Mark your calendars - May 13th - Feedback on the Active transportation network
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Here is our opportunity to have our voices heard! Engagement session for the active transportation network has been scheduled.
Mark your calendars Tuesday, May 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, in the Kia Lounge at the Sandman Centre.
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Anyone know what the bike parking is like at the Sandman?
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Not sure how busy it's going to be but if I can get someone's ear at the Transportation Dept here are a few of the things I'll be talking about, feel free to use:
- The importance of a connected network spanning east/west and north/south (vs patchwork approach eg 6th Ave)
- Separated walking (3-5 kph) & cycling/e-scooter infrastructure (20-30 kph) vs shared paths especially in busy areas eg downtown & Seymour redesign
- Encourage use of "quick build" paths for separated network especially around schools
- Build the TRU AT bridge that has been studied since 2012
https://www.castanetkamloops.net/news/Kamloops/505117/University-says-it-now-supports-City-of-Kamloops-desired-location-for-proposed-10M-overpass
I know the city is concerned with budget right now but afaik they already put aside $5 million for the TRU bridge and it's a 50/50 cost split with the uni. Getting 15,000 students connected to the nascent Kamloops bike network would be a huge win.
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I posted the following on Let's Talk. I hope people will flood Let's Talk with feedback - Purvez says they are going to integrate public feedback into the plan presented to Council...
Nice to see an updated plan making progress through the process.
I am concerned that the plan does not identify needed upgrades to current infrastructure (a financially responsible approach), but instead proposes a high number of new MUPs, which tend to be unsatisfying to both pedestrians and cyclists due to speed differentials, as well as costly to build. Valleyview Drive is a good example of a currently functional, but unprotected cycleway that would be comfortable for innumerable new users if simple mode separation was installed. The plan instead proposes a new MUP. A similar approach (pop-up protection) could be done on Summit, Hugh Allen, and Parkcrest at low cost, but with large benefit.
The proposed MUP along Fortune Dr. does not add to the network, as Schubert is already a good route, and is only a block away. Money to build a Fortune MUP could instead be used to improve Schubert to allow cyclists and pedestrians to not have to share the same space. Similarly, upgrades to the Fleetwood route to prioritize cycling would be substantially more feasible than trying to fund construction of a MUP along Parkcrest.
The plan does not facilitate easy access to Tranquille corridor, and only marginally improves access to the Columbia business centre.
The route to connect Dallas/Barnhartvale to Valleyview is not deemed to be a priority in the plan, leaving those residents cut off from the rest of the City for years to come.
In the context of difficult funding choices facing the City, and an entirely inadequate AT budget, a focus on affordable upgrades to our current out-of-date infrastructure and a prioritization of improving connections between those facilities would be a welcome direction, in contrast to this aspirational, but seemingly unaffordable plan.
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Hi Trent,
when you say you used 'Let's Talk,' was that under the 'Ask a Question' option on the Active Transportation page? I don't see this there.
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Found it. I added ..
First, don't put in an MUP where an existing painted bike lane already exists (e.g., Valleyview). Go with the 'quick build' option that city Councillors liked that use curb barriers. Aside from the cyclist/pedestrian issues, moving cyclists further from the street encourages drivers to make right hand turns across the paths of cyclists at every cross street (signs indicating cyclists have right-of-way are good but drivers don't notice them). An MUP makes every intersection more dangerous. Where ever there is currently a painted bike lane, we need curb edging (quick build). Usage will greatly increase.
Second, when you get to the stage where you might be ready to draw up blueprints, check with cyclists (e.g., Kamloops Cycling Coalition) about the details. We USE these streets everyday and know the details and hazards. A check at this stage could improve safety by an order of magnitude (e.g., McGill/Columbia intersection ... current plan fails to address a major hazard and barrier to use that could be fixed with 50m project extension to the Frontage road accessing Starbucks).
Third, the AT gap between the Notre Dame/Summit intersection and McGill is a major barrier for AT access from Upper Sahali/Aberdeen to TRU.
Fourth, think about access to shopping so that AT can be used for more than just commuting.
Fifth, the need for AT access between ValleyView and Dallas is huge. A cyclist was killed just a few years ago using the highway to bridge this gap but all cyclists and pedestrians have absolutely no choice but to use the highway shoulder. I use this when I cycle out east and don't recommend it for anyone without experience.
Sixth, don't build a new MUP where a parallel residential/quiet road is readily accessible. e.g., Fortune vs Shubert. Take advantage of adjacent residential/quiet roads. Just add traffic calming such as speed bumps or better yet one direction access on each block for vehicles (e.g., St. Paul/Nicola). Residents love one direction access as it reduces traffic on their streets and makes it a joy to cycle. Kids can even play on the streets ... and it has to be cheaper by far.
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You have to go to "City Wide Priorities- Cycling", then on the right of screen there is a "Read and Contribute" button.
@trentsmith said in Mark your calendars - May 13th - Feedback on the Active transportation network:
You have to go to "City Wide Priorities- Cycling", then on the right of screen there is a "Read and Contribute" button.
Took me a minute to find it too, here's the direct link:
Lots of good submissions, keep them coming
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Here's what I posted on the AT feedback page
Thank you for hosting the AT Public Engagement Session on May 13. I heard many productive discussions and I hope to see the feedback integrated into the AT Master Plan.
My major concern is the prioritization framework that produced the current list of 0-10 Year Corridor Projects.
A connected AT network is critical to the success of the Kamloops AT Plan. Without connected routes between neighbourhoods and destinations, the city's stated goal of encouraging mode switching to AT will not be achieved.
Currently there is no AT connection through downtown between the North and South Kamloops AT networks. The 1st Ave & 2nd Ave projects should be top priority to connect St Paul St to Lorne St and Uji Way and the Overlanders Bridge. In addition, a counter should be installed on the path to the Overlanders Bridge to start measuring AT traffic on this critical network connection. Only what is measured can be improved.
There are many examples of the latent demand for connected cycling networks in urban areas. Nearly 20% of urban dwellers are now non-drivers and the number is rising. Non-car-dependent neighbourhoods are some of the most desirable places to live in all of Canada. Penticton is completing the last segment of their protected Lake to Lake Bikeway and has seen 20-30% annual growth in ridership, with 120,000 rides counted in 2024. Kelowna now has 300 kilometres of on-street bike lanes and 40 km of separated paved multi-use paths, and recorded 2.7 million bicycle trips across their dozens of bike counters in 2024. I lived in Vancouver's West End before and after the construction of the cycle network, and saw an explosion of cycling, normalized as a regular mode of transportation by people that do not identify as cyclists. Sadly, Kamloops is falling behind similar cities despite our excellent weather that allows AT travel nearly year-round.
With that in mind, I strongly believe that the following should be AT Plan priorities in the next 5 years:
- The establishment of a Major Route Network, one North-South and one East-West - an AT backbone between all areas designated urban in the OCP and Transit Oriented Development Areas, fully connected with no gaps, safe intersections, and clear wayfinding. These areas will have the highest density and the largest number of car-free households.
The North-South major route would connect Summit Dr, Xget'tem Trail, 6th Ave, St Paul St, 2nd Ave to Victoria St to 1st Ave, Lorne St, Uji Way, Rivers Trail to Overlanders Bridge, Schubert Dr, Westsyde Rd with no gaps.
The East-West major route would connect TRU (via the much awaited TRU AT bridge for 15,000 students), Dalgleish Dr, St Paul St, Nicola St, Valleyview Dr, Gala Dr (to Dallas Dr as soon as possible), with no gaps.
This Major Route backbone could be built quickly for minimal cost (compared to car infrastructure) using quick build methods such as curbs, modal filters, and paint, and would immediately create a highly visible, connected network with new and existing spur routes branching off.
As others have pointed out, MUPs are not appropriate in busy areas such as downtown, Riverside, or Schubert Dr. Mixing bicycles/e-bikes/e-scooters at 20-30 kph and pedestrians at 3-5 kph (including small children, the elderly, mobility device users, and dogs) guarantees conflict and does not show consideration for any AT users, considering the amount of space and investment given to motor vehicles.
- The connection of schools and shopping destinations to the Major Route Network.
The state of AT infrastructure connecting Kamloops schools is severely lacking. TRU desperately needs the AT bridge to Dalgleish Dr, Valleyview Secondary has an unprotected painted bike lane that drivers regularly drift into or park on (and Glenwood Drive has no sidewalks or bike lanes at all), the York/Lethbridge/Fleetwood cycling route (which passes 4, soon to be 5 schools) is in mostly terrible condition with many dangerous intersections. Residents complain about school traffic endlessly, but there are few other options. Normalizing AT at a young age creates habits that last a lifetime. Would you let your child ride to school on any of these routes?
While most existing shopping centre designs are rather hostile to AT users, AT routes to malls and shopping centers - especially the Northills and Valleyview Shopping Centres that are in or near Transit Oriented Development Areas - should be connected to the AT network as soon as possible.
Kamloops is growing very quickly and the establishment of a highly visible Major Route AT network backbone will both make Kamloops a more desirable, healthy, and quiet place to live, and encourage new residents to use AT as their primary transportation. The easiest and cheapest time to build the AT network is today.
