Active Transportation Committee
In preparation for the City’s Local Area Plan (LAP) process, and in response to Biketoria, JBNA struck an Active Transportation Committee (ATC) whose role was to examine active transportation in our community and to make recommendations regarding dedicated or shared uses of our streets.
In late 2015, JBNA became aware of the City’s plan, developed within the Biketoria project, to place a protected bike lane around James Bay. The plan had been developed without coming JBNA involvement or any consultation focus on the James Bay community. The planned cycle lane was not perceived as fulfilling Biketoria objectives of serving the community or linking communities; further it was seen by James Bay businesses as creating a hazardous situation.
Reports and Presentations
Guided by the City’s “Transportation Hierarchy” pyramid the committee completed two studies, “Getting Around James Bay” and “Sharing Our Streets”.
The Douglas Street Visioning project was also undertaken as a preparation piece for the upcoming LAP process.
Getting Around James Bay - February 2017
The Active Transport Committee (ATC) was convened in April, 2016, and launched a Getting Around James Bay survey in September. Findings were presented to City Council on March 9, 2017.
The survey provided information to support a study directed to making it easier and safer for everyone to get around James Bay.
By assessing the needs of those who use our sidewalks and streets, be they pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, scooter-users and/or motorists, the committee made recommendations regarding local streets and sidewalks in the “Sharing Our Streets” study.
Sharing Our Streets – May, 2018
With the findings from the Getting Around James Bay project, the Jcommittee developed a proposal for an active transportation network for James Bay. The proposal was presented for comment at JBNA meetings, the James Bay market, meetings in senior residences, meetings with Walk-On Victoria, Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, and with businesses along Menzies Street.
The proposal recommends that:
- the 5-corners area of Menzies St. become a shared space from Michigan St. to Simcoe St.and along Simcoe St. from Menzies St. to Croft St., minimizing the segregation of pedestrians and vehicles
- Superior St. becomes a complete street with dedicated cycle lanes connecting Beacon Hill Park to Fisherman’s Wharf Park.
- Oswego St., and part of Government St., become lesser complete streets with ‘green’ bike lane markings.
- Speed limits throughout James Bay be reduced.
A summary of the report was presented and discussed at the the September 2017 JBNA General Meeting and presented to Mayor and Councillors in April, 2018. Presentations were also provided to City of Victoria staff, Walk-on Victoria, Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, a local group of businesses and senior/Retirement homes.
Live on Douglas Street – April, 2017
The project began in 2015. A charrette held on January 9th, 2017, provided focus to the creation of a vision for a friendlier Douglas Street from Belleville to Dallas. The project was presented to City Council in April, 2017.
The Live on Douglas vision creates:
- A friendlier softer edge to Douglas
- Reunification of 2 alienated triangles of park
- Realignment of Douglas-Dallas corner
- A link for James Bay residents to Beacon Hill Park
Related Posts
50 Government St. Development Proposal
12th December Committee of the Whole Meeting City Council rejected the 4.5-storey, 16-unit proposal during the Committee of the Whole (COTW) meeting on December 12th,
An Analysis of the 2025 Cruise Season
The analysis below is based on the GVHA schedule as of 23rd October 2024. There will likely be several updates before the season commences in
Tree Removals in James Bay
Below is a notice from the City listing the planned tree removal and replacement program in James Bay; see the full listing here.
Proposed Menzies St Development
The timeline follows below: July 4th and 24th 2024: Letters sent to Geric regarding the unkempt state of the properties June 13th 2024: Revised plans and Developer’s letter
James Bay is more vulnerable to extreme heat
Kirk Buhne, a JBNA Board Member, was interviewed for this Times Colonist article ….
Menzies Gas Station Petition
Click to Access the Petition Capital Daily 24th June Click here to read Capital Daily article CHEK News 23rd June 2024 Status information provided by
Cruise ships and traffic
During the 2023 cruise season JBNA undertook a study to determine the effect of cruise vehicle traffic on James Bay streets. This report provides the JBNA
OCP Update: Places & Spaces- June 26th
From the City website: Places & Spaces Ideas Showcase Summer 2024 | Online and In-Person Have your say on draft urban design and policy directions
Transit Orientated Area (TOA)
Bill 47 permits 10 storey residential buildings within 200m of a designated transit station and 6 storey within 400m (see OCP – The City, Bills
Douglas/Blanchard Intersection Redesign
13th June email Click here to view the emails from Councillor Caradonna and from City staff providing additional information 16th May Council Meeting At the
Quebec/Montreal/Kingston Development Proposal
June 2024: Revised plans posted on development tracker January 2024: Revised plans posted on development tracker September 2023: JBNA explains their concerns in a letter to Council, an
City Planner explains the OCP Process
The focus of the June JBNA Zoom meeting was the City’s Official Community Plan process. Below is the video recording of the meeting. The OCP
OCP – James Bay, Have Your Say
UPDATE, 24th May: A second session has now been scheduled for Saturday June 8th at 1:30pm Signup here to register UPDATE: Although the Saturday June 8th
Proposed Amica – 50 Douglas St. Development
May 2024: Updated Plan available on Developer Tracker Click here to view the plans on the development tracker February 2024: Developer Update, Zoom Recording January
OCP – The City, Bills 44 &47
16th May 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting At this meeting city staff presented the Douglas St. Bus Lane Update plan. A key component of
OCP- Our Issues with the City Survey
The JBNA has written to the City to express its deep dismay and disappointment with the survey. We recommend that both the JBNA letter and
Irving Park Sheltering
The amended motion below was passed at the April 18th Council of the Whole meeting.Essentially, subject to indoor sheltering or housing being obtained, sheltering in
