2019-03-14 Minutes

Regular meeting on March 14, 2019 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm at the North Vancouver City Library (14th/Lonsdale) in the 3rd floor meeting room.

Attendees: Don, Jay, Antje, Fred, Erika, Martyn, David, Paul, Ryan, Peter S, Peter T, Matthew Bond,

Special Guests: Ingrid Weisenbach (DNV), John Calimente (DWV), Nathalie (CNV), Don McPherson & ddd (cycling without Age)

North Shore eBike share

• Staff from the 3 municipalities made a joint presentation on the pilot project
  • Target summer 2019 implementation
  • See here for RFP document to bidders: media:CNVLIVE--1759553-v1-RFP_-_Electric-Assist_Bike_Share_Pilot.pdf
  • First in BC and potentially first in Canada multi-jurisdictional effort
  • Dockless for low capital cost and impacts
  • Desire lines and data will be available and useful for planning support
  • Kelowna example started summer 2018 after year planning so can be done. Project is currently on track
  • Key issues - no clutter / equity
  • Advice from others was to start small and then build out system
  • Service providers may propose alternative / supplemental locations
  • "Havens" will provided for drop-off
  • Some initial Haven locations have been identified, these are intended to be quickly adapted based on demand. Cheap - just paint/signs.
  • Bikes will have kickstands
  • Batteries can be swapped out rather than rely on charging station
  • Reassess program after 1 year with evaluation and report back to council
  • Lots of desired data will be open source and can be used by analysts
  • Smartphone payment with preference given to providers who could work with Compass
  • Q: would the bikes be moved "up" the hills to better cover residential trip origins? A: Not necessarily but spacing of Havens targeted at 400 m on opening day in the targeted Town Centres and high demand areas. Similar to Car-2-Go once you end your trip vehicle placed in a Haven
  • Q: could there be a model whereby the bike could be taken home and returned the next day (for those areas that don't have the density for Havens)? A: Challenge for pricing model as theoretically the trip ends when vehicle is parked. Providers would incentivize return to Havens.
  • There will be a single point of contact for issues and a joint coordinator
  • Orientation sessions being planned as pop-up events with Translink to show people the system
  • Q: how could HUB help? A: Ideally help to raise the profile of the system as ambassadors, but munis will promote the system on their own. HUB has also contributed wayfinding suggestions for priority routes which should map well to the desire lines
  • Q: We need to enable this system with safe infrastructure. Currently many of the popular tourist routes are dangerous for cyclists. If people can't get to the destinations safely it will impact the success of the system. A: Data collected will be important. Program will start small and can use initial ridership to justify infrastructure improvements.
  • Q: The data won't show much usage if the route is unsafe. A: We will also be conducting user surveys on topics such as why people don't use the system more. This may show true preference data and support observed trends.
  • Q: It would be great to share data with HUB, particularly info on inexperienced riders who try the system. A: This will be an open data platform so users can analyse and extract trends as needed. Info could include metrics on number of rides/bike/day (often 8 to 10 in some areas).
  • Q: How about City of Vancouver drop-offs? A: City not currently interested in Havens.
  • Would be ideal to have Google bike maps updated as part of program. The State of Cycling effort could be an opportunity to provide this info to Google so that the safest routes are highlighted to unfamiliar users.

2019 Objectives

• 3 Top Priority Bikeways + Active Transportation Coordinator
  • Draft of Presentation to be shared with all North Shore Councils & MLAs - Don
• Feedback:
  • DNV - good to have a united voice on priorities, currently updating wayfinding signage for 15th which is along the Lower Level priority route, bike Master Plan update routes seem consistent with direction
  • CNV - acknowledged they may be a bit behind on wayfinding, the priority routes a good template
  • DWV - Q: have we considered parallel greenways along the City of Vancouver model? These can be Class A, relatively cheap to install and address traffic calming issues. A: Only concern is along arterials this is where the shops and services are, do not want to be routed away. This works for residential streets though.

General

• Cycling without Age initiative - Don McPherson
  • Looking for funding support and volunteers to pilot the trishaws
  • Arrange trips out of Silver Harbour retirement home, Demonstration Forest, Park Royal, need to secure storage spot
  • Planned events could include Bike the Blossoms at Trout Lake
  • Don to review Yahoo site functionality to advise general membership of upcoming bike-related events and public meetings. This would be separate from the discussion mailing list.
• RAC meeting - Jay
  • White papers in progress will be available on committee resources page
  • Translink Regional Transportation Strategy update upcoming consultation
  • MOTI meeting with planning department - numerous issues with staff / project continuity impacting progress at closing gaps
  • State of Cycling - data analysis being finalized, getting pushback on criteria from smaller munis who are concerned about losing bike network classifications, response is the project is not about making munis look good but about safety for users
  • BC Parkway - reviewing feasibility of Langley extension
  • Need new RAC rep from North Shore due to work conflicts
• HUB Training on NATCO Guidelines - Heather, Paul, Fred & Don attended
• BC Active Transport Strategy - Please provide your comments
  • HUB Cycling's Recommendations - a very detailed and well thought out response.
• Meeting with MLA Bowinn Ma - Don, Antje & Erika - Mar 15
  • MVA act update to Safe Road Act
  • Our goals and how they fit into INSTPP

Events - Lora

• HUB 6th Annual Bike Awards
  • Volunteer Appreciation Awards - Peter Scholefield & Tony Valente
  • 20 in 20 Infrastructure Award - 2nd Place - West Van
• North Vancouver B-Line Open House - Mar 18th, 17:00-19:00
• Earth Day at Loutet Farm - Apr 27, 10:00-13:00 - need staff for booth
• Bike to Work Week - May 27-Jun2 2019
• BC Active Transportation Summit - June 17 & 18, New Westminister - BC Cycling Coalition.
• 2019 plan

City of North Vancouver - Erika/Heather

• Highlights from Feb 11 meeting
• ITC - Fiona
  • Casano – Loutet Overpass - detailed design 60% done, built in late 2019. requesting bike BC funding
  • Marine Dr Mosquito Creek Bridge - includes protected bike lanes at the sidewalks in two directions, start in March, finish in Fall
• Next meeting -
  • B-Line changes to include 2 sections of off street bikepath: 1) On Third Street along Moodyville Park moving east on the south side 2) from Gladstone to Brooksbank on the southside only. Sent a Letter to Mayor, Council and Staff regarding support for B-Line in general, but also asking for safe bike routes. The route includes Esplanade which really needs fixing.
  • Don and Heather responded to a request for comment from CBC regarding the death of the person cycling along Esplanade. When we get the details, we will think about a HUB response.
  • We have requested monthly meetings with staff (but have not heard back)
  • Attended the INSTPP meeting with TransLink and MLA Bowinn Ma. Many pro-cycling people in the room.
• CNV response re collision on Green Necklace - http://wiki.bikehub.ca/northshore/images/9/93/CNV_response_re_collision_on_Green_Necklace.pdf

District of North Vancouver - Antje/Jay/Giacomo

• no February meeting
  • new wayfinding signage - receipt of comments acknowledged for LLTC to LVTC proposed routing and wayfinding - no ETA for staff completion
  • Cycling & Work Zones - receipt of comments acknowledged
  • NV Bike masterplan update - RFP for consultants released - to follow up
• Provided comments on 1st / Mackay buffered bike lanes - to follow up
• Bike BC funding support request re: 29th Avenue. Letter of support provided - to follow up with conditions for future requests to staff (i.e. must be AAA, preferred on our priority routes).
• Next meeting - April

District of West Vancouver - Paul/Peter

• B-Line controversy
• Proposed Upper Level Multi-use Path
• 2019/20 active transportation budget update
• Update from John Calimente, DWV Transportation Planning Analyst
  • see eBike discussion above.
  • Hugo Ray connector - Capilano Bridge to 3rd Street on Hwy 1 - construction to begin in May.
  • 3rd and Mathers ave to Taylor Way - draft design has been sent to MoTI.
  • Capilano Pacific Trail improvement up to Keith Road - draft design is with MoTI and Purchasing - TransLink funding - construction will take 3-4 weeks.
  • Wayfinding at the north end of Lions Gate Bridge - plan has been developed consistent with Translink standards. Route naming coming.
  • Welch Street Bridge sidewalk widening - the plan is with Squamish Nation - Park Royal wants it finished before the busy summer season - widening will be completed before finalizing approach at the east end.
  • Royal Avenue Horseshoe Bay - on hold because only enough money for the 1st of 3 phases of the streetscape plan.
  • Bike racks for Ambleside and Dundarave - funds are available - design of the racks is being considered whether to adopt a standard or some kind of custom design.

Translink - Fred/Antje

• e-Bikes on Buses - Update on HUB HQ discussions with TransLink
• Bike parking at Exchanges: Space for future at Lonsdale Quay & Phibbs (also space for bike share)

MOTI - Giacomo/Antje

• Fencing sidewalks to Lions Gate Bridge (north end)