Active Transportation Network Plan - What We Heard Report
A detailed engagement summary report prepared by Watt Consulting Group outlining community feedback on active transportation barriers and priorities.
This document is a "What We Heard Report" for the Town of View Royal's Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP), specifically detailing the results of Phase 1 of community engagement conducted in mid-2022.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
Active Transportation Network Plan
What We Heard Report
August 2022
1.0 OVERVIEW
The Town has requested an Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) to further enhance active transportation networks that are safe, accessible, and convenient for all ages and abilities to support active, healthy lifestyles and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The purpose of this plan is to:
- Document and review existing network and infrastructure conditions and identify gaps and deficiencies within the active transportation network;
- Develop a set of visions and goals to counter these gaps and deficiencies within the network;
- Support implementation of the Community Climate Action Strategy goals; and
- Create an implementation strategy which will guide critical project needs, policies, and educational initiatives for the short-term (5-year horizon) and a longer-term (10-year+ horizon).
1.1 Background
The View Royal Active Transportation Network Plan is being developed in a five-phase process, as shown below:
- Phase 1 – Network Summary & Baseline Conditions Assessment involves reviewing relevant Town policies, existing data, collecting data where gaps exist, assessing existing active transportation conditions, and development of materials that will be utilized throughout the project.
- Phase 2 – Initial Stakeholder and Public Engagement involves online and in-person engagement to understand current active transportation strengths, challenges, and opportunities, while informing and educating the public to shape the overall network vision, direction, and goals.
- Phase 3 – Network Analysis & Preliminary Strategies and Solutions involves identifying potential improvements and detailing the future network and design recommendations.
- Phase 4 – Draft Plan will be developed after receiving feedback from the public, staff, and Council on the draft network options.
- Phase 5 – Plan Finalization will occur and the Final ATNP will be presented to Town Council.
This report summarizes the work completed for the first round of engagement under Phase 2 – Initial Stakeholder and Public Engagement, which took place in June and July 2022. It includes:
- An overview of the engagement activities undertaken to date and who we have heard from;
- A summary of the feedback we have heard from the community so far, including key challenges and opportunities; and
- Key takeaways from the first round of engagement and next steps.
2.0 WHAT WE DID
The View Royal community was invited to share their feedback on barriers, issues, and opportunities surrounding the existing active transportation network. More specifically, the purpose of this first round of engagement was to:
- Introduce the community to the project and increase understanding, awareness, and support of active transportation;
- Obtain specific feedback from the community about barriers and challenges they currently face when using active transportation in View Royal; and
- Generate enthusiasm for the project by asking the community to share their ideas about the opportunities and desired improvements that could be explored through the development of the ATNP to enhance the community’s active transportation network.
A mix of in-person and online engagement activities took place during June and July 2022, including an online survey, ideas fair, and stakeholder interviews. Public engagement opportunities were promoted using the following tools:
- The Town’s project webpage
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter)
- Local media outreach
- Promotional video
- Print and e-newsletter
- Posters around the community
Engagement by the numbers…
- 369 survey responses
- 76 ideas fair participants
- 7 stakeholder interviews
2.1 Online Survey
The online survey was hosted on a survey platform called Alchemer. It was primarily targeted towards View Royal residents and those who work in the Town; however, other members of Greater Victoria were able to provide feedback. The survey was available from June 25 to July 29, 2022. It included several close-ended questions and some open-ended questions intended to better understand the existing barriers, issues, and opportunities surrounding the community’s existing active transportation network.
A total of 369 survey responses were received. Note: The analysis of results includes both completed and partially completed surveys, which, when combined, provide a larger overall sample.
2.2 Ideas Fair
Two outdoor, in-person ideas fair events were held on June 25, 2022 at Portage Park and Chancellor Park in View Royal. Each event was three hours long and invited the public to learn about the project and provide feedback via a series of interactive display boards and by talking to members of the project team. Participants could leave comments on sticky notes and use sticky dots to vote on different ideas, as well as identify specific locations on a map where they would like to see improvements.
Altogether, there were approximately 76 ideas fair participants.
2.3 Stakeholder Interviews
Throughout July 2022, seven virtual interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams with representatives from key stakeholder groups. The interviews were approximately 30 minutes long. Interviews were conducted with the following organizations:
- BC Transit
- Capital Bike
- Capital Regional District (CRD) Parks
- Capital Regional District (CRD) Transportation Planning
- Island Corridor Foundation
- View Royal Elementary School
- West Shore Parks and Recreation
3.0 WHO WE HEARD FROM
The online survey included several demographic questions to allow the project team to better understand who participated.
3.1 Geographic Representation
Most respondents (66%) live in View Royal with 24% in another Core municipality, 9% in a Westshore municipality, 0.6% in the Songhees Nation, and 0.6% as Other.
Among those who live in View Royal, the top three neighbourhoods were Helmcken (33%), Thetis (20%), and Harbour (18%).
3.2 Age and Gender
About 93% of survey respondents were above the age of 30. The two most dominant age groups included 30-39 years and 40-49 years, with 25% each.
3.3 Household Demographics
37% of survey respondents indicated that they have children in their household. Of those respondents, 83% have one or more children 0-12 years of age. Additionally, 15% of survey respondents indicated that someone in their household regularly uses a mobility device.
3.4 Active Travel – Motivation and Trip Purpose
The top three motivations for walking and cycling include physical or mental health, general enjoyment / fun, and reducing impact on environment.
Top motivations for walking / cycling around View Royal today include:
- Physical or Mental Health (77% among pedestrians, 56% among people cycling)
- General Enjoyment / Fun (55% among pedestrians, 41% among people cycling)
- Reduce Impact on Environment (37% among pedestrians, 37% among people cycling)
- More Convenient than Driving (14% among pedestrians, 32% among people cycling)
- Cost Savings (18% among pedestrians, 20% among people cycling)
Figure 6 - Top Motivations for Walking / Cycling around View Royal (Online Survey)
Figure 7 - Purpose of Walking and Cycling Trips (Online Survey)
