THE CITY OF TORONTO

City Clerk's Division

Minutes of the Toronto Cycling Committee

Meeting No. 4

Monday, April 19, 1999.

The Toronto Cycling Committee met on Monday, April 19, 1999, in Committee Room No. 3, City Hall, Toronto, commencing at 7:10 p.m.

Members Present:

Councillor Jack Layton (Co-Chair)

Mr. Jack Becker (Co-Chair)

Mr. Steve Beiko

Mr. Alan Burke

Mr. Israel Chackowicz

Mr. Stephen Fisher

Ms. Gillian Flower

Mr. John Fountain

Mr. Ron Hart

Mr. Junya Ho

Ms. Nina Koskenoja

Mr. Crawford Murphy

Dr. Linda Perkin

Mr. Phil Piltch

Ms. Jannette Porter

Ms. Marleen Van Laethem

Ms. Emily White

Mr. Hamish Wilson

Also Present:

Councillor Olivia Chow

Staff Present:

Ms. Mary Casini, City Clerks Division

Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure

Mr. Sean Wheldrake, Coordinator, Road and Trail Safety

Ambassador Program

Mr. Jack Becker in the Chair.

Confirmation of Minutes.

On motion by Mr. Piltch, the Minutes of the meeting of the Toronto Cycling Committee held on March 22, 1999, were confirmed.

4.1 Members Orientation.

The Toronto Cycling Committee was advised by the Chair that Councillor Olivia Chow, a former Chair of the Metropolitan Toronto Cycling Committee, would provide, on behalf of Councillor Jack Layton, a brief orientation for the new Members.

Councillor Chow welcomed the new Members and advised that City Council at its meeting on April 13, 14 and 15, 1999, had adopted the report of the Nominating Committee respecting the appointment of Citizen Members to the Toronto Cycling Committee; that Councillor Jack Layton had been appointed as the representative of Council; and that the representatives of the five organizations listed in the Terms of Reference were still to be appointed.

Councillor Chow reviewed various procedural matters for the benefit of the new Members.

4.2 Sub-Committee Minutes.

The Toronto Cycling Committee received, for information, the following Sub-Committee Minutes:

(i) Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee held on February 24, 1999; and

(ii) Education and Safety Sub-Committee held on February 22, 1999.

4.3 Transfer of Functions of the Etobicoke and East York

Safety Councils to the Toronto Cycling Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (April 8, 1999) from the City Clerk, advising that the Etobicoke Community Council at its meeting held on March 30, 1999, during consideration of a communication (March 10, 1999) from the City Clerk:

(1) deferred consideration of the communication (March 10, 1999) from the City Clerk, embodying a recommendation respecting the transfer of the functions of the Etobicoke Safety Council, the Etobicoke Crime S.C.O.P.E. and the Etobicoke Crime Prevention Association to the Citys cycling and pedestrian committees, for deputation at the meeting of the Community Council scheduled to be held on April 28, 1999, and to permit further dialogue between the affected parties;

(2) tabled the motion by Councillor Bruce Sinclair and directed that it be forwarded to the Etobicoke Safety Council, Crime S.C.O.P.E. and the Etobicoke Crime Prevention Association for comment; and

(3) received the following communications:

- (March 24, 1999) from the City Clerk on behalf of the Toronto Cycling Committee;

- (March 28, 1999) from Ms. Rhona Swarbrick, Co-Chair, Toronto Pedestrian Committee; and

- (March 29, 1999) from Mr. Jeffery Zajac, Chair, Etobicoke Safety Council.

The Toronto Cycling Committee also had before it the following communications:

(i) (April 8, 1999) from the Co-Chairs, Education and Safety Sub-Committee, responding to the request from the Toronto Cycling Committee on March 22, 1999, for a report on the proposal to transfer the functions of the Etobicoke and East York Safety Councils to the Toronto Cycling Committee; and recommending that:

(1) the functions of the Etobicoke Safety Council, the Etobicoke Crime S.C.O.P.E. and the Toronto (formerly Etobicoke) Crime Prevention Association not be transferred to the Toronto Cycling Committee as these functions are far broader in scope than the mandate of the Toronto Cycling Committee; and

(2) in areas of common interest, the Toronto Cycling Committee continue to work cooperatively with the Etobicoke Safety Council, Etobicoke Crime S.C.O.P.E. and the Toronto (formerly Etobicoke) Crime Prevention Association; and

(ii) (April 9, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the Etobicoke Safety Council at its meeting held on April 8, 1999, during consideration of a communication (March 10, 1999) from the City Clerk, embodying a recommendation respecting the transfer of the functions of the Etobicoke Safety Council, the Etobicoke Crime S.C.O.P.E. and the Etobicoke Crime Prevention Association to the Citys cycling and pedestrian committees:

(1) directed that the Toronto Cycling Committee and the Toronto Pedestrian Committee be advised that the Etobicoke Safety Council does not support the proposal to transfer the functions of the Etobicoke Safety Council to the cycling and pedestrian committees inasmuch as the issues and activities of the Safety Council are much wider in scope than the mandate of the cycling and pedestrian committees; and requested the Toronto Cycling Committee and the Toronto Pedestrian Committee to consider adopting a similar position; and

(2) supported the aforementioned motion by Councillor Bruce Sinclair and noted that the Etobicoke Safety Council will request an opportunity to appear before the Special Advisory Committee at such time as it is established.

On motion by Councillor Layton, the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) recommended to the Etobicoke Community Council:

(a) the adoption of the Recommendations embodied in the aforementioned report (April 8, 1999) from the Co-Chairs, Education and Safety Sub-Committee; and

(b) that a Community Cycling Advisory Group be established in the Etobicoke District, as outlined in part (13) of the Terms of Reference of the Toronto Cycling Committee; and

(2) received the aforementioned communications dated April 8, 1999, and April 9, 1999, from the City Clerk.

(Etobicoke Community Council - April 20, 1999)

4.3 Integration of Cycling Facilities in the City of Toronto--

Mississaugas Cycling Route Master Plan.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (April 7, 1999) from Mr. Jack Becker, Co-Chair, Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee, recommending that the Toronto Cycling Committee request the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to:

(1) include the development of the Toronto cycling network plan in the integration of cycling facilities between the Cities of Toronto and Mississauga to allow for seamless cycling between the Cities; and that such plan be supportive of the City of Mississauga Cycling Route Master Plan, which is currently under development, and of the Inventory of Cycling Trail Opportunities in Rail and Hydro Corridors report, especially Candidate Trail Opportunity No. 25, and of the previous motion of the Toronto Cycling Committee which was endorsed by City Council for the Etobicoke Creek; and

(2) direct the appropriate City of Toronto staff to work with staff of the City of Mississauga to develop a plan for cycling facilities for access to Lester B. Pearson International Airport; and that such plan be incorporated into the City of Toronto cycling network plan.

On motion by Councillor Layton, the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) adopted the Recommendations embodied in the aforementioned communication; and

(2) requested the Executive Director, City Planning Division, to submit comments to the Committee for its next meeting scheduled to be held on May 17, 1999, on the possibility of including bicycle facilities as part of the rapid transit link to Lester B. Pearson International Airport similar to the facilities provided at the Heathrow and Calgary airports.

(Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services; Executive Director, City Planning Division; Mr. Jack Becker, Co-Chair, Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee; c. General Manager, Transportation Services Division; Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure - April 21, 1999)

4.4 Watch for Bikes Sticker Campaign for Taxi Cabs.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (March 8, 1999) addressed to the Toronto Licensing Commission from the Director, Transportation Planning, respecting the Watch for Bikes Road Safety Program, operated in cooperation with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), to publicize the hazards of a car door opening into the path of a cyclist; advising that in 1999, the Toronto Cycling Committee recommended that stickers, developed by the CAA, be affixed to drivers-side-mirrors and side windows of taxi cabs; and requesting the assistance of the Toronto Licensing Association in the implementation of this program with respect to taxi cabs.

The Toronto Cycling Committee also had before it a submission respecting the Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists taxi sticker campaign, submitted by Mr. Derek Chadbourne, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists.

Mr. Sean Wheldrake, Coordinator, Road and Trail Safety Ambassador Program, made a video presentation to the Toronto Cycling Committee in connection with the foregoing matter, and distributed a 'Backgrounder' with respect thereto.

Mr. Derek Chadbourne, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, appeared before the Toronto Cycling Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

A. Mr. Wilson moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee recommend to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee that implementation of the Watch for Bikes Sticker program for taxis be made a requirement for the issuance of a taxi licence in the City of Toronto. (Carried)

B. Mr. Burke moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee support, in principle, the Advocacy for Respect for Bicycles program for stickers directed to passengers in taxis, and requested that the group submit its sticker design to the appropriate staff in Transportation Planning and Municipal Licensing and Standards for comment thereon to the Toronto Cycling Committee. (Carried)

(Sent to: Emergency and Protective Services Committee; Director, Transportation Planning; Director, Taxi Unit, Municipal Licensing and Standards Division; Mr. Derek Chadbourne, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists; c. Councillor Jack Layton, Toronto Cycling Committee; Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; Mr. Sean Wheldrake, Co-ordinator, Road and Trail Safety Ambassador Program - April 25, 1999)

4.5 Proposed Schedule of Meetings for the Balance of 1999.

The Toronto Cycling Committee at its meeting held on April 19, 1999, had before it a communication (April 9, 1999) from the City Clerk, submitting the following proposed schedule of meetings for the balance of 1999:

- May 17;

- June 21;

- July 19;

- August 23;

- September 21;

- October 25; and

- November 22.

On motion by Mr. Piltch, the Committee adopted the aforementioned schedule of meetings subject to deleting the date of August 23, 1999; and noted that the location of such meetings were still to be confirmed.

(Chair and Members, Toronto Cycling Committee; c. Manager, Community Councils and Committees; Other Interested Parties - April 21, 1999)

4.6 Membership on the Toronto Cycling Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (February 8, 1999) from Mr. Stewart Chisholm advising that due to new family and work commitments, he does not wish to have his name stand for reappointment to the Toronto Cycling Committee; that he looks forward to continuing his involvement in the Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee on a casual basis; and wishing the Committee all the best in its future endeavours.

On motion by Mr. Burke, the Committee received the aforementioned communication; and expressed its appreciation to Mr. Chisholm for his participation on the Committee.

(Mr. Stewart Chisholm - April 20, 1999)

4.7 Representative of the Toronto Catholic District School

Board on the Toronto Cycling Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it the following communications:

(i) (March 5, 1999) from the Director of Education, Toronto Catholic District School Board, advising that Mr. Crawford Murphy has agreed to continue volunteering his services as the Toronto Catholic District School Board representation on the Toronto Cycling Committee; and requesting that notification of acceptance of this continued appointment be sent to Mr. Murphy; and

(ii) (April 19, 1999) from Mr. Walter Melynk, advising that due to the amalgamation of the former Metro and the Toronto cycling committees, and in view of Mr. Crawford Murphys appointment, he will no longer be representing the Toronto Catholic District School Board on the Committee.

On motion by Mr. Beiko, the Committee:

(1) confirmed the appointment by the Toronto Catholic District School Board and welcomed Mr. Murphy as a continuing Member of the Committee; and

(2) extended its appreciation to Mr. Melynk for his participation on the former Metropolitan Toronto Committee and the Toronto Cycling Committee.

(Ms. Johanne Stewart, Director of Education, Toronto Catholic District School Board; Mr. Crawford Murphy; Mr. Walter Melynk - April 20, 1999)

4.8 Communication to City Councillors - 1999 City Operating Budget

and Support for Cycling as a Safe Transportation Mode.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (March 30, 1999) addressed to City of Toronto Councillors from the Committees Working Group on the Budget, submitted by Mr. Jack Becker, respecting the 1999 City Operating Budget and soliciting support for cycling as a safe transportation mode.

On motion by Councillor Layton, the Committee received the aforementioned communication and thanked the Working Group for the submission to City Councillors.

4.9 Toronto Plan.

The Toronto Cycling Committee heard an oral report from Mr. Jack Becker on the launch of the Toronto Plan on April 7, 1999, which he and other Members of the Committee attended.

Mr. Becker suggested to the Committee that it should consider its next step and discuss its potential involvement in the Toronto Plan; and advised the Committee that information regarding the Plan may be obtained through the City of Torontos Web Site.

Councillor Layton advised the Committee that information may also be obtained through his office.

4.10 Bicycle Lanes on Prince Edward Drive.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (April 19, 1999) from Mr. Ken Riddell, Kingsway Sunnylea Residents Association, expressing concerns regarding the decision of the Committee on March 22, 1999, to support the installation of bicycle lanes on Prince Edward Drive as part of the Prince Edward Drive Reconstruction Project; advising that the Kingsway Sunnylea Residents Association was not notified or given an opportunity to comment on the bicycle lanes or alternatives to cyclists in the neighbourhood; forwarding a communication dated April 18, 1999, addressed to Mr. John Kelly, Manager, Infrastructure Planning, from Mr. Wayne Evans, President, The Prince Edward Drive 40 Km Association, opposing bicycle lanes on Prince Edward Drive; and requesting the Committee to defer its support of bicycle lanes until full consideration of all issues has been given by the Steering Committee for this project.

Mr. Ken Riddell, Kingsway Sunnylea Residents Association, appeared before the Toronto Cycling Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

On motion by Councillor Layton, the Committee:

(1) deferred consideration of the aforementioned communication to its meeting scheduled to be held on May 17, 1999;

(2) requested the Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee to submit comments thereon to the Committee; and

(3) requested the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, Transportation Services Division, to provide for such meeting background information respecting the Reconstruction Project, including maps and TTC statistics

(Sent to: Mr. Ken Riddell, Kingsway Sunnylea Residents Association; Mr. Wayne Evans, President, Prince Edward Drive 40 Km Association; Mr. Jack Becker, Chair, Network Planning Sub-Committee; Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; c. Mr. John Kelly, Manager, Infrastructure Planning - April 20, 1999.)

4.11 Election of Citizen Co-Chairs

and Chairs of Sub-Committees.

The Committee discussed the matter of the election of Co-Chairs of the Committee and Chairs of the Sub-Committees.

Councillor Layton advised the Committee that a comprehensive orientation would take place at the meeting on May 17, 1999, and suggested that elections be held at the meeting scheduled to be held on June 21, 1999, and that Mr. Jack Becker act as Chair of the meetings in the interim.

The Committee concurred in the foregoing.

On motion by Councillor Layton, the Committee thanked the retiring Members for their years of service and commitment to the work of the Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee adjourned its meeting at 9:40 p.m.

Co-Chair.