Downtown Cycling Grid

This project has concluded. On Dec 14, 2020 Kitchener City Council approved the downtown cycling grid, connecting the downtown core to adjacent neighbourhoods and regional cycling arteries. Public consultation showed a strong desire for better-connected cycling options downtown and for more people-friendly transportation options. The population in downtown continues to grow at a rapid pace in the downtown and many are looking for greater mode choice. The pandemic has also highlighted the demand for high quality cycling facilities as we adjust to the new norm. A downtown grid was identified as a necessary step in connecting Kitchener’s neighbourhoods together, and the community identified their preference of which streets would receive cycling upgrades in the downtown. Changes were made to the plan as a result of the latest round of communication, including changes to Joseph, Duke, Ontario and Water Streets. 

• Safety Review

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  On Dec 14, 2020, Kitchener City Council approved the Downtown Cycling Network (DCN), connecting the downtown core to adjacent neighbourhoods and broader trail networks. Public consultation showed a strong desire for better-connected cycling routes downtown and for more people-friendly transportation options. The population in downtown continues to grow at a rapid pace in the downtown and many are looking for greater mode choice.

  This four-year construction project introduced cycling infrastructure and street designs that are relatively new to the City of Kitchener, including bidirectional protected bike lanes, bike signals, protected intersections and traffic diversion elements. Given these changes, city staff retained Alta Planning + Design, Canada - Inc (in association with Suzanne Woo, P. Eng). to conduct a third-party safety and operations review and evaluate the DCN cycling infrastructure. This review is intended to help the City make informed decisions when pursuing changes to existing built facilities as well as future designs. This review includes the identification of safety considerations, associated risk levels, and proposed and corrective actions where appropriate.

  Alta concluded: “The City of Kitchener should be proud of the DCN achievement. In general, the design was found to be exemplary, not only through the introduction of current best-practice methods and features, but through taking advantage of existing low-speed-low-volume environments and undertaking robust consultation with operational stakeholders. At the location-specific level, our team did document some areas of limited to moderate concern that could be addressed with the noted short / medium term mitigation strategies and could benefit to greater extent through permanent changes explored when feasible.”

  The full report can be found here on Engage Kitchener.

  City staff has reviewed the recommendations in the report. Based on Alta’s risk assessment and available resources, city staff will be prioritizing the following items for safety improvements:

  • Comprehensive review of signage to reduce visual clutter
  • Improving the crossing of Benton Street/Church Street intersection, in cooperation with the Region of Waterloo
  • Installation of pavement markings and flex stakes at Ontario St/Charles St intersection and begin developing design options for potential civil changes to improve northwest quadrant conflict
  • Upgrades to the Chapel St/Simeon St diverter, including flex stake adjustments and sightline improvements relating to parking restrictions
  • Pavement markings and flex stakes installation to reinforce guidance along the one-way vehicle lane on Ontario Street
  • Pavement markings and flex stakes installation to further highlight driveway conflicts on Cedar Street between Charles Street and Church Street

  A plan for following up on less urgent or long-term improvements has also been made and city staff will continue monitoring those locations in the meantime.

• Construction update: Spring 2024

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  The multi-use pathway on Margaret Street and Otto Street was completed in fall 2023, and has quickly become the busiest section of the Downtown Cycling Grid.

  The final phase of construction is now underway, on key portions of Duke Street, connecting to existing cycling infrastructure on Water Street and Cedar Street, as well as providing access to public transit and the future transit hub. Construction is expected to take until the end of 2024.

  Phase 1: Duke Street from Victoria Street to Water Street

  Work on this stage includes: underground utility relocations within the roadway, new curb and gutter, new roadway asphalt, new driveway ramps, and new 3.0 metre wide bidirectional cycle tracks next to the sidewalk on the south side only. Please note: there will be periodic closures of the separated bike lanes on Water Street to accommodate construction of a new protected intersection.

  Phase 2: Duke Street from Frederick Street to Cedar Street

  Work on this stage includes: underground utility relocations within the roadway, new curb and gutter, new roadway asphalt, new driveway ramps, and new 3.0 metre wide bidirectional cycle tracks next to the sidewalk on the south side only.

  To see the new street design, please see the construction drawings for Duke Street.

  We look forward to wrapping up construction this year and formally celebrating this transformative project in spring 2025!

• Construction update: Spring 2023

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  At the end of 2022, construction was completed on Ontario Street and Cedar Street, marking the halfway point of building the Downtown Cycling Grid. Bike wayfinding was also installed on several routes, with more to come in 2023.

  

  A contract has been awarded for the next stage of construction on Margaret Avenue and Otto Street. This route will fill an important connecting link to the Spurline Trail and several downtown neighbourhoods. Construction will begin in the spring and proceed in three stages:

  • Stage 1 – Margaret Avenue from Victoria St N to Queen St N
    • Work on this stage includes: underground utility relocations within the roadway, new curb and gutter, new roadway asphalt, new driveway ramps, and new 3.0 metre wide bidirectional boulevard multiuse trail for both pedestrians and cyclists on the southwest side only.
  • Stage 2 – Otto Street from Queen St N to Frederick St
    • Work on this stage includes: new curb and gutter, new driveway ramps, and new 3.0 metre wide bidirectional boulevard multiuse trail for both pedestrians and cyclists on the southwest side only.
  • Stage 3 - Margaret Avenue from Victoria Street N to Wellington Street N
    • Work on this stage includes: new 3.0 metre wide bidirectional cycling lane on the existing roadway created by installation of new line markings and precast barriers on southwest side only.

  In addition, under a separate contract, installation of a multi-use trail is planned for Stewart Street (Park Street to end) and Joseph Street (end to Victoria Street) to connect the Downtown Cycling Grid with the Transit Hub Trail and Iron Horse Trail.

  The final stage of construction includes sections of Duke Street and will proceed in 2024.

• Construction update: Spring 2022

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  Construction continues on Kitchener's Downtown Cycling Grid. In 2021, separated bike lanes were installed on Joseph Street and Water Street. Give them a try today! Joseph Street separated bike lanes, now open!

  The following work is scheduled for 2022:

  • Joseph Street & Water Street - remaining pavement markings, bike rack installation, counter installation, minor deficiency repairs
  • Queen Street (Joseph to Church) - separated bike lanes
  • Ontario Street (Joseph to King) - separated bike lanes
  • Cedar Street (Church to Lancaster) - separated bike lanes
  • Lancaster Street & Chapel Street - neighbourhood bikeway traffic diversion
  • Breithaupt Street, Lancaster Street, Chapel Street, Sydney Street, Bedford Road, David Street, Duke Street East, Pandora Avenue, Stirling Lane - neighbourhood bikeway wayfinding

  
  

  To see the design and scope of construction, please review the 2022 Construction Drawings for Ontario Street & Cedar Street or 2022 Construction Drawings for Queen Street. Please note drawings are subject to change as construction develops.

  In addition, under a separate contract, installation of a multi-use trail is planned for Stewart Street (Park Street to end) and Joseph Street (end to Victoria Street) to connect the Downtown Cycling Grid with the Transit Hub Trail and Iron Horse Trail.

  Happy riding!

• Kitchener City Council approves downtown cycling grid

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  Kitchener City Council has approved the downtown cycling grid, connecting the downtown core to adjacent neighbourhoods.

  “This isn’t just about the strong local demand for active transportation,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “This is about planning for the thousands of people moving into the downtown core in the coming years. The record-breaking number of development projects downtown will soon be welcoming many new residents. A healthy mix of transportation options for those residents isn’t a nice-to-have, it is absolutely critical.”

  In total, the grid consists of 10 km of new or upgraded infrastructure:

  • 2.8 km of separated cycling facilities that create a grid of east/west and north/south corridors in and through the downtown.
  • 6.6 km of neighbourhood bikeways that will connect surrounding neighbourhoods to the downtown.
  • A 0.6 km multi-use trail that will help connect the Civic District, Spur Line Trail and Olde Berlin Town neighbourhoods to the downtown.

  Read the full media release.

• Cycling network map

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  Approved cycling routes

• Staff recommendations

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  Kitchener’s strategic plan includes the implementation of a continuous and protected cycling grid that connects adjacent neighbourhoods to the downtown.

  Thank you to the 1,250 residents who provided input during this final phase of consultation. Based on your input and additional analysis, city staff is recommending the installation of a Downtown Cycling Grid with 10 km of safe, comfortable and convenient cycling routes for all ages and abilities, including:

  • 2.8 km of separated bike lanes on Joseph Street (Victoria Street to Queen Street), Ontario Street (Joseph Street to King Street), Cedar Street North (Church Street to Lancaster Street), Duke Street East (Cedar Street to Frederick Street), Duke Street West (Victoria Street to Water Street), Queen Street (Joseph Street to Church Street) and Water Street North (Joseph Street to Weber Street);
  • 6.6 km of neighbourhood bikeways on Breithaupt Street (King Street to Margaret Avenue), Maynard Avenue (Margaret Avenue to Young Street), Chapel Street (East Avenue to Lancaster Street), Lancaster Street (Frederick Street to Weber Street), Church Street (Queen Street to Madison Avenue), Madison Avenue (Church Street to the Iron Horse Trail), Benton Street (Iron Horse Trail to Courtland Avenue), Water Street (Jubilee Drive to Joseph Street), David Street, Stirling Lane, Pandora Street (Stirling Lane to Duke Street), Waverly Road (Gage Avenue to Strange Street), and Duke Street West (Victoria Street to Wellington Road); and
  • 0.6 km of boulevard multi-use trail on Margaret Avenue (Victoria Street to Queen Street) and Otto Street (Queen Street to Frederick Street);

  
  

  A summary of what we heard and changes to the design based on consultations can be found here.

  Report DSD-20-203 Protected Downtown Cycling Grid will be presented to the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee on:

  Monday, December 7, 2020

  9:30 a.m.

  Virtual Meeting

  You may appear at that time as a delegate either for or against the recommendations in this report. To register as a delegate, click here, or contact Dianna Saunderson of our City Clerks Department at 519-741-2200, extension 7277 or dianna.saunderson@kitchener.ca by the end of Friday, December 4, 2020.

  
  

• Key design changes from consultations

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  Following analysis of all comments, staff identified several changes to the design of the Downtown Cycling Grid and related actions that can help to address the concerns raised.

  Design change or action item	Rationale
  Change the direction of one-way operation on Duke Street to EB (Frederick towards Cedar).	Improved access to Kitchener Market garage and makes it possible to maintain 3 parking spots next to the Market Lofts.
  Change the direction of one-way operation on Joseph Street to WB (Ontario towards Victoria).	Limit potential spill-over to side streets in Victoria Park.
  Add parking on Francis Street and Hall’s Lane. Improve wayfinding to parking everywhere, and especially to Bell Lane.	Add up to 10 spaces to compensate for 24 lost spaces. Wayfinding signs would improve awareness of 15 spaces recently added on Bell Lane.
  Change the traffic diversion at Samuel/Chapel to a no-straight NB.	Maintain direct access from Frederick to businesses on Samuel Street while still discouraging NB traffic displaced from Lancaster. Makes for an easier cyclist transition from future neighbourhood on Samuel Street to Chapel Street bikeway.
  Remove parking on Margaret Avenue between Queen Street and Maynard Avenue.	Makes it possible to build a 3.0 m wide trail in a way that eliminates front yard impacts and reduces tree loss to one.
  Remove Water Street cul-de-sac from scope of this project and defer to a future phase.	Conduct further analysis and community engagement for a possible future phase project.
  Remove Ontario Street separated bike lanes from King Street to Duke Street from scope of this project and defer to a future phase.	Conduct further analysis and business engagement to determine if a better supported solution can be found.
  Install a series of bike counters.	Measure ridership over time to justify the use of continued cycling infrastructure investment.
  Share the final traffic study publicly.	Study has been uploaded to website to show the methodology behind the conclusion that existing vehicle capacity exists on adjacent roads.

• Water Street

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• Joseph Street

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