Local cycling projects - update

I recently contacted Kelsey Cramer and Joan Michel with the RDN regarding the latest news on the E&N Rail Trail Project and the improvements to Wembley Road which were announced recently by the RDN and MOTI (The Highways Dept). Here is what I received back from Kelsey:

The Rail Trail project is at about 75% design completion.  We are finalizing a few tricky spot along the way and then will need to proceed with obtaining all the required approvals (agricultural, environmental, road crossings etc.).  The project will also be constructed in phases and staff are currently preparing a report to present the options to the Regional Board.  Once this is confirmed, the information will be updated on the project website: www.rdn.bc.ca/railtrail

For Wembley Rd, I can’t speak specifically to the MOTI announcement, other than that I understand they intend to do the work in the fall.  Parks has looked at other trail linkages in the Wembley Rd area including separated trail along Lowry’s Rd and developing some off-road trail in undeveloped road right-of-ways in the neighbourhood.  This project hasn’t moved beyond the initial planning stages, but it might be something Joan moves forward with this year.

Jim 

Ride with the Qualicum Beach Mayor

Once again, it is that time of year to tune up the bikes and get ready for another great season of riding. For those of you who have already been riding, congratulations. For those that have been waiting for the summer, now is the perfect time to get the season started. Bike to Work Week is May 25 to May 31, 2015.

On May 27^th, please join the Town of Qualicum Beach for our annual “Ride with the Mayor” during Bike to Work Week. We will be meeting in front of Town Hall in Glassford square at 4:45 PM, riding towards West Qualicum Beach on a loop that will take approximately 30 minutes. The ride will finish at Town Hall where we will have refreshments for everyone.

Please forward this invitation to your friends and fellow cyclists – the more the merrier!

____________________________________________

Luke Sales, MCIP, RPP

Director of Planning

Town of Qualicum Beach

Wembley Road announcement

Upgrades improve safety on Wembley Road

View on Flickr

Transportation Tuesday, March 17, 2015 5:15 PM

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PARKSVILLE - As part of B.C. on the Move, the Government of B.C.’s new 10-year transportation plan, improvements will be made to Wembley Road to make it safer for residents, schoolchildren and motorists.
Improvements to Wembley Road include:

• 1.2 kilometres of shoulder widening on the west side of Wembley Road from the Parksville city boundary to Wright Road;
• Installing a new cross walk, with lighting, at the Roberton Boulevard intersection; and,
• Widening existing bus pull outs along the corridor.

Local Cyclist riding in Cycle of Life Tour

Local cyclist Jim Dimmick is riding in this year's Cycle For Life Tour event taking place on the Island in July of this year. In the past four years the Cycle of Life Tour has raised over $115,000 to support local hospices on Vancouver Island. Jim is wondering if other Oceanside riders may have an interest.

The Tour link is at : http://www.cycleoflifetour.ca/

It is possible to donate to or encourage Jim at his personal page.

The organizers of the event indicate the donors can name the hospice organization they are donating to, including Oceanside Hospice Society.

For more information Call Lynn Wood with the Oceanside Hospice Society at 250 752 6227.

 

Nanaimo Bike Info Night

We would like to invite you to the 2015 Nanaimo Bike Information Night which is being held at Bowen Park Complex on Thursday January 22nd 2015 from 7 to 9pm. The evening will include updates by the city and other organizations on the extension of the E&N trail, a new Bicycle Map,  the Bicycling Master plan,  and other bicycling topics & issues. We hope to generate a wide interest and to get feedback and lots of questions.

Provincial Transportation Plan - Let Us Know Your Priorities

The Provincial Government is developing a new 10-year transportation plan, B.C. on the Move, and wants to know your top three priorities for transportation infrastructure projects.

The British Columbia Cycling Coalition will be making a submission to the government and we want that submission to reflect the priorities of our members and other people cycling throughout BC. Knowing your priorities will also help us make the case to the government for increased investment million in cycling infrastructure, maintenance and education. In our cycling strategy, the BCCC recommends the Province invest $75 million per year in upgrading cycling facilities on Provincial highways and bridges as well as providing increased funding for cycling networks in communities around BC.

New Tool for mapping cycling issues locally

In this morning's Victoria Times Colonist I came across an article entitled "Safer cycling through mapping". The article is about a brand new web-based tool for mapping a variety of cycling-related issues in your local area (Bikemaps.org). Included in the issues are easy ways to track:

1.Danger spots,
2.Crashes,
3.Near Misses and
4.Bike Thefts.

The website, created by UVic Geographer Trisalyn Nelson, is designed to allow anyone to easily post information about cycling issues in their own local area.

I gave the website a try this morning and found it very easy to use. You can also share your information using social media. Interestingly the site also shows all cycling accidents in our local area that have been reported to ICBC. When you first access the website you are asked if you want to share your location with Bike Maps. If you click on Share, the program will go to your current location. There is a tutorial for the website and this also allows you to participate in the online forum.