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TravelWell goals: commission proposes measurable walking/biking targets amid safety concerns
Summary
LiveWell Kingston’s TravelWell discussion centered on proposed objectives to increase walking and bicycling (including a 10% target for average use) and commissioners raised safety, enforcement and coordination concerns that would affect implementation.
Commissioners reviewed a draft TravelWell goal recommending measurable increases in everyday active transportation and discussed safety, partner coordination and how commissioners might take on more tactical roles.
Staff proposed a TravelWell goal to increase walking and bicycling for everyday trips and suggested objective metrics such as a 10% increase in Green Line usage and a 10% rise in the average number of people walking and biking to daily destinations. The staff presentation described existing programs and grant-funded initiatives (for example, greenway activation and CHIS grant-funded pedestrian-safety purchases) that would contribute to those goals.
Multiple commissioners and partners raised safety as a central concern. Speakers noted that engineering, education and enforcement (including police enforcement) are core parts of transportation safety but frequently fall under different departments or advisory bodies. Commissioners recommended clearer roles and stronger liaisons with the Complete Streets Advisory Council, the city’s engineering department, and other partners already working on streetscape and trail safety.
Specific points and next steps: - Proposed metrics: staff suggested objective measures (e.g., 10% increase in Green Line use and 10% increase in walking/biking counts) as possible TravelWell targets; commissioners requested safety-related metrics and equity-focused measures be added. - Safety and partners: Complete Streets, the city engineering team, and the police department were named as partners for engineering and enforcement elements; the CHIS grant was cited as a source for pedestrian-safety materials. - Commissioner roles: Several commissioners volunteered to serve as liaisons to partner groups (Complete Streets, parks and recreation, GrowWell) to bring technical expertise back to the commission and to help conduct on-the-ground outreach and monitoring.
Staff said a future TravelWell meeting will convene to review strategies and partner responsibilities; commissioners asked staff to return with a clearer map of who is doing what and what the commission can reasonably take on without duplicating work done by other groups.
