CITY OF KINGSTON INFORMATION REPORT TO ENVIRONMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORTATION POLICIES COMMITTEE Report No.: EITP

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1 CITY OF KINGSTON INFORMATION REPORT TO ENVIRONMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORTATION POLICIES COMMITTEE TO: FROM: RESOURCE STAFF: Chair and Members of Environment, Infrastructure & Transportation Policies Committee Cynthia Beach, Commissioner, Sustainability and Growth Grant C. Bain, Director, Planning and Development Department DATE OF MEETING: SUBJECT: Bike Share System EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Planning & Development Department is currently supporting the investigation into a proposed Bike Share System. This process is being student led by Student Societies at Queen s University and St. Lawrence College. The Bike Share initiative supports the goals and objectives of the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Strategy, Transportation Master Plan and the City s Official Plan. A Bike Share System represents an important piece of a multimodal transportation system. This report provides some background on the Bike Share System and some of the initial steps and actions that staff are taking in support of this project. RECOMMENDATION: This report is for information. 64

2 - Page 2 - AUTHORIZING SIGNATURES: Cynthia Beach, P.Eng., MCIP, RPP, Commissioner, Sustainability and Growth Gerard Hunt, Chief Administrative Officer CONSULTATION WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONERS: Lanie Hurdle, Community Services Denis Leger, Transportation, Properties & Emergency Services Jim Keech, President and CEO, Utilities Kingston N/R N/R N/R (N/R indicates consultation not required) k:\t10_transportation planning\tdm\staff reports\eitp bike share system.doc 65

3 - Page 3 - OPTIONS/DISCUSSION: PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to provide background on the Bike Share System proposal being prepared by Queen s, St. Lawrence College, the City and KFL&A Public Health. The Bike Share System initiative is a recommendation of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Strategy. The TDM Strategy states that TDM is typically considered a suite of programs, projects, policies and partnerships that increase the efficient utilization of existing transportation infrastructure while promoting the use of more sustainable modes. This project is an initiative that was identified in the Town-Gown Community Planning Group work plan. BACKGROUND The City of Kingston TDM Strategy was adopted by Council in July The purpose of the Strategy is to increase the number of people using more sustainable modes of transportation, while increasing the efficiency of the transportation network. Recommendations for next steps are contained in the Strategy to help achieve the City s goal of being Canada s most sustainable city. An important goal of the TDM Strategy is to reduce the costs of building and maintaining transportation infrastructure. The Strategy notes that small investments in TDM programs can defer or eliminate the need for large investments in infrastructure. A Bike Share System, if properly designed and implemented can reduce the need for single occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips while increasing the accessibility of the public transit system. By reducing SOV trips, Kingston can better utilize its existing transportation infrastructure. Increased cycling is a significant factor for cities that have successfully reduced congestion and Green House Gas emissions. The purpose of a Bike Share System is to provide low cost transportation to users over medium distances. Bicycles are placed around the city in high use areas and are accessible 24 hours a day to members. They are intended as an alternative to motorized public transportation or private vehicles, which can help reduce traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution. They can also be used to access public transit from areas that are under served. To use the bicycles, a membership is required. Memberships are open to everyone for a small fee. Toronto charges $95.00 per year while Ottawa and Montreal charge $80.50 per year. There are lower fees for one month, weekly and daily memberships. Schools can negotiate universal membership for their students at a lower rate. Universal memberships could work much like the existing Universal Bus Pass that is available to Queen s and St. Lawrence students from Kingston Transit. While program details vary in different communities, the basis of a universal program is that every student pays for a pass, regardless of whether or not they use the service. The price they pay is revenue neutral, non-users subsidize the users. As an example, if 10% of students at a given school are expected to use the system, all students must pay 10% of the full price. 66

4 - Page 4 - Membership entitles one to unlimited free use of the bicycles for short periods of time. Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal s Bike Share systems allow members to use bicycles for 30 minutes free of charge. Small, escalating fees are charged for use of a bicycle longer than 30 minutes. This structure of charges encourages riders to use the system for short trips. Shorter trips allow higher turnover and greater usage of the limited number of bicycles. Bike Share Systems are normally self-sustaining, requiring funding only for the start-up capital costs. Students at St. Lawrence College are currently preparing a business case under the oversight of their Capital Planning & Sustainability Department and the City of Kingston s Planning and Development Department. A stakeholder group has been created to oversee the planning process for the Bike Share System. This stakeholder group consists of members representing KFL&A Public Health, Queen s University Alma Mater Society, Queen s University Society of Professional and Graduate Students, Queen s Athletics & Recreation Department, St. Lawrence College Capital Planning & Sustainability, St. Lawrence College Kingston Students Association, City of Kingston Planning & Development Department, and the City of Kingston Transportation Services Department. Planning staff has reached out to the Royal Military College to see if they would like to be involved. A survey was posted on the City of Kingston website in late September to gather feedback on whether or not people would use a bike share system. The results of this survey will be available in November. Based on the findings of this survey, further recruitment of project partners may take place. Potential partners include major downtown businesses, hospitals, hotels, and condo/apartment buildings. The capital costs of a Bike Share System are not insignificant. Average costs amount to around $4,000 to $5,000 per bicycle. This includes all related infrastructure, such as racks and payment machines. An ideal size for a starting Bike Share System in Kingston would be around 100 bicycles. Bicycles would be distributed in racks around downtown Kingston. The following map (Figure 1) shows the initial area that would be covered by the extent of bike share stations. This is a preliminary map to give a general idea of the System s extent. No specific locations have been chosen. If the Royal Military College chooses to participate, stations would be placed on their campus as well. 67

5 - Page 5 - Figure 1 Proposed Area Served by Bike Share System Operating costs associated with Bike Shares are about $300 to $500 per bicycle per year. Operating expenses are normally covered by memberships, usage fees, advertising and sponsorships. The Business Case that is currently being prepared will address the cost and administration issues more closely. The document will also discuss administration of the Bike Share System. Upon conclusion of the planning process, the working group may approach the City to discuss dedicating parking spaces or land for removable bike share stations. KFL&A Public Health supports the Bike Share Initiative. According to the Health Unit: Cycling contributes to the personal health, community health, well-being and sustainability of Kingston. Cycling helps people to achieve the recommended levels of physical activity. These levels of activity help reduce the risk of obesity, chronic diseases, non- communicable diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer) and early mortality. Cycling also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This improves air quality which helps prevent respiratory problems, such as asthma. Cycling also contributes to the social and economic pillars of sustainability. With cycling, there is safety in numbers. The more cyclists there are on the roads, the fewer cycling-related injuries that occur. Bike Share Systems have been shown to increase cycling in cities and enhance quality of life. There is the clear need for public health to support initiatives that will inform and support individuals and communities to be active in ways that are safe, accessible and enjoyable through active transportation. Bike Sharing Systems are one such initiative. 68

6 - Page 6 - EXISTING POLICY/BY LAW: The following documents support the Bike Share project: Provincial: Provincial Policy Statement Municipal: Sustainable Kingston Plan Kingston Strategic Plan ( ) City of Kingston Official Plan Transportation Master Plan Transportation Demand Management Strategy (2011) NOTICE PROVISIONS: N/A ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS: This report is available in accessible formats upon request. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: There are currently no direct budget implications. If the project moves to the implementation phase, requests may be made for financial support from the City. The City may also be requested to apply for FCM funding and grants. Any financial considerations will be presented to EITP and Council when they are required. CONTACTS: Grant C. Bain, Director, Planning & Development, , ext Cherie Mills, Manager, Policy Planning, Planning & Development, , ext Darin Ramsay, Senior Planner, Transportation, , ext 1386 OTHER CITY OF KINGSTON STAFF CONSULTED: Sheila Kidd, Director, Transportation Services EXHIBITS ATTACHED: N/A 69