The city of Coquitlam is moving ahead with a hybrid bike route near the Fraser River waterfront despite objections from the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC).
Engineering staff are proposing a temporary route that would follow United Boulevard through the industrial area, connecting New Westminster with the base of the new Port Mann Bridge.
But the Tri-Cities chapter of the VACC said cyclists would be better served by a path through a green space along the train tracks between the Trans-Canada Highway and the city's proposed route. The organization said its proposed route alignment is safer and would be a true greenway, separating cyclists from vehicle traffic. The VACC said the alternate path would mean crossing only one traffic intersection while the city's plan would see cyclists cross 18 retail outlet entrances and streets.
But Bill Susak, the city's manager of engineering, said there are several issues with the VACC's proposal. For one, the city does not own the land the VACC requires for its route, meaning expensive property acquisition could complicate the plan.
As well, with so much construction in the area, Susak said it is in a constant state of transition and staff would take a second look at the proposed VACC route when work is complete.
"It is considered premature at this time to pursue the alignment proposed," he said in a letter to the VACC. "Once the [Port Mann/Highway 1] project works are complete, the city could review the VACC alignment in context."
BIKE PATHS PART OF NEW POCO PLAN
New bike paths along Kingsway Avenue and pedestrian traffic signals are just some of the capital projects outlined in the city of Port Coquitlam's bicycle network plan.
Cycling is a major part of the city's transportation network and numerous lanes and routes have been added since the city adopted its Master Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan in 2009.
Several new upgrades are being considered and the city has set out a timeline of five years for completion. The projects include:
a bike/pedestrian traffic signal along the Traboulay PoCo trail at Coast Meridian and Patricia Avenue;
a bike/pedestrian traffic signal at Kelly Avenue and Shaughnessy Street and at Kelly and Mary Hill Road;
a multi-use path on the north side of Kingsway Avenue between Broadway and McLean Avenue;
and a marked bike lane on Prairie Avenue between Shaughnessy Street and Fremont Street.
The report is expected to be considered during a transportation solutions and operations committee meeting scheduled for today (Wednesday).
gmckenna@tricitynews.com
