Hamilton Cycling Committee

 

Monthly Meeting

 

Time:  5:00 P.M.

 Date:  May 4, 2005

 Place:  Hamilton City Hall, Room 264

 

Attendance:

Daryl Bender (Chair)                          Al Horzelenberg                      John Tuk (absent)

Catharina Jager                                   Bruce Buchanan                      Grant Ranalli (absent)

Brad Tyleman                                     Cheri Weaver (regrets)           

Charlie Maurer (regrets)                      Matt Chamberlain-Thompson

Bob Brown                                         Sarah Veale (regrets)                                      

Tarquin Adams (regrets)                     Udo Ehrenberg

Michael Donaldson                             Brian Lane

Brian Applebee – Staff

 

Bob Brown agreed to take minutes.

 

1.  Minutes of Previous Meeting of March 30, 2005.  Moved by Al Horzelenberg, seconded by Brad Tyleman to approve the Minutes of March 30, 2005.  CARRIED

 

2.  King St. Plans for downtown Stoney Creek (Highway #20 to Highway #8):  The committee discussed the problem east of Lake Ave.  On street parking cannot be removed.

Moved by Michael Donaldson, seconded by Al Horzelenberg that the Hamilton Cycling  Committee strongly request a modified design for King Street in Stoney Creek from New Mountain Road to Highway #8 to incorporate dedicated bicycle lanes on both sides of the traveled portion of the road.  CARRIED

 

3.  Hatt Street in Dundas:  City Staff have met with the Dundas councillor and the BIA insist that existing on street parking cannot be removed.  Further discussions regarding improved bicycle facilities will be held and Brian Applebee will report at the next meeting.

 

4.  Rural Bicycle Route Signing:  Brian Applebee reported contract prices have been in the range of $150 to $175 (Material, Labour and installation) for each sign.  To save cost it was suggested using existing Utility or other signage posts in the area.  A test area of Highland Rd from the Stone Church/Pritchard area, across Upper Centennial Parkway and east to Tapleytown.  This is to be an agenda item for discussion at the upcoming Joint Bicycling Committee Meeting with Burlington/Niagara/Hamilton.

 

5.  Buchanan Park School – bicycling perspective:  The school’s bicycling policy was anonymously misinterpreted.  The school Principal and Chair Daryl Bender have exchanged letters of clarification.  Contrary to the interpretation, bicycling by students to the school has not been prohibited.

 

6.  (a) Pritchard Road (Stone Church and Winterberry area):  Pritchard Road would require a complete rebuild to incorporate safe bicycling facilities and it may be closed in the future.  Stone Church is to be improved for bicycling facilities in the future.  Winterberry will not be recommended for improved bicycling facilities if Pritchard Road is not improved for bicycling.  Pritchard may be improved in the future as a multi-use trail (no automobiles) for crossing the Linc.

Moved by Brad Tyleman, seconded my Al Horzelenberg that Pritchard Road be maintained as a North/South through route for cyclists across the Lincoln Alexander Parkway.  UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

 

(b)  Joint Meeting of Burlington/Niagara/Hamilton Committees:  The tentative date for the meeting is Saturday May 28.  All committee members are asked to submit Agenda Items to Daryl Bender with a cc to Brian Applebee.  Daryl will advise time and location of  the Meeting.

 

(c)  Bike Rack Installations:  Weather has slowed down these installations.  Incorrectly installed units on Concession St. will be rectified in the near future.  Westdale and Ottawa St. will be next on the installation schedule.  Brian Applebee will request Committee representation at BIA “walkabouts” as they are scheduled.  It was suggested that the City investigate and promote bicycle racks around City Hall, the Art Gallery, Hamilton Place.  This is to be an Agenda item for the next Committee Meeting.

 

(d)  Can Bike Courses:  Catharina Jager is the contact person on the Hamilton Committee.  Brian Applebee will forward Steve Buds information to Catharina re possible Can Bike course.  It is possible that courses could be set up through the ACT Office at McMaster.  Daryl and Catharina to discuss further.

 

(e)  King Street and Barton Street Catch Basin Design:  A proposed offset design for catch basins to be placed behind the curbline of newly constructed roads was NOT a recommendation by the Hamilton Cycling Committee.  Tarquin Adams has clarified this with City Roadway Design Staff.

 

(f)  York Blvd and Hunter Street Environmental Assessments (E.A.’s):  Brian Applebee informed the Committee that separate EA’s will be set up for York Blvd. (from Dundurn to the City of Burlington limit) and for Hunter Street.  The EA for York Street is set to go.  Brian also mentioned that the City will be looking in the future at York Blvd from Dundurn to James for improved bicycle facilities.  This is to be an Agenda Item for the Joint Burlington/Niagara/Hamilton meeting.

 

(g)  Missing Bollards at various locations:  On King Street east of Macklin, a bollard is required in the centre of the contra-flow bicycle lane.  City Staff are compiling a list of areas requiring bollards.  Any locations that Committee Members are aware of are to be forwarded to Brian.

 

7.  Other Business:

 

(a)  Ontario Cycling Alliance (formerly Velo Ontario) Conference:  This is slated for October 22, 2005 (to be confirmed)

 

(b) Toronto Bike Show Committee Expense reimbursement:  Bob Brown requested clarification that Committee Members staffing the Booth at the Toronto Bicycle Show will be reimbursed for the Parking fee applicable at the time regardless if they take their own vehicle or travel via public transit.

 

(c)  Niagara to GTA Corridor (Ontario Ministry of Transportation) :  Bob Brown attended the Public Information Centre at Rockton on April 13.  This is NOT the Mid-Peninsula Highway.  The Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference and other related information is at the following Website:

 

www.niagara-gta.com

 

Input will be received at the “Contact Us” feature on the site…e-mails can be sent directly to the Project team.  Input on bicycling features to be considered will be important for the Project Team.  This would be a good Agenda Item for the Joint Burlington/Niagara/Hamilton Spring Meeting coming up.

 

(d)  Bike to Work:  There has been no word from the Commuter Challenge team.  It was recommended that the Hamilton Cycling Committee start planning for May as Cycling Month for 2006.  This is a Future Agenda item.

 

(e)  Lift Bridge at the Canal:  A letter needs to be sent to MP Valeri to spur on the process with the Federal Government.

 

(f)  Pictures of Bicycling Facilities:  All Committee Members are asked to take photos of various bicycling activities, especially with the Spring foliage so they can be used for the Bicycle Show Display Booth and the Website.  Please submit photos through Brian Applebee.

 

8.  Next Meeting:  Wednesday June 1, 2005  @ 5:00 PM  City Hall Room 264.

There will be some special guests:  Chris Murray (Red Hill Valley Project), Mary Lou Tanner (City Transportation Master Plan) and John vanderMark.  Pizza is to be ordered by Bruce Buchanan.