Key design changes from consultations

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.

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.