Hamilton Cycling Committee

 

Minutes of meeting – Wed. Sept. 5, 2007

 

Room 350b, Hamilton City Centre

 

 

Attending Members:

Daryl Bender (chair), Thom Oomen, Michael Donaldson, Tarquin Adams, Brad Tyleman, Greg Ellis (minutes)

 

Attending Delegations:

Andy McLaughlin  HSR,   Jody Tait and Joan Bell, Hamilton Region Conservation Authority

 

Attending Guests:

 

 

Note:  Action items are in bold print

__________

 

1.-  Andy provided an update on HSR bikerack installation and handed out brochures that HSR is providing.  The brochures will be available on the internet and HSR info desks.  Questions were raised on availability of the brochures, on buses and at bike shops.  Andy thought that there were issues with space availability on the buses, but will check to see if bike shops will be provided with the brochures. 

 There are presently rack equipped buses for the Upper James and College routes as well as 50% coverage for the King route. (43 buses).  They expect to have bike racks on every bus by early October.  There are plans for a ribbon cutting media event in September, details still to be arranged.  Current plans are for the racks to be removed from buses for the winter, around October 31.

After discussion, the committee agreed to ask the HSR to review this decision and  request that the bikeracks be operational on buses all year long.

 

2. – Joan Bell and Jodie Tait presented their progress in the HRCA Waterfalls accessibility project.  The HRCA wants to highlight Hamilton’s unique 65 catalogued waterfalls and improve awareness and accessibility .

Jody has developed a mapping and information for 12 hiking trails routes to most of the waterfalls and her next step is developing cycling routes to the waterfalls, based on HCC’s bicycle route map.  She brought along  a preliminary map for comments,  and agreed to provide an electronic pdf version so that more detailed review could be done by the committee.

HRCA wants HCC’s input on the practicality of the tentative routes depicted, with an expected publishing date of February 2008 for the brochures.  They would also like waterfalls depicted on the next HCC Cycling routes map, expected in January 2008.

After discussion, the committee suggested: 

-          HRCA should provide elevation details of the routes to iindicate difficulty, as

 hills can create difficulties for some cyclists .

-          HRCA should consider installing bike racks at locations where cyclists may have to park and walk to the waterfall.  HCC will be consulted for details.

 

 

3. -HCC minutes cont’d – mtg. Sept 5, 2007-09-17

 

Chedoke Rail Trail Closure

Short discussion on the article in the Spectator that said the trail would be closed for about a year for bridge repair. This closure has an adverse impact on cycle commuters who use the rail trail as their main route from West Mountain to the lower city.  There is a need for detour signs and alternate access routes being signed.   Rich said that he believes the actual closure will be short term until temporary repairs can be made.  Rich will check and email details back to the committee

 

October 27 Joint Cycling Committee Meeting

Discussion on Hamilton hosting this meeting it was decided to confirm the date of Saturday October 27, meeting portion to be from 9:00am – 1:00 pm.  It was thought that an East end location would be good with a trail ride showing the new Red Hill Valley trails.  Thom offered use of the Green Ventures meeting room on Veevers Drive. 

It was decided to invite cycling committees from adjacent areas; Haldimand, and Halton as well as the usual Niagara and Burlington.  Further details to be discussed at next meeting.

 

BCC Lift Bridge Letter

A short discussion on the latest letter to PW Canada from Burlington Cycling Committee requesting action on a lake side trail over the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge.  HCC will continue to support BCC’s actions and will investigate further action to  persuade the federal government to look at alternatives to the present inadequate arrangements for the Lakefront Trail crossing the canal.

 

Hamilton Safe Communities Bicycle Safety Programs for Children

Darryl explained that Frank Kovacs has contacted him asking for HCC involvement in this endeavour, that provides helmets to needy children and education on safety issues.  Thom, Brad and Greg volunteered to be involved, Darryl will let Frank know.

 

2008 Toronto Spring Bike Show

All agreed that the bike show is a worthy endeavour and HCC should register for a booth again next year.  The Bike Show committee will be discussed at our next meeting.  Rob volunteered to fabricate clips for the HCC display board and look for racks to display brochures and maps.

 

City Cycling project updates

York Blvd. bike lanes have been delayed, waiting for MTO approval for crossing of the hwy 403 entrance and exit ramps, probably delaying the project until 2008.

Darryl will send correspondence to City of Hamilton expressing HCC’s concerns with the many delays that this project has experienced, and requesting project completion for 2007.

North Service Road bike lanes are on hold until the developer can dedicate a section of right of way near Jones Rd. to City of Hamilton, this is expected to be done in the near future.

It was noted that a section of new Red Hill Valley trail south of the CP rail tracks is so steep , it is virtually unusable.  Greg to email Expressway project manager and report back.

 

 

Rich said that the map update is progressing well, expected to be completed around January of 2008.  He showed the committee a draft of the new rural map, all thought it looks good.

There was some discussion on the designation of” cautionary bike routes”, and unsigned routes these designations may be changed to “unsigned bike routes” and “cautionary unsigned bike routes”

Rich has ordered 5000 copies of the old maps to carry over until the new ones are ready.

Carfree Week–Sept. 2007

Thom said Green Venture is planning  a Bike to Work day as part of CarFree week, he was thinking of Friday Sept. 28.  Michael and Greg volunteered to lead groups from Mountain and East End.

Note: The bike to work day has subsequently been cancelled, will return next year as part of the commuter challenge.

 

Bike Parking Issues, 330 Wentworth St., City Works Yard

Tarquin reported that an issue with bike parking for commuters has been resolved, with a fabricated bike rack and compound for indoor storage at this facility.  Tarquin will provide photos of the bike rack design for the next meeting.

 

Job Posting for City staff for cycling co-ordinator

Rich advised that posting had been advertised and there were numerous applications for the posting, applications were scheduled to be reviewed next week.

 

Stone Church Road Bike Lanes

A resident had emailed concerns regarding the lack of bike lanes on a portion of Stone Church between Upper Wellington and Garth and StoneChurch Road being designated as a cycling route.  The bike lanes will be installed with road reconstruction projects in the future, with Wellington to Upper James scheduled for 2008.

Committee Renewal

Rich has not heard back from the Clerks Dept. on details of how advertising for  HCC committee renewal will happen.  Darryl and Rich to contact Carolyn Biggs of CoH Clerks Dept.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.

Minutes by Greg Ellis 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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