Minutes

Cycling Advisory Committee

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Thursday, April 21, 2022

7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Council Chambers - 4th Floor, City Hall - Webex Electronic Meeting

Members Present:

• Lisa Stokes (Co-Chair)
• Pauline Thornham (Co-Chair)
• Rani Gill (Co-Chair)
• Alina Grzejszczak
• Stephen Laidlaw
• Dayle Laing
• Barry Lavallee
• Eric Lister
• Patrick McLeavey
• Remi Parent
• Antonio (Tony) Pinheiro

Members Absent:

• Leslie Benfield
• Laura Bowman
• Regional Councillor Rowena Santos

Staff Present:

• Henrik Zbogar, Sr. Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development
• Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development
• Tammi Jackson, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

Note: In consideration of the current COVID-19 public health orders prohibiting large public gatherings of people and requirements for physical distancing between persons, in-person attendance at this Committee of Council meeting was limited and physical distancing was maintained in Council Chambers at all times during the meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m. and adjourned at 9:21 p.m.

As this meeting of the Cycling Advisory Committee was conducted with electronic participation by Members of the Committee, the meeting started with the City Clerk calling the roll for attendance at the meeting, as follows:

Members present during roll call: Pauline Thornham (Co-Chair), Lisa Stokes (Co-Chair), Stephen Laidlaw, Dayle Laing, Barry Lavallee, Eric Lister, Patrick McLeavey; Tony Pinheiro, Alina Grzejszczak, Remi Parent, Rani Gill, 

Members absent during roll call:  Regional Councillor Rowena Santos (other municipal business), Laura Bowman, Leslie Benfield.

2.

Approval of Agenda

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC010-2022

  That the agenda for the Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting of April 21, 2022, be received as amended to add the following item:

  7.7 Discussion Item at the request of Dayle Laing, Citizen Member, re: Ontario Active Travel Program Continuation    

  Carried

3.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Nil

4.

Previous Minutes

The minutes were considered by Planning and Development Committee on March 7 , 2022, and were approved by Council on April 6, 2022.  The minutes were provided for Committee’s information.

5.

Presentations / Delegations

5.1

Presentation by Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development, re: Micromobility - Electric Scooter Pilot

Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development, provided an overview of the Micromobility - Electric Scooter Pilot, and responded to questions of clarification from Committee.

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• Questions regarding who decides where the docking station locations will be.
• Clarification that the companies involved with the pilot project will provide the locations of the docking stations. 
• Question relating to whether the City will allow all three companies to operate or one company. 
• Advised that an app will be available to the public providing, information such as docking stations, rentals, etc.

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC011-2022
  1. That the presentation from Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning Building and Economic Development, to the Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting of April 21, 2022, re: Micromobility - Electric Scooter Pilot, be received.
  Carried

5.2

Presentation by Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development, re: 2022 Pedal Poll - Velo Canada Bikes

Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development, provided an overview of the 2022 Pedal Poll - Velo Canada Bikes, and responded to questions of clarification from Committee.

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC012-2022
  1. That the presentation from Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning Building and Economic Development, to the Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting of April 21, 2022, re: 2022 Pedal Poll - Velo Canada Bikes, be received.
  Carried

5.3

Presentation by Dayle Laing, Citizen Member re: By-law Enforcement of Bike Lane Illegal Parking

Dayle Laing, Citizen Member, provided an overview of the By-law Enforcement of Bike Lane Illegal parking, and responded to questions of clarification from Committee.

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• Suggestion to invite City staff from the necessary departments to attend a future meeting to discuss proper signage and how enforcement is to enforce such a policy. 
• Staff took the suggestion as direction and will look into the policies and by-laws surrounding bike lane parking and enforcement. 

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC013-2022
  1. That the presentation from Dayle Laing, Citizen Member, to the Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting of April 21, 2022, re: By-law Enforcement of Bike Lane Illegal Parking, be received.
  Carried

5.4

Delegation by Neil Smith, Project Manager, Sustainable Transportation and Strategic Initiatives, re: Region of Peel 2021/2022 Active Transportation Implementation Update

Neil Smith, Project Manager, Sustainable Transportation and Strategic Initiatives, provided an overview of the Region of Peel 2021/2022 Active Transportation Implementation Update, and responded to questions of clarification from Committee. Mr. Smith advised the committee that additional information would be provided to the Committee regarding the Active Transportation Implementation within the next week. 

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC014-2022
  1. That the delegation from Neil Smith, Project Manager, Sustainable Transportation and Strategic Initiatives, Region of Peel, to the Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting of April 21, 2022, re: Region of Peel 2021/2022 Active Transportation Implementation Update, be received.
  Carried

6.

Reports / Updates

Nil

7.

Other/New Business / Information Items

7.1

Cycling Advisory Committee - Community Ride Sub-Committee Minutes - February 10, 2022

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC015-2022
  1. That the Cycling Advisory Committee Sub-Committee Minutes of February 10, 2022, to the Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting of April 21, 2022, be received.
  Carried

7.2

Cycling Advisory Committee - Sub-Committee Minutes - March 24, 2022

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC016-2022
  1. That the Cycling Advisory Committee Sub-Committee Minutes of March 24, 2022, to the Cycling Advisory Committee Meeting of April 21, 2022, be received.
  Carried

7.3

Discussion item re: Volunteers For The 2022 Bike The Creek Event

Dayle Laing, Citizen Member, provided an overview of the subject matter, and responded to questions of clarification from Committee.

7.4

Discussion at the request of Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development, re: Municipal By-law Review – Cycling Provisions

Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development, provided an overview of the Municipal By-law Review - Cycling Provisions, and responded to questions of clarification from Committee and introduced the following motion: 

It is the position of the Cycling Advisory Committee that staff be requested to consider the following bicycle friendly amendments to the applicable City by-laws presented to Committee:

• that the speed limit on recreational trails be changed from the current 8 km/hour to 20 km/hour and that the following provision be included within the same section of the by-law - "no person shall ride upon or operate a bicycle, skateboard, in-line skates or roller-skates, coaster, scooter, toy vehicle, toboggan, sleigh, or any similar device on a recreational trail or park path recklessly or negligently in a manner dangerous to the public;

• defining the exception to ride a bike on the sidewalk by age (suggested age of 12 and under) as opposed to the diameter of the bicycle wheel;
  
  
• include a new provision respecting cyclists yielding to buses while engaged in boarding and alighting - "when riding a bicycle on a cycle track, bicycle lane or multi use path approaching a Brampton Transit bus which is engaged in boarding and alighting passengers, the person on the bicycle shall not pass to the right of the bus or approach nearer than 2 metres measured back from the rear or front entrance or exit."

• repeal the following two provisions relating to riding in a single file and allow the provision within the HTA address the positioning of slower vehicles:
  • Persons operating bicycles upon a roadway shall ride in single file.
  • A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right hand side of the roadway as practicable and shall exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. 

• consider the following changes to Section 21 (2) of the Consolidated Traffic By-law respecting bicycle lanes:

Where a lane of the highway has been designated for the use of bicycles only, no person shall: 

(a) drive a vehicle other than a bicycle, public transit, police, fire, emergency medical service vehicle or maintenance vehicle while in-service or engaged in maintenance activities; or

(b) park or stop a vehicle other than a public transit, police, fire, emergency medical service vehicle or maintenance vehicle while in-service or engaged in maintenance activities.

• with respect to the new Highway Traffic Act definition for "power-assisted bicycle", contained within the Moving Ontarians More Safety Act (June 2021), it is the opinion of the committee that City by-laws be amended to permit and regulate the different classification of power-assisted bicycle based on the following guidance from the committee:

Type A (pedal-driven bicycle) - permitted to ride anywhere a standard bicycle is permitted to ride.

Type B (electric motor scooter) - should be prohibited to ride on a multi-use path, park path or recreational trail (infrastructure shared with pedestrians) and permitted on cycle track, boulevard bike paths and bike lanes. 

Type C (electric motorcycle) - should be prohibited from riding along any infrastructure dedicated to active transportation. 

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC017-2022

  It is the position of the Cycling Advisory Committee that staff be requested to consider the following bicycle friendly amendments to the applicable City by-laws presented to Committee:

  • that the speed limit on recreational trails be changed from the current 8 km/hour to 20 km/hour and that the following provision be included within the same section of the by-law - "no person shall ride upon or operate a bicycle, skateboard, in-line skates or roller-skates, coaster, scooter, toy vehicle, toboggan, sleigh, or any similar device on a recreational trail or park path recklessly or negligently in a manner dangerous to the public;

  • defining the exception to ride a bike on the sidewalk by age (suggested age of 12 and under) as opposed to the diameter of the bicycle wheel;
    
    
  • include a new provision respecting cyclists yielding to buses while engaged in boarding and alighting - "when riding a bicycle on a cycle track, bicycle lane or multi use path approaching a Brampton Transit bus which is engaged in boarding and alighting passengers, the person on the bicycle shall not pass to the right of the bus or approach nearer than 2 metres measured back from the rear or front entrance or exit."

  • repeal the following two provisions relating to riding in a single file and allow the provision within the HTA address the positioning of slower vehicles:
    • Persons operating bicycles upon a roadway shall ride in single file.
    • A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right hand side of the roadway as practicable and shall exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. 

  • consider the following changes to Section 21 (2) of the Consolidated Traffic By-law respecting bicycle lanes:

  Where a lane of the highway has been designated for the use of bicycles only, no person shall: 

  (a) drive a vehicle other than a bicycle, public transit, police, fire, emergency medical service vehicle or maintenance vehicle while in-service or engaged in maintenance activities; or

  (b) park or stop a vehicle other than a public transit, police, fire, emergency medical service vehicle or maintenance vehicle while in-service or engaged in maintenance activities.

  • with respect to the new Highway Traffic Act definition for "power-assisted bicycle", contained within the Moving Ontarians More Safety Act (June 2021), it is the opinion of the committee that City by-laws be amended to permit and regulate the different classification of power-assisted bicycle based on the following guidance from the committee:

  Type A (pedal-driven bicycle) - permitted to ride anywhere a standard bicycle is permitted to ride.

  Type B (electric motor scooter) - should be prohibited to ride on a multi-use path, park path or recreational trail (infrastructure shared with pedestrians) and permitted on cycle track, boulevard bike paths and bike lanes. 

  Type C (electric motorcycle) - should be prohibited from riding along any infrastructure dedicated to active transportation. 

  Carried

7.5

Discussion at the request of Nelson Cadete, Project Manager, Active Transportation, Planning, Building and Economic Development, re: Update on 2022 BCAC Cycling Events/Programs.

Lisa Stokes, Co-Chair, provided an update on the 2022 BCAC Cycling Events/Programs, and responded to questions of clarification from Committee.

7.6

Discussion at the request of Lisa Stokes, Co-Chair, re: Community Rides - Volunteers Needed

Note: This item is a duplicate of 7.5. No discussion took place under this item. 

7.7

Discussion Item at the request of Dayle Laing, Citizen Member, re: Ontario Active Travel Program Continuation

Dayle Laing, Citizen Member, provided an overview of the Ontario Active Travel Program Continuation, and responded to questions of clarification from Committee. Ms. Laing outlined the urgency of the matter and requested correspondence be sent to all Brampton MPP's requesting the continuation of funding for the program. 

At the request of the Committee, and based on the timing of the Government of Ontario’s 2022/2023 budget, this matter will be  listed as correspondence on the April 25, 2022  Planning and Development Committee agenda for consideration prior to the Cycling Advisory Committee minutes being presented to the May 16, 2022 Planning and Development Committee meeting.

The following motion was considered.

• CYC018-2022
  1. That the correspondence from the Dayle Laing, Citizen Member,  re: Ontario Active Travel Program Continuation, to the Cycling Advisory Committee meeting of April 21, 2022 be received; and, 
  2. That it is the position of the Cycling Advisory Committee that the correspondence be sent to all Brampton MPP's to request that the funding for the Ontario Active School Travel Program be included in the Government of Ontario's 2022/2023 budget. 
  Carried

8.

Correspondence

Nil

9.

Question Period

Nil

10.

Public Question Period

Staff responded to questions from David Laing, Brampton Resident, regarding the following: 

• Whether consideration was given to include e-bikes or standard bicycles to the Micromobility - Electric Scooter Pilot Program.
• The environmental impacts of the Micromobility - Electric Scooter Pilot Program
• How the Municipal By-law Cycling provisions will be enforced and whether or not they are consistent with other jurisdictions.

11.

Adjournment

The following motion was considered. 

• CYC019-2022
  1. That the Cycling Advisory Committee do now adjourn to meet again on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. or at the call of the Chair
  Carried