MY THOUGHTS
BIKE LANES & THE ATP
Safer connections, responsible spending and efficient travel across Saanich.
I support active transportation and the goal of Saanich’s Active Transportation Plan (ATP): Making walking, cycling and rolling more practical and accessible.
Children travelling to school, residents cycling to work, and people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters all deserve consideration in how we design our streets.
I also believe we should slow down new bike-lane spending and implementation right now, assess the results of existing projects, and give greater attention to vehicle congestion and the ability to move efficiently across the municipality.
Residents need transportation choices that work together. Many people depend on vehicles for employment, caregiving, deliveries or mobility, and their needs must be part of the planning.
A measured approach to the ATP
I support active transportation while recognizing that Council has a responsibility to review the pace, cost and sequence of implementation. Before committing to further bike-lane projects, I would ask staff to assess:
- Safety outcomes and use of existing infrastructure.
- Gaps where improvements would provide the greatest benefit.
- Effects on traffic flow, intersections, transit and access.
- Construction, maintenance and replacement costs.
- Opportunities to improve connections through smaller, targeted projects.
This would help Council prioritize the next steps and explain the benefits and trade-offs clearly to residents.
Match the approach to the road
Residential side-street connections can complement protected cycling routes. On busy corridors, painted sharrows do not provide the separation needed for people of all ages and abilities.
I support protected infrastructure where the need is demonstrated, while taking a more measured approach to new spending and implementation. We should maintain existing assets and focus improvements where evidence shows they will make the greatest difference.
Address congestion and improve travel
I would support reviewing traffic-light timing, turning movements and recurring bottlenecks to identify practical improvements.
Transportation planning should consider how people move across Saanich as a whole, including emergency vehicles, buses, commercial vehicles and residents travelling between neighbourhoods.
Coordinating roadwork and evaluating how completed projects perform would also help reduce disruption and guide future decisions.
Improve connections on residential side streets
Quieter residential streets deserve more attention as routes connecting homes with schools, parks and community facilities.
I support exploring painted road sharrows and other clear, visible markings on suitable side streets. Sharrows identify a shared roadway and can remind drivers to expect people cycling. They should be paired with measures appropriate to the street, such as lower speeds, traffic calming, clear sightlines and safer crossings.
Paint alone does not make a street safe. The aim should be to create conditions where children and other active transportation users can travel more comfortably. This includes more sidewalks, illuminated crossings, and reflective signage.
For people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters or other mobility aids, I would also prioritize smooth, accessible pathways, curb ramps and crossings. Their needs should be considered from the beginning.
How this connects to my priorities
Families First means safer routes for children and accessible travel for residents of all ages and abilities. Community Driven means listening to people who walk, cycle, roll, take transit and drive. Responsible Leadership means reviewing costs and outcomes, addressing congestion and implementing improvements at a pace Saanich can responsibly support.
Photo: John Newcomb / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Cropped for website use.