Residents on a Ladner Street continue to let their feelings be known to the City of Delta about a plan to implement cycling improvements on their roadway.
Having gathered a survey and submitted a petition in opposition, one 44th Avenue homeowner said they don’t agree with the elimination of on-street parking on the south side of their street.
Noting safety is also a concern, the resident in a letter to council and the engineering department, said the avenue is a major thoroughfare with large volumes of traffic and excessive speeds.
Part of the city’s new overall Cycling Master Plan, the 44th Avenue project was presented a year ago with an open house and feedback gathered, but faced opposition when it came to the parking issue.
The proposed cycling improvements along 44th Avenue between Arthur Drive and 57th Street included marked buffered on-street cycle lanes, a defined parking lane along the north side of 44th Avenue and removal of the on-street parking along the south side of the avenue to accommodate the new cycle lane.
According to the engineering department, the cycling improvements would tie into existing cycle lanes along Arthur Drive and result in a continuous cycling facility on 44th Avenue from Ladner Elementary to the Dugald Morrison Park.
Engineering director Steven Lan told the Optimist the latest round of public consultation, which wrapped up April 21, was based on another version of the design, which had been circulated to residents for comment. Staff will be reporting back to council with the feedback received.
Meanwhile, there are four other cycling projects identified for implementation this year.
The 114th Street multi-use pathway from 83rd to 84th avenues, 80th Avenue painted bike lanes from 112A to 120ths streets, 70th Avenue painted bike lanes from Nicholson Drive to 120th Street, and a 56th Street multi-use pathway ditch crossing at 6th Avenue.
The city also has several design assignments related to cycling which are also ongoing, including coming up with a preliminary design for protected bike lanes on 112th Street, a preliminary design of a cycling connection along River Road between Ferry Road and Ladner Village and a conceptual design of bike lanes along 12th Avenue between 56th Street and English Bluff Road.
Delta council earlier this year endorsed the final draft of the Cycling Master Plan.
The plan outlines strategies, recommends infrastructure, policies and education to help enable and encourage cycling as a practical and convenient form of transportation.
“Approximately 220 kilometres of cycling facilities that would establish a safe and connected cycling network have been identified by this Plan. Streetscapes will gradually transition from being primarily for vehicular use to shared use, including the conversion of on-street parking to cycling facilities,” a report to council notes.
The master plan aims to increase bicycle use and create a culture of cycling in Delta by developing an integrated network of off-street pathways and on-street bicycle facilities that are comfortable for everyone.
