CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE

Committee:

Dwight Richardson, Chair

David Rawcliffe

Gerald Corbett

Sandra McEleney, Vice-Chair

Carole Robertson

Marcia Guthenberg

Rachael Woodroffe

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Agency Members:

Paula Viscomi, York Region Health Services

Monica Goodfellow, York Region Health Services

Wincy Tsang, Markham Board of Trade/Smart Commute 404-7

Mark Hanlon, Region of York

Staff:

L. Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

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.

WELCOME

The Chair welcomed all members to the meeting.

1. MINUTES OF THE CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY

COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MARCH 6, 2008

Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi

Seconded by David Rawcliffe

That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting held on March 6, 2008 be adopted.

CARRIED

2. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Mr. Dwight Richardson, Chair, advised that Mr. Pratheesh Ratnasingham has submitted his resignation as a member of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The Chair also noted that two other Members of the Committee have been absent from meetings for some time, Ms. Julie Schatz and Mr. Murray Yack. The Town’s advisory committee guidelines direct that if a member is absent without good reason or prior acknowledgement for three consecutive meetings or five meetings in any one year, the Committee may pass a resolution to request Council to replace the member. The Chair advised that he will contact these persons to determine their interest in continuing with the Committee, and report back to the next meeting.

Moved by Sandra McEleney

Seconded by Marcia Guthenberg

That the resignation of Mr. Pratheesh Ratnasingham be accepted with regret.

CARRIED

3. ROAD WATCH PROGRAM

In response to questions raised at the March 6, 2008 meeting, Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, distributed copies of a brochure describing the Town’s Safe Streets Program, which is an initiative designed to improve road safety by improving driver behaviour with a 3-point strategy of Education, Enforcement, and Engineering. In addition, Mr. Mele distributed a brochure regarding the Road Watch Program. This Program advocates the use of a Road Watch Citizen Report form to report aggressive and unsafe driving to York Regional Police. Members discussed the effectiveness of the Programs within the Town.

Mr. Mele also distributed summary sheets providing statistics from York Region Police on Markham pedestrian and cycling related crashes and fatal collisions during 2006 and 2007 for information. Members queried some of the acronyms referenced on the stats sheet, and Mr. Mele advised that he would follow up on this, and also investigate the exact boundaries of York Regional Police 5 District.

Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi

Seconded by David Rawcliffe

That the information presented by Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, be received.

CARRIED

4. EVENTS UPDATE

Kids CAN-BIKE Festival at York Region Safety Village - May 31

Mr. Mele advised that the Festival is confirmed for Saturday, May 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the York Region Community Safety Village in Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area on Stouffville Road. Cost is $10.00 and includes a T-shirt and quick bike tune-up. Children aged 8-13 years old will learn safe cycling skills during a fun-filled day of activities, but must bring their own helmet and bicycle.

Members were also advised that CAN-BIKE cycling courses are being offered to children and adults in July to boost cycling skills and safety practices. Details of these courses are available in the Town’s 2008 Summer Recreation and Culture Guide. All instructors are fully accredited in CAN-BIKE, are knowledgeable about the Highway Traffic Act and have advanced cycling skills.

Unionville Festival Parade - June 7

Due to other time commitments and constraints, it was generally agreed that members of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee would not be able to participate in this event.

Bikefest 2008 - June 8 – Mr. Mele noted that members of the Bikefest 2008 Sub-Committee have been meeting regarding details of the Markham Bikefest being held on Sunday, June 8^th in conjunction with the Unionville Festival. Notices will go out to the community to encourage residents to participate in the five (5) *and twenty (20) kilometer rides along Markham’s bike network; view safety demonstrations; and enjoy food and entertainment. Members of Council will also be invited to attend; there will be a Town of Markham booth, a shuttle bus is being organized; water will be available; and white and green t-shirts will be ordered. Members of Committee were requested to advise either Lorenzo, Sandra or Gerald if they will be attending the event.

*Amended at the October 16, 2008 CPAC meeting to add “and twenty (20)”.

Kids CAN-BIKE Festival at Ellen Fairclough Public School – June 11 & 12

Mr. Mele advised that a Kids CAN-BIKE Festival has now been confirmed at Ellen Fairclough Public School in Markham where kids will have another opportunity to learn safe cycling skills with qualified CAN-BIKE instructors. The event will be held on June 11 and 12, and Members were encouraged to attend.

Bike to Work Week

Members were advised that Bike to Work Week is scheduled for June 2-6, 2008 and distributed a City of Toronto Calendar of Events, noting that the City has expanded the initiative to become a month-long event. Bike to Work Week will be promoted in the Town of Markham, and copies of the bicycle trail maps will be distributed at all upcoming bicycle events and placed on the Town’s website.

Information relating to all events is has been posted to the Town’s website, and Members were advised that Corporate Communications Department staff have sent out a promo for the events. It was suggested that notice of the events also be sent out by email to all of the Town of Markham ratepayers associations and to all CPAC members, for their information and use. It was also suggested that notice of the events be placed in “York Beat” (internet online news), and appropriate Smart Commute 404-7 publications.

5. NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE

Master Plans Report to Council – Mr. Mele advised that both the Cycling Master Plan and the Pathways and Trails Master Plan will be presented for formal adoption of Council in the Fall of 2008.

On Road System – It was reported that Town staff are in the process of erecting signed bicycle routes and painting on-road bicycle lanes in specific areas of the Town for the coming season.

Major Mackenzie Road and Donald Cousens Parkway Trails- Members were advised that the Provincial Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) funding has been approved in the amount of $4,500,000, and design tenders have been issued for the Major Mackenzie Road and Donald Cousens Parkway trails. Members discussed projected time lines, and Mr. Mele advised that construction is expected to begin in early 2009, and that the trails should be accessible in the late fall/early winter of 2009.

Milne Park – Mr. Mele advised that a walk-through of Milne Park is being conducted on Wednesday, May 14 between 9 a.m. and Noon with local Councillors, staff and Toronto Region Conservation Authority representatives.

6. BIKE SUMMIT 2008 REPORT

Mr. Dwight Richardson, Chair, reported on his, and other CPAC members’ attendance at Bike Summit 2008 at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto on April 25^th. The purpose of the day was to share experiences and lessons learned from those working to further bike policies in their communities. Presentations included speakers from London, England, Chicago, Illinois, and Seattle, Washington, and topics included public policy, economic incentives, government and business support, and infrastructure policies and design.

The Chair advised that he had also been invited to make a presentation at the Summit on the topic of CPAC’s assistance to the Town of Markham over the past four years in the planning, design and implementation of elements of cycling and pedestrian plans. It was noted that all of the presentations have been posted on the Bike Summit website at: www.torontocat.ca/main/bikesummit2008

Copies of a handout from the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation were distributed providing statistics on how Toronto compares to other cities around the world on such things as bike facilities, budget; mode share; and bike trips by gender.

Ms. McEleney thanked the Chair and other members for their attendance at the Bike Summit on behalf of the CPAC Committee and the Town of Markham.

Members discussed the progress that has been made with respect to cycling in the Town in the last few years, including: increasing community and government support; funding; infrastructure improvements, i.e. curbs and boulevards; and the design and planning of bike trails, however, it was noted that more work is to be done. It was noted that upcoming local events will provide opportunities to inform residents about the work of the Committee.

7. NEW BUSINESS

Markham Pathways Map – Some concern was expressed that the current size and scale of the pathways map is too small, and Mr. Mele advised that it is possible to go onto the Town’s website and zoom in, enlarge and print the area that one requires.

Resignation of Sandra McEleney, Vice-Chair – Ms. Sandra McEleney advised that she has submitted her resignation as a member of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee, (formerly Markham Conservation Committee).

Bicycle Trade Association of Canada – Mr. Mele advised that the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada has taken on a new mandate of “cycling advocacy” to recognize the environmental and health benefits of cycling through reduced taxation and the development of cycling specific public infrastructure.

Extension of PST Exemption on Bikes and Accessories – Mr. Mele also advised that the Province has extended the tax holiday on bikes for two years, which was introduced last December. Bikes that cost less than $1,000, bike helmets and some safety equipment will be exempt from PST until December 31, 2010.

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Members discussed whether a CPAC meeting was required in June. It was agreed that the Bike Fest Sub-Committee could hold a brief meeting following the event on June 8^th.

Moved by David Rawcliffe

Seconded by Gerald Corbett

That the next meeting of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee be held on:

Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the York Room

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.