Dear lovers of all things 2 wheeled,

You have likely heard about City Councils decision to cease all work and all financial support to new bike lanes separated by concrete barriers until the next election in 2026. While this DOES NOT affect the completion of the Lake to Lake bike route, it does show a very concerning trend of creating controversy around cycling as a tactic for generating political support. 

PACA would like to take this opportunity to deliver some of the facts about the motion, the stats and costs about the Lake to Lake Bike Lane, and the effects of this decision so that you can help inform your friends, family and fellow cyclists about what is going on in our community. 

Finally, we would like to encourage you to make your support of safe and accessible cycling heard by writing to City Council and our news media as a way of counter acting the toxic narrative on social media.

WHAT WAS THE MOTION PASSED BY CITY COUNCIL AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The Motion:

"THAT Council direct staff to cease all work (design or construction) related to the creation of any new separated bike lanes by concrete barriers for the duration of the 2022-2026 Council term. AND THAT Council direct staff to remove all new separated bike lanes (design or construction) by concrete barriers related items from the 2024 Financial & Corporate Business Plan prior to adoption."

PACA POINT:

PACA is pleased with the amendment to the motion that specifies “separated by concrete barriers” as it leaves room for discussion about other kinds of separated bike lanes (ex. metal or planters) as well as sidewalk level bike lanes. That said, had the “separated by concrete barriers” amendment not been included PACA would be very much opposed to this motion. Additionally, PACA will be paying close attention to current and future bike lane plans to ensure safe and accessible riding continues to be developed for our community.

IS THE BIKE ROUTE JUST SITTING EMPTY OR IS IT BEING USED?

The 2023 Lake to Lake Bike Route Stats:

These stats were collected by City of Penticton between January and October of 2023 (10 months) by ride counters placed at Martin St @ Eckhardt, Duncan Ave @ Atkinson and Warren Ave @ Atkinson

+85,000

SEPARATE RIDES THROUGH THE INTERSECTION

OF ECKHARDT AND MARTIN (NEAR THE LIBRARY)

= ~283 rides per day

200,000

SEPARATE RIDES THROUGH THE 3 TRACKED INTERSECTIONS

= ~667 rides per day

PACA POINT:

Despite rhetoric to the contrary, the Lake to Lake Route is being widely used despite being only half finished.

HOW MUCH DID THE LAKE TO LAKE BIKE LANE COST AND HOW MUCH OF IT WAS TAX PAYERS MONEY?

The Cost:

Total Lake to Lake Route cost:

$8 million

Total grants received to date:

$3.5 million

($3.5M is the ~ cost of the finished section of the Bike Lane, the unfinished section is still eligible for grants that would further reduce costs to taxpayers)

Context: to redo the intersection for vehicles at Galt and South Main will cost $10.5 million

PACA POINT:

The vast majority of costs for the Lake to Lake bike route were ear marked for sustainable transportation and/or offset by provincial and federal grants and therefore NOT taking taxpayer funds away from issues such as homelessness, toxic drug supply and the housing crisis.

Urban bike infrastructure can be implemented for a fraction of the cost of vehicle infrastructure.

WHAT IS THE CITIES COMMITMENT TO CREATING SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE CYCLING FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES?

The Plan:

Within the City of Penticton Official Community Plan (available on the city website and bylaw pages) there are clear statements about the cities intended goals when it comes to all types of cycling, urban included. This plan was made with years of extensive community engagement and forms the basis for longterm planning by the city. In it it states:

4 .2 .3 Cycling

Goal

Develop a connected network of safe and convenient cycling infrastructure that meets the needs of recreational riders, casual riders and commuters.

Policies

4.2.3.1 Renew the Bike Network Master Plan to confirm that it provides safe and direct connections for cyclists with all of the following:

• Schools and Okanagan College
• Employment centres, and major retail and service areas
• Downtown
• Parks and beaches
• Skaha Lake and Lake Okanagan
• The KVR Trail and the Okanagan Channel Parkway Trail
• Hillside and valley-bottom neighbourhoods

4.2.3.5 Ensure significant components of the bike network are physically separated from vehicular traffic through barriers and/or grade changes to encourage cycling and protect vulnerable riders.

PACA POINT:

The city has a commitment to provide cycling infrastructure to its citizens.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

Eckhardt Avenue – Eckhardt is slated to have water mains and other underground utilities redone in 2024. Bike lanes were going to be added to Eckhardt Avenue, extending the bike lanes that have already been put in between Main and Winnipeg Streets. This would have added a safe route for kids going to Pen-Hi and KVR Middle School that connects to the Lake to Lake and Government bike lanes. Unsafe biking for kids can have grave consequences, as made painfully clear by the death of a 12 year old cyclist in Pitt Meadows the same week this motion was passed. PACA is advocating for bike lanes to be included in this update to Eckhardt Avenue and will be keeping a close eye on the cities plans.

Safe Routes to School – The City is working on this right now for Carmi and Uplands and these will no longer be considered for dedicated bike lanes that would provide kids a safe way to cycle to and from school.

Open Discussion - PACA's view is that bike lane issue is being fuelled by information that is inaccurate. This is not about costs and usage as the above stats show strong adoption and usage for the, as yet, unfinished portions of the bike lane and costs are almost entirely comprised of funds and grants earmarked for sustainable and accessible transportation. The unfinished portion of the bike lane are also eligible for grants once they are finished that will recoup much of the costs. We are categorically NOT taking money away from issues such as housing and homelessness. 

This is about creating controversy that generates engagement on social media. 

What you can do:

PACA acknowledges that the topic of bike lanes in Penticton has become toxic on the already highly toxic social media platforms, especially Facebook.

We do not feel that there is benefit from engaging with individuals on social media about this and doing so adds fuel to fire and plays into the hands of individuals who seek to create controversy to advance their personal agendas. 

But that does not mean the biking community should stay silent. 

We encourage you to write the following organizations and individuals to share your informed opinions about what you want the future of urban cycling to look like in Penticton. Below you will find some suggested wording, which we encourage you to send as is or make your own.

Hello,

I am writing in support of safe and sustainable cycling in Penticton. After receiving news that the Penticton City Council passed a motion stating effectively that staff cease all work on any new separated bike lanes until 2026 I feel as if discussion about safe cycling in our city is being shut down for the sake of political posturing. I feel that our community is deeply benefited by creating infrastructure for All Ages and Abilities bike routes. To turn away from our commitment to provide a greener, healthier and more accessible city at this time is unacceptable and places us far behind our neighbouring cities on a local, provincial and federal level. In a town that seeks to provide affordable and sustainable transportation options to its citizens and attract tourists with cycling friendly events from the Ironman to the Okanagan Granfondo, adopting motions such as this one is an embarrassment at best, and a huge step backwards on the road to sustainability and safety for our children and low income population at worst.

I would strongly like to see this motion revisited and reversed.

Sincerely in support of cycling,

Your Name

Contact emails/webites: 

Politicians:

City Council: council@penticton.ca

Mayor Bloomfield: https://shorturl.at/deRY9

Councillor Boultbee: https://shorturl.at/imCR3

Councillor Gilbert: https://t.ly/bd0ub

Councillor Miller: https://shorturl.at/epwDM

Councillor Konanz: https://shorturl.at/efv03

Councillor Graham: https://shorturl.at/EHY59

Councillor Watt: https://t.ly/kaMHb

News Media:

Castanet: letters@castanet.net

Penticton Western: letters@pentictonwesternnews.com

Penticton Herald: letters@pentictonherald.ca

FINALY:

Supporting PACA with your membership helps us legitimize cycling in our community and advocate for urban, mountain and road cycling safety, accessibility and just pure enjoyment for all.

Please join below and encourage your fellow cyclists to support us!

Membership!

It's never too late to get your membership, PACA advocates year round for all disciplines of cycling, and the more members we have, the bigger our voice!

Everything is more fun in a group and PACA has been busy organizing Group Road and Mtb Rides, MTB and Road Skills Clinics, Bike Valets, and Enduros to ensure all cyclists feel the effect of being a member.



It takes time and advocacy from passionate community members in droves to make changes.

The more members our association has, the bigger our voice and the more we can do.

Whether you ride trails, roads, bike lanes, or pump tracks, we need your support!