Many municipalities are experimenting neighbourhood bikeways as an emerging active transportation facility type, including the Township of Centre Wellington (population 31,000). The use of neighbourhood bikeways to expand the Township of Centre Wellington’s active transportation network was explored in the development of the Township’s Active Transportation and Mobility Plan (ATMP), which proposed two overlapping and complementary types of active transportation networks: the Spine & Connector Network and the Quiet Streets & Trails Network. This presentation will focus on the Quiet Streets & Trails Network and lessons learned from the rapid deployment of a neighbourhood bikeway connecting the local school and neighbourhood to the downtown business district.
The Quiet Streets & Trails Network utilizes streets with low traffic volumes and/or low speeds and trails to provide key connections. Centre Wellington has an existing network of popular trails, and the on-street components of the Quiet Streets network were proposed as neighbourhood bikeways, using traffic calming/diversions measures, signage and other communication tools to make streets safer for sharing space between active transportation users and vehicles.
The approval of the ATMP was quickly followed with a desire from Township Council and staff for quick wins to be implemented from the ATMP. A pilot project for a neighbourhood bikeway along Church Street was proposed as a quick win. Notices distributed to residents and local businesses emphasized the local traffic calming benefits in an area experiencing tourism-related traffic issues. A public online survey was launched to collect feedback from residents on their opinions on the pilot project, receiving 200 responses and over 500 comments. The findings of the survey will be shared in this presentation, highlighting insights on the use of neighbourhood bikeways and support levels from different demographics for the pilot.
Key learning outcomes for attendees will be:
- Planning and design for a neighbourhood bikeway project based on ATMP planning process and public feedback
- Lessons learned on public engagement around neighbourhood bikeway pilot projects
- Common concerns expressed by the general public and benefits expressed by active transportation users
- What to communicate and prepare senior municipal staff and council for when implementing first neighbourhood bikeways in a municipality
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