CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2007

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance:

 

Committee:

Gerald Corbett

Marcie Guthenberg

Robert Hunn

Pratheesh Ratnasingham

David Rawcliffe

Dwight Richardson

Rachael Woodroffe

Mark Hanlon, Region of York

Anne Marie Lee, Region of York Health Services

Councillor Erin Shapero

 

Regrets:

Sandra McEleney

Murray Yack

Julie Schatz

 

Staff

S. Saiyed, Manager, Transportation/Engineering

L. Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

T. Shirazi, TDM Intern

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee convened at the hour of 7:05 p.m. with Mr. Dwight Richardson in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY

            COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2007

 

Moved by David Rawcliffe

Seconded by Robert Hunn

 

 

 

 

 

That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting held on September 13, 2007 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         UPDATE ON RECENT EVENTS

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, provided updates on the following events:

  • Walk 21 Toronto 2007 – October 1-4, 2007 – “Putting Pedestrians First”; a great success; World Record Walk held on October 3 – Ontario’s challenge to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people walking one kilometre at the same time;
  • The Youth Forum of Walk 21 produced a ‘zine’ entitled “Walk Your Butt Off” – one copy was circulated for review
  • Copies of the City of Toronto’s  document entitled “Steps Towards a Walkable City” distributed; it presents a proposed framework for creating a Toronto Walking Strategy
  • Article concerning the Cycling, and Pathways and Trails Master Plans entitled “Get with it, Get active” appeared in Perspective Markham 

 

 

 

3.         CYCLING MASTER PLAN – FINAL REVIEW

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, advised that the draft Cycling Master Plan is available on the Town’s website, and comments from Committee will be received until Friday, October 19th.  This will be the final opportunity to review and comment on the Master Plan.  He noted that Mr. Robert Grimwood from MMM Group, was in attendance this date to provide a full overview of all recent document edits and network changes. 

 

Mr. Mele indicated that there had been five (5) Open Houses since June, and the comments received have been summarized and incorporated into the document.  Mr. Mele distributed copies of the Public Comments Summary and reviewed the major comments raised.

 

Mr. Grimwood provided details of the significant network changes and revisions, noting that this Master Plan is consistent with the Region of York’s Master Plan.

 

Members raised the following issues:

  • concerns regarding major public opposition to road widening in Thornhill area and its possible effect on Master Plan
  • City of Toronto proposal for light rail transit in Don Mills and Steeles area

 

 

 

 

  • Bob Hunter Memorial Park
  • 14th Avenue alignment issue

 

It was noted that Town and Region staff have tried to create a Plan that is flexible, but all issues raised this evening will be addressed.

 

The matter of cyclists not being restricted to cycling roads, but to any road, other than the 400 Series was raised, and it was noted that cyclists come in all ranges and abilities, and that the Master Plan network will match all needs of the community.

 

Staff noted that the green bicycle route signs have added a certain level of comfort for cyclists, and the next step is to introduce additional bicycle lanes on designated roads.  With respect to the issue of safety, staff advised that they cannot eliminate risk, but will endeavor to manage risk in the Master Plan.  The importance of making the Master Plan user friendly was emphasized.

 

The feasibility of obtaining assistance from the York Region  Municipal Partnership Fund was raised, and Mr. Grimwood explained details of the Program.  Following his review of the Cycling Network, concern was expressed regarding possible “sign pollution” after additional cycling informational signs have been installed.  Staff noted that signs will be used very sparingly, and every effort will be made to place the signs on existing posts, however this concern will be included in the Master Plan. 

 

Mr. Mele advised that once all comments of Committee have been incorporated into the Master Plan, the final draft will be presented to Council through the Development Services Committee, including the implementation process and funding requirements.

 

Clarification was requested with respect to the portion of the roadway that is considered the “bike lane”, and staff advised that cyclists are to ride at least one metre from the curb and share the lane with motorists.

 

Members were requested to forward any further comments by email to Lorenzo Mele by end of day Friday, October 19.

 

 

 

4.         PATHWAYS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN – FINAL REVIEW

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, reported that the Pathways and Trails Master Plan is in its final review stages, and encouraged Members to provide comments to Ms. Shirley Marsh, Senior Planner, Urban Design.

 

In response to a concern that some sidewalks in the Town are in poor condition, staff advised that the Town has a 5-Year Capital Program relating to sidewalk maintenance, and sidewalks are also mentioned in this Master Plan.

 

 

 

 

Committee asked if this document is currently on line, and staff advised that if so, Members would either be directed to the web links, or provided with copies on request.

 

Some concern was expressed regarding the apparent urgency of finalizing the Pathways and Trails Master Plan, and it was generally agreed that more time was needed to review the Master Plan and provide comments.  Committee suggested that Ms. Shirley Marsh be asked to attend the next Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting to make a presentation on the Master Plan.  This would allow Members the opportunity to comment more thoroughly before it is finalized.  The Chair will contact Ms. Marsh directly regarding her attendance at the November 8th meeting.

 

 

 

5.         2008 BUDGET REVIEW

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, reported that staff have been working on the 2008 Budget, and Council will begin review of the Budget proposals shortly.  Funds have already been set aside for the Capital costs, i.e. building of the trails, but it is the Operating costs, for items such as: Bike Fest 2008, Kids CAN-BIKE, the network map, and marketing and promotion that require Council approval for 2008.

 

 

 

6.         REQUEST FOR KIDS CAN-BIKE FESTIVAL – Ellen Fairclough P. S.

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, advised that staff at Ellen Fairclough Public School have indicated that they are interested in holding a Kids CAN-BIKE Safety Program.  Committee discussed the options available, including: offering same format that was held at Central Park Public School last year (cost $5,000 for bike tune-up and instruction – 2 days); offer different program to 2-3 schools instead; direct school requests to Community Safety Village in Stouffville; the training of high school students to present a program at elementary schools (possible liability issues); partnership with school boards and/or Region; potential 1-year pilot project; use of Markham Environmental Sustainability Funding, either through internal or external application; and the feasibility of partnering with Community Safety Village.

 

Mr. Mele provided details of the program that was offered at Central Park Public School and the costs involved, noting that a fund-raising campaign at the school had raised enough money to install bike racks.  The main purpose of the program is to encourage kids to bike to school and also to encourage kids to be more active in general.  A follow-up to such a program is very important.

 

He advised that staff will consider all comments made this date and report back to Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.         CONFERENCE: PUTTING ONTARIO ON TWO WHEELS

            FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2007 – WATERLOO, ONTARIO

 

Copies of the Agenda for the November 2, 2007 Conference “Putting Ontario on Two Wheels” were distributed.  The Conference is being held in Waterloo and will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas on the current issues affecting cycling in Ontario.  Those interested in attending were asked to contact Lorenzo Mele prior to October 19th regarding registration.

 

It was suggested that staff investigate the use of one of the Town’s mini-vans or hybrid vehicles to drive to Waterloo.  The Chair, Mr. Dwight Richardson, advised that he wished to attend.

 

 

 

8.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a)         Field Survey Questionnaire for the Town of Markham’s Cycling Evaluation Study

 

Ms. Taskin Shirazi, TDM Intern, provided an update on the status of the Field Survey Questionnaire for the Town of Markham’s Cycling Evaluation Study.  There had been a request to extend the deadline, and to date, one hundred and seventy (170) responses have been received.  Ms. Shirazi advised that the online survey is now complete and staff are in the process of developing the Terms of Reference for the analysis.

 

Members of Committee were requested to provide suggestions and comments regarding any specific queries or information thought to be useful to either Lorenzo Mele or to Taskin Shirazi by Friday, October 19th.

 

 

b)         RFP - Transportation Strategic Plan

 

Mr. Sabbir Saiyed, Manager, Transportation, advised that an RFP is being issued the week of October 15th to secure the services of a consulting firm to support the preparation of the Markham Transportation Strategic Plan, and it is hoped that a qualified consultant will be in place by the end of 2007.

 

 

c)         Region of York Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plan Study – Open House

 

Mr. Mark Hanlon, Region of York, provided copies of a Notice of Open House No. 3, being held on October 23 and October 25, in Newmarket and Richmond Hill respectively, to review the Regional Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plan.  He encouraged Members of Committee to attend.

 

 

 

 

d)         Existence of Cycling Clubs in Markham?

 

Committee raised the matter of whether there is a cycling club in Markham.  Anyone with information on a club that may be in existence in the Markham area was asked to contact either Lorenzo Mele or Judy Kee, Committee Clerk.

 

 

 

9.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of Committee will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the York Room.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.