Correspondence from Mrs. Linda Jeaurond re: Active Transportation Network Plan Presentation

Re ATNP

The importance of active transportation cannot be underestimated: The 2022 Saanich Climate Plan Annual Report Card states “Transportation remains the highest source of community wide GHG emissions, majority of which are from personal vehicles” (Page 3 https://saanich.ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=732&meta_id=55166 )

The View Royal Climate Coalition would like to bring the following concerns to your attention as you review the View Royal draft ATNP:

Accessibility

We do not feel the draft ATNP should be considered complete until the new provincially mandated Municipal Accessibility Committee has been consulted.

The lack of FN Consultation and Agreement

Equity

Support for all four active transportation networks is missing - ATNP’s singular focus on cycling comes at the expense of transit, sidewalk and trail users.

Disconnect

If this draft was a true reflection of the baseline discoveries, lower neighbourhood speed limits would be recommended.

Fiscal reality

The estimated cost of this plan is more than $11m. Furthermore, items with significant costs are not specifically broken down.

Bi-directional cycle paths

Increase conflict with transit users, particularly the elderly and visually impaired. Increase danger at intersections and driveways. Impractically conflict with regional choices: cyclists would have to cross roadway when crossing municipal borders. Remove tree canopy, eg Admirals Rd to rail trestle underpass - all sidewalk shading boulevard trees would have to be cut down.

Floating bus stop islands

VRCC believes floating bus stop islands to be a transit deterrent, however we were given the impression at the ATNP open house that BC Transit supports them.

For clarification we contacted bus drivers directly and spoke with Luke Hill, Vice President UNIFOR333BC and a member of the operators Health and Safety committee. Mr Hill advised VRCC that bus drivers dislike floating bus islands, and added BC Transit did not consult them on this subject.

Student safety

Lack of support for crossing guards, a key active transportation support formally identified by VR, the CRD and parents during the Ready Step Roll planning process, is missing from the draft.

Despite this absence, the Ready Step Roll planning initiative was prominently promoted at the ATNP open house.

In addition to addressing the above concerns, please consider the following:

Lower speed limit on Island Hwy to 40 and rename this non-highway Craigflower Road.

Prioritise safety; spread funding as broadly as possible

• install curb plunk cycle lanes on Admirals.
• convert all sweeping right turns throughout the town to hard rights.
• fill trail ruts, install handrails, build steps rather than gravel slopes.

Helmcken overpass has sufficient cycling lanes but MOTI, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure should work with VR to address cycling lanes that cross the on/off ramps, and widen sidewalks as necessary.

Require Bus stop shelters at all stops, secure bike storage at major bus stops. Top Priority: sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the roadway along bus routes.

Include costing to implement a Five Year Sidewalk Masterplan. We need sidewalks on Watkiss Way, 6 Mile, and Admirals. Also need to focus on Hospital Trail, budget and negotiations.

Lobby the CRD to separate cyclists and pedestrians on the Galloping Goose and E&N Trail: create cycle highways that don’t negatively impact pedestrians, or transit users. Improve access points to these important regional trails.

Consider rising temperatures: include necessary amenities in an app - seating, water fountains, shade, cooling, 110 outlet for mobility charging.

In summary, we question the effectiveness of the draft ATNP and respectfully request that council receive it tonight but delay approval until it meets all our collective needs. We see no point in adopting an unbalanced, flawed plan, even if it does mean View Royal risks losing the funding.

Thank you, Cathie Blanchard, Ian Brown, Jane Devonshire, Linda Jeaurond. For View Royal Climate Coalition, VRCC