Dan provided the following update:
- Safe Cycling Education Fund is offering a grant up to $7,500. Deadline is March 5 and the project would have to be completed by March 31. Unsure if the grant will be pursued with this very tight timeline to deliver the project.
- $640,000 grant received from the Province through the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Fund. Funds will improve the Francis Road multi-use path that connects Plains Road to Northshore Boulevard.
- CanBike training is being organized in Burlington 1st or 2nd week of April. Information will be forwarded to the committee.
Dan introduced the Cycling Master Plan consultants, Kate Whitfield and Ezra Lipton of Alta Planning. Kate introduced the rest of the team: Kim Voros of Alta Planning's head office, Melissa Gallina of Lura Consulting, Justin Jones of Share the Road and Jessica Dorgo of CIMA. Kate provided an update on community engagement for the Cycling Master Plan:
- new pop-up events have been scheduled in March;
- online survey closed Feb 23;
- working through social pinpoint data (online mapping tool);
- over 1,600 people were reached in face-to-face conversations at 16 pop up events held at community centres, libraries, GO stations and events in all six wards of city to reach diverse array of residents;
- over 250 people directly engaged at other events at Seniors Centre, library, YMCA, and all three GO stations;
- over 1,500 visited online interactive community mapping tool;
- 782 online comments on network map strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats;
- 1,372 unique users visited the website and spent an average of 18 minutes on the site providing survey responses;
- Next step is to go through feedback and data to determine themes.
Summary of the feedback received to date:
- safety is a concern, especially riding on the road;
- buffered and protected lanes are important;
- lack of respect between cyclists and vehicles was noted;
- generally happy with some infrastructure facilities that exist - progress has been made;
- like trail system on hydro corridor;
- access over physical barriers and connections between on-road and off-road networks is critical and extremely valuable to users;
- filling in the gaps within the existing network was highlighted;
- better connections to key destinations are necessary, such as GO, schools, public facilities, the lakeshore, neighbouring cities, existing rails and overall connection between north and south Burlington.
A Demand Heat Map was circulated to committee members showing high demand areas where people live, work, go to school, shop, play and take transit. Next steps include:
- determine the level of traffic stress on roads;
- identify areas where there is potential for change using demand and level of traffic stress;
- look for gaps (spot, connection and system gaps);
- network development - map with priorities, concept for a minimum grid and catalyst projects;
- there will be 5 maps in the end, splitting the city into five quadrants;
- recommendations on what types of cycling facilities should be in each area;
- look at highway crossings to determine where the demand is and what facility is appropriate.
Committee members worked in groups to review the 5 quadrants and provide feedback to:
- determine a spine route - east west and north south;
- identify key things to be addressed - gaps; and
- search for the perfect minimum grid.
The consultants will attend the next meeting to continue the discussion.