Update (Oct 9th): Clarified our position on Rockway section and added comments for the Fairway section
We write today to voice our perspective on the Rockway Fairway transportation connection project.
This project represents a critical step forward in completing our cycling network. It will forge a vital connection between downtown Kitchener and the Fairway Road area, linking neighborhoods, schools, a community centre, the major shopping mall, and other important amenities.
Currently, cyclists navigating this route face significant risks, particularly along Dixon Street, Eckert Street, and the intersection of Wilson Street and Fairway Road. The proposed project addresses these dangerous sections, and for that, we are incredibly supportive. The City is specifically asking for input on two sections of the overall route. The first is Floral Crescent, from Rockway Drive to Doon Road and the second is on Wilson Avenue between Traynor Avenue and Fairway Road.
We first address the Floral Crescent section with care, as the proposed route goes through the treasured Rockway Gardens along Floral Crescent.
Balancing Progress with Preservation
The Kitchener Horticultural Society has raised some valid concerns regarding the potential impact on garden space, historic features, irrigation systems, and a century-old oak tree. We have met with them to better understand these concerns. The gardens are a jewel in our city, and any plan must prioritize their preservation.
We also note the concerns about losing parking spaces. While we believe that promoting active transportation (including walking and cycling) will naturally reduce parking demand over time, we agree that maintaining a significant number of parking spots is essential for visitors with limited mobility or attendees of events such as weddings and photo-shoots.
The city’s planners have already taken a thoughtful step by discarding Option A (a multi-use path directly beside Floral Crescent), which has the greatest impact on the gardens. After much discussion, we concluded that this was the correct decision.
A Path Forward: People-First Solutions
Option B would make Floral Crescent a sharrow, and implement various traffic calming measures. There would still be no sidewalk beside Floral Crescent. The city has not committed to any specific measures, but has said their target for a neighbourhood bikeway like this is an 85th percentile speed of 30 km/hr or less. The street currently sees only about 700 cars per day, but speeds are unacceptably high for sharing the road with cyclists or pedestrians. The average speed (without traffic calming) in 2022 was 39 km/hr, and the 85th percentile speed was 50 km/hr.
To make Floral Crescent truly safe, the City could transform it into a “people-first” street, borrowing aspects of the Dutch concept of a woonerf (living street). This could involve a combination of:
- Raised crosswalks or raised intersections,
- Pinchpoints,
- Daylighting (reduced street width at intersections),
- Speed bumps,
- Paving stones.
Provided that the City achieves an 85th percentile speed of 30 km/hr or less, Floral Crescent could become a safe and pleasant space for pedestrians, cyclists and cars to share the road, substituting the need for a separate sidewalk that could consume some green space. For the busier section from Preston Street to Rockway Drive, which serves the golf course, a multi-use path (MUP) would still be appropriate.
We support Option B, with the clear proviso that the promised speed reductions are achieved.
While Option C offers the highest degree of safety for cyclists by creating a separated path, it comes with some downsides: it might require moving some lamposts or removing some trees and, being somewhat longer and substantially noisier, cyclists might choose to avoid it. It would be substantially more expensive than Option B, and it would do nothing to improve safety for the many pedestrians who come to Rockway Gardens and walk on Floral Crescent itself. We would support option C if it was paired with the same traffic calming measures for Floral Crescent; however, the City has said their preference is to do Option B or Option C – not both.
Connections to the Fairway station
The City also offered two options on Wilson Avenue between Traynor Avenue and Fairway Road. The choices are between (A) a two way cycle track (cycling only) on the ION station and mall side of the road, and (B) one way cycle tracks on both sides of the road.
CycleWR’s view is that the facility must be two way on the ION station side, at least between The Kingsway and Fairway Road, to allow easy access into and out of the ION/mall entrance in either direction. Except for that one section, unidirectional is preferred, as it is slightly safer and gives access to both sides of the road.
Therefore, we support a hybrid between Option A and Option B: one way from Traynor to the Kingsway, two way on the mall side from The Kingsway to Fairway Road, and (preferably) a one way facility on the “non ION side” from The Kingsway to Fairway Road. If we had to pick one of the two specific options shown, we would choose Option B (bidirectional) because it is bidirectional on the mall side from The Kingsway to Fairway Road – Option A is not.
Our Shared Goal
Our vision is for a city of people-first spaces. We believe it is possible to create a safe cycling connection that not only protects but enhances the beauty, accessibility and safety of Rockway Gardens. By calming traffic and prioritizing people, we can make Floral Crescent a better destination—a place to be enjoyed, not just a thoroughfare.
We invite all members of the public to learn more and share their feedback with the city through the official EngageWR project page.
Let us work together to find a solution that serves all members of our community and preserves the spaces we hold dear.