TORONTO CYCLING COMMITTEE

NETWORK PLANNING and FACILITIES SUB-COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

Date of Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 1999 Enquiry Jack Becker

Time 7.00 p.m. Chair-NP&FS-C

Location Committee Room 4 416-203-1711

2nd Floor, City Hall hjehbecker@clo.com

100 Queen Street

Toronto

ATTENDEES

Jack Becker Chair

Hamish Wilson TCC

Steve Crossman

Ron Hart TCC, NYC&PC

Clay McFayden TCC, NYC&PC

Terry Walsh

Peter Raff NYC&PC

Ed Clark

David Tomlinson

John Consolati Cycling Map Update item

Alicia Hawkins Bathurst / Lakeshore/ Fleet Street item

Peter Litterland Prince Edward Drive item

Rhona Swarbrick Prince Edward Drive item

David Dunn Transportation Services

Dan Egan Transportation Services

Mark Edelman Toronto Parks

Peter Anderson Toronto Transit Commission

Re: Bathurst / Lakeshore/ Fleet Street item

1. Hydro / Rail Corridor Bike Trail Project

i. Parks briefed the sub-committee on the next steps for trails development, which included a ranking exercise of all trails, (Parks trails, hydro/rail corridor bike trails, etc.) to be undertaken, ranking the implementation priority of trails for the next few years. Parks is establishing a committee including staff and public volunteers for this purpose.

ii. Terry Walsh, Ed Clark, Peter Raff, and Jack Becker volunteered to participate in the committee. It is expected that there will be regular meetings over the next 3 to 4 months to finalize the trail priorities.

iii. Ranking process was discussed. Sub-Committee members brought forth some of their thoughts on ranking criteria, which included:

* Desire for trails to make a continuous loop - large outer loops with shorter, inner loops.

* Critical links to network of existing trails.

* Does it make sense in terms of connection to whole system.

* Opportunity for a trail to get people involved and be used as a demonstration trail, for example the Finch Ave. corridor.

* Ability of trail to be used for commuting to work.

* Preference for routes in areas where roads are not as bike friendly.

* Routes that provide opportunity for cycling to university, as there is expectation that university students and faculty will generate a large usage for trails. (Dave Tomlinson will investigate feasibility of surveying students for potential trail usage.)

* Payback criteria on capital invested - for example - Number of cyclists per dollar invested.

* Economic spin-offs, especially on the neighbouring local economy.

* Intermodal connection potential.

* Major commitment by a politician to a trail.

* Corridor is at risk to loss to other uses if not incorporated into trail system.

iv. Some design issues were identified, including:

* Signage - direction, distance, destination,

* Lighting

* Preserving wild life environment on trails.

2. Prince Edward Dr.

i. The sub-committee decided to visit Prince Edward Drive before making a decision on supporting Bike Lanes for Prince Edward Dr., Berry Rd., and Park Lawn Rd., as part of the cycling facilities network of the City. This item will be brought back to this sub-committee in March.

ii. Some street residents goals for the reconstructed street include:

a. Liveable, walkable, cycleable street,

b. Street that provides perception of being safe,

c. Elimination of speeding, irresponsible, disrespectful drivers.

d. Reduction of traffic volume.

iii. Some local resident goals for the reconstructed street includes:

a. A safe way for families to cycle to the waterfront.

iv. There seems to be some local residents' sensitivity to people who do not live on the section of the street being reconstructed to make comments on the final streetscape.

v. Data on the street:

a. Traffic volume - 6,500 to 10,500 vehicles per day at the north end of Prince Edward Dr.

b. Bus route.

c. Fire hall is locate 2 to 3 blocks south of Bloor St.

3. Bathurst St., Fleet St., and Lakeshore Blvd. Intersection

i. Peter Anderson of the Toronto Transit Commission presented the current designs for the Queens Quay and Bathurst St. intersection and for the Lakeshore Blvd, Fleet St., and Bathurst St. intersection.

ii. The sub-committee supported the retention of the current westbound lane design on Queens Quay at Bathurst St. where a 1.5 metre Bike Lane is located between the through traffic lane and the right turn lane.

iii. Operational and design issues with the Lakeshore Blvd., Fleet St., and Bathurst St. intersection were discussed.

iv. One of the issues with the intersection is the continuous right turn light on Bathurst St. south on to Fleet Street. A pedestrian / cycling light only was proposed on the west side of the intersection.

v. It was proposed that cyclists should be routed westerly before crossing the road (possibly where the pedestrians cross) so that the bicycle addresses the streetcar tracks perpendicular, thereby reducing chances of accidents resulting from bike wheels getting caught in the streetcar track.

vi. TTC will take sub-committee's comments back and consider it in the final design of the intersection.

4. Cycling Map

i. John Consolati and David Tomlinson presented their working group's thoughts on updating the cycling map and were looking for comments.

Comments by e-mail should be sent to David Tomlinson at davebike@yorku.ca.

ii. The working group will test its concepts at the Bike Show.

iii. The final recommendations for a revised map will be brought back to the sub-committee for endorsement before taking it to the TCC for their endorsement.

iv. Support for revising the map, fund raising, printing, and distribution will be provided by Economics Development. TCC and the Network Planning & Facilities Sub-Committee will be directly involved in the fundraising.

v. Funding of printing will be raised from outside sources. Preliminary discussion with the Independent Bicycle Dealers Association and others has been started. Printing size will be determined by the funds raised.

5. Dead trees in Parks and Landscaping Principles for the Hydro / Rail

Corridor Bike Trails

i. Peter Raff presented his thoughts on retention of dead trees in the park system for wildlife.

ii. Peter also presented his thoughts on type of cyclists shading that should be provided for Bike Trails. Concern of effect of trees on allergy sufferers was also highlighted.

iii. At a future meeting, the issue of cyclists shading of Bike Trails and other issues identified for preserving the natural environment will be discussed. The Sub-Committee should prepare a position as input to Toronto Parks.

Committee and Sub-Committee Meeting Dates

Toronto Cycling Committee

Committee Room 3, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 100 Queen St., 7:00 p.m.

Monday, March 22

Monday, April 19

Network Planning & Facilities Subcommittee:

Committee Room 4, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 100 Queen St., 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 31

Wednesday, April 28

Education & Safety Subcommittee:

Monday, March 29

Monday, April 26

North York Cycling & Pedestrian Committee

Thursday, March 11

Thursday, April 8

Thursday, May 13

Thursday, June 10