MINUTES of a Public Meeting held on Monday, August 30, 2010 in COUNCIL CHAMBERS at 5:00 PM with the following attendance:

Transcription

1 3 MINUTES of a Public Meeting held on in COUNCIL CHAMBERS at 5:00 PM with the following attendance: PRESENT: OTHERS: Mayor City Clerk Legislative Coordinator City Manager City Solicitor City Treasurer Director of Infrastructure Services Director of Community Services Director of Planning and Development R.D. Tarleck J.H. Carlson R. Dodic R.K. Parker M.A. Simmons K.E. Tratch S.G. Ward T.H. Wickersham D. Nemeth B. Burke G. Sherwin D. Hudson C. Wight D. Hawkins B. Beck J. Greene ABSENT B.A. Lacey R.K. Parker: THAT the communications as presented by the City Clerk be laid on the table for further consideration. 1. PRESENTATIONS: 1.1 Bylaw 5659, Regulation of Bicycles and Personal Conveyance Devices Presentation by the Administration Ahmed Ali, Transportation and Planning Manager, provided the history of the Bylaw and advised that on October 1, 2007, City Council requested Administration to undertake a review of the existing Bylaw 3515 and prepare an updated Bylaw to reflect the current practices in other municipalities in Canada. Urban Systems Limited (USL) was engaged to review the Bicycle Bylaw and other bikeways/bicycle standards. He reported that a comprehensive review of the Bylaws from 16 Municipalities and six Provinces across Canada was undertaken to develop a new bicycle bylaw that would: complement the City s vision for pedestrian and bicycle mobility be easy to understand and feasible to implement provide an effective enforcement tool to complement the Alberta Traffic Safety Act (ATSA)

2 4 Changes in the Proposed Bylaw are: Allows for cyclists to cycle on sidewalks when no other option is available (i.e., no bicycle lanes in the roadway or pathways along the roadways). Allows cyclists to cycle on Mayor Magrath Drive (the existing prohibition on Whoop Up Drive between 5th St S and Jerry Potts Blvd W continues in the new bylaw). Requires all cyclists to wear a helmet (existing Alberta Traffic Safety Act (ATSA) requires anyone less than 18 years of age to wear helmet). Removes the requirement for bicycle licensing and license plate. Fines up to $50.00 Inclusion of additional definitions and personal conveyance devices (skateboards, wheeled skis) Additional equipment safety requirements (brakes, head lamp, tail lamp/reflector repeated from ATSA) Other Presentations: Brendan Moore, advised that he is a Long boarder and that long boards are meant to be used on roadways. They are not welcome on sidewalks. Wade Galloway advised that there should be a separate Bylaw governing recreation devices such as in-line skates and skateboards. There is a big difference between a recreation device and a conveyance devise. Under this Bylaw, street hockey wearing in-line skates on a quiet suburban street would be illegal. Herman Seimans reported that he is against mandatory helmets. He has been riding a bicycle for over 65 years and reported that in Holland thousands of people ride bikes and that motorists, pedestrians and cyclists respect each other. He inquired as to the reason for the change and the statistics concerning the number of head injuries suffered by cyclists. Janet Biersniski expressed that she was not in favour of cyclists on sidewalks and that there should be designated areas prohibiting bicycles, such as the downtown. Jim Whitelaw advised that he is concerned about cyclists on Mayor Magrath Drive. He stated that helmets are a good idea for young and old. Martina Emard, Roller Derby Guild, advised that members of the Guild use the roadways for training and recreation. Banning them from the roadways would hamper their ability to train and increase traffic on pathways. Jason Laurendeau, Lethbridge Cycling Association, suggested that there are too many things covered in this Bylaw. He stated that Lethbridge needs to work on education and a vision for motorists and cyclists sharing the roads, a Master Plan. Jim Lawson agreed that there are too many things in the Bylaw and that bicycles on sidewalks are not necessary. Honour Sauve requested that section 6.1 of the Bylaw be amended to eliminate the ability to provide a verbal warning. She felt that a bell or horn should be mandatory. She inquired as to who has the right of way on sidewalks.

3 5 Kim Siever, Bike Bridge Cycling Association, reported that the requirement for crosswalk dismount is unnecessary and that cyclists use the sidewalks because there are no bicycle paths. He advised that more bicycle parking facilities are required. He stated that helmets are ineffective in multiple impacts and does not prevent accidents and proper infrastructure will do more than helmet requirements. A Bicycle Transportation Master Plan is required. Peter Barry, Lethbridge Skateboard Association, reported that prohibiting skateboarding on the roadways restricts the sport and participating. Physical activity will be deterred. Randy Dekens opposes helmet law because it discourages cycling and prohibits activity. Sam Richards stated that bicycling and skateboarding are two different activities and because skateboarding is not as fast should not be included in the same Bylaw. Crosswalks and sidewalks are intended for pedestrian traffic. Disagrees with helmets being mandatory because a helmet provides no protection in a vehicle accident. Andrew Manzara advised that he has been riding a bicycle for years and suggested that there are a few poor riders giving all cyclists a bad name. He disagrees with a helmet being mandatory because of the degree of risk. James Veldman stated that the municipal government should not be passing laws relative to cycling. Cheryl Meheden stated that governments should rethink the need to protect citizens from themselves. Tyler Stewart advised that the Bylaw will not be effective and rather than spending money on enforcement it should be spent on educating motorists. There was no response to the Mayor s call for anyone else wishing to speak to City Council on this matter. City Council addressed the following during question period: Provincial legislation governing public roadways if Bylaw is defeated Municipalities being unable to discriminate against bicycles City of Lethbridge having a Bylaw governing seatbelt usage prior to Provincial legislation Road hockey being illegal on City streets Percentage of head injuries being prevented by helmets The impetus to change the Bylaw Effect of helmets in vehicle/bicycle collisions and effect for other minor incidents Purpose of including personal conveyance devices with bicycles Helmets being a safety issue Cyclists on sidewalks being a safety issue Possibility of injuries when all conveyance devices and pedestrians are sharing sidewalks Method of notifying visitors of regulations for helmets in Lethbridge Attendance at the Open House and input obtained from local groups in the preparation of the Bylaw Age of confidence to move from sidewalk riding to roads Protection of the rights of pedestrians

4 6 Education strategy on cycling safety Focus on education regarding the use of helmets as opposed to compulsory regulations Speed limit for sidewalk riding Age versus tire size determining sidewalk vs roadway riding Enforcement of the Bylaw S.G. Ward: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the communication received from Ahmed Ali, Transportation Manager, be received as information and filed AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT Mr. Ali be thanked for his presentation. S.G. Ward: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letters received from the following residents: A. Donald Aos B. Lorne Armstrong C. Lee Cutforth D. Val Hill E. Gail Meston F. Will Northgrave G. Darcy Richardson H. Lacey Smith I. Stuart Walker J. Brett Borix K. Patrick Horvat L. Freda North M. Ken Ikle concerning Bylaw 5659, Regulation of Bicycles and Personal Conveyance Devices, be received as information and filed

5 7 AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council s decision on this Bylaw be communicated to them. ACTION: City Solicitor, City Clerk, Infrastructure Services R.K. Parker: THAT we do now adjourn the Public Meeting CARRIED Mayor City Clerk