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January 31, 2019 - 3:30 PM
LAKE COUNTRY - Building bike trails in the Okanagan might be great for cyclists’ health, but it certainly wouldn’t be a cheap project. Bike trails need money to get off the ground, which is why the District of Lake Country will be considering a funding proposal at their next meeting.
Matt Vader, Strategic and Support Services manager with the District, recommends in a report that council approve an application submission to Bike BC for funding of the Cycling Network Plan. The funding could cover 50 per cent of the plan’s total costs, or $50,000.
Vader notes the B.C. government, in an effort to encourage healthy living, is cost-sharing cycling infrastructure projects with local governments. Vader stated the recently creation of the Okanagan Rail Trail and Pelmewash Parkway provide excellent groundwork for cycling expansion. The growing popularity of the trails was also noted as a positive sign for biking routes (the Okanagan Rail Trail is projected to have 588,000 visitors in its fifth year).
The proposal noted the District needs a fully formed Cycling Network Plan before it can receive further infrastructure funding. Vader wrote that the plan could include bicycle routes and pathways integrated with regional and municipal roadways, on-street and off-street routes, bicycle-only traffic barriers, ramps, and a strategy to handle conflict between motorists and cyclists.
Council will discuss and vote on the report's recommendations at its Tuesday, Feb. 5 meeting.
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