Better cycling routes and more bicycle racks are among the cycling amenities that need to be implemented in Port Alberni, according to city councillors.
The Active Transportation Plan, presented to council by City Engineer Guy Cicon, emphasized residents’ desire for better cycling and pedestrian amenities.
“The report outlines the benefits of a town that’s more easily walkable and cycleable,” said Cicon.
“There’s economic benefits, there’s quality of life benefits and of course health benefits.”
While in favour of making the city more bike-friendly, Councillor Jack McLeman had his reservations about methods used in some other cities.
“To me, if we were to just put a lot of lines on the road to say that this is a bike lane my experience with those is that they’re deadly and dangerous because cyclists get the idea that there’s an invisible wall and they can’t be hit while they’re in there.”
He would prefer to go the same route as Nanaimo.
“[They have] a fairly decent cycling system where it’s not that much on the roads and a large part of it is on trails, which I like better.”
Citing a need for a place for cyclists to park their bicycles, councillor Wendy Kerr asked for a review of current bike parking at city facilities.
Adding bike parking as a requirement of any new developments in Port Alberni may be in order, she said.
City staff were directed to provide reports with regards to both issues for subsequent meetings.
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