THE CITY OF TORONTOCity Clerk's Division

Minutes of the Toronto Cycling Committee

Meeting No. 11

Monday, November 22, 1999.

The Toronto Cycling Committee met on Monday, November 22, 1999, in Committee Room No. 2, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, commencing at 7:15 p.m.

Members Present:

Councillor Jack Layton (Co-Chair)

Mr. Stephen Fisher (Co-Chair)

Ms. Marleen Van Laethem (Co-Chair)

Mr. Steve Beiko

Ms. Andrea Bowker

Mr. Ole Calderone

Mr. Israel Chackowicz

Mr. Glenn Corbett

Ms. Gillian Flower

Mr. Ron Hart

Ms. Nina Koskenoja

Mr. Clay McFayden

Mr. Crawford Murphy

Mr. Phil Piltch

Ms. Jannette Porter

Mr. John Sherk

Mr. Hamish Wilson

Also Present:

Mr. Martin Collier (Alternate), representing Community Bicycle Network

Mr. Edward Clark (Alternate), representing Toronto Bicycle Network

Staff Present:

Ms. Mary Casini, City Clerk's Division

Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure

Mr. Brian Rutherford, Manager, Parks and Recreation Planning

Ms. Barbara Wentworth, Bicycle Safety Coordinator

Mr. Sean Wheldrake, Coordinator, Road and Trail Safety Ambassador Program

Mr. Stephen Fisher in the Chair.

Confirmation of Minutes.

On motion by Mr. Beiko, the Minutes of the meeting of the Toronto Cycling Committee held on October 25, 1999 were confirmed.

11.1 Toronto Cycling Master Plan Study.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (November 12, 1999) from Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, respecting the Toronto Cycling Master Plan; advising that the work on the cycling survey is nearing completion and the initial stage of public consultation is getting started; that the consulting team from Marshall Macklin Monaghan Limited will make a presentation at the meeting on November 22, 1999, on progress to date, the principles for developing a cycling network, candidate routes and the findings of a cycling survey; and providing information regarding a special meeting with the Toronto Cycling Committee and public open houses.

The Toronto Cycling Committee also had before it a joint communication (November 22, 1999) from the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure and the Bicycle Safety Coordinator, proposing that the Committee set aside 1.5 hours of each meeting for an in-depth discussion on policy/programs to be included in the Toronto Cycling Master Plan; and outlining a suggested process and topics.

The following persons made a presentation to the Toronto Cycling Committee in connection with the Toronto Cycling Master Plan:

- Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure;

- Mr. David Richardson, Senior Project Manager, Marshall Macklin Monaghan; and

- Mr. J. David McLaughlin, Senior Project Planner, Marshall Macklin Monaghan.

A. Mr. Wilson moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) receive the aforementioned communication dated November 12, 1999, from the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; (Carried)

(2) utilize the meetings of the Committee from January to May, 2000, for presentations/discussions on topics related to the Cycling Master Plan, to be scheduled at 6:45 p.m. for a maximum of 1.25 hours; and (Carried as amended by Motion B.)

(3) direct the appropriate staff to ensure that any background information/documentation on a particular topic is included on the main agenda for each meeting. (Carried)

B. Mr. Hart moved that part (2) of the foregoing motion A. by Mr. Wilson be amended by striking out "6:45 p.m." and inserting in lieu thereof "6:30 p.m." (Carried)

(Sent to: Mr. David B. Richardson, Senior Project Manager, Marshall Macklin Monaghan; Mr. J. David McLaughlin, Senior Project Planner; Marshall Macklin Monaghan; Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; Ms. Barbara Wentworth, Bicycle Safety Coordinator; c. Members, Toronto Cycling Committee - November 23, 1999)

11.2 Citizen Appointments to the Toronto Pedestrian Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (October 6, 1999) from the City Clerk, advising that the Works Committee on October 6, 1999, recommended to Council, the adoption of the report (September 15, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services recommending that the Terms of Reference of the Toronto Pedestrian Committee be amended to include the process outlined below with regard to Committee Membership, and referred the report to the Toronto Cycling Committee for consideration of a similar practice:

"The Toronto Pedestrian Committee will strike a Nominating Sub-Committee consisting of three to five members, which will recommend new citizen appointments to the Committee. Vacant positions on the Committee will be advertised through a variety of medium. The Sub-Committee will: review the submitted applications; short-list the candidates to be interviewed; interview and select the successful candidates; and recommend the nominees to the Toronto Pedestrian Committee. A report will be forwarded to the Works Committee for subsequent submission to Council. Citizen members will be appointed for a term of three years. Re-appointments will be permitted, however, the maximum length of service is six consecutive years."

On motion by Councillor Layton, the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) established a Working Group to review the current practice for citizen appointments through the Nominating Committee in relation to developing a procedure for the Toronto Cycling Committee to conduct its own appointment process; (Carried)

(2) appointed the following Members to the Working Group:

- Mr. Steve Beiko, Chair;

- Ms. Andrea Bowker;

- Mr. Israel Chackowicz;

- Mr. Stephen Fisher; and

- Councillor Jack Layton; and (Carried)

(3) requested that staff responsible for the nominating process in the City Clerk's Division act as resource to facilitate the Working Group's discussions and to advise the Group regarding any administrative and/or financial support that may be available from the Division, including mailings and advertising. (Carried)

(Sent to: Mr. Steve Beiko; Ms. Andrea Bowker; Mr. Israel Chackowicz; Mr. Stephen Fisher; Councillor Jack Layton; and Manager, Community Councils and Committees - November 26, 1999)

11.3 Hosting of Provincial Cycling Committee Meeting.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (November 10, 1999) from Mr. Israel Chackowicz, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee, requesting that the Committee act as host of the next provincial cycling committee meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2000, by providing a large room at Metro Hall; and ask the Promotions and Development Sub-Committee to form a working group to arrange communications and catering for the event.

On motion by Mr. Chackowicz the Toronto Cycling Committee decided to:

(1) host the aforementioned provincial cycling conference on February 5, 2000, at Metro Hall, noting that catering and any other related costs would be covered by the registration fee, and that Mr. Chackowicz would act as liaison on behalf of the Committee; and

(2) request Councillor Jack Layton, Co-Chair, Toronto Cycling Committee, to make the necessary arrangements for an appropriate meeting room at Metro Hall.

(Sent to: Mr. Israel Chackowicz; Councillor Jack Layton; c. Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; Bicycle Safety Coordinator - November 26, 1999)

11.4 Proposed Schedule of Meeting Dates for 2000.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (November 10, 1999) from the City Clerk, submitting a revised schedule of meetings for the year 2000, such meetings to be held on a Monday, in Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall, at 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.

On motion by Ms. Van Laethem, the Toronto Cycling Committee adopted the following schedule of meetings for the year 2000:

January 17 (6:30 p.m.);

February 14 (6:30 p.m.);

March 20 (6:30 p.m.);

April 17 (6:30 p.m.);

May 15 (6:30 p.m.);

June 19;

July 17;

August 14;

September 11;

October 10 (Tuesday); and

December 4.

(Sent to: Co-Chairs and Members, Toronto Cycling Committee; c. Other Interested Parties - November 26, 1999)

11.5 Safety of Cyclists on Toronto Roads.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (August 11, 1999) from Mr. Nick Packwood, Toronto, addressed to Mayor Mel Lastman, respecting motorists not obeying the law and the resultant danger to cyclists on Toronto roads.

On motion by Ms. Van Laethem, the Toronto Cycling Committee referred the aforementioned communication to Ms. Andrea Bowker, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee, with a request that she forward a response to Mr. Packwood.

(Sent to: Mr. Nick Packwood, Toronto; and Ms. Andrea Bowker, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee - December 15, 1999)

11.6 Cycling Education in Schools.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (November 17, 1999) from Mr. Israel Chackowicz, Co-Chair, Education and Safety Sub-Committee, advising that a Working Group of the Education and Safety Sub-Committee met to develop a strategy to encourage School Boards to make cycling education a part of their curriculum; and submitting, for review, the following vision statement to be used to create a collective of parents, community groups, organizations and City Council, to support cycling education in schools:

"To help promote healthy daily active living, all capable school-aged children should receive a nationally recognized cycling and road safety education as part of their school program before leaving grade eight from CANBIKE II-trained instructors."

The following persons declared an interest in the foregoing matter insofar as it pertains to the CANBIKE program, in that they are Instructors:

- Mr. Steve Beiko;

- Mr. Israel Chackowicz; and

- Mr. Phil Piltch.

Mr. Fisher appointed Ms. Van Laethem Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.

A. Mr. Fisher moved that the foregoing vision statement be amended by inserting before the word "healthy", the words "safe and". (Carried)

Mr. Fisher resumed the Chair.

B. Mr. Wilson moved that the foregoing vision statement be amended by inserting after the word "living", the words "and environmental stewardship". (Carried)

C. Councillor Layton moved that

(1) the Working Group of the Education and Safety Sub-Committee, and the appropriate City staff, be requested to formulate a proposal for presentation to the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board on the implementation of the vision embodied in the foregoing Statement; and (Carried)

(2) the Working Group, upon finalization of a draft proposal, convene a joint task force with the school boards, to further develop and refine the proposal prior to formal presentation to the respective boards. (Carried)

(Sent to: Councillor Jack Layton; Mr. Israel Chackowicz; c. Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; Ms. Barbara Wentworth, Bicycle Safety Coordinator - December 14, 1999)

11.7 Parking of Motor Vehicles by Cyclists Riding on Bicycle Trails.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (October 20, 1999) from Councillor Jane Pitfield, East York, forwarding, for the attention of the Committee, comments from Mr. David Loyst, respecting the lack of parking for cars/vans/trucks belonging to cyclists who wish to ride the Lower Don Bike Trails.

On motion by Mr. Chackowicz, the Toronto Cycling Committee referred the aforementioned communication to Mr. Stephen Fisher, Co-Chair, Toronto Cycling Committee, with a request that he forward a response to Mr. Loyst on behalf of the Committee.

(Sent to: Mr. Stephen Fisher, Co-Chair, Toronto Cycling Committee; c. Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee; Mr. David Loyst; Councillor Jane Pitfield, East York - January 4, 2000[Revised])

11.8 Proposed Amalgamation of the Communications Sub-Committee and

the Promotions and Development Sub-Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (November 17, 1999) from Ms. Gillian Flower, Co-Chair, Communications Sub-Committee, requesting that the Toronto Cycling Committee approve the merging of the Communications Sub-Committee and the Promotions and Development Sub-Committee.

On motion by Ms. Van Laethem, the Toronto Cycling Committee deferred consideration of the aforementioned communication to its next meeting scheduled to be held on January 17, 2000.

(Sent to: Promotions and Development Sub-Committee; Communications Sub-Committee - November 26, 1999)

11.9 Minutes of Sub-Committees.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it the Minutes of the following Sub-Committees:

(i) Education and Safety Sub-Committee - September 27, 1999 and November 1, 1999; and

(ii) Promotions and Development Sub-Committee - November 10, 1999.

On motion by Mr. Chackowicz, the Toronto Cycling Committee received the aforementioned Minutes.

11.10 Impact of the Removal of Parking Meters on Cyclists.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it the following communications, forwarded by Councillor Tom Jakobek, East Toronto:

(i) (November 18, 1999) from Mr. Frank Hutchings advising of the lack of bicycle parking due to the removal of parking meters along major streets and recommending that the most cost effective method of providing bicycle parking would be to cut off the heads of the meters and installing lock rings on the posts;

(ii) (November 18, 1999) from Mr. Jacob Allderdice advising of the lack of bicycle parking due to the removal of parking meters along major streets and requesting assurance that the City is working on a replacement plan with funds from the Toronto Parking Authority budget; and

(iii) (November 18, 1999) from Ms. Sally McKay requesting that the City take the necessary steps to immediately replace each removed parking meter with adequate bike parking.

The following persons appeared before the Toronto Cycling Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

- Mr. Jacob Allderdice; and

- Mr. Ben Smith Lea, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists.

A. Councillor Layton moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee recommend to the Works Committee for its meeting on December 1, 1999, that:

(1) the Toronto Parking Authority be requested:

(a) to immediately cap the parking meter posts from which parking meters have been removed, rather than removing the posts; and, in the interim, impose a moratorium on any further removals; (Carried)

(b) in collaboration with the Works and Emergency Services Department and any other interested City officials, to review alternatives and options regarding the future of parking meter posts; and (Carried)

(c) to refrain from removing parking meter heads until such time as adequate bicycle parking facilities are available; (Carried)

(2) the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to replace parking meters with bicycle posts and rings, wherever there is a demand for parking; and further that the Toronto Parking Authority be responsible for funding such replacements. (Carried)

B. Ms. Bowker moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee recommend to the Works Committee for its meeting on December 1, 1999, that the Toronto Parking Authority, in collaboration with the Works and Emergency Services Department and any other interested City officials, be requested to review alternatives and options regarding the future of parking meter posts, including the installation, over time of rings as well as a cap that effectively turns the parking meter posts into a bicycle parking facility. (Carried)

C. Ms. Van Laethem moved that the following motion be forwarded to the Budget Committee for consideration:

"That all costs related to abandoned parking meter posts be absorbed by the Toronto Parking Authority, not the Works and Emergency Services Department." (Carried)

D. Mr. Wilson moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) request Mr. Hamish Wilson, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee, in consultation with any other interested parties, to prepare a Backgrounder for the information of the Works Committee, with respect to this matter; and (Carried)

(2) refer the following motion to the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure:

Moved by Mr. Phil Piltch:

"That any review of alternatives and options regarding the future of parking meter posts include looking at opportunities where potential demand exists and that the emphasis be on expanding bicycle parking facilities." (Carried)

(Sent to: Works Committee; Councillor Tom Jakobek, East Toronto; Mr. Hamish Wilson; Mr. Frank Hutchings; Mr. Jacob Allderdice; Ms. Sally McKay; Mr. Ben Smith Lea, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists; Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; c. Bicycle Safety Coordinator; and

Coordinator, Road and Trail Safety Ambassador Program - November 26, 1999)

11.11 Development of the Port Lands Area.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (November 22, 1999) from Mr. Ed Clark, respecting the development of the Port Lands area, and recommending that the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) represent cycling interests strongly at the remaining consultation meetings;

(2) express its opinion in writing to:

(a) City Planning;

(b) the consultant hired as a mediator; and

(c) directly to Council;

(3) invite Planning staff to present their ideas directly to the Toronto Cycling Committee;

(4) appoint a Working Group to monitor and report on developments and to act as Toronto Cycling Committee representatives;

(5) assume a leadership role; and

(6) encourage other cycling and environment groups to get involved.

On motion by Mr. Clark, the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) adopted the recommendation embodied in the aforementioned communication, and appointed the following persons to the Working Group:

- Mr. Stephen Fisher;

- Mr. Ole Calderone;

- Mr. Edward Clark;

- Mr. Gerald Corbett; and

- Ms. Jannette Porter; and (Carried)

(2) requested Mr. Clark to submit a status report respecting this matter to the next meeting of the Toronto Cycling Committee scheduled to be held on January 17, 2000. (Carried)

(Sent to: Mr. Edward Clark; c. Mr. Stephen Fisher; Mr. Ole Calderone; Mr. Gerald Corbett; Ms. Jannette Porter - December 11, 1999)

The Toronto Cycling Committee adjourned its meeting at 10:45 p.m.

Co-Chair.