiving the Grant. The Application submission deadline is August 29, 2008. BACKGROUND: The 1998 Bikeway Study was completed by Stanley Consulting and a Steering Committee comprised of City staff. The Study contains a great deal of information with regards to the cycling environment, user's needs and expectations, the existing cycling and trail network, and a recommended bikeway network. Also included were costs for infrastructure construction in 1998 dollars. Since 1998 a great deal has changed in all aspects of cycling. Moreover, utilitarian cycling has become increasingly important as a key component of Transportation Demand Management. Council recently approved the establishment of the Cycling Advisory Committee. As identified in DTS Report 08-069 one of the first priorities of the Committee would be to involve itself in the update of the 1998 Bikeway Study. The Region of Waterloo completed an update of the Regional Cycling Master Plan in 2006. Significant changes were made to all aspects of the Cycling Master Plan, including the Regional Cycling Network. One of the functions of the City of Kitchener Bikeway Study Update would be to reflect aspects of the Regional Cycling Master Plan, including the Regional Cycling Network. Further, the Region of Waterloo has set the goal of increasing the modal share of cycling from 1 % to 2% by the year 2016. It would be a great benefit for the City to pursue this goal as well. In order to accomplish this, the Bikeway Study needs to be updated to provide the enhanced direction needed to accomplish this goal. REPORT: Transportation Planning has recently received information regarding a grant opportunity from Ontario TDM Municipal Grant Program. The Program identifies several types of initiatives eligible for the Grant including the development of plans in order to reduce daily vehicle kilometres travelled. Cycling is listed as one of the components of reduced vehicle use. In that the Update of the Bikeway Study has been identified as a priority and given that the Cycling Advisory Committee will be instituted in 2008 it is felt that the update of the 1998 Bikeways Study would be the most suitable project from a TDM standpoint at this point in time. The City of Kitchener at present has a modal share of cycling of about 1 %. This is 20% below the national average of 1.2%. Studies have indicated that improved infrastructure design and construction, policy and programming can significantly increase the modal share of cycling and safety of cyclists. The City of Ottawa is an excellent example. In spite of a harsh climate, the City of Ottawa has increased its modal share of cycling to 1.9%. Ottawa has one of the highest shares, at 65.9 kilometres of bike paths and lanes per 100,000 population, in Canada. The Region of Waterloo has set a goal of increasing the modal share of cycling in the Region to 2% by 2016. It would be beneficial for the City to identify the same goal in this respect. There are several specific objectives in the Update that have been identified including the following. 1. Identify a buildable, well connected network of on and off road cycling facilities, integrated with the Regional network, usable by cyclists of varying abilities and ages, identifying priorities with clear timelines on construction with a dedicated budget 2. Clearly identify Right of Way requirements within new road facilities to ensure adequate land dedication as part of the Development Process. 3. Applying Community Based Social Marketing techniques to promote cycling for utilitarian purposes. 2 4. Provide updated costing models for all types of infrastructure. 5. Integrating on road facility construction with Engineering reconstruction schedule 6. Identify appropriate partnerships and funding opportunities. 7. Incorporating Level of Service factors for bicycles in the cycling infrastructure program 8. Cycling and cycling tourism promotion through the design and development of a dedicated website, publications and potential workshops/seminars. 9. Design, development and implementation of wayfinding and distance signing for cyclists on both on and off road facilities. 10. The document should provide the guidelines and be a tool for the City of Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee to provide sustained momentum for all aspects of cycling in the city. The Steering Committee would be comprised of staff members from Transportation Planning, Community Services Design and Development, Engineering Services, Communications, Planning staff member as well as a member of the Cycling Advisory Committee. Other internal and external stakeholders would become involved as necessary. A tender would be established for a consultant to assist in the completion of the work. A key component of the process would be to involve the public. There are many ways to engage the public including a project website, public meetings and surveys. One of the requirements of the Ontario TDM Municipal Grant Program is that the project is completed within one year. Transportation Planning is confident that this timeline is achievable. The Bikeway Study Update will be a catalyst in promoting cycling in the City, increasing the modal share of cycling through enhanced direction with respect to infrastructure, policy and programming, FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: An overall budget of $90,000 is required for the completion of this project. This includes the costs of the consultant, the tender process, costs associated with the public meetings, advertising and the printing of the final document. A letter of commitment by City council must be included with the application for the City of Kitchener to qualify for the Ontario TDM Municipal Grant Program. The City's portion of $45,000 will be included in the 2009 Capital forecast with a condition that we are successful in receiving funds from the Program, The 2009 Capital forecast will be reviewed by the Finance and Corporate Services committee on November 24, 2008 which will be after the results of the application are known. COMMUNICATIONS: Pending the approval of this Report, the application to the Ontario TDM Municipal Grant Program, including the letter committing the City to its share of the funding, will be completed and submitted by August 29, 2008. 3 CONCLUSION: The Bikeway Study Update will be a catalyst in promoting cycling in the City through enhanced direction and where appropriate, confirm existing policies/programs, in order to double the modal share of cycling as a percentage of trips by all modes from 1 % to 2% by 2016 through the promotion, design, funding and strategic implementation of adequate cycling facilities in the city. Ronald K. Schirm, Supervisor Crossing Guards John McBride, Director Transportation Planning 4