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+--- Thread: Cycling in Waterloo Region (/showthread.php?tid=186)
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RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - danbrotherston - 06-19-2020
(06-19-2020, 06:47 PM)clasher Wrote: I filled out that survey, it seems like a load of BS to have to "study" this when many other cities have managed to do similar things without massive problems.
Anyway, today I was out riding around and ended up down in Doon Village so I rode home via the new Homer-Watson MUP. It's pretty good going most of the time, gotta be careful at intersections since no one seemed to even check their right side before whipping around the corner. The asphalt is really smooth and there's almost no interruptions so it's a quick way to get down to the college. The curbs could be better but they aren't the worst ones in the area. It does deviate from the road near the Huron intersection and heads toward the ball diamonds, I don't know if they're gonna pave that part too but I think it was stone dust still. There was also "sidewalk closed" signs everywhere. Plenty of landscaping along the trail and a bunch of new trees in the ground so it might be nicer in a few years. Recent rains had washed out some of the landscaping near Lear so I assume they'll fix that sooon.
I was riding toward Ottawa Street so I also decided to see how those bike lanes are coming along, and they are some proper garbage as far as I'm concerned:
Why not put the grey pavers and curb on the left side where the cars are? When traffic is back to normal I don't think I'm gonna be riding down there during the day... like what's the point of doing this shit even? Imagine going to school for 8 years and this is the best idea you can come up with. FFS...
Yeah, the MUT is generally quite good, but intersections remain a problem. This isn't even a cycling issue, it's a problem for pedestrians too. The fact is, regional engineers exclusively prioritize fast turning movements over safety, I've fought with them many times, and they are unwilling to change their priorities. I don't know what it will take to change, but this is one of the more major issues with regional engineering.
Yes, the roll curbs + barrier curb to the sidewalk continues to be incredibly frustrating as well. I honestly cannot understand what they are thinking. Boggles the mind.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - danbrotherston - 06-21-2020
The Region is considering rapidly implementing some cycling infrastructure[1]. I think it’s a good idea, and CycleWR[2] has written an article about why they think it is a good idea.
You all know I am a strong proponent of cycling infrastructure, if you support the same, I’m asking you to do two things, it won’t take long, but time is of the essence.
First, fill out the regional survey. [3]
This survey is the official “public consultation” for the project, and it’s only available for one week.
Second, take a moment to write our Regional Council. Zeitspace has a link here to make it easy if you want. [4]
Why am I asking this? Usually I don’t, but in this case, I really do think every piece of feedback is meaningful. Council voted on this issue last week, and the vote was tied 7-7. They are voting on it again on Wednesday of this week. While a few councillors are entrenched, many others seem receptive to feedback. This is a moment where everyone can make a difference, everyone can move the needle a little bit, so please take a little time and make a statement.
[1] Staff Report For Rapid Implementation
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zeitspace.com/media/2020/06/DOCS_ADMIN-%233309269-v13-TES-TRP-20-13_Rapid_Re-allocation_of_Road_Space_for_Active_Transportation_to_Address_the_COVID-19_.pdf
[2] CycleWR Blog Post: http://cyclewr.ca/2020/06/20/urgent-tell-regional-council-to-vote-for-temporary-pandemic-bike-lanes/
[3] Regional Online Engagement Survey:
https://www.engagewr.ca/rapid-reallocation-road-space-covid19
[4] Zeitspace Council Contact Form:
https://covid.zeitspace.com/
I have some maps in this twitter post.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - tomh009 - 06-21-2020
Survey and email both done.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - dtkvictim - 06-21-2020
Not specifically related cycling in the region, but I wanted to share this video of a Canadian expat sharing his cycling experience in Tokyo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0x8EAf4GSg (and a behind the scenes if anyone is interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9lPo1XxXec)
Shows a wide variety of density and infrastructure, and I think a sort of middle ground between the Canadian and Dutch cycling experiences.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - danbrotherston - 06-23-2020
So the staff report for the active transportation expansion is out ahead of the meeting tomorrow.
The results are astonishing. The survey had almost 3000 responses, and a solid 2/3rds support the proposal.
This is a huge growndswell of support, I don't think most engage surveys get more than 100 responses, and this is far more than the month long much bigger scope transportation master plan.
The staff report mentions that they received 9 letters, 7 in opposition, but that's pretty much irrelevant given I've heard councillors have received hundreds of directly addressed letters.
https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Council/Detail/2020-06-24-1900-Council/8690f11e-6cee-4565-a917-abe300f7d111
Truly astonishing level of engagement here.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - KevinL - 06-23-2020
200 pages of comments in that report! Astounding.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - Acitta - 06-24-2020
Apparently, the owners of the shopping centres at Highland & Westmount do not realize that cyclists also go shopping. I do much of my shopping on Highland by bicycle. I will be avoiding shopping at any shops in those particular strip malls in the future.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - danbrotherston - 06-24-2020
(06-24-2020, 01:26 AM)Acitta Wrote: Apparently, the owners of the shopping centres at Highland & Westmount do not realize that cyclists also go shopping. I do much of my shopping on Highland by bicycle. I will be avoiding shopping at any shops in those particular strip malls in the future.
I noted this as well, I wondered if it might have been the plaza with the Foodbasics--somewhere that I do shop, always by bike, occasionally. Only occasionally *because* they don't have any bike parking (I usually have to lock my bike to their propane cylinder locker). It actually isn't this plaza, but the one on the west side of Westmount, with the Partsource, thrift store, and Scotiabank. What makes their letter even more disingenuous is that they only have a single entrance off Westmount (direct to the Scotiabank), and THREE off Highland (the issue of our region having too many entrances to plazas leading to decreased safety and decreased performance of regional roads is another issue altogether), so the idea that the changes to Westmount would restrict access to their plaza even by drivers is pretty ridiculous.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - goggolor - 06-24-2020
(06-24-2020, 08:58 AM)danbrotherston Wrote: I noted this as well, I wondered if it might have been the plaza with the Foodbasics--somewhere that I do shop, always by bike, occasionally. Only occasionally *because* they don't have any bike parking (I usually have to lock my bike to their propane cylinder locker).
The main reason I don't shop at Kishki World Foods more often is that there's no bike parking anywhere in that plaza either. It's weird how many merchants in this town don't seem to consider that cyclists might be potential customers, even when they are literally next to a major bike path.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - jamincan - 06-24-2020
Classic chicken and egg problem. "I don't need bike parking because no bikes to our store."
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - panamaniac - 06-24-2020
Taking your bikes into the store/business with you because there's no place to leave them might get their attention .....
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - danbrotherston - 06-24-2020
(06-24-2020, 10:12 AM)panamaniac Wrote: Taking your bikes into the store/business with you because there's no place to leave them might get their attention .....
I agree in theory, but it kinda breaks down for grocery stores. The staff there aren’t in control over having a bike rack. Even the manager probably can’t force the landlord into putting in bike racks.
that being said, right now, there is plenty of room inside.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - Acitta - 06-24-2020
One of the things on my to-do list for when I win the lottery is to pay someone to offer to install free bike racks at all of the malls in the region.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - tomh009 - 06-24-2020
(06-24-2020, 09:40 AM)goggolor Wrote:(06-24-2020, 08:58 AM)danbrotherston Wrote: I noted this as well, I wondered if it might have been the plaza with the Foodbasics--somewhere that I do shop, always by bike, occasionally. Only occasionally *because* they don't have any bike parking (I usually have to lock my bike to their propane cylinder locker).
The main reason I don't shop at Kishki World Foods more often is that there's no bike parking anywhere in that plaza either. It's weird how many merchants in this town don't seem to consider that cyclists might be potential customers, even when they are literally next to a major bike path.
Oma!
It's about a 20-minute walk for us so that's the usual option for us.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - dtkmelissa - 06-24-2020
(06-24-2020, 01:26 AM)Acitta Wrote: Apparently, the owners of the shopping centres at Highland & Westmount do not realize that cyclists also go shopping. I do much of my shopping on Highland by bicycle. I will be avoiding shopping at any shops in those particular strip malls in the future.I used to have a few small 'business-card' style notes that simply said that I'm a cyclist and would love to bike to your establishment but there's no place to park my bike. I included my email to follow up. I did have one or two businesses follow up with me. I haven't done that for awhile, but I do think it is important (if able) to let folks know there's a demand for more bike parking. Unfortunately, with many of the plazas, bike parking decisions are made at higher levels than any one business owner.