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

4. Public question period

Michel-Olivier Matte is a cyclist who uses the winter bike lane on boulevard du Plateau in the Hull sector. According to him, this bike lane offers no measures to ensure the safety of cyclists. It frequently happens that they must use the lane reserved for automobiles due to the configuration and obstacles (parking, snow, etc.). The problem is not dependent on snow removal.

He believes a solution would be to clear the entire sentier des Pionniers along boulevard des Allumettières as well as the footbridge located near boulevard des Grives. He asks what the Ville de Gatineau's plans are to provide a safe route for winter cyclists from Aylmer in their travels to other destinations in the city. He congratulates the elected officials on their commitment to winter cycling as well as the snow removal teams for their very good work on the white network.

This issue is known to the Service de la mobilité. The City tries to favor separated tracks since they are safe for cyclists and much easier to maintain. Regarding the mentioned bike lane, scenarios are possible: removing it from the 4-season network next year; removing parking on boulevard du Plateau. A study is underway jointly with the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) for the addition of a reserved lane. In the coming years, the parking lane would be removed, which will simplify winter maintenance. Furthermore, the arrival of the tramway will ensure that the track will be installed at sidewalk level. A study was carried out in connection with the snow removal of the sentier des Pionniers; the footbridge presents issues for the Service des travaux publics (TP), notably a drainage problem leading to the formation of ice. New discussions will take place with the TP to determine if a solution could be found for snow removal.

Cybelle Morin leaves the meeting at 5:39 p.m. The quorum is maintained. Cybelle Morin joins the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

Louis Sabourin, municipal councillor for the Limbour district, wishes for criteria of the Politique de viabilité hivernale (Winter Viability Policy) to be clarified. Although the sentier du Vallon has been integrated into the 4-season network, two segments of it are not cleared of snow. These two segments mean that the track cannot be used. A detailed response was sent to him by email. Follow-ups can be made with the TP regarding the possibility of further clarifying certain criteria.

The other question from Louis Sabourin concerns the map of West Gatineau where a segment seems to be missing on chemin des Érables (south of the future rue du Bic). The map has been corrected. The cycling link on chemin des Érables was present, but in a light gray color on the map. The line is now darker. This link is planned in the extension of rue du Bic. If this extension is not carried out, a decision will be made regarding this link.

The chair mentions that a citizen also asked a question regarding the winter maintenance of the sentier du ruisseau de la Brasserie and the sentier des Voyageurs.

Structural issues forced the closure of the sentier du ruisseau de la Brasserie bridge for a few weeks, which led to a postponement of the maintenance project during the 2024-2025 winter season. Other analyses will have to be carried out over the coming months. The City is hopeful that this trail can be maintained in the winter of 2025-2026. Regarding the sentier des Voyageurs link along boulevard Fournier, the City has communicated this need to the Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN). The latter mentions various reasons for maintaining the winter recreational vocation of the trail: accelerated deterioration caused by machinery, environmental impacts of salts and abrasives, etc. Discussions are continuing with the CCN on this subject. The City is also working to find alternatives to further improve the safety of cyclists, in summer as in winter, on the sentier des Voyageurs.

The chair reminds [the public] to contact 311 for requests.

8. Regulation of electric-assist bicycles and other micromobility equipment — Analysis and reflection

The document Réglementation sur les vélos à assistance électrique et autres équipements de micromobilité (Regulation on electric-assist bicycles and other micromobility equipment) is presented. Members received it before the meeting. The objective of the presentation is to reveal the discrepancies between municipal and provincial regulations regarding the use of various micromobility devices on the territory of the Ville de Gatineau.

Changes to the provincial legislative framework made in 2023 and 2024 allow, under certain conditions, the use on public roads of certain types of electric-assist vehicles. A harmonization of Règlement 300-2006 concerning traffic and parking on the territory of the Ville de Gatineau must be carried out since it regulates the use of certain vehicles on the road, sidewalks, and recreational trails, including assisted vehicles. For now, the disparities between the different regulations complicate the work of police officers.

Règlement 300-2006 defines assisted vehicles as follows: any device other than a road vehicle, electrically propelled or motorized, intended for the transport or handling of natural persons, objects, or goods, with the exception of an electrically propelled wheelchair. These vehicles are permitted on recreational trails. Their use is not permitted in bike lanes. Règlement 300-2006 offers a very general definition of an assisted vehicle and is therefore poorly adapted to the most recent types of assisted vehicles. Some vehicles assisted by an electric motor present safety issues if their use is not well regulated.

The various classifications of assisted vehicles and wheelchairs in provincial regulations are reviewed, namely:

• Assisted bicycles;
• Motorized personal transport devices (including electric scooters) (ATPM);
• Motorized mobility aids (AMM).

Elements are highlighted to make Règlement 300-2006 compliant with provincial regulations, including:

• Replacing the definition of "Assisted vehicle" with several definitions of different devices (assisted bicycle, ATPM, electric scooter);
• Modifying the definition of "Wheelchair" to comply with the provincial definition of AMM;
• Modifying traffic rules in bike lanes to allow certain currently prohibited assisted vehicles;
• Prohibiting the circulation of non-compliant assisted bicycles (with the appearance of a moped or motorcycle) on recreational trails;
• Prohibiting the circulation on recreational trails of motorized mobility aids possessing a cabin.

Other elements are highlighted:

• Organizations prohibit devices according to the risks incurred of injury caused by the speed and weight of the device in the event of an accident;
• Municipal organizations choose to prohibit devices permitted in their province's regulations to promote better cohabitation on their recreational trails;
• Given that the recreational trails of the CCN and the City are interconnected, it seems judicious to establish consistency in the regulation. The CCN will finish a revision of its regulation on its own trails towards the end of the year;
• An update of the regulation will facilitate cohabitation and the control of micromobility devices on our territory.

The presentation gives rise to the following comments, questions, or clarifications:

• The diversity of jurisdiction makes the coordination of this file complex.
• Provincial regulation specifies the definition of assisted bicycles. A device not having functional pedals is considered a motorized vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels with the appearance of a motorcycle or moped and is therefore prohibited from circulating on public roads. The CCN regulation prohibits commercial-type cargo bikes on their trails. Family-type cargo bikes are tolerated there.
• The fact of not allowing the same types of assisted vehicles uniformly everywhere highlights the issues of connectivity to various trails and bike lanes. This could encourage people to take their automobiles.
• Regarding reflections related to the authorization of ATPMs, it would be useful to examine the data related to accidents involving this type of vehicle since they present risks of more serious accidents.
• The layout of bike paths should be reviewed. Widening them would allow for better cohabitation between users. It is important to encourage people to travel by offering them a safe network. The Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) in Québec is planning the addition of five hundred electric-assist bicycles, including the addition of cargo bikes.
• It would be interesting to see the positions of other cities on cargo bikes. An evaluation of the regulations of other cities should appear in the comparative table of the presentation. It is specified that research has revealed no rules or definitions for cargo bikes. These are included in the definition of assisted bicycles.

The following questions or suggestions are noted:

• Allow quadricycles equipped to protect against bad weather and double quadricycles;
• Detail how locomotion disability is measured in the definition of wheelchair;
• Specify what is targeted by the prohibition in the bike lane: electric assistance or the use of the assisted bicycle (even without electric assistance);
• Specify the type of cargo bike permitted (with or without a manufacturer's label);
• Mention the criteria used to define speed levels and to classify the different types of assisted vehicles;
• Does consistency with provincial regulation mean an adoption of the three categories of assisted vehicles or a possibility of including other categories that could be authorized to circulate in the different areas of the city?
• Provincial regulation is good and there is no reason to complicate the regulation. An application as is would perhaps influence the CCN to adopt similar regulation. The revision of municipal Règlement 300-2006 should include the aspect of cohabitation with cyclists and pedestrians.
• To encourage businesses to be greener, commercial cargo bikes will have to be able to circulate on the city's network since they cannot do so on the CCN's.
• The notion of compatibility between different jurisdictions invites further reflection with partners on how to adjust the Ville de Gatineau's regulation, notably to promote potential shared micromobility projects (e.g., bike-sharing project).
• It is important to specify that the presentation reports on an analysis and reflections on the circulation of assisted vehicles outside of public roads. The discrepancies between municipal and provincial regulations mean that vehicles can circulate on public roads but cannot do so in the city's bike lanes. Provincial regulation focuses mainly on the road network. As the manager of the latter, the City must follow the rules enacted regarding public roads in Québec. It can hardly go against them. Furthermore, the revision of the entirety of Règlement 300-2006 is not the objective since it is regularly subject to amendments. Nearly forty-five amendments have been made since 2006. Members can send any request aimed at particular elements of the regulation deemed incomplete to the Service de la mobilité or to 311.
• The invitation is extended to members to remain alert since at the speed at which the electrification of travel modes is going, there could be consultations on a next version of the Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code).

9. Bicycle Master Plan: 2024 review and 2025-2028 planning — Information

The document Plan directeur du réseau cyclable — Bilan 2024 et planification 2025-2028 (Cycling Network Master Plan — 2024 Review and 2025-2028 Planning) is presented. Members received it before the meeting. The objective is to inform about the achievements made in the implementation of the Cycling Network Master Plan in 2024 and the progress of the planning for 2025-2028.

The review drawn up for the year 2024 reports the following achievements:

• 6.6 km of new links added to the cycling network, some of which are located in school corridors;
• 2.7 km of the existing cycling network underwent improvements. This includes securing intersections and destination equipment for bicycle parking;
• 16.9 km added to the maintained trails of the 4-season network. With 145 km of trails maintained in winter, Gatineau ranks 2nd in Québec;
• Pruning activities have resumed; half of the recreational network will be maintained each year;
• Various communication activities contributed to promoting, educating, and supervising cycling among the population;
• The design of a Cycling Development Guide is underway;
• The City renewed the Collectivité Vélosympathique (Bicycle Friendly Community) certification (silver) and obtained the Organisation Vélosympathique (Bicycle Friendly Organization) certification (bronze) for the Maison du Citoyen;
• A new counter was installed at the pont noir (Black Bridge);
• The update of the Cycling Network Master Plan was presented to the municipal council in September 2024.

The confirmation of budgets is underway for the 2025-2028 Cycling Network Master Plan. An envelope of nearly $5M has been granted for the financing of operations and discussions are continuing for the financing of investment budgets.

The presentation document contains three appendices providing details related to the review and the 2025-2028 planning. The City and its partners are congratulated for all the work done.

The presentation gives rise to the following comments, questions, or clarifications:

• Bike lanes are part of the trails maintained in winter.
• Following a comment regarding the frequent snow coverage of bike lanes, it is indicated that these are useful for connecting two multi-purpose paths and thus achieving the objective of expanding the connected network. The 4-season network is relatively recent; the maintenance of bike lanes is evolving well. The City is improving on this plan.
• Action Vélo Outaouais must be included among the partners mentioned in the presentation. The correction will be made to the document.
• The bike lane is sometimes used for winter parking of automobiles. A prohibition on parking there during the winter months would allow for safer travel for cyclists. It is specified that the City is trying to determine if the bike lane will be used year-round or only during the summer season; compromises are sought between the needs of motorists and cyclists. It is a case-by-case basis. Some bike lanes are prioritized following an analysis of needs, including that of the connectivity of the cycling network. The later arrival of snow in winter is a phenomenon that will be documented and will be part of the reflections on this question.
• Once the 2025-2028 planning is finalized, the City will update the Web page containing the detailed maps of the cycling network. It will be easier to see the developments planned in the short, medium, or long term regarding cycling in Gatineau.
• A specific request for cycling and the cycling network can hardly be made to 311. The addition of a cycling and bike path category would facilitate the process. It is indicated that templates are used at the 311 non-urgent call center for processing requests and that there might be a need to clarify these templates.
• Clarifications are requested as to when the Commission will be called upon to share reflections on the update of the 2025-2028 planning (progress made, elements that remain to be done, etc.). It is indicated that the next update will not be done before 2028. The Commission will not be solicited on the prioritization of the links to be finalized over the next four years.