Cyclists on the active transportation pathway in downtown Vernon (photo courtesy of the Ribbons of Green Trails Society)

By Liam Verster

More cycling, scooter routes

Trails society calls for safe active transportation network in Vernon

Oct 31, 2023 | 5:00 AM

A group that advocates for active transportation has called on the City of Vernon to invest in more safe routes for residents.

The Ribbons of Green Trails Society recently presented a delegation to Vernon city council, which recommended establishing an inter-urban active transportation network throughout Vernon that would allow safe movement for people of all ages and abilities.

Addressing council, Bruce Mol from the society indicated there were no safe routes for people to ride a bike, scooter or other form of active transportation from just about anywhere in Vernon to the Galaxy Cinema, the new Active Living Centre and Athletic Park, or to Predator Ridge.

Mol’s presentation to council outlined 38 potential routes, with the top priorities being on 43rd Avenue from Pleasant Valley Rd. to Alexis Park Dr.; on Alexis Park Drive from 43rd Ave. to 32 Ave.; along 32nd Ave. from 29th St. to 15th St.; and on Mission Rd. from 25th Ave to Commonage Path.

Ribbons of Green Trails Society’s proposed active transportation pathways, ordered by area of Vernon (image courtesy of the Ribbons of Green / City of Vernon)

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“There are hundreds of people who are waiting, just waiting for the ability to ride around town on their bicycles or their e-bikes or their scooters,” Mol said.

His presentation indicated that a local survey undertaken by Ribbons of Green showed roughly 60 per cent of people would ride more often but choose not to due to safety concerns, and suggested that establishing more protected and separated bike lanes would reduce those fears and improve active transportation use.

“Just about all reasearch from across North America and Europe is showing that they have to be protected and separated [path] for that 60 per cent of our population to get on their bike or walk or micro-mobility,” Mol said.

He added that painted bicycle lanes are “not statistically different” from no cycling lanes in terms of safety.

Mol noted these measures would also align with the city’s Climate Action and Active Transportation plans.

It would also fall in line with the designation of the Trails Capital of B.C., which Vernon acquired through work done by the Ribbons of Green.

His presentation also noted that “times are changing” and more people are choosing to use forms of active transportation, pointing to how there were 913 GoByBike Week riders registered this year, up 449 from the previous year.

Vernon council did acknowledge that there are costs associated with investing in the infrastructure and that some active transportation corridors are either currently being built or planned for the future.

The presentation was received for information to be considered as part of a review of the Master Transportation Plan.