Big Move transportation workshop in Hamilton June 23 - Let's speak up for transit

Register to learn and contribute to an improved transportation network. Don't leave it to the people who attack transit to be the loudest voices. 

Response from City to Ward One Cycling improvements letter

Our letter to the city regarding some improvements to cycling infrastructure in Ward One got a quick response from the councillor, followed shortly by this response from city cycling staff:

TLC, 

Thank you for these ideas, much appreciated. 

The City is currently updating the Cycling Master Plan/Transportation Master Plan so I have shared your original attachment with Steve M who is managing this update.  Bike lanes on Emerson St have been added to the list of ideas.  Also, we are currently adding additional route signage along some of these connections mentioned, so some improvements are already underway. 

Finally, McMaster University is reviewing their Master Plan as well, so we will share any of your relevant connectivity suggestions with them. 

Regards, 

Daryl Bender B.E.S.
Project Manager, Alternative Transportation
Public Works, City of Hamilton
905-546-2424 x 2066
www.hamilton.ca/Cycling

So, what do you think?

Ward One cycling improvements requested by TLC Hamilton

February 5, 2016

Councillor Aidan Johnson,
City of Hamilton


Dear Councillor Johnson,

We are writing on behalf of Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) to request improvements to major bike routes in west Hamilton/Ward One. While our requests are straightforward, we will be happy to meet with you and city staff to discuss them if necessary.

There has been a noticeable increase in cycling in the city in general and in west Hamilton in particular. This increase has been further boosted thanks to the successful launch of SOBI.

The existing bike route system, while a dramatic enhancement over the network a decade ago, could benefit from relatively low-cost improvements, which require perhaps mostly leadership.

While the city produces excellent and regularly updated maps and provides information online, a visitor to town who hops on a SOBI bike, for example, would benefit from clear road signage and markings. Similarly, driver – cyclist interactions will be more positive if clear signage and road markings inform drivers where cyclists may travel and where they have the right of way.

Our examples below reflect our own experience, but we think that a global modernization of driver/cyclist communication done with visitors and occasional cyclists in mind, will make bike travel safer and more pleasant for both drivers and cyclists. This will help achieving a major city goal of increasing bike travel.

1. The rail trail south of Main Street is a major entry point into McMaster. Currently, cyclists traveling north from the rail trail on Emerson St towards McMaster face ambiguous and dangerous crossing of Main St. W. and entry into McMaster. This can be significantly improved by providing a bike box at Emerson south of Main and a green path on the road indicating the proper route for left turning into McMaster. Similar markings can improve the southbound bike traffic as well. An even better solution for southbound travel will be dedicating the middle of the 3 lanes for southbound traffic while having each of the other lanes for right and left turning vehicles. Green boxes and markings have been used recently in Hamilton and, of course, have been used successfully for decades in other cities.

2. One of the busiest bike routes in Hamilton is the Hamilton/Brantford rail trail from McMaster area towards Dundurn St and then downtown. We have heard from many new cyclists that they find it hard to follow the bike route. The problem is typically around Studholme Street for eastbound travellers. Westbound travellers get lost in a variety of spots around Dundurn St.

3. Another well-travelled bike route leads from McMaster via Westdale towards downtown. We think that the whole section from west of the 403 to downtown would benefit from a substantial improvement in prominent signage and road markings.

4. Another minor issue may fall between the jurisdiction of McMaster and the city: there is a dangerous blind spot at the busy crossing of the Cootes path and the southbound exit from McMaster’s west campus, where most vehicles park (exit from Westaway Rd.). Currently, drivers accelerating  into Cootes Dr. and cyclists biking down the hill cannot see each other until they are too close to each other. This safety issue can be readily resolved by regular trimming of the trees just southwest of that point.

As noted above, we will be happy to meet with you to discuss these and other pertinent sustainable transportation issues.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Randy Kay and Reuven Dukas for TLC


CC Mr. Daryl Bender

Web: tlchamilton.blogspot.ca
Twitter: @tlchamont
Email: tlchamilton@gmail.com

News: Hamilton Spectator: Driver Charged in pedestrian fatality on York Blvd

Driver charged in fatal pedestrian crash on Hamilton's York Blvd.

A 22-year-old Hamilton man is facing a careless driving charge in relation to a fatal collision that killed a 62-year-old pedestrian last month.

The man was crossing in front of 221 York Blvd. around 4 p.m. Nov. 23 when he was hit by a car leaving the parking lot, police said.

He died of his injuries a week later in hospital.

The 22-year-old driver remained at the scene and speed and alcohol were ruled out as factors.

After a nearly month-long investigation by the collision reconstruction unit the driver is now charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act.

Police have not released the victim's identity.

SOURCE: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6202928-driver-charged-in-fatal-pedestrian-crash-on-hamilton-s-york-blvd-/

Going for a coffee at The Cannon using the Cannon Street Bicycle Track

A quick bike trip from Hess to Ottawa Street on the Cannon Bicycle Track. 

Counted: 19 cyclists (including 2 SOBI bikes) and one scooter in a ~20 minute interval. 

Finished with a great coffee and cake at The Cannon Cafe.

Great bit of cycling infrastructure, well done!

The future of parking at McMaster University: audio from CFMU 93.3fm

TLC initiated a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan for McMaster University, with the McMaster Institute on Transportation and Logistics taking on the TDM planning with support from McMaster administration.

On the campus radio show Morningfile on 93.3 CFMU, Terry Sullivan of McMaster parking, and Mathias Sweet of MITL talk about the process.

McMaster Community Campus Commute Survey

McMaster: tell us about your commute!

This event is a very exciting step in the direction of developing a TDM for McMaster (Transportation Demand Management plan) that initiated with TLC just over two years ago.

Lots happened behind the scenes to bring us to this point. Please participate and help McMaster manage transportation for the future so as to make efficient use of non-automotive modes like cycling, bike share, walking, car-pooling, and car sharing.

Reducing parking demand at McMaster opens up space for alternative uses: see Restore Cootes for a great example.

Wholly Mary

When TLC started as an all volunteer citizen activist group, we always desired to see support for alternatives to Single Occupancy Vehicle use more widely spread, and this is a perfect example of that impetus.

SoBi It

Hamilton's public bike share system is launching this July with 750 bicycles and over 100 stations! Please sign up for the SoBi Hamilton email list in order to receive occasional updates, including announcements, deals, promotions, and system updates. Eager to ride? Founding Memberships are available now, with great perks to show our thanks. Regular memberships will be available to the general public on May 26th.


Subscribe to the mailing list: http://bit.ly/sobiha-list
Purchase a Founding Membership: http://bit.ly/sobiha-founder

More information: http://sobihamilton.ca/

walk review

Notice of Project Completion for the Pedestrian Mobility Plan

Review period ends January 18

The City of Hamilton has completed the following study and related policy reports:

• Pedestrian Mobility Plan
• Pedestrian Signal Program
• Traffic Calming Policy

The Pedestrian Mobility Plan (PMP) addresses pedestrian planning and design across the City of Hamilton for citizens with varying mobility abilities and needs. This plan documents the recommended implementation approach that the City will apply to projects in the future.

The studies noted above will be available for public and agency review for a review

period starting from December 5, 2013 to January 18, 2014.

The reports will be available for review at 77 James Street North, Suite 400 as well as at the following locations:

Westdale Library

955 King Street West

905-546-3456

Central Library

55 York Boulevard

905-546-3200

Information about the Pedestrian Mobility Plan, the Traffic Calming Policy and the Pedestrian Signal Program is available at http://www.hamilton.ca/PedestrianMP

.

Lost on Longwood?

Councillor Brian McHattie, 

City of Hamilton

RE: Longwood Road Environmental Project Report Notice of Project Completion

Dear Councillor McHattie,

I am writing on behalf of Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) to voice our extreme dissatisfaction with the notice of completion for the Longwood Road environmental project report.

The City of Hamilton has a unique opportunity to seize on McMaster University’s expansion into Longwood Road and the potential to attract numerous young professionals who can further invigorate the Kirkendall neighborhood. Such young professional have made it loud and clear that they seek to live and work in lively communities where they can walk and bike.

Despite the assertion in the city report, there are no solid MTO plans in the near future that involve widening highway 403, according to the MTO’s “Southern Highways Program 2012 to 2016.” Planning for such a project would not even begin until after 2016. 

Disappointedly, the city’s plan for Longwood Road uses future highway widening as reason to create a people-hostile 5-lane highway on Longwood, with inappropriate accommodation of pedestrian and cyclists. Moreover, the plan effectively is to do nothing in the foreseeable future despite latent demand which requires immediate accommodation of safe pedestrian and cyclist routes.  

  

Our vision for Longwood Road is simple, sensible and feasible: wide sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the road, from its start at Princess Point in the north to its terminus at similar people-friendly facilities on Aberdeen Ave. Only such a plan would accommodate the people who wish to live and work in Kirkendall and the McMaster Innovation Park. In our vision, we could readily travel by foot and bike between the Innovation Park and neighborhood destinations at all directions, including Westdale and McMaster University.

We find it absurd that, even though the motivation for the Longwood Road environmental project was “a need for enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access and improved safety along the existing corridor” (quotation taken from the project Problem and Opportunity Statement), it has resulted in a backward conclusion reflecting mid-Twentieth Century car-centric thinking that fails to adequately address the Problem and Opportunity statement.

Giving that the notice of completion makes it clear that we have been blocked from appealing with a part II order, TLC intends to take other available democratic actions to advance the local cause of sustainable transportation. Such actions will include wide broadcasting of the fact that plans for the major transportation corridor to the McMaster Innovation Park are anything but innovative. We hope to find allies in the McMaster community including McMaster Innovation Park so that the best interests of this new facility are served by a multi-modal transportation network.

Sincerely yours,

Randy Kay

CC 

Dr. Patrick Deane, President, McMaster University

Mr. Zach Douglas, President and CEO, McMaster Innovation Park

TLC is a citizen-powered advocacy group formed in 2000 that seeks to improve conditions and infrastructure that supports and actively encourages healthy and sustainable transportation modes, including walking, transit, cycling and car pooling.

Life Along Cannon: Bike To Work Day

Yes We Cannon!

Cannon East, Google Maps Street View

Transportation for Liveable Communities is happy to be supporting the Yes We Cannon campaign for bi-directional bike lanes the length of Cannon Street.

TLC reps recently met with Justin Jones of Yes We Cannon to share information and to donate $100.00 to the campaign. We were mightily impressed with the many hours they are putting in as volunteers to see this happen, and obviously very well organanized with lots of community support. Thanks to Justin and the Yes We Cannon team!

TLC hopes our active base will help spread the word if you haven't already, and get friends and family to support the cause! TLC will be writing a letter of support in the near future.

yeswecannon.com

Bike for Mike Ride

FYI: 

The third annual Mike Ride is happening on Sunday, May 5 at Hamilton's Bayfront Park. The Mike Ride raises awareness of cycling in the city while raising funds for projects that help make Hamilton a more cycle-friendly city. The major initiative is Mike's Bikes, an effort to ensure every child in Hamilton can have a bike. Last year Mike's Bikes provided over 100 bikes to children and their families in Hamilton. Please join us on May 5 for a beautiful ride and to raise money for a worthy cause!
For more information and to watch a short video about the event please visit: http://bikeformike.org

Hamilton Womyn Powered

How Is McMaster Doing with Parking?

For at least a dozen years, McMaster’s administration has been encouraged to institute measures related to Transportation Demand Management (TDM), starting with McMaster’s “Balanced Transportation Strategy.” 

In 2000 the Board's Planning & Building Committee recommended “the adoption of the strategy comprising the following components:

·      parking supply expansions limited to at-grade only (no garage);

·      participate with the Hamilton Street Railway to subsidize faculty and staff transit passes;

·      assess parking permit rates to make transit more attractive for faculty, staff and students (changes should be implemented before 2003); and

·      implement additional travel demand management 
measures.”

McMaster’s Campus Master Plan (2002, updated 2008) recommends an 18 point TDM strategy which include, in part: 

• Capping parking levels on North Campus…limiting the increase in peak hour and single-occupancy trips to today’s levels (5.2.1)
• potentially limit on campus parking to certain groups (5.2.2)
• improve transit, pedestrian and cycling access (5.2.3)
• encourage City and HSR to implement a transit strategy to ensure transit routes are efficiently and effectively serving campus and surrounding neighbourhood. “This strategy may also include the development of an HSR turn-around serving the McMaster Community on or adjacent to the campus” (5.2.8)[McMaster’s demand to remove 50 bus trips per day due to a squabble with the city over construction trucks does not reflect well on this subject from a planning perspective[i]]
• identifies a preferred location for an HSR transit turn-around as north of the Sterling Street entrance (5.2.9)
•  reduce transit fares for the entire McMaster community, improve service levels, schedule buses to coincide with class schedules (5.2.10)
• GO service and price improvements (5.2.11)
• off campus housing coordinated with transit routes (5.2.12)
• work with city to determine its potential role in accommodating more high occupant vehicle trips to campus… transit priority systems, carpool programs, commuter parking lots around periphery of campus at access points to the HSR (5.2.13)
• classes will continue to be scheduled evenly throughout the day and week to reduce peaks in parking and travel demand (5.2.14)
•  increase parking rates (5.2.16)
• work with city to enforce parking bylaws off campus (5.2.17)
• carpool program, park closer or at reduced rate (5.2.18)

Given the commanding success and popularity of the undergraduate bus pass, a major omission in the CMP is that there is no mention of 2000’s Balanced Transportation Strategy’s recommendation that a subsidized transit pass for staff and faculty be pursued.

Light Rail Streaming from Hamilton City Hall

Trendy in 1970

We're still trying to undo the damage. 

The future was 1941...

Local historian Brian Henley blogs today about gasoline rationing as reported in the Hamilton Spectator in 1941. Three key ingredients to a more sustainable future are contained within the full article, including, trading the car for bicycles, driving slower to cut fuel consumption, and electric vehicles, apparently an old and efficient technology. It's too bad that there isn't the same recognition of our need to change how we get around today. Check out the entire blog post with more photos at http://henleyshamilton1.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/summer-of-1941-gasoline-rationing-begins/

“THE BICYCLE IS HERE TO STAY — There is one family in this city that took to heart the government’s request to conserve gasolene and oil. They are Mr. And Mrs. Henry Reseigh, 219 1/2 King Street East, who sold their car when the new gas regulations came into effect and bought these bicycles. They are pictured with their six-year-old son, Billy, as they were leaving yesterday for a picnic to Albion falls. The lunch may be seen in Billy’s carrier. They have gained a healthy hobby, they are being patriotic, and they are “having a better time than they ever had driving a car.”

The Hamilton Spectator. July 24, 1941.