Hamilton Cycling Committee

Monthly Meeting

Time: 5:00pm

Date: June 1, 2005

Place: Hamilton City Hall, Room 264

Attendance:

Daryl Bender (Chair) Tarquin Adams Udo Ehrenberg

Al Horzelenberg Michael Donaldson

Brian Lane Brad Tyleman

Bob Brown Matt Chamberlain-Thompson

Bruce Buchanan Brian Applebee-Staff

Regrets: Catharina Jager, Cheri Weaver, John Tuk, Charles Maurer, Grant Ranalli, Sarah Veale

Guests Present:

Michael Marini: Community Relations Coordinator for the Red Hill Valley project.

905-546-2424 ext. 5620

mmarini@hamilton.ca

Jillian Stephen: Senior Project Manager, Capital Planning and Implementation Division, Public Works Dept.

905-546-2424 ext. 6392

jstephen@hamilton.ca

(1)

Minutes of previous meeting: Motion to be accepted by Bob Brown, seconded by Brad Tyleman. Motion carried.

(2)

Red Hill Creek Expressway Trail. A presentation was given by Michael Marini. Some issues were raised:

Mud to Greenhill section

There is a concern about a lack of winter maintenance. A motion was made by Brian Lane, seconded by Bob Brown, that a link from the east to west side of the trail at Mud St. be connected by a winter-maintained asphalt loop. Carried unanimously.

Daryl Bender suggested a culvert for east/west access at the top of the escarpment, but it is not feasible due to cost.

Greenhill to Queenston

There will be access at Greenhill Ave. The trail will meet Lawrence Rd, and Queenston Rd. at grade level. A traffic signal will be at Queenston. The alignment of the road and the creek prevents the trail from going underneath at Queenston. Daryl Bender asked about accommodations on Greenhill Ave. There will be sidewalks on either side protected by “jersey barriers”, and marked bicycle lanes on Greenhill Ave. also. Bob Brown asked about the new connection of Mount Albion Rd at Lawrence Rd. There will likely be a traffic signal at that point, but it is not confirmed at this time.

Queenston to Melvin

The trail will tie into the dead end at Melvin and Talbot. The Red Hill Valley trail ends at this point, but discussion is ongoing as to whether it may be continued.

Daryl Bender asked about access over the Queen Elizabeth Way. Councillor Collins is in support of a bridge over the QEW (rather than a tunnel, which would be difficult due to cost, water table, and user safety issues). Current discussion is to locate the bridge in the area of the cold storage business at the north end of Nash Rd, where it could connect to the existing bridge at the end of Brampton st. A motion to use the existing Brampton bridge to exend to Nash Rd. area and over the QEW was made by Brian Lane and seconded by Bruce Buchanan. Carried unanimously.

(3)

A presentation was given by Jill Stephen, who is responsible for the Transportation Master Plan for Hamilton. The plan will be carried out in three phases:

1. Transportation Model

2. Transportation Policy

3. Transportation relating to future growth of the city

Recommeded Policy of the Master Plan includes:

· Provide more information/education to cyclists and pedestrians regaring road use.

· Provide more information/education to motorists regarding cyclists and pedestrians.

The specific methods to be used for providing this information/education haven’t been confirmed yet. Brian Lane pointed out that the perception by many people that cycling in the city is dangerous (due to reckless motorists) discourages more people from becoming active cyclists.

· Design communities to make cycling easier and safer. Develop neighbourhoods to allow better opportunity for walking, cycling, and public tansit.

· Co-ordinate different methods of transportation: e.g. bike racks on buses, bike lockers at the GO station. It was pointed out that this would encourage people who would like to cycle, but see the escarpment as a barrier.

· Brad Tyleman asked if commercial properties be given a policy to accommodate cyclists: e.g. have bicycle parking or shower facilites on their premises. Jill advised that this has been discussed in the policy papers.

· Daryl Bender asked about what has to be done to make bicycle racks on buses a reality.

Jill advised that we need to voice our concerns at the Public Information Centre (PIC) meetings:

June 20 at Redeemer College, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

June 21 at City Hall, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

June 23 at Limeridge Mall, all day.

Daryl Bender asked what percentage of the City budget was devoted to cycling. Jill advised that that was not her area of expertise, but she would make an effort to find out.

Bruce Buchanan asked if city-owned buildings could show support for the cycling lifestyle by having cycling racks/facilites. Jill advised that these concerns should be raised at the PICs. There are also feedback forms on the Transportation Master Plan website and the grids website.

Al Horzelenberg suggested that we need higher representation from the city. A full-time city staff member devoted to cycling issues is a necessity for a city of this size. Realistically, our city is understaffed. A motion was made by Brian Lane, seconded by Bruce Buchanan, that a full-time staff person be assigned to look after cycling (Currently cycleing is 20% of Brian’s job. Other regions of comparable size—Niagara, Toronto—have a full-time person). Motion carried unanimously.

Daryl Bender asked if the final project will include a future proposed network, and if the Hamilton Cycling Committee would have opportunity to discuss the future proposed network. Daryl suggested that the HCC should have opportunity, over and above the general public, to provide input. Jill suggested that the best time would be just prior to the next set of PIC meetings. Jill will follow up with Brian to determine the best time, and the best method for having discussion.

Other matters:

(4)

Daryl Bender suggested that we need a volunteer to sift through the minutes of previous meetings and highlight the significant projects that have been discussed. Udo and Tarquin volunteered to prepare a summary of highlights from the past 2-3 years.

(5)

Discussion of the “walkabout”: Matt Chamberlain-Thompson and Daryl Bender were present. Councillor Art Sampson and a Dundas Community Council representative were also present. Daryl noticed that on-street parking on Hatt St. seemed chaotic, and wondered if parking could all be on one side of the street without losing any spaces (must not lose parking spaces in order to satisfy BIA). Daryl will study the map and see if a simplified parking plan can be devised.

(6)

Brian Lane notes that faded hash marks in the area have created a dangerous situation—motorist who are unfamiliar with the area drive on the hash marks and encroach on cyclists. The lines should be repainted.

(7)

Brian Applebee states that the idea of having a Marked Wide Curb Lane on Hatt St. will be forwarded to Councillor Sampson. This would involve having bicycle symbols painted on the road to delineate room for cyclists. Brian notes that studies show that motorists avoid the painted bicycle symbols. Daryl Bender suggested that actual bicycle lanes might be preferable.

(8)

Brian Applebee advises that the Environmental Assessment for York Blvd. from Dundurn St. to Plains Rd. commenced today (June 1)

(9)

Discussion on Joint Meeting plan. Bob Brown asked who would be planning the cycling route. Bob and Brad Tyleman will do this. Bob also asked if it was advisable for one committee to pay the entire lunch bill—there is concern that this will set an onerous precedent for the other committees. Daryl Bender wil re-examine the matter.

Daryl Bender suggested inviting a representative from the Waterfront Trail (not to be confused with the Waterfront Trust) to the meeting.

(10)

Bike Racks: Brian Applebee notes that bike racks have been approved for BIAs only. George Brovac had made arrangements for racks at Strathcona School. When Brin tried to continue with the plans, his approval was denied. The misconception arose from the fact that George R. Allan School got racks, but this was due to the school’s proximity to a BIA.

7:10pm: Motion to adjourn by Al Horzelenberg, seconded by Tarquin Adams.

Motion carried and meeting adjourned.