MINUTES — PUBLIC — COMMISSION ON TRANSPORTATION, SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY AND SAFETY

VivaCité Corridors: Evolutionary and Permanent Implementation Methods — Information

The document Mode de réalisation des projets cyclables structurants (Implementation methods for structuring cycling projects) is presented at the meeting. A copy will be sent to members after the meeting. The objective of the presentation is to share experiences related to the different implementation methods for structuring cycling projects by the VivaCité team of the Ville de Québec.

The Chair mentions that she proposed an amendment to the recommendation formulated last May by the CTDDS regarding the Plan directeur du réseau cyclable (Cycling Network Master Plan) in order to consider transitional cycling facilities. The idea is to carry out work in an evolutionary or transitional manner even when more complex or substantial work is planned.

The presentation is broken down into the following sub-themes:

• Summary portrait of the cities of Gatineau and Quebec;
• A thoughtful cycling network;
• VivaCité corridors: why and for whom;
• Two types of development:
  • Evolutionary development;
  • Permanent development;
• The challenges of "new" mobility projects;
• Governance and implementation method;
• Conclusion.

The VivaCité team was born from a vision of active mobility at the Ville de Québec. Working on different types of mobility, it aims to offer the population means of travel via active mobility to places of interest in the city, in all seasons. From a cycling perspective, this means linking the entire cycling network as well as the realization and implementation of cycling infrastructure with a high level of comfort and service. The goal is to develop a network of 150 kilometers over the next ten years at an annual pace of 15 kilometers.

A VivaCité corridor is cycling infrastructure of sufficient width to allow for passing or cycling side-by-side. This infrastructure has a distinct and strong visual identity. It is generally separated from automobile traffic to facilitate its use throughout the seasons. It is therefore adapted for snow removal. By using the main mobility axes, it allows for direct, efficient, and fast access to the city's various places of interest. Complementary to this, it strengthens the existing local network.

Two types of development are used for the realization of cycling corridors, namely:

• Evolutionary: a fast and inexpensive way to implement a cycling link through work mainly carried out by the city (addition of street furniture, installation of bollards, ground markings, traffic light modifications, simple geometric redevelopments, etc.);
• Permanent: major reconstruction work (underground or surface) carried out by external companies.

The realization of new projects involves challenges such as: social acceptability, climate change, changes induced by the developments, the ways of doing things or how services are rendered to citizens, complexity of projects (restricted public right-of-way, parking, etc.), waste collection, maintenance and snow removal, etc.

To be able to realize VivaCité corridors and ensure their rapid deployment, a multidisciplinary team was created. The latter reports to the general management rather than a single administrative unit. Composed of thirteen resources, its mandate is to plan, design, and carry out the projects. A public consultation process accompanies the realization of the projects. All citizens are invited to comment on the projects via a questionnaire. Exchange workshops on the proposed development may follow this process. All inputs are used to improve the development plans.

At the end of the process, a public information session is held to present the project. Conditions must be met to promote the success of the projects such as: political support as well as support from general management; strong organizational adherence regarding the prioritization of projects; clear orientation; a dedicated multidisciplinary team relying on agile internal partners able to make changes to operational modes; a governance committee allowing the participation of external partners; various means promoting public participation; evaluation and data collection to measure the impact of the projects; acceptance of the evolutionary aspect of the projects and their possible subsequent improvements.

Pilot Project — Secure Bicycle Lockers – Analysis and Reflection/Recommendation

A revised version of the document Projet pilote de casiers à vélo sécurisé — Vélo-Transit (Secure bike locker pilot project — Vélo-Transit) was sent to members before the meeting. The objectives of the presentation are to: unveil the analyses concerning the Vélo-Transit secure bike locker pilot project, and make recommendations for the continuation of the project.

Since July 2022, the pilot project has been carried out with the supplier Vélo-Transit and the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO). The current agreement ends on November 30, 2024. The objective is to offer secure bicycle parking in a context where bicycles, particularly electric-assist bicycles (EABs), are expanding rapidly. Three modules provide six storage lockers. The STO purchased a 4th module in June 2023, the rental of which ends in June 2025.

The project was two-thirds funded by Vélo-Transit and the ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation. The other third is funded by the Ville de Gatineau and the STO. All modules cost $64,237, taxes included. The City's share amounts to $25,266, taxes included.

Following the realization and evaluation of the pilot project, findings can be drawn:

• Users of secure lockers are few, but generally satisfied with the service offered;
• Numerous technical problems occurred throughout the pilot project;
• The lockers seem to meet a need, particularly for owners of EABs;
• Businesses and workplaces seem to be the places to prioritize for offering secure lockers: these should not necessarily be funded by the City;
• Data show that the lockers are underutilized: average use of the six-locker modules was between one and thirty-four uses per month;
• The locker at the Maison du citoyen was the most used in Gatineau. The highest demand was observed in May 2024 with an average utilization rate of 40%;
• The Vélo-Transit application is evolving, but it still experiences technological glitches;
• The lack of data since July 2024 does not allow for evaluating recent use of the lockers;
• Purchase and rental costs are high; the budgets required to maintain or expand the project are significant;
• According to users, usage costs must be minimal. It does not appear judicious to fund the lockers through high rental costs;
• The STO has not decided on its intention to continue or not the project beyond June 2025;
• The pilot project made it possible to target the places where the lockers are most relevant;
• The pilot project made it possible to make this type of parking known to the population;
• A mandate relating to a strategy for bicycle parking is underway with Mobi-O in the context of which orientations and recommendations concerning secure lockers will be developed;
• Regarding municipal offices, particularly the Maison du citoyen, the addition of secure bicycle parking will be evaluated in the context of the Plan de gestion des déplacements (Travel Management Plan).

Recommendation

CONSIDERING THAT the reliability of the Vélo-Transit system has not yet been clearly demonstrated; CONSIDERING THAT the utilization rate of Vélo-Transit lockers seems to be growing, even if it remains relatively low; CONSIDERING THAT the agreement for the rental of 3 modules ends on November 30, 2024, and that of the 4th module in June 2025; CONSIDERING THAT stopping the pilot project at this stage would cause a service disruption; CONSIDERING THAT the City is in favor of an offer adapted to different needs regarding bicycle parking; CONSIDERING THAT the pilot project made it possible to target the places where the lockers are most used and desired;

CTDDS-2024-07

The Commission on Transport, Sustainable Travel and Safety, during its regular meeting of October 24, 2024, recommends to the municipal council to:

• Renew the agreement with Vélo-Transit until November 30, 2025;
• Evaluate the possibility of moving the lockers (at a cost of $375 per locker), continue the evaluation of the project, and improve its promotion;
• Continue the evaluation of alternative secure space options in the context of the bicycle parking strategy underway with Mobi-O;
• Evaluate the addition of secure bicycle parking in municipal buildings according to the recommendations of the Plan de gestion des déplacements for municipal employees;
• Return in September 2025 with a proposal to meet the needs for secure bicycle parking.