‘Dutch roundabout’ proposed as safe space for cyclists

New intersection would be part of $1M Kitchener plan

KITCHENER — The city of Kitchener is considering installing a new type of roundabout that gives more protection to cyclists.

The so-called “Dutch roundabout” is part of a proposed $1 million investment in improving the city’s cycling infrastructure.

The roundabout at Huron and Strasburg roads would cost $200,000 and be one of the first of its kind in Canada, said Barry Cronkite, Kitchener’s director of transportation services.

In a Dutch roundabout, cyclists ride in their own cycle path that’s separate from cars and pedestrians.

The roundabout is designed “to provide cyclists a safe space to navigate the roundabout and create an area where motorists should expect to see cyclists,” Cronkite said.

“This is a fairly minor, yet very important, change to a roundabout that’s pre-existing and shouldn’t require much (if any) adjustment by users to figure out how to navigate the new design. But again, it highlights the city’s desire to provide safe facilities for all road users.

Emily Slofstra of CycleWR welcomes the new Dutch design, saying it will make it easier for cyclists to navigate.

But she cautioned, “it could still be hazardous to cyclists if they don’t take things like speed limits into consideration. If drivers are able to go into the roundabout at 60 (km/h) it’s not going to be safe. It’s much easier to yield if you’re going 30 than if you’re going 60.”

The roundabout is part of the capital budget councillors will be considering at a Jan. 14 meeting.

According to a report on the project, “it will be one of the first of its kind in Canada and will set the stage to determine if the design is feasible at other locations throughout Waterloo Region.”

The city chose that intersection because multi-use trails feed into the roundabout along both roads, and it’s close to Huron Heights Secondary School.

Cycling investments are one of four “priority” areas in the 2019 budget that are getting increases in funding beyond inflation.

“It’s a good starting point,” Slofstra said. CycleWR argued during the fall municipal election that cities should spend $7 per resident on cycling infrastructure each year. That would work out to about $1.7 million for Kitchener.

These budget proposals, as well as a plan for a new bridge along the Iron Horse Trail, would amount to an extra $2.5 million, well beyond CycleWR’s target.

She’s hoping to see more spending on cycling, given the city’s plans to update its cycling master plan and Mayor Barry Vrbanovic’s pledge in his inaugural speech to make a minimum grid of protected bike lanes a priority.

Residents and city councillors have made it clear they would like to see the city invest more in cycling and other forms of active transportation, said Ryan Hagey, Kitchener’s director of financial planning.

The changes would separate bike lanes from vehicles with a rubber curb or flexible posts, narrow the driving lanes and improve road crossings for bikes.

“These facilities will calm traffic and make roadways safer in areas where it has traditionally been uncomfortable to cycle and walk,” the budget paper says.

The new lanes will serve as a testing ground for the city, with a report going back to council in two years.

The budget also has $800,000 earmarked to add about five kilometres of protected bike lanes along sections of Belmont, Water Street and Queens Boulevard.

“It really highlights the city’s desire to provide safe facilities for all road users regardless of age, ability or mode of travel,” Cronkite said.

Cyclists have long complained that downtown Kitchener has almost no cycling lanes.

Water Street is one of the few streets downtown with lanes, but they’re often blocked by delivery trucks.

Installing 500 metres of separated lanes “could highlight what additional protection could look like in a high-profile downtown location,” the report says.

The new lanes along Belmont would run for two kilometres and connect to Glasgow Street and the Filsinger Park trail, while lanes on Queens from Westheights Drive to Belmont would run 2.5 kilometres and provide a key link to downtown from the west side of Kitchener that serves three schools, shopping areas, a community centre and highrise apartments.

To make year-round cycling easier, the budget also calls for $300,000 more a year to clear an extra 11 kilometres of on-road bike lanes on city streets with narrow boulevards. The city already plows 93 kilometres of bike lanes.

Councillors will approve the city’s 2019 budget on Feb. 4.