Bike lane for Penticton

[Jimbop]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton ... last-phase
City wants to remove valuable residential and business parking for a bike lane?

[fluffy]

City wants to remove valuable residential and business parking for a bike lane?

Sounds like it, doesn't it ? Aren't there bike lanes along South Main already? Atkinson doesn't sound too bad, plenty of off-street parking for residents along there. Martin Street could ruffle a few business feathers though.

[pentona]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/310992/Bike-lane-in-last-phase
City wants to remove valuable residential and business parking for a bike lane?

I seldom ride a bike nor is this proposed route near where I reside but I were losing parking (business or residential) I don't think that I would be too happy. Hopefully the city will give the most affected residents/businesses a major say in what goes down.

I did think, however that there were already lanes in place on South Main, Dawson Ave, then Government Street, all the way to downtown. Then there is the KVR path of course. If MORE bike lanes are going to duplicate what are already in place, then perhaps the cyclist community should start a go-fund-me page. With a huge tax dollar deficit for next year, luxury items need to be put off for when they ARE affordable and justifyable.

[Miss Maggie]

Fairview Rd seems like an odd choice. Its a very busy street, and losing one lane to cyclists doesn’t sound like the best idea. The intersection at Fairview and Industrial is already a huge bottleneck and hopefully the city would add a dedicated left turn lane from Fairview southbound onto Industrial.

I’m not convinced this new bike route, wherever it ends up, is the answer. Cyclist do what they want with disregard for traffic now so how will a bike route change that?

[fluffy]

If MORE bike lanes are going to duplicate what are already in place, then perhaps the cyclist community should start a go-fund-me page. With a huge tax dollar deficit for next year, luxury items need to be put off for when they ARE affordable and justifyable.

As gas prices climb and environmental concerns move ever further into the public eye, treating cyclists as "less than" compared to motorists could be a slippery slope.

[Nooby]

City wants to remove valuable residential and business parking for a bike lane?

Sounds like it, doesn't it ? Aren't there bike lanes along South Main already? Atkinson doesn't sound too bad, plenty of off-street parking for residents along there. Martin Street could ruffle a few business feathers though.

Personally I don't think the Atkinson plan is a great idea. According to the info we just got in the mail today, route is one bike lane on each side of Atkinson, all the way from Duncan to Kinney. Really? - the street does not seem wide enough to accommodate a lane on each side. Brochure also says that it will "improve the intersection at Duncan & Atkinson for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists" - not quite sure how - that intersection is already a nightmare so I just can't fathom how this will improve it.

At least all the criminals racing around on their bikes will now have their own dedicated lane on Atkinson

[Jimbop]

City is conducting a survey online, again. Many elderly (also taxpayers) don't even own a computer. The city spokeswoman is a very good convincing talker. Just not realistic. And yes, there is already existing bike lanes, just not in the heart of downtown. So they say. The city has announced layoffs and a 3.9 million budget shortfall for this year and next. Yet they want to spend our hard earned tax dollars on removing valuable parking for an unneeded bike lane. This dumb idea has been in the works since 2012 and has already cost us taxpayers a bundle through surveys, hiring CTO consulting and DRDUL planners at what cost? Sounds like this is a go even though they don't know, or haven't released the cost of this project. The city keeps preaching "safety". I would never take my young family out on the road, even with a bike lane. Go ride the KVR or channel.

[Nooby]

Yeah, after pouring through all the info and videos and such on the site, I've got lots of questions and concerns. I registered for one of the upcoming webinars also.

I guess I've been living in a bubble because I had no idea that they were planning this extensive route and affecting so many areas, including where I live. Just not necessary, IMO

[twobits]

As gas prices climb and environmental concerns move ever further into the public eye, treating cyclists as "less than" compared to motorists could be a slippery slope.

Oh shame on you Fluff!! Sad attempt at taking the higher road when you environmentally fly back and forth from Fort Mack to pay your bills.

I think a less than slippery slope would to just be honest with landowners whose frontage could be impacted from nuisance to loss of parking because of a new designated bike lane. Hey.....is that parking spot in front of your home that has always been there since you bought the property?? Then it is Gdam worth something very near having a driveway to park in. Cpl grand a year off property taxes at least. No?? Then Mr City accountant please prove why not. You have just devalued every property that had legal on street parking in front of their homes!
Try that in Wiltse Flats, Evergreen Drive...yada yada.
Put that reality in the greenies pipe to smoke or make ethanol out of.
Ya want WOKE. Keep it up and and everyone will see Woke for what it is.

[fluffy]

@ twobits: Have you seen the plan yet ? Are we going to lose on street parking ? We have places in town where there are both on street parking and a bike lane together. Maybe make sure you know what you’re talking about before you start your finger wagging.

[Nooby]

Have you seen the plan yet ? Are we going to lose on street parking ? We have places in town where there are both on street parking and a bike lane together. Maybe make sure you know what you’re talking about before you start your finger wagging.

Fluffy - yes street parking is going to be lost. I'm on the site right now looking for the numbers that they quoted for each of the routes which I read yesterday. I believe on Atkinson it was 170 parking spots lost or something like that. I'll post when I find it.

[fluffy]

I believe on Atkinson it was 170 parking spots lost or something like that. I'll post when I find it.

I live a block off Atkinson and can tell you for a fact that on-street parking along Atkinson is under utilized, and I;ll hazard a guess that many residents who do use it have off-street options. Are people going to be inconvenienced ? Likely . I think access to businesses should take a priority downtown, but in residential areas if a resident does have an off-street option then they should be using it. Is the city obligated to supply on-street parking for residents ?

[Nooby]

OK this is what the report says about parking impacts for each of the preferred routes:

South Main - < 20 vehicles
Atkinson - 170 vehicles
Fairview - 85 vehicles
Martin - 90 vehicles

Our home is on a corner of Atkinson, we will not be impacted for parking. I have other concerns/questions about things like snow removal, buses stopping in traffic lanes, and of course cost. There is some mention of the City hoping to receive grant funding.

I would suggest anyone wanting to provide feedback or ask questions register on the Shapeyourcitypenticton.ca site, lots of info there I wasn't aware of, and ability to ask questions, complete a survey, even attend upcoming webinars.

[fluffy]

I'm on the site right now looking for the numbers that they quoted for each of the routes which I read yesterday.... I'll post when I find it.

Please do. I’d like to learn more about this. I’ve seen it labeled and “All ages, all abilities” corridor so I’m guessing that motorized chairs and handicap scooters would share it as well. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard cyclists justify riding on sidewalks by saying it’s too dangerous on the street, or heard motorists complain about seniors on their scooters on the street. In principle I think painting some lines and putting in a few curbs is a good idea.

[Nooby]

I'm on the site right now looking for the numbers that they quoted for each of the routes which I read yesterday.... I'll post when I find it.

Please do. I’d like to learn more about this. I’ve seen it labeled and “All ages, all abilities” corridor so I’m guessing that motorized chairs and handicap scooters would share it as well. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard cyclists justify riding on sidewalks by saying it’s too dangerous on the street, or heard motorists complain about seniors on their scooters on the street. In principle I think painting some lines and putting in a few curbs is a good idea.

I don't see any mention in any of the documents about motorized chairs and scooters. And as far as lines or curbs - on Atkinson there is going to be barriers on each side separating the bike lane from vehicle traffic. Don't know what kind, I've asked that question and haven't got a response yet.

Please see post above for parking impact numbers.