MINUTES — PUBLIC – COMMISSION ON TRANSPORTATION, SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL, AND SAFETY

Bicycle Master Plan — Recommendations

The document "Update of the Bicycle Network Master Plan" was presented to members. This document was transmitted to them prior to the meeting. The presentation aimed to report on the progress of a new cycling vision and to recommend the next actions to be implemented to finalize the 2019-2024 planning.

The presentation was divided into the following sub-themes:

• Contextualization;
• Finalization of the 2019-2024 planning;
• Towards a new cycling vision;
• Recommendations.

The presentation prompted the following comments, questions, or clarifications:

• It would be interesting to track the progress of cycling links related to real estate developer projects. It was clarified that, within the framework of real estate projects approved and executed by partners, an agreement regarding municipal works requires them to build cycling links. However, a delay may occur between the time the municipal council approves these links and their completion. In doing so, it would be possible, as a first step, to take stock of what has been approved.
• Members are satisfied with the vision of the structuring active network. Is it possible to add signal requests to the on-street cycling network? It was noted that this is part of the set of measures that will be considered to consolidate the structuring active network.
• In response to a question about detour management, it was indicated that detour plans are approved by the City. The standardized specifications require taking into account all active modes of travel (automobiles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc.) when planning obstructions on the network. However, this does not mean that the plans are followed by contractors. An issue exists regarding the monitoring of obstructions. Awareness-raising must also be done with signage companies.
• Should the plan not take into account the framework for ephemeral developments, especially if they become recurring, so that they are as safe as other paths? The suggestion was noted. Many initiatives in the city center are piloted by other departments. In addition to the re-edition of the pilot project on rue Eddy, another project is planned in Buckingham in partnership with MOBI-O.
• Are the recommendations ranked by order of importance or are they all equivalent? Regarding new cycling links and partner projects, the presentation would gain in precision if the expression "partner support" was modified by terminology denoting a stronger commitment to the realization of the projects. It was indicated that the order of the recommendations follows that of the slide presentation. Without modifying the recommendations, an attempt will be made to reformulate the statements by establishing a more detailed link with the five projects presented. The verb "contribute" is suggested to replace the expression "partner support". Joël Éric Olinga Mebada left the meeting at 5:52 p.m. Quorum was maintained.
• Will the activities for encouragement, education, and cycling supervision take into consideration the fact that nearly 1/5 of Gatineau's population is made up of immigrants? It was specified that the partners MOBI-O and Rack à bécik (RAB) have training specifically dedicated to particular clienteles, including immigrant women. The Ville de Gatineau also has the Vélosympathique certification which includes such considerations.
• A request was made to pay particular attention to access for people in wheelchairs as well as speed on bike paths. It was indicated that, with the exception of rue Laurier, the paths or trails in Gatineau are multifunctional or multipurpose. All users of active transport or micromobility have access to them. Speed is limited there.
• The Limbour district has many cyclists wishing to travel to work in the city center or to Ottawa. Although a reserved cycling link will be built on the pont Alonzo-Wright when it is widened, there is currently no left-turn bike lane on boulevard Saint-Joseph at the exit of the bridge. This link existed in the old master plan; it is no longer there now. A request was made to study the possibility of adding this link to the next master plan. It was indicated that everything related to the approaches to the pont Alonzo-Wright falls under the ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD). There are challenges on this issue with the MTMD. A follow-up will be done to find out the status of the following elements:

1. The cycling link that may have been approved as part of an agreement regarding municipal works;
2. The possible construction of the phase 3 buildings of the Vieux-Port project which could explain why the bike path is not yet completed.

All members are in favor of the suggested recommendations with the clarifications regarding partner projects.

CTDDS-2024-03

The Commission on Transport, Sustainable Travel and Safety, during its regular meeting of May 30, 2024, recommends that the municipal council:

• Continue the development of the last cycling links provided for in the Bicycle Network Master Plan for the 2019-2024 period;
• Accelerate the repair of existing cycling links;
• Carry out the improvement of the identified priority cycling links.

Proposed by Laura Darche Seconded by Edmond Leclerc Recommended

CTDDS-2024-04

The Commission on Transport, Sustainable Travel and Safety, during its regular meeting of May 30, 2024, recommends that the municipal council:

• Continue other investments in the cycling environment;
• Enhance resources dedicated to encouragement, education, and cycling supervision;
• Continue the general planning of the development of the cycling network;
• Mandate the Service de la mobilité to study the establishment of a utility cycling network.

Proposed by Laura Darche Seconded by Edmond Leclerc Recommended

Road Safety Intervention Plan — Recommendation

The document "Road Safety Intervention Plan" was presented to members. This document was transmitted to them prior to the meeting. The objective of the presentation was to recommend the Road Safety Intervention Plan for the Ville de Gatineau.

The presentation was divided into the following sub-themes:

• Contextualization;
• Findings and issues;
• Potential solutions;
• Action plan;
• Timeline;
• Recommendations.

The presentation prompted the following comments, questions, or clarifications:

• The fragility of the network and the need to improve it for active transport users were deemed worrying. The issue of collisions occurring along the Rapibus corridor is often discussed at the board of directors of the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO).
• The findings presented do not state that the widening of vehicles is problematic for the safety of more vulnerable users. This aspect should be corrected in the presentation. Most of the generic solutions proposed are aimed primarily at vulnerable users. By having very few solutions that address vehicles, the burden is placed on the latter and not on the causes of collisions and road safety issues. It was indicated that vehicle width did not emerge in the report or in the analyses made by the consultant for the Road Safety Intervention Plan. However, this does not mean that it is not a problem. The suggestion was noted and will be brought to the consultant's attention. Many potential solutions are aimed at both vulnerable users and vehicles (awareness campaigns on the use of active modes and harmonious cohabitation of users; implementation of a Vision Zéro type road safety strategy, etc.). The goal is to secure active modes of travel by creating safe, user-friendly, and comfortable infrastructure.

All members are in favor of the suggested recommendations.

CTDDS-2024-05

The Commission on Transport, Sustainable Travel and Safety, during its regular meeting of May 30, 2024, recommends that the municipal council:

• Recommend the transmission of the Road Safety Intervention Plan (PISR), preliminary final, to the ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD) for its acceptance.

Proposed by Caroline Murray Seconded by Émilie Rachiele-Tremblay Recommended

4-Season Network — Recommendations

The document "2024-2025 4-Season Cycling Network" was presented to members. This document was transmitted to them prior to the meeting. The objective of the presentation was to present a summary report of the 2023-2024 4-Season Cycling Network and to obtain recommendations for the 2024-2025 4-season network.

The presentation was divided into the following sub-themes:

• 2023-2024 Report;
• 2024-2025 Proposals.

The presentation prompted the following comments, questions, or clarifications:

• The ambition of the proposed recommendations was welcomed. Everything is well distributed across the city's territory. The sentier de la Lièvre Ouest — Phase 1 will be inaugurated in the coming days. Is it possible to add it to the snow removal plan? It was specified that the call for tenders was launched in April and it was too late to solicit funding from the municipal council for this purpose. The trail will be put on the list of analyses to be carried out.
• The groomed trails (lac et ruisseau Leamy and part of the sentier des Voyageurs) are used by cyclists and cross-country skiers. Shared practice of these activities is not easy on them. Could this question be examined? It was indicated that these trails are not under municipal jurisdiction since they belong to the National Capital Commission (NCC). The agreement for their maintenance by the City has expired. Although this question could be addressed with the NCC, it was specified that the latter has a recreational focus for these trails.
• The sentier du Vallon has been cleared of snow for several years by the Association des résidents de Limbour. The section currently proposed is a recreational trail that does not allow travel towards the center of Gatineau. What explains the change in the snow removal route? We would also like to see solutions for bike lanes along streets, particularly on chemin Lucerne. Salt damages bicycles and snow is pushed into the bike lane. As for the sentier du Vallon, it was explained that the Service des travaux publics launched the call for tenders in April. We will see if anything can be done regarding the awarding of contracts and if terms allow for a solution to be proposed. Everything will depend on the estimated costs. Furthermore, several small trails will be cleared of snow and will allow for connectivity. With regard to the bike lanes on chemin Lucerne, a solution would be to have the machinery go out again to remove some ice on the bike lane. Another solution would be for the NCC to accept the snow removal of the sentier des Voyageurs. However, members raised environmental issues regarding this suggestion.
• Why are street shoulders presented as suggested routes on the map? Is it possible to protect the bike lane on chemin Lucerne? Regarding the suggested routes, it was indicated that cyclists can travel everywhere except on highways. We will see if we can reconsider the elements indicated on the map. There is no plan to protect the bike lane on chemin Lucerne. The suggestion was noted and it could be examined after the finalization of the 2019-2024 plan.

CTDDS-2024-06

The Commission on Transport, Sustainable Travel and Safety, during its regular meeting of May 30, 2024, recommends that the municipal council:

• Accept the proposal to integrate the 6.3 km of cycling links presented into the maintenance plan by the Service des travaux publics;
• Resume maintenance of the sentier du Vallon between rue des Érables and rue de Cannes.

In preparation for the 2025-2026 winter, mandate the Service de la mobilité to:

• Continue efforts to develop the 4-season network on dedicated tracks;
• Continue discussions with the NCC in order to integrate certain sections of the sentier de la capitale into the 4-season network;
• Analyze the possibility of accelerating the snow blowing of certain priority bike lanes.

Proposed by Edmond Leclerc Seconded by Émilie Rachiele-Tremblay Recommended