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.
