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
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