Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

That up to a maximum of $1,300 be used to have two members of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee members and a staff member attend the conference.

Whereas CPAC has a primary responsibility to advise council about matters of safety for pedestrians and cyclists; and, Cycling & Pedestrian Advisory Committee February 15, 2018 Page 7 of 9 Whereas CPAC has examined several road widening projects planned for the Markham neighborhoods; and, Whereas six lane roads are rated at 60 km/ hour, with it not uncommon for motorists to drive down wide arterials at speeds exceeding 80 km/hour; and, Whereas Markham is designed without a fine grid, so there are long distances between intersections, making it common for pedestrians to illegally walk across the roads midblock; and, Whereas a substantial body of research disputes the efficacy of street widening as a solution to congestion; and, Whereas road widening projects in established Markham neighbourhoods cannot accommodate 6 lanes, dedicated cycle paths, and pedestrian walkways on both sides of the road- the compromises made sacrifice Markhams’ stated goals of encouraging active transportation by providing safe and pleasant paths for all users; and, Whereas HOV and dedicated bus-ways do little to reduce congestion. Other, less capital intensive measures are more productive in encouraging the use of public transportation; and Therefore be it resolved that CPAC recommends to Markham Council: 1) That Markham city staff notify CPAC at earliest possible stages and solicit input from CPAC on any projects, both city and region driven; and 2) That Markham city council understands that CPAC on