CYCLING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
ATTENDANCE
Committee:
Arup Mukherjee
Winston Stewart
Gerald Corbett
Andrew Tronchin
Carole Robertson, Accessibility Representative
Agency Members:
Wincy Tsang, Smart Commute 404-7
Ruby Gill,
Jim Dolson,
D’ornellas
Sgt. Courtney
Chang,
Regrets:
Councillor Erin Shapero
Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Marcia Guthenberg
Christopher Sauer, MEAC Representative
Lindsay
Rosien,
Eric Gupta,
Region of
Mark Hanlon,
Region of
Staff:
Alan Brown,
Director of
Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator
Judy Kee, Committee Clerk
The Cycling and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee convened at the hour of
1. MINUTES
OF THE CYCLING
COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD ON
Moved by
Seconded by Gerald Corbett
That the minutes of
the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting held on
CARRIED
2. COMMUNICATIONS
At the last meeting Members queried the feasibility of having a dedicated Communications and Community Relations staff person to work with the Committee to support and promote the cycling events. Mr. Dennis Flaherty, Manager, Strategic Communications, was in attendance, and advised that he and other members of the Department are available to provide support, consultation and advice to the Committee at any time. He noted that Communications staff are experienced in many areas, including: promotion; graphics; media relations; and writing and editing material. The Town currently promotes events on the web, the Town Page, and on the many electronic information boards, and marquees throughout the Town.
Members raised the importance of “getting the message out” to residents regarding the work being done by the Committee relating to the Cycling, Pathways and Trails Master Plans. Mr. Flaherty advised that the Town’s Website will be used much more aggressively in future as traffic on the Web is increasing as more and more residents are becoming web-friendly.
In response to a query regarding when the Town’s website would become accessible to persons with visual disabilities, Mr. Flaherty advised that once legislation has been passed regarding accessible information and communications standards, the Town would move forward to transform the website.
Members discussed
other ways to inform the public, such as: flyers or brochures in community
centres and libraries; printed word in more confined spaces, such as elevators
or buses; public service announcements on radio stations; and the use of
The matter of exactly what “the message” is that Committee wishes to get out to the public was raised, and it was noted that the “product” should be a combination of CPAC’s events, programming and the cycling and pedestrian network.
Tag lines such as “Get Active”, “Get Out, Get Active”, “Ride a Bike or Take a Hike” or “Public Travel – Green for Health and Happiness” were suggested, and Mr. Flaherty assured Members that his staff would be available to help with all forms of promotion.
It was
suggested that Committee members may wish to consider speaking to local public
service groups and schools to encourage cycling and walking. Mr. Mele advised that the Markham Spring Home
Show is being held March 6-9, and that this might be an opportunity to promote
cycling and walking. The theme of the
Show this year is “The First Zero Waste Home Show in
Mr. Alan
Brown, Director of
The Chair thanked Mr. Flaherty for attending the meeting this evening and looked forward to the future support of the Town’s Communications and Community Relations Department.
3.
Mr. Mele
reported on his attendance at the recent Ontario Cycle Tourism Forum held on
4. MILNE
MULTI-USE PATHWAY (MUP) PROJECT UPDATE
The
Director of
Details
of the presentation included: background relating to the need for multi-use
pathways in
project
identified as an important link to creating pathway system along Rouge River;
pathway alignment considerations; four (4) original options; importance of
community input; preferred pathway alignment based on comments received; water
course crossing alternatives; and financial information.
Members
were advised that the draft presentation will be presented to Development
Services Committee on February 17th and to the Public Information
Meeting on February 19th. Next
steps include a report to Council on the preferred alignment in March/09, and
the environmental assessment for the Schedule “B” watercourse crossings in
April/09. Expected completion is late
2009 into 2010.
In
response to a query on the total length of the pathway, staff advised that this
information would be provided to Committee.
Members briefly discussed some of the concerns raised by residents at
the previous public information meetings, including: privacy of local residents;
increased parking and usage of the Conservation Area; safety; and effect on
property values.
It was
suggested and agreed that a motion be put forward that the Members of CPAC
support the multi-use pathway project in
Moved by
Seconded by
Whereas Milne Dam Conservation Area (Milne Park) is an integral part of the interconnected system of pathways and trails under the implementation of the Town's Pathways and Trails Master Plan; and
Whereas the project to construct a multi-use pathway in Milne Park would be funded in part through the Provincial Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative Grant provided to the Town to help advance the development of the multi-use pathway network; and
Whereas pathways and trails are a vital part of the Town's Active Transportation network which reduces road congestion, air pollution and fuel consumption while promoting good health through exercise;
Therefore Be It Resolved that the Members of the Town of Markham's Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee support the construction, as soon as possible, of a multi-use pathway in Milne Park as part of the Town's multi-use pathway network.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. BICYCLE
LANES
The
Director of
6. UPDATE ON LANGSTAFF
Members were advised that the Director of
7. 2009 BUSINESS
Mr. Mele provided a list of the major
elements included in the draft of the Business Plan to date, as follows:
·
CAN-
-
Kids Festival at
-
- School Cycling Education Project
·
Giro de Markham
·
Bicycle “Parking” Pilot Program
·
Education and Promotion
Members were advised that staff have begun
working on the map, which will be prepared in-house, and it is proposed that
the final product will be coloured, 11 x 17, and will be available on-line, and
in PDF format. Content for the back side
of the map is also being considered and Members were asked for input. Suggestions included:
·
the CAN-
·
process to become involved in CAN-
·
other CPAC events
·
safety information
·
ABC Quick Check
·
a CPAC slogan?
·
location of bike racks, correct parking procedure, and recommendations
regarding locking systems
·
CPAC’s mandate and membership composition
·
bike route suggestions, including where to start, length of route, travel
time, and interesting/historical information along the route (similar to
·
websites of particular locations along routes, i.e. Varley Gallery; Main
Street Unionville shops
It was suggested that the map should include
routes in different colours, and also shorter routes designed for families. Mr. Mele will further discuss routes with
Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund -
Application for the School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project - Copies of the completed
application form were distributed regarding CPAC’s request for $10,000 for the
School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project from the Town’s Markham
Environmental Sustainability Fund. Staff
will forward this application for consideration of Council.
Bicycle ‘Parking’ Pilot Program – Mr. Mele advised that staff, in
conjunction with the Markham and Unionville BIA’s have identified some
locations for bicycle racks on the two Main Streets, and it was suggested that
a pilot program be initiated to commence the work required, including the
educational aspect of bicycle parking. There
was some discussion regarding the make and size of the bicycle racks being
considered. Committee was advised that
funding is available for this project, however, installation has been a
challenge due to staff manpower, snowplowing concerns. Mr. Mele will address issues raised regarding
security and safety with Sgt. Chang of York Region Police. Mr. Arup Mukherjee offered to work with Mr.
Mele to put a program together and report back to Committee.
Bikefest 2009 – There was considerable discussion with
respect to holding a Bikefest event in 2009.
A concern was raised with respect to the new traffic calming measures
recently installed on a portion of the 2008 route in Unionville which would
make a 5K event difficult. It was
suggested that the Major Mackenzie multi-use pathway could be used and that the
Angus Glen Community Centre could be used as a marshalling area. Another suggestion to hold the event during
harvest time (August/September), as a local farm tour meeting at the Markham
Fairgrounds was raised, however, some work would have to be done to find local
growers that would be interested in being involved.
A suggestion that CPAC could organize a short 5K ride at the Markham Fairgrounds
for children, and also offer a safety course was briefly discussed, in addition
to the feasibility of a bike rodeo for kids and a longer ride for parents.
Markham Spring Home Show – Mr. Mele advised that the
Markham Spring Home Show is scheduled at the Markham Fairgrounds
Town staff will be attending this event.
Unionville Festival Parade (
Network Implementation Program – Mr. Mele provided a
brief update on work completed by Town staff relating to road surfacing and
signage.
Staff will send out a DRAFT Business Plan to Members of Committee before the next meeting.
8. OTHER BUSINESS
Sidewalk Issues
Committee raised the matter of sidewalks and the various conditions of them
across the Town. It was noted that there
are also some gaps, and it was agreed that this issue would be placed on the
Agenda of the next meeting. Mr. Mele
will distribute a listing of areas identified as requiring sidewalks. In addition, staff will present a sidewalk map
at either the March or the April meeting of Committee. It was suggested that Members take note of
locations where sidewalks are needed in their community and email the
information to Mr. Mele in advance of the next meeting.
Mr. Mele reported briefly on the “Ontarians Walking Now” (OWN) project,
which will assist communities in putting pedestrians first in their planning
processes in order to create sustainable, healthy, active communities. More information will be presented at a future
meeting.
Potential Opportunities for
Sponsorship – Retail Locations
Committee discussed the current relationship the Town has with local
cycle/sports retail owners and the potential for sponsorships and
partnerships. Staff advised that most stores
are cooperative and distribute CPAC information and event material; however,
many more opportunities could be addressed with the industry. It was suggested that local retailers be
invited to attend a future CPAC meeting to discuss this matter.
CPAC Agenda Format
Some concern was expressed regarding the length of recent meetings of the
CPAC Committee, and it was suggested that it might be helpful to either place
time-frames on the discussion of each item or reduce the number of items to be
discussed at each meeting. It was
generally agreed that the issues Committee have been dealing with have
increased in the last year, and it may be better for Committee to focus on
three main items in the future.
It was also suggested that in future, one meeting should be dedicated to
the Business Plan which could be in October or November of each year, rather
than early in the new year.
9. DATE OF
It was noted that meetings of CPAC had been
held irregularly most recently, and it was hoped that in future meetings would
be held on a more regular basis for the benefit of Members’ scheduling.
The next meeting of the Cycling and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee is scheduled for:
ADJOURNMENT
The
Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting
adjourned at