Item 9.2 - Attachment 1 |
Minutes of the
Parramatta Cycleways Committee 23 November 2010 |
MINUTES OF THE PARRAMATTA CYCLEWAYS COMMITTEE HELD IN ROOM B, LEVEL 2,
COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUILDING, PARRAMATTA ON TUESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2010 AT 6.05 PM
PRESENT
Peter Dixson, Peter Gilbert, Michael Goard, John Holstein, Pam Kendrick, Ian Macindoe Katherine Stone.
IN ATTENDANCE
Myfanwy Lawrence (Project Officer-
1) Welcome and Introductions
The Chair Person, John Holstein welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2) Apologies
Apologies were received and noted from Richard Birdsey,
3) Conformation of
Previous Minutes
A copy of the Minutes of the Cycleways Advisory Committee meeting held on 3 August 2010 had previously been forwarded to each member.
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cycleways Advisory Committee held on 3 August 2010 be taken as read and confirmed with the following amendment:-
Peter Dixson wanted his concern regarding the
4) Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no declarations of interest for this meeting.
5) Cycleway Projects
2010/2011
The tender went to Council on Monday 22 November and was accepted with staff recommendations and should be completed by June 2011. The project has taken so long to complete because of the extensive investigation and approvals needed due to the salt marshes and mangroves.
Peter Dixon requested a copy of the Environmental Assessment.
PVC Section
The tender was assessed last week and will be going to Council on 13 December 2010. The works should be complete by March 2011.
PVC Section 23 Park to
The project has State, Federal and RTA funding and is
nearing completion. The opening should be before or after Christmas. John Holstein
noted that the logos on
PVC Section 22
Pike to
Investigations are to be carried out this financial year and
construction to be in next financial year.
City Centre cycle routes –
This project is to improve the access through
Several blocks have already been completed. The remainder
will be completed when works can be carried out.
John Holstein commended Parramatta City Council for the work
carried out at
City Centre Bike Parking
8 new racks have been installed outside of the Parramatta
City Council Administration Officers on
Cycleway Maintenance
Council intends to select one route from each of the three propellers up to maintain to the correct standard with appropriate lines and signs.
Cycle Training
The last of the initial RTA training courses will be on Sunday 28 November 2010. All 2010 training courses have been sold out. The RTA has also given Parramatta City Council additional vouchers for 4 dates in 2011.
John Holstein noted that someone he knew had attended a session and that it was a beginner’s course and that maybe an intermediate course might be beneficial.
Bike Racks as Art
The entries have closed.. The winners will be announced on 10 December 2010.
6. Future Direction of the Committee
The Committee discussed the future direction of the committee and ideas for the committee’s focus in 2011. Main Points from discussion were -
· The committee has been very reactive and not been very proactive.
· Should be prioritising and engaging more with Councillors.
· Meetings used to be more proactive but didn’t have direction
· The committee should be participating in the early stages of the design not just commenting after the process has already happened
· More participation is needed more ‘bums on saddles’, more infrastructure
· Need to actively encourage people to use bikes
· In Melbourne there is a big bike culture – also wider roads, flat terrain and cooperative drives
· Driver education programs
· The perception that bikes are dangerous so there needs to be more infrastructure to encourage riders.
· The adult training is encouraging and needs follow-up.
· On site meetings so that people can see problems rather than try to explain
· Parramatta Councils has a budget for cycle maintenance. – needs a proper cycle audit. (maybe carried out by Committee with a consultant leading)
· The committee is in a position to advocate where staff can’t
· Can push for the ‘cutting edge’ and best practice
· Develop and review policy
· Engage with the public
· There is only 2 years left of the current council term
· Most council funding comes from Section 94 Contributions and these are in 2 sections (City Centre and Other) the Sec94 funds not have a lot left and the City Centre funding is very restrictive and has to fund all types of transport related projects.
· Suggest more proactive agenda items
· The committee engages and represents with people who already cycle – need to reach non cyclists
· ‘Target’ areas that are easy to cycle to i.e. Harris Park, Granville.
· Articles in community news letters etc
· Need to ID people who have bikes and don’t use them. Organise rides and a reward (free maintenance of bike) afterwards.
· Granville and Harris Park have lots of new migrants that consider cars to be status symbols. Education regarding the environmental benefits of bikes
· Possible to apply for a Environmental Education Grant – the committee could take the lead on such a project
· That Council officers follow up on the Adult Cycle Training – especially in regard to the change in behaviour (email sent out in January asking about behaviour and if interested in further questions)
· Bike North conduct training and send out behaviour surveys after attendance.
· Also look at different training styles and instructors
· The commuter challenge will have post behaviour surveys
· The Residents Panel could be used to ask what would encourage people to use bikes
Actions: Myfanwy Lawrence
to organise a meeting in early February 2011 to workshop ideas and parameters to
apply for an Environmental Trust Education Grant and map out key dates in 2011
: Pan Kendrick to send Myfanwy Lawrence a Bike North survey
RECOMENDATION
(Goard/Kendrick)
That Council carry
out follow up evaluation of the participation of the Adult Cycle Training.
7. BNSW
As Richard Birdsey was not present this item was deferred.
8. RTA mapping
project
The www.mybikeroute.info site maps where rider actually ride (informal and formal routes), what improvements are needed, and any hazards. Once complete GTA will send out assessors to survey what can be improved. The information will hopefully be used to create a similar website to 131500. The website only allows for small pieces sections of route to be entered at a time and is not particularly user friendly. John Holstein noted that it is a very clunky piece of software however
9. Traffic committee
items
There is a proposal to install 4 speed humps on
10. General Business
Harris Park
Peter Dixon expressed concern regarding driver behaviour in Harris Park towards cyclists.
Lack of Council
Support
The committee expressed disappointment that Council did not
go ahead with the proposed cycleway in Camellia. The committee also expressed disappointment
that the
Barnetts Road
The crossing of
M2
The M2 alternate route was discussed.
The meeting closed at 8:04pm