THE CITY OF TORONTOCity Clerk's Division

Minutes of the Toronto Cycling Committee

Meeting No. 9

Tuesday, September 21, 1999.

The Toronto Cycling Committee met on Tuesday, September 21, 1999, in Committee Room No. 4, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, commencing at 7:10 p.m.

Members Present:

Councillor Jack Layton (Co-Chair)

Mr. Stephen Fisher (Co-Chair)

Ms. Marleen Van Laethem (Co-Chair)

Mr. Steve Beiko

Mr. Israel Chackowicz

Ms. Gillian Flower

Mr. Ron Hart

Ms. Nina Koskenoja

Mr. Clay McFayden

Mr. Crawford Murphy

Dr. Linda Perkin

Mr. Phil Piltch

Ms. Jannette Porter

Mr. Hamish Wilson

Staff Present:

Ms. Mary Casini, Committee Secretary

Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure

Ms. Barbara Wentworth, Bicycle Safety Coordinator

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

Ms. Marleen Van Laethem in the Chair.

Confirmation of Minutes.

On motion by Mr. Hart, the Minutes of the meeting of the Toronto Cycling Committee held on July 19, 1999 were confirmed.

8.1 Financial and Other Resources Available

to the Communications Sub-Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 11, 1999) from Ms. Gillian Flower, Co-Chair, Communications Sub-Committee, advising that the Communications Sub-Committee at its meeting held on August 31, 1999, discussed communication activities between the Toronto Cycling Committee and the general public; that the Sub-Committee determined that various resources, financial and staffing, are required in order to plan for 1999-2000; and recommending that:

(1) funds be made available for the printing, mailing and distribution of Cyclometer;

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(2) a web site for the exclusive use of the Toronto Cycling Committee be created;

2 (3) a staff person be designated for the Communication Sub-Committee to provide any needed support and resources; and

(4) an outline of available financial resources be created for the Communications Sub-Committee.

A. Mr. Piltch moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee defer consideration of Recommendations Nos. (2), (3) and (4) embodied in the aforementioned communication. (Carried)

B. Ms. Flower moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee produce an issue of Cyclometer, through the Communications Sub-Committee in consultation with the appropriate staff, to be funded from that portion of the Urban Planning and Development Services budget allocated to 'cycling'. (Carried)

C. Councillor Layton moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) dedicate the next meeting of the Committee to a discussion on cycling programs and initiatives in the operating and capital budget for the year 2000; and further, to request the Bicycle Safety Coordinator, the Manager of Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure and the Manager, Parks and Recreation Planning, to make a presentation to the Committee on:

- 1999 actual expenditures compared to budget estimates; and

- proposed expenditures for 2000 including any options; and (Carried)

(2) request the Bicycle Safety Coordinator and the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, to submit quarterly financial reports to the Toronto Cycling Committee for their respective areas of responsibility. (Carried)

(Sent to: Ms. Gillian Flower, Co-Chair, Communications Sub-Committee; Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; Ms. Barbara Wentworth, Bicycle Safety Coordinator; Mr. Brian Rutherford, Manager, Parks and Recreation Planning - September 25, 1999)

9.2 Installation of Bicycle Lane - Willowdale Avenue

from Sheppard Avenue to Steeles Avenue; and

Wilmington Avenue from Sheppard Avenue to Finch Avenue.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 10, 1999) from Mr. Clay McFayden, Co-Chair, North York Cycling and Pedestrian Committee, and Co-Chair, Network and Facilities Sub-Committee.

On motion by Ms. Koskenoja, the Toronto Cycling Committee referred the aforementioned communication to the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, for consideration as part of the Cycling Master Plan.

(Sent to: Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure;

Mr. Clay McFayden - September 22, 1999)

9.3 Future Directions of the Education and Safety

Sub-Committee for the Year 2000.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 13, 1999) from Mr. Israel Chackowicz, Co-Chair, Education and Safety Sub-Committee, respecting existing programs to determine future directions for the year 2000.

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

(1) recommend to the Administration Committee that the Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services be requested to explore the immediate filling of the two functionally vacant, permanent, full-time positions within Urban Planning and Development Services, namely the Commuter Cycling Coordinator and the Policy Bicycle Planner, and to submit a report thereon to the Administration Committee; and (Carried)

(2) request that at such time as the aforementioned report is before the Administration Committee that the following persons be invited to the meeting to make a presentation/deputation:

- Councillor Jack Layton, Co-Chair, Toronto Cycling Committee;

- Mr. Stephen Fisher, Co-Chair, Toronto Cycling Committee; and

- Mr. Crawford Murphy, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee. (Carried)

D. Councillor Layton moved that the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) recommend to the Economic Development and Parks Committee that:

(a) the Chief Administrative Officer be requested to report to the Economic Development and Parks Committee on the transfer of the operation of the CAN-BIKE program to the Parks and Recreation Division, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, noting that there are no budget implications associated with such transfer; and (Carried)

(b) staff of the Parks and Recreation Division work with the appropriate staff of Urban Planning and Development Services who would provide interim support for a one or two-year period; (Carried)

(2) request the Co-Chairs to meet with the Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services regarding the possibility of funding a six-month contract position in order to plan and deliver the year 2000 spring programs of the Toronto Cycling Committee; (Carried)

(3) establish a Working Group to develop a strategy to encourage School Boards to make cycling education a part of their curriculum, comprised of CAN-BIKE instructors and the following Members of the Toronto Cycling Committee:

- Mr. Israel Chackowicz;

- Mr. Crawford Murphy;

- Mr. Phil Piltch; and

- Mr. John Sherk; and (Carried)

(4) agree that the following program areas' objectives and goals should be redefined/developed based on available resources: bike week; ambassador program; smog; road rage; supporting utilitarian uses of the bicycle; education associated with the introduction of cycling facilities; and yearly themes. (Carried)

(Sent to: Administration Committee; Economic Development and Parks Committee; Councillor Jack Layton, Co-Chair, Toronto Cycling Committee; Mr. Stephen Fisher, Co-Chair, Toronto Cycling Committee; Ms. Marleen Van Laethem, Co-Chair, Toronto Cycling Committee; Mr. Israel Chackowicz, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee; Mr. Crawford Murphy, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee; Mr. Phil Piltch, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee; Mr. John Sherk, Member, Toronto Cycling Committee; c. Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure Unit; Ms. Barbara Wentworth, Bicycle Safety Coordinator, Urban Planning and Development Services - September 22, 1999)

9.4 Access to Bicycle Trail--Lakeshore to Edwards Gardens.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (August 26, 1999) addressed to Mr. Roger Macklin, Supervisor, Edward Gardens, from Mr. Stephen Fisher, Toronto, expressing his concern regarding the prohibition of cycling on the access trail between the Edward Gardens parking lot and the Don Valley Trail.

On motion by Mr. Fisher, the Toronto Cycling Committee recommended to the Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, that:

(1) cycling on the connector trail between the Edward Gardens parking lot and the Don Valley Trail not be prohibited;

(2) the possibility of posting advisory signs be explored; and

(3) under no circumstances, should cyclists be requested to use Leslie Street as an alternate route.

(Sent to: Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; Mr. Stephen Fisher, Toronto; c. Mr. Roger Macklin, Supervisor, Edward Gardens - September 24, 1999)

9.5 Bicycle Lane Encroachment.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (July 23, 1999) from Mr. Ben Smith Lea, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, forwarding an article by Ms. Fran Spielman, City Hall Reporter, Chicago Sun Times, July 21, 1999, headed "City may crack down on bike lane encroachments".

On moton by Mr. Beiko, the Toronto Cycling Committee referred the aforementioned communication to the Manager of Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, with a request that he submit a report thereon to the Toronto Cycling Committee.

(Sent to: Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure; Mr. Ben Smith Lea, Toronto - September 22, 1999)

9.6 Status of Cycling Master Plan Study.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 13, 1999) from Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, providing information on the status of the Cycling Master Plan Study; and advising that details regarding the study workplan and time line will be available at a later date.

On motion by Councillor Layton, the Toronto Cycling Committee:

(1) recommended to the General Manager, Transportation Services Division, that:

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2 (a) the newsletter being prepared in conjunction with the aforementioned Study contain a reference to the programs and initiatives of the Toronto Cycling Committee, including a mechanism for feedback, such as a tear-off; and

(b) the consultants be provided with all cycling policies adopted by previous Councils as a starting point for their review; and

(2) requested the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, to submit regular status reports to the Toronto Cycling Committee throughout the Cycling Master Plan study.

(Sent to: General Manager, Transportation Services Division; Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure - September 24, 1999)

9.7 Minutes of Sub-Committees.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it the Minutes of the following sub-committees:

(i) Communications Sub-Committee - August 31, 1999; and

(ii) Education and Safety Sub-Committee - July 26, 1999.

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

8.8 Recommendations of the Network Planning

and Facilities Sub-Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 20, 1999) from Ms. Nina Koskenoja, Co-Chair, Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee, forwarding the following recommendations from the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on July 28, 1999:

(1) That staff be requested to:

(a) investigate a bikes-only space between the streetcars and the cars at the left margin of the road from Queens Quay to Bloor Street; and

(b) report on the scheduling of the test of the 1.2 metre bike lane; and

(2) that a safe, substantial cycling facility be built through the Scarborough Transportation Corridor north of St. Clair between Midland and Brimley.

On motion by Mr. McFayden, the Toronto Cycling Comittee requested the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, to submit a report on this matter directly to the next meeting of the Network and Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee.

(Sent to: Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure - September 22, 1999)

9.9 Toronto Hoof and Cycle Courier Coalition:

"Choking Us To Death, The Air Pollution

Crisis and its Effects on Bicycle Couriers".

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 14, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the Planning and Transportation Committee at its meeting on September 13, 1999, considered the recommendations of the Toronto Cycling Committee embodied in the communication dated July 22, 1999, headed "Toronto Hoof And Cycle Courier Coalition: "Choking Us To Death, The Air Pollution Crisis and its Effects on Bicycle Couriers," from the City Clerk; and forwarding the Committee's recommendations with respect thereto.

On motion by Mr. Fisher, the Toronto Cycling Committee received the aforementioned communication.

9.10 Staffing and Budget Resources for the Promotion

and Development Sub-Committee.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 21, 1999) from Ms. Jannette Porter, Co-Chair, Promotion and Development Sub-Committee, advising that the Sub-Committee, at its meeting held on September 14, 1999, recommended to the Toronto Cycling Committee that it receive staff support and a budget in order to adequately carry out its mandate.

On motion by Ms. Porter, the Toronto Cycling Committee received the aforementioned communication.

9.11 Messenger Appreciation Day and the

United Nations' World Post Day.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 20, 1999) from Mr. Joe Hendry, Toronto Hoof and Cycle Courier Coalition, respecting Messenger Appreciation Day (10-9) on October 8, 1999, and the United Nations' World Post Day, October 9, 1999; and requesting the Toronto Cycling Committee to prepare a letter of appreciation to Toronto's messengers to be read at Messenger Appreciation Day celebrations.

On motion by Mr. Chackowicz, the Toronto Cycling Committee requested Councillor Jack Layton, in consultation with Ms. Marleen Van Laethem and Mr. Phil Piltch, to forward an appropriate letter of appreciation to Mr. Joe Hendry, in recognition of Messenger Appreciation Day on October 8, 1999.

(Sent to: Councillor Jack Layton; Mr. Joe Hendry; Ms. Marleen Van Laethem;

Mr. Phil Piltch - September 22, 1999)

8.12 Bicycle Route Link East of Yonge Street.

The Toronto Cycling Committee had before it a communication (September 17, 1999) from Mr. George Haeh, Toronto, requesting, for the reasons outlined in the communication, that a bicycle/pedestrian underpass be installed below the railroad east of Yonge Street.

On motion by Mr. Fischer, the Toronto Cycling Committee referred the aforementioned communication to the Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, for consideration as part of the Cycling Master Plan.

(Sent to: Mr. George Haeh; Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, Transportation Services Division - September 22, 1999)

9.13 Sub-Committee Meeting Procedures.

On motion by Mr. Piltch, the Toronto Cycling Committee decided on the following policy with respect to making motions and voting privileges at meetings of Sub-Committees:

"That voting privileges and the right to make motions be extended to the following:

(1) Members of the Toronto Cycling Committee;

(2) persons who have attended two of the last four meetings prior to the current meeting;

(3) persons of an active working group who have attended during the last 12 months; and

(4) persons who have attended half of the meetings during the last 12 months."

(Sent to: Ms. Gillian Flower, Communications Sub-Committee; Mr. Israel Chackowicz, Education and Safety Sub-Committee; Mr. Phil Piltch, Education and Safety Sub-Committee;  Ms. Nina Koskenoja, Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee;  Mr. Clay McFayden, Network Planning and Facilities Sub-Committee; Ms. Jannette Porter, Promotions and Development Sub-Committee; c. Mr. Daniel Egan, Manager, Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure Unit; Mr. Brian Rutherford, Manager, Parks and Recreation Planning; Mr. David Dunn, Engineer, Pedestrian and Cyling Infrastructure Unit - September 22, 1999).

The Toronto Cycling Committee adjourned its meeting at 10:30 p.m.

Co-Chair.