CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, March 6, 2008
YORK ROOM,
MINUTES
ATTENDANCE
Committee:
Gerald Corbett
Sandra McEleney
Carole Robertson
Rachael Woodroffe
Paula Viscomi
Monica Goodfellow
Wincy Tsang
Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Staff:
A. Brown, Director of 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 7:10 p.m. with Mr.
1. WELCOME
Mr.
Dwight Richardson, Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting. Ms. Wincy Tsang was introduced as the new
Markham Board of Trade/Smart Commute 404-7 representative, and Ms. Carole
Robertson was welcomed back as the representative for
2. MINUTES
OF THE CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 10, 2008
Moved by
Seconded by Gerald Corbett
That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting
held on January 10, 2008 be adopted.
CARRIED
3. 2008
COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
Moved
by David Rawcliffe
Seconded
by Rachel Woodroffe
That
Mr. Dwight Richardson be elected as the Chair of the Cycling and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee for the term ending December 31, 2008.
CARRIED
Moved
by David Rawcliffe
Seconded
by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That
Ms. Sandra McEleney be elected as the Vice-Chair of the Cycling and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee for the term ending December 31, 2008.
CARRIED
4. CORRESPONDENCE
FROM MS. NOUSSIS REGARDING
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Mr. Lorenzo Mele,
TDM Coordinator, distributed copies of an email received from resident, Ms.
Kelly Noussis, expressing her concerns regarding pedestrian safety within the
Town of
Members discussed
the concerns identified in the email correspondence, and staff explained the
challenges the Town and the Region face in trying to improve these conditions. The Town has, however, established resident
committees in the past, such as the Safe Streets Committee, and the Traffic
Safety Committee to oversee programs to improve safety on our local roads. In addition, there is the Road Watch Program,
which gives residents and visitors an opportunity to help keep our community
roads safe by reporting dangerous, aggressive driving.
Committee discussed related matters, including: the running of red lights; proper plowing of sidewalks; installation of countdown signals; audible crossing lights; the Road Watch phone line process; Town proposed sidewalk installation and challenges; establishing “education awareness issues” for pedestrians; improvements to driver training; issues of the blind; and contacting builders regarding improved set-backs for driveways.
Mr. Alan Brown, Director, Engineering, advised that both the Town and the Region have responded to Ms. Noussis’ concerns in writing.
Staff will provide information on the Road Watch Program at the next meeting of Committee, and in the interim, Members will be advised by email of the contact telephone numbers to call when an incident occurs.
5. 2008 – 2012 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
a)
Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII)
Mr. Lorenzo Mele advised that presentations had been given to the March 4 meeting of
the Development Services Committee regarding the Cycling Master Plan and the
Pathways and Trails Master Plan. Council had suggested that staff concentrate on the
off-road network because of traffic challenges and recreation needs.
Members were advised that Council at its meeting on February 12, 2008 had approved
the Town’s participation in the
Initiative
by approving a grant request in the amount of $4,500,000 for the “
Cycling
and Pathway System 2008” project. Mr.
Mele advised that receipt of these funds
would allow the Town to accelerate the implementation of the Cycling and Trails Master plans due to additional funding. The Town should know by the end of March if the funding has been approved.
In the meantime, staff will move forward on the following three (3) trails, subject to more detailed design. It is expected that completion would be within the next two years if the Provincial funding is received:
- Major Mackenzie – 8.5 KM
-
-
b) 2008 Draft Sidewalk Construction Plan
Mr. Mele provided information on the 2008 Draft Sidewalk Construction Plan, noting that the Region of York carries out the work, and the Town pays for it. Some of the projects have been on a list for some time, due to land issues, major utility considerations, necessary approvals and design requirements.
Members expressed concerns regarding the
need for sidewalks because of safety issues.
Staff was requested to consider installing special signage to warn
motorists that certain areas are well used by pedestrians, especially on
Highway 48, in the
The Director of Engineering advised that discussions are being held with the Region regarding where to place bicycle lanes, and it was recommended that the following matters, with options, will be placed on the next Committee meeting agenda for discussion:
- “regional arterial roads”, and
- “bike lane locations”, including
6. CYCLING SURVEY RESULTS
Mr. Lorenzo Mele and Ms. Taskin Shirazi gave
a presentation on the results of the Cycling Survey, prepared by Academica
Group Inc., and carried out in December of 2007, noting that one hundred and
sixty-six persons had responded. Members
were advised that the main purpose of the Survey had been to better understand
cycling behaviour in
Members asked that staff provide Committee, by email, with details of the Can-Bike Program for promotion purposes.
Committee discussed the value of surveys such as these, and it was noted that it is a helpful exercise and validates staff knowledge. If a survey was to be carried out again, either a telephone survey would be conducted, or a small focus group established. Generally, residents are looking for a safe bicycling experience most of all.
7. 2008 BUSINESS PLAN – FINAL DRAFT REVIEW
Mr. Mele presented the final draft of the
CPAC 2008 Business Plan. It is proposed
that Mr. Mele and the Chair will present this to the Development Services
Committee on Tuesday, April 29th at 9:00 a.m. Other Members of Committee will be advised of
the confirmed date and are encouraged to attend.
Details of the 2008 Business Plan included:
Budget; Network Implementation; Promotion and Education; Smart Commute; and
Pedestrian Issues.
It was noted that the current Plan includes
the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative funding, however, if the
funds are not received, the Plan will be adjusted accordingly.
Proposed projects for 2008 Implementation are: to complete “Share the Road” sign installations; complete Phase One on road network (signs and bike lanes); and install bicycle racks in identified strategic locations. Implementation of the three trails, discussed earlier in the meeting, is included in the Plan.
Mr. Mele advised that as part of the CPAC
advertising and outreach, a network map must be prepared in time for BIKEFEST
on June 8th. It is planned to
include some safety tips and other interesting cycling information on the map,
and it is hoped that a draft version will be available for Committee’s review and
approval at the next meeting on May 8th. Members were encouraged to offer suggestions
and samples of other maps in the interim.
As the Toronto International Bicycle Show is on the week-end of March
7-9 at
Members were advised that BIKEFEST is now confirmed for Sunday, June 8th in partnership with the Unionville Festival. The BIKEFEST Sub-Committee and staff will meet again soon to discuss details of the event.
Mr. Mele updated Members on the CAN-BIKE
Courses, the application of
Committee received information regarding the BUG pilot program (Bicycle User Group); Commuter Challenge, Bike to Work Week – June 2-6, 2008; and suggested that some research be done regarding offer a “Best Workplace for Cyclists’ Award” in 2009.
Members discussed the importance of actively promoting such initiatives as the CAN-BIKE program, the Cycling Safety Programs, and CAN-BIKE Courses in their respective workplaces and local communities. Mr. Mele will forward the details to all Members of Committee for their promotion on calendars and websites.
With respect to pedestrian issues, Mr. Mele suggested that the CPAC Committee could play a role in raising the awareness of the community regarding the importance of pedestrian issues, including the safety of children, and a draft “Pedestrian Charter” could be drawn up for review.
Mr. Mele advised that there will be minor amendments made to the Draft Business Plan, and copies will be forwarded to all Members prior to the presentation to the Development Services Committee.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a) Ontario
Trails & Active 2010
Ms. Sandra
McEleney, Vice-Chair, encouraged Members to Google “Ontario Trails” and “Active
2010”, suggesting that these organizations may be interested in what the Town
of
b) Walking and Bicycling Event
Ms. Shirazi advised of an event scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., as follows. More details will be included in an email to all Members of Committee.
The Douglas Pimlott Memorial Lecture
Walking & Bicycling – Creating Great Healthy Cities
c) Farewell to Taskin
Shirazi
Members were advised that this would be Taskin Shirazi’s last meeting in her capacity as TDM Intern. Committee expressed it’s appreciation for all of her work with in the last year, and wished her well in her future endeavours.
d) Attendance
of Members
It was noted that a few members of Committee
had not been in attendance for the last few meetings. The Clerk was requested to contact these
persons regarding their interest in continuing on CPAC, and report back at the
next meeting.
e) Statistics
Relating to Traffic Safety Concerns/Complaints
Members briefly discussed whether there are
statistics available regarding reports of accidents and numbers of traffic
incidents in the community. It was
suggested that statistics may be available from the police and also from a
local epidemiologist, who studies the factors affecting the health and illness
of populations for public health purposes.
Ms. Paula Viscomi will follow up on this.
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Committee will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the York Room.
ADJOURNMENT
The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.