Proposed Cycling Network for Belleville 2011 on

CYCLING MASTER PLAN AND POLICIES Dec 2011

CYCLING MASTER PLAN AND POLICIES

DECEMBER 2011

The Belleville Cyclist Advisory Group recommends that The Transportation Master Plan for the City of Belleville City consider the following recommendations to ensure a tranportation system that accommodates alternate non motorized modes of transportation and to advise The City on how to prepare designs and policies with the details to extend and connect up all areas of our city to the existing trails network and develop future infrastructure for cyclists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

1. About Belleville Cyclist Advisory Group:

The Belleville Cyclist Advisory Group (BCAG) is a citizens cycling advocacy group encompassing the City Of Belleville and surrounding municipalities, with a particular focus on the bicycle and non motorized modes of transportation as a means of transport and recreation. Our primary goal is to encourage the improvement of local infrastructure for the safety and convenience of all potential cyclists so that more people will cycle to school, work, and for recreation.

2.Why Promote Cycling?

Few people would disagree that active commuting across the City of Belleville has become increasingly difficult and more stressful. Rapid urban growth, with increased residential development in close proximity to highway #401 together with congested roadways have made navigating this City difficult for cyclists and pedestrians alike. In spite of many kilometers of off road trails locally, since we live in   a culture dominated by cars, most people continue to use their personal vehicles instead of using public transportation, or cycling and walking,  consequently increasing traffic volume, pollution and environmental stress.

Obvious truths are:

1. Even though cycling is environmentally friendly, the use of bicycles is miniscule in comparison with other forms modes of transportation.    Between 1977 and 1995 there was a 37% decline in the number of cycling and walking trips among children ages 5 to 15 years for example.

2. More bicycles and fewer car trips lead to less greenhouse gas emissions, reduced air and noise pollution.

3. Cycling is a form of physical activity that promotes a healthy active lifestyle but still many youth and adults are choosing not to cycle because they believe it is too challenging or unsafe.
   
   
4. Land-use and transportaion planning that emphasizes motor vehicle travel over other active forms of transportation (walking, running, cycling, etc) encourages a sedentary lifestyle which is associated with chronic conditions such as diabetis, heart disease, and some forms of cancer.

5. Cycling is socially inclusive – Bicycles are relatively affordable which means cycling is open to virtually anyone; including many disabled people and people living on a lower income.

6. Cyclists are not cut off from their surroundings by a metal enclosure as in an automobile, and they interact more with people along the route while walking or cycling.

7. Improved numbers of cyclists on the streets can also improve people’s perception of security and create a ‘virtuous circle’ as more people are encouraged to leave their cars at home.

8. Cycling is fun: as a sport and a pure leisure activity, cycling gives enjoyment and employment to millions of people in the world.

The Hon. James Bradley of the Ontario government announced in September 2009 his intention to support an integrated plan of public transport, cycling and pedestrian inclusivity and has initiated the policies and financial incentives to achieve the infrastructure to do this.

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) has stated that “improved cycling infrastructure” ie creating safe, connected routes with dedicated cycle lanes “is essential to reducing injury and also lowering that barrier that safety concerns plays in dissuading people who might otherwise consider bicyle trips”

While the OMA has called for a comprehensive provincial policy to support safer infrastructure for cycling, they suggest that municipal governments should enhance their efforts to create a safe and supportative environment for cyclists.

3. Objectives:

Our primary objective is simply to improve the physical infrastructure in the City of Belleville for non-motorized modes of transportation in order to encourage people to take up cycling, particularly groups such as school children, adult commuters, and families. We aim to:

1. Promote the development of a system of trails and dedicated roadway lanes providing easy access to major destinations, work places, recreation facilities, schools, colleges, existing trails , adjacent municipalities and the Trans-Canada Trail.

2. Be involved in improving cycle safety by collaborating with City police, driver education, and the local school boards and service clubs.

3. Improve facilities for bicyle storage and security both in the public realm and at workplaces and schools.

4. Ensure that the needs of cycling and pedestrians are integrated into transportation policies in order to ensure an equitable approach to infrastructure funding .

4. Recommendations:

1. Create a network of bicycle lanes or signed streets and pathways throughout the City as indicated in the Cycling Master Plan Map of Belleville. (Addendum II Map)

2. Incorporate the Cycling Wish List of New Trails and Bridge Connections for future construction. See Addendum I on page 4 below.

3. Make improvements to neighborhood streets to ensure they are more suitable and safer to use for all users: pedestrians, wheelchairs, cyclists, motorized scooters, transit services, and automobiles.

4. Include strategies to reduce auto traffic speeds and improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and pedestrian circulation such as sidewalk widening, speed humps, and bicycle signage.

5. New or improved pedestrian and cycling safety measures such as ladder crosswalks and pedestrian signals at busy intersections such as Bridge Street at Pinnacle, Bell Boulevard leading to Lemoine St and then on to the Quinte Mall.

6. Attract support for bicycle outreach and education programs through local collaborative partnerships with community agencies;  the promotion of cycling safety and security by collaborating with the City Police, the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit and School Boards, and local service clubs to educate cyclists, pedestrians and motorists driver education.

7. Promote health and physical fitness while cycling, running, and walking many times per week.

5.Co-ordination and Enabling:

The Belleville Cyclists Advisory Group will provide a Belleville area map and street descriptions of the Cycling Master Plan recommended by many experienced cycling citizens.

Addendum I : A Cycling Wish List of New Trails and Bridge Connections.

Addendum II : Attachment of a 11 x 17 map with desired cycling lanes highlighted.

The consultants presumably will list planning details, specific cost estimates, and provide a prioritization of the order in which the Bicycle Route suggestions may be implemented.

We, the Belleville Cyclist Advisory Group (BCAG) offer to play a key role in the development and details of the CYCLING Master Plan. We have performed considerable preliminary work and have considerable experience of cycling in Belleville through cycling clubs and individuals' experience over many years. We strongly suggest that the time is right in 2012 to implement this plan.

Members of the BCAG steering committee On November 24th of 2011:

Dave Smith as Coordinator, 45 South John St. Belleville, 613 966 3028

Jim Arkilander, Albion Court

John DeSalis, John St, Belleville

Don Holoway, Old Kingston Road

Dr Syed Haider, Pine Street

Robert Jakes, Stone Bridge Court

Andrew Malcomson, George St.

Tamara Best, Corbyville

Bryce Brophy, Loyalist College Journalism student

Councillor Tom Laverty was present for most of our meeting in the MacKenzie Bowell Room.

BCAG On December of 2009:

Dave Smith as Coordinator, 45 South John St. Belleville, 613 966 3028

Jim Arkilander, Judy Bell, Mike Hall, Jim Moher, and Gordon Smith

Addendum I

BELLEVILLE CYCLING ADVISORY GROUP

CYCLING WISH LIST OF NEW TRAILS and BRIDGE CONNECTIONS:

The following list of Infrastructure Items are assumed to be in excess of $100,000 or more each.

Consequently we acknowledge that considerable planning detail and study will precede this and yet we wish to see these included for reasons of cycling safety, integration with outside trails such as Cross Canada Trail, and access for large regions above the Hwy 401 or west and east of the City of Belleville along Hwy 2.

1. Underpass below the 401 at the Moira River and Highway 401 and a Trail north to Corbyville.

2. Dundas Street East Trail on shoulder of Highway 2 from MacDonald to Old Kingston Rd.
   
   
3. A trail from Keegan Parkway at Herchimer eastward along the Bay of Quinte over to Farley St.
   
   
4. Bridge Street West Trail from Sidney St out to Loyalist College and new bridge over a small creek.

5. Bridge over the Moira River connecting Zwicks Island Trail to Kiwanis Bayshore Trail.

6. A short Sidney St Trail from Leland Drive to Duff Park and hence enter Zwicks Island Trails

7. A Sidney Street Bridge lane over highway 401 to Maitland Drive Trail and further north.

8. Morris Whitney Bridge cycling lanes to Prince Edward County.

Addendum II

Large Map of Belleville Area Streets with Highlighted Lanes/Trails

City Hall Meeting Thursday Nov 24th 6.30 pm

Great news everyone !

Consultants Morrison Hershfield from Ottawa have asked BCAG to give them specifics of what cycling infrastructure is desirable for the Belleville area. They have formed a Stakeholders Advisory team to get information to input into the Master Transportation Plan for this region.

Hence I invite cyclists who are interested in giving their views to join with me at City Hall, Thursday Nov 24th at 6.30 pm in the MacKenzie Bowel Room. I have sent an agenda and discussion process out to the many cyclists on my email list to prepare for a positive meeting.

See you there if you can make it.

Herchimer Cycle Lane in 2011 unlikely

A recent email from Councillor Tom Lafferty in regard to the possibility of cycle lane trials on South Front St and also Herchimer down to Kiwanis Bayshore Trail:

Hi Dave
We had discussions regarding cycle lanes for 2011, the South Front talks seemed to go well. I think we may see it happen this year. The Herchimer Ave one is more difficult, due to parking. This not saying it won't happen, just not likely this year
Tom

Cycling Infrastructure now on City Radar

A meeting with Councillor Tom Lafferty was held recently and our committee left the issue of a trial painted lane in his hands to be brought up soon when the Mayor and Council get together to establish goals and objectives for the next budget year. The Master Transportation Plan already has pedestrian and cycling as an included reference and will be presented to Council on Jan 24th. We feel comfortable that our requests for a Master Cycling Plan will be addressed in the coming months. The Engineering Dept shall be acting on these items with the usual procedures: selection of consultants, public inputs, consultant reports, budget and planning steps, council agreement and then implementation. I have heard many of the infrastructure ideas that are being considered for our city and cycling seems to be an active consideration alongside all of these new goals.

Dave Smith, Coordinator

Belleville Cyclists Advisory Group

Cycling Advisory Warning

Last evening in an informal meeting with Constable Todd Bennett of Belleville Police Services, a discussion was had about the education of cyclists and the relative safety of off road trails and cycling along major streets in Belleville. He mentioned to me the increasing incidences of motorists texting on a cell phone while driving with their phone held below the window glass to avoid detection. In many cases these unwary motorists wander to the side and hit the curbs or even wander into the centre of the road while their eyes are averted from driving. This behaviour is of particular danger to cyclists or pedestrians at the sides of the road.

Const Bennett was keen on having more cycling education for adults as well as youth at the Safety Village, and welcomes any measures that could improve safety for people of all ages, who choose to ride a bike to work, for recreation, and for fitness and shopping.

Dave Smith, Coordinator

Belleville Cyclists Advisory Committee.

City of Belleville Soon to release Consultant Choice for Transportation Master Plan

The Transportation Master Plan is a major undertaking for the City and will look at all aspects of Transportation for the entire City and will provide guidance with respect to planning roadway expansions and improvements as well as addressing pedestrian and cycling considerations and requirements for the next twenty years. The outcome of the study may recommend some immediate improvements with regards to roadway expansions and improvements as well as pedestrian and cycling considerations; however it is not likely any of these will be considered until the study is complete. The intent of this study is to provide a “big picture” planning tool for Transportation development within the City over the next twenty years. It is quite likely that at the end of the Transportation Master Plan process smaller more specific plans may be required for the various components of the Transportation Master Plan such as cycling considerations to expand upon and develop implementation plans for the issues raised in the Transportation Master Plan.

The Transportation Master Plan process will be an open and transparent process with many opportunities for the public and special interest groups such as your cycling advocacy group to participate and provide input into the process. I have filed your information for inclusion in the stakeholders list that the successful Consultant will be compiling for inclusion in their consultation plan for the project to ensure you and your group are included in this process.

I understand that your group are anxious for some cycling improvements in the City and would like to get some “paint on the streets” in 2011; however I think it is only fair to let you know that I do not believe that will happen as a result of this Transportation Master Plan. I can not foresee any recommendations raised during the development of the Transportation Master Plan being considered for implementation until the Plan is completely finalized.

Regards,

Barry Simpson

Project Manager

Engineering and Development Services Department

The Corporation of the City of Belleville