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CITY OF KITCHENER CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 2012 ANNUAL UPDATE
Presentation to Kitchener City CouncilNovember 26, 2012
• Provide an update on the Cycling Advisory Committee’s (KCAC)
“Top 5 Priorities” for 2012
• Review City activities to support the Cycling Master Plan in 2012.
• Present the KCAC’s first Report Card on Cycling.
• Present the KCAC’s “Top 5 Priorities” for 2013.
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PURPOSE
• Supports health, social, environmental and economic policies and goals.
• Aligns with community priorities identified in A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener: The City Of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for 2011-14.
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WHY CYCLING MATTERS
1. Iron Horse Trail Rail Crossing Safety Upgrade
2. Cycling Master Plan Sign Pilot Project
3. Wilson Ave. Trail Head Improvements
4. Nyberg St. Contra-flow Bike Lane
5. Margaret Avenue Bike Lanes
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KCAC “Top 5” priorities for 2012Status update
• Cycling Advisory Committee #1 Bicycle Safety Problem
• Tender awarded, but awaiting finalized agreement with CN to proceed
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IRON HORSE TRAIL RAIL CROSSING SAFETY UPGRADE
Stalled
• Signage connecting Downtown Kitchener, Fairview Park Mall and Hwy 401 pedestrian-cycling bridge. Selected by the public as a top priority during CMP consultations.
• Sign manufacturing initiated
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CYCLING MASTER PLAN SIGN PILOT PROJECT
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Victoria Park
Fairview Park Mall
Hwy 401P-C Bridge
Delayed
• Primary commuter trail link to Conestoga College and Cambridge via Hwy 401 Pedestrian-Cycling Bridge
• 2013 anticipated completion
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WILSON AVENUE TRAIL HEAD IMPROVEMENTS
Delayed
• Key link between the Iron Horse Trail and Trans Canada Trail
• Will not proceed due to current Highway Traffic Act legislation
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NYBERG STREET CONTRA-FLOW BIKE LANE
CANCELLED
• Primary bike route from Northwest Kitchener to the City of Waterloo bicycle network
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MARGARET AVENUE BIKE LANES
Nearly completed
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2012 CYCLING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Infrastructure, Promotion, Policy
• Pedestrian refuge islands on Strasburg & Block Line
• Stone dust surfacing, slope stabilization, trail extension (Balzer Greenway and Walter Bean Grand River Trail)
• 50 curb cut installations and paving
• Block Line resurfacing, including existing bike lanes
• Secure bicycle storage at Kitchener City Hall Parking Garage, Charles and Benton Parking Garage
• Margaret Avenue bike lanes
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2012 CYCLING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: INFRASTRUCTURE
• Councillors’ Ride in May 2012
• Great Commuter Race in June 2012
• Bike2Work Challenge and Giveaway in June 2012
• Guest speaker Hans Moor from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on cycling infrastructure
• Partnership with Braun’s Bicycles to offer free bike tune-ups during Bike2Work week
• First municipality in Ontario to endorse recommendations identified in Coroner’s Cycling Death Review
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2012 CYCLING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: PROMOTION
• Release of Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan:
• Land Securement Techniques for Pathways
• Policies requiring developers to plan, design and implement multi-use pathways in new neighbourhoods
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2012 CYCLING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: POLICY
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KCAC REPORT CARD
“ … develop a mini performance monitoring ‘report card’ with checklists associated with the CMP goals … ”
- Cycling Master Plan
• A pilot report card to report on goals related to the CMP
• Members graded City actions in 2012 in three areas:
• Cycling infrastructure
• Promotional activity
• Land use policy/strategies
• Committee members independently graded City actions
• Final grades based on mean scores
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KCAC REPORT CARD RESULTS
Activity Grade
A. Infrastructure
Trail construction B-
Trail maintenance B-
Integration C-
End use facilities B-B. Promotion
Promotional events BC. Land Use
Policy/strategies with land owners C-
Policy/strategies with developers C
CAC members also identified the need for :
•Strengthened partnerships with retail bike shops and cycle clubs to promote cycling and cycling issues in Kitchener
•Increased support to the Can-Bike program to ensure access for all residents
•Increased school-based programs to teach bicycle skills
1. Advocacy: Iron-Horse Trail crossing improvements
2. Safety Upgrade: All trail crossings with roadways
3. Cycling Culture: Bicycle-Friendly Downtown Initiatives
4. Trail Improvement: Manitou-Wilson Upgrade
5. Community Engagement: Bicycle Rack Request Program
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KCAC “Top 5 priorities” for 2013
• Advocate and work with the Region of Waterloo to improve dangerous crossings
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IRON HORSE TRAIL CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
Courtland and Stirling Victoria and West
• “Elephant feet” to indicate trail crossings on roads• Removal of dangerous barriers: install curb cuts and
open or remove trail gates
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SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO TRAIL-ROAD CROSSINGS
Open or removetrail gates
Elephant feetmarkings
Curb cuts:50 completed,
ongoing
BICYCLE-FRIENDLY DOWNTOWN INITIATIVES
• Sharrows on King Street• King Street section in downtown core identified in CMP• Reduce sidewalk cycling, wrong way cycling, improve safety for
motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists in the core
• Downtown Bicycle Corrals• Convert select parking spaces to accommodate highly visible bicycle
parking• Partner with other stakeholders to include public art component
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• Primary commuter link to Doon & the pedestrian/cyclist bridges
• Entrances need signs: trail name and bike route
• Old pavement needs resurfacing or all new pavement
• Many sections are unfit for pedestrians and cyclists
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MANITOU-WILSON TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
• Allow individuals, businesses, and schools to request bicycle racks where most needed
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BICYCLE RACK REQUEST PROGRAM
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HOW CAN COUNCIL HELP?
Bicycle-friendly communities need a “‘three-legged stool’ supporting a shift in cycling culture: political champions, staff leaders, and public supporters.”
Cycling Master Plan
• Designate sufficient resources
• Support the KCAC’s “Top 5” Priorities for 2013
• Request the DCAO of Infrastructure Services to report annually on progress on the KCAC’s top 5 priorities
• Continue to fund and support implementation of the CMP
• Model supportive behaviour: consider riding a bicycle
• Help to educate your constituents on the importance of cycling and cycling infrastructure