CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2008

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE

Committee:

Dwight Richardson, Chair

Gerald Corbett

Sandra McEleney, Vice-Chair (By tele-conference)

Marcia Guthenberg

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Carole Robertson, Accessibility Representative

Christopher Sauer, MEAC Representative

Rachael Woodroffe

Arup Mukherjee

Agency Members:

Lindsay Rosien, York Region Health Services

Monica Goodfellow, York Region Health Services

Megan Johnson, School Traffic Planner, York Catholic District School Board

Michelle Holmes, Rouge Park Alliance

Wincy Tsang, Smart Commute 404-7

Regrets:

David Rawcliffe

Councillor Erin Shapero

Winston Stewart

Andrew Tronchin

Guests:

Don Corbett, Unionvella

Ken Deering, D’Ornellas

Joe Doria, D’Ornellas/Terry Fox Bikeway

Michael Trigiani, Cycle With Michael

Councillor J. Virgilio

Staff:

Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

Judy Kee, Committee Clerk

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee convened at the hour of 7:10 p.m. with Mr. Dwight Richardson in the Chair.

1. WELCOME TO NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND

ROUNDTABLE INTRODUCTIONS

Mr. Dwight Richardson, Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting and extended a special welcome to the new members in attendance, Mr. Arup Mukherjee, and Mr. Christopher Sauer, who is representing the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee. There were a number of guests in attendance, and everyone around the table introduced themselves.

2. MINUTES OF THE CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY

COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 16, 2008

Members queried the status of the installation of “Share the Road” signage, and Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, advised that the locations have been chosen and the signs will be installed soon.

There was some discussion regarding a statement in the fifth bullet of Appendix B – “Bikefest 2008 – Notes from Jerry Corbett” with respect to avoiding cycling on Carlton and Village Parkway. It was agreed that Committee would avoid these streets for any future cycling events.

Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi

Seconded by Marcia Guthenberg

That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting held on

October 16, 2008 be adopted.

CARRIED

3. ONTARIO CYCLE TOURISM FORUM

Information was distributed regarding the Agenda for the Ontario Cycle Tourism Forum being held on Friday, January 23, 2009 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Mr. Mele advised that the Forum will bring together cycle tourism stakeholders to discuss business development opportunities and challenges. Members were requested to contact Mr. Mele if they wished to attend.

4. PARKS, RECREATION, CULTURE & LIBRARY MASTER PLAN (PRCLMP)

Mr. Mele reported that staff are moving forward on Markham’s Parks, Recreation, Culture & Library Master Plan, which is a comprehensive 10-year strategy to address needs in those areas. Once approved the Plan is intended to guide the Town’s decision-making and resource allocation strategies. It is proposed that the study process will engage all elements of the community and Town advisory committees, including CPAC.

5. NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE

Master Plans Report to Council – 2009 – Mr. Mele advised that Council received a presentation on the Master Plans earlier this year, and staff are now preparing the report on the Master Plans for Council’s approval early in the New Year.

Members briefly discussed the following matters: on-road vs. off-road trails; Council’s resolution re Highway #7 (between Montgomery and Sciberras) (site specific) biking lanes; and the importance of including a caveat in Master Plan that there will always be changes to the Plans with respect to facilities and/or alignment of trails. Staff advised that Committee will be kept informed annually of any changes.

Milne Multi-Use Pathway – Status Report – Mr. Mele advised that a meeting was held recently regarding the proposed Milne Multi-Use Pathway with residents living adjacent to Milne Park. He briefly explained the proposal for the benefit of the new Members. The majority of the local residents were quite clear that they were not supportive of the installation of any kind of pathway through the Park. A formal Public Open House, open to all Markham residents, will be held in the New Year.

Members discussed the following: feasibility of moving pathway further from the homes; importance of connectivity of the pathway across Markham; extend invitation to the Unionville Ratepayers Association and the Unionville Villagers Association who are familiar with use of the Toogood Pond pathway and its benefits; some environmental sensitivity relating to use of Conservation Area; and the importance of the involvement of the Rouge Park Alliance.

Mr. Mele advised that the Mayor and staff will be conducting a “walk” of the area with staff within the next week, and Members will be advised of the date of the Public Open House once confirmed.

2009 Capital and Road Resurfacing Program – Members were advised that the Town’s 2009 Capital and Road Resurfacing Program will be presented to Committee early in the New Year, at which time; Members will be able to provide input relating to the alignment of the cycling network with the list of projects.

Mr. Joe Doria, of the D’Ornellas Racing Team, asked if the Terry Fox Bikeway could be included in the Plan, and provided details of the proposal. He explained that the proposal is a long term strategy to expand existing roadways to accommodate approximately 40 km of dedicated cycling bike lanes in York Region, and, eventually through further stages, join with other municipalities and go across the country. Mr. Doria noted that the proposed route would begin at the Markham Fairgrounds; south to Elgin Mills Road; to McCowan Road; to Warden Avenue North; to St. John’s Sideroad; to McCowan Road, and bike lanes are proposed for both sides of the streets with appropriate signage.

Members generally supported the proposal, and raised the following matters: include this proposal in Town’s Recreation Master Plan; need for north/south funneling; extend it to Lake Simcoe; importance of a cycling meeting place – a dedicated building; concerns regarding safety on Warden Avenue – future widening plans; boulevard trail vs. cycling path; historically, a bike is not a mode of transportation; the need for education and awareness; children should be taught to ride in traffic;

Staff was requested to provide details of the widening plans for Warden Avenue, including the location of the paths.

Main Street Unionville (South) – Options – Members received background information regarding the Town’s process for route and facility type selection in the development of the cycling network. In addition, information relating to the bicycle facility options available for the reconstruction of Main Street Unionville from Highway 7 south to Unionville Gate. Mr. Mele provided drawings and presented details of each option, as follows:

Option 1 On-Street Bike Lanes

Option 2 Multi-Use pathway

Option 3 Separated Bike Lane

Members raised and discussed the following issues:

· Change flow of traffic to one-way on Main Street Unionville North; Mr. Mele will forward this suggestion on to Engineering staff

· Safety concerns regarding separated bike lane

· Main Street Unionville South to be narrowed; street will become calmer

· Multi-use pathway invites problems

· On-street bike lane is safest

Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi; Seconded by M. Guthenberg that Option 1, On-Street Bike Lanes, be endorsed by Members of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee as the choice of bike lanes for the Main Street Unionville South reconstruction;

And that the design be a one-way dedicated travel lane on both sides of the roadway, with 1.5 M minimum lane width.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Joe Virgilio, Councillor, Ward 3, arrived at the meeting following this discussion, and raised his concerns regarding Committee’s choice of Option 1. He suggested that dedicated bike trails would be a safer choice at this location, as it will be a major thoroughfare to the new athletic high school. Committee discussed the Councillor’s concerns at length, however, Members noted that Option 1 aligns with the Markham Centre on-road bike lane network, and the Cycling and Pathways and Trails Master Plan, and it was agreed to be the safest Option.

Councillor Virgilio advised that a Public Information Session is scheduled on Monday, December 8 regarding the Main Street Unionville South Streetscape Plan, and invited members to attend and reconsider their position on this matter. The meeting is being held at the Varley Art Gallery, 216 Main Street Unionville beginning at 7:00 p.m.

It was suggested that it may be helpful if Committee heard a presentation from safety experts on the pros and cons relating to safety with on-street bike lanes versus dedicated paths. It was also suggested that staff contact the athletic high school about the numbers of students/staff that cycle daily to the school. Mr. Mele advised that McCormick Rankin has a leading safety expert on staff who he will contact regarding this matter.

6. 2009 BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Mele advised that some special guests had been invited to attend the meeting of Committee this date to assist Members in the development of the 2009 Business Plan, and reviewed the events sponsored by CPAC during 2008.

CAN-BIKE Program – Mr. Michael Trigiani, of Cycle with Michael, and a CAN-BIKE instructor, was in attendance, and provided a review of the 2008 CAN-BIKE Courses, outlined in his letter presented to Committee, dated November 2008. He described a plan to promote leadership volunteer programs to train students to become instructors, noting that students aged 8-12 is the best age group. Mr. Trigiani suggested that Committee may wish to investigate grants/funding that may be available from organizations such as the Trillium Foundation to assist the Program, and Mr. Arup Mukherjee and Ms. Rachael Woodroffe volunteered to work with Mr. Mele on this. Councillor Kanapathi advised that he would contact his local schools regarding becoming involved in the Program.

Committee raised and discussed the following matters:

• Education component is a key part and CPAC should encourage this
• Cycling safety program should be “beefed-up”
• CPAC to work closely with Town’s Recreation staff; also have a “go-to” person; Mr. Mele is working towards this and will be meeting with Recreation staff next week
• Details provided of how widespread the CAN-BIKE Program is; including numbers of participants and locations
• Mr. Trigiani will provide copies of pictures from 2008 program to Mr. Mele
• Some concerns regarding funding available and insurance costs;
• school boards are concerned with risk; helpful to be part of normal curriculum

· Megan Johnson, School Traffic Planner, York Catholic District School Board, has put together a toolbox to encourage CAN-BIKE Program; and to also promote less cars driving kids to schools

Giro de Markham – Mr. Mele introduced Mr. Ken Deering, D’Ornellas Racing Team, who had been involved in the very successful Giro de Markham event held this past summer on Cochrane Drive. Mr. Deering explained that the group would like to hold the event again in 2009, but also to expand it to include a youth series. Mr. Mele advised that staff would recommend that Committee endorse the program for 2009, and that staff would work towards a sponsorship strategy to underwrite some of the costs.

Mr. Don Corbett – Representative of a new cycling club in Markham (Unionvello) expressed a desire to work with CPAC to help promote bicycle use and associated events.

Bikefest; Bicycle Racks; Education and Outreach – Mr. Mele advised that there will be more discussion of the development of the 2009 Business at the next meeting of Committee, including the Bikefest event; installation of bicycle racks; and education and outreach (trail and cycling map).

The matter of pedestrian needs was raised, such as the clearing of snow on sidewalks; accessibility of sidewalks, and hazards relating to “A-signage”. Mr. Mele advised that this could be part of the Business Plan. In response to a request, Mr. Mele will provide a copy of the 2008 Business Plan to all members of Committee.

7. NEW BUSINESS

Smart Commute – E-bikes Summary – Copies of the E-bikes Summary from Smart Commute, dated November 26, 2008, were distributed to Members for information.

8 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Members agreed that a meeting would not be held in December, and discussed potential dates in January of 2009. It was agreed that the next meeting would be scheduled for:

Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the York Room

This meeting would be dedicated to discussion of the 2009 Business Plan.

ADJOURNMENT

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.