Cycling Master Plan Community Engagement Session WELCOME

Cycling Master Plan Community Engagement Session WELCOME

WHY COMMUNITIES PLAN Considering Short Term and Long Term Needs City of Lethbridge is committed to planning - to determine short term goals along with long term needs. Strategic Planning considers the best solutions for all residents, keeping in mind future population growth and changes within the community. Innovation is key to successful planning. Gaining resident feedback is crucial to the planning process.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Scale of Community Engagement Desired Outcome Commitment to Residents Techniques Inform Inform residents of programs, service changes and Council decisions in a fair and balanced way. You will be informed in a timely and accurate manner and we will hear your comments. Website News Release Public Service Announcement Inquire Seek opinions and perspectives. Your opinion will be heard. We will take the time to listen and learn from your feedback. Open House Surveys Polling Interact Gather information and discuss issues, hearing about other s points of view and recognizing residents concerns. You will be connected with and your opinions will be reflected, where possible, in the project. Workshops City Circles Idea Fairs Engage Work with stakeholders throughout the decision making process to facilitate understanding. You will be active participants in the process. Citizen Advisory Committees Empower* Entrust residents to make the final decision. You will get to decide. Ballots Elections Plebiscites *Opportunities to empower residents are minimal. Residents are empowered to elect officials that will make decisions on their behalf. The purpose of including Empower on the scale of public engagement is to provide understanding for residents where they sit in any given participation opportunity.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT #1 AT TODAY S SESSION WE WILL... Share information. Hear your thoughts on information presented. Better understand your needs, barriers, and the support you require to bike more. AFTER TODAY'S Continue to provide updates SESSION WE WILL... and project information via the City of Lethbridge website. Encourage feedback through the Mind Mixer online forum.

PROJECT BACKGROUND BACKGROUND Making bicycle travel easier is the goal behind the development of the City of Lethbridge s new Cycling Master Plan. The Plan presents the opportunity to create a cycling network Lethbridge can be proud of, something that will attract people to the community and create a more active and environmentally friendly city. The existing cycling network in Lethbridge consists of a number of multi-use pathways and on-street bike lanes on 13th Street N between 9th Avenue N and 26th Avenue N. Developing more active ways to travel within the city and providing viable alternatives to single occupancy vehicle transportation is identified within the City of Lethbridge s strategic plans. The Plan builds upon the City of Lethbridge Bikeways and Pathways Master Plan and the recent 6th Avenue South Functional Planning Study.

WHERE ARE WE GOING? GOALS AND OBJECTIVES More people cycling Safe Desirable More people cycling to work and school Events that support cycling as a mode of transportation Percentages of all trips made by bicycle doubles by 2021 15% cycling collision reductions year over year People consider cycling to be safe The cycling network is designed to be safe Facilities used by all ages and abilities Cycling routes support community activity Secure and supportive end-of-trip facilities VISION Lethbridge commits to make cycling a realistic transportation option for all ages and abilities, contributing to our sustainable future. Connected Cycling network connected to all destinations Branding and way-finding programs Connected to transit and walking Understood Education programs to support safe cycling Create a culture of cycling Awareness programs on the benefits of cycling for individuals and the community including sustainability Implemented Staged implementation to optimize value (cost and usage) Positive public opinion of cycling Well maintained cycling routes in all season Please indicate with a dot, the top 3 goals you support most.

WHAT WE HEARD 65% of respondents agree that there are destinations within biking distance in Lethbridge 65% of adults living in Lethbridge own bikes. 57% of adults ride a bike. Of the 57% riding a bike, here s how often adults are riding bikes in Lethbridge: 58% of adults would ride a bike if they felt safer Daily or almost daily (23%) 4 to 5 times per week (14%) 2 to 3 times per week (31%) Once per week (14%) Monthly or less (16%) 56% of adults want to ride a bike more. DON T KNOW 1% STRONGLY DISAGREE 20% STRONGLY AGREE 33% SOMEWHAT DISAGREE 21% SOMEWHAT AGREE 25% Top 3 reasons Lethbridge residents are riding their bike 1) Recreation (97%) 2) Transportation (non work/school) (41%) 3) Commuting (to work/school) (26%) (Based on a statistically valid telephone survey undertaken by Bannister Research & Consulting, January & February, 2016.)

WHAT WE HEARD Lethbridge`s Cycling Market Based on responses to questions about comfort and interest levels, we can categorize cyclists into the four groups shown below. Lethbridge 6%10% 53% 31% Calgary Edmonton Saskatoon Strong & Fearless Enthused & Confident Interested but Concerned Reluctant to Cycle Winnipeg 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Who are the STRONG AND THE FEARLESS? Riding is a strong part of their identity. They are generally undeterred by roadway conditions. Who are the ENTHUSED AND CONFIDENT? Comfortable sharing the roadway with automobile traffic but prefer to do so operating on their own facilities Appreciate bicycle lanes and boulevards. Who are the INTERESTED BUT CONCERNED? Interested in riding a bike more but afraid to do so because of safety concerns. Many are currently cycling for recreation. Who are the RELUCTANT TO CYCLE? Currently not interested in cycling at all. May be physically unable to ride.

WHAT WE HEARD What types of bike facilities will be comfortable for the INTERESTED BUT CONCERNED and what types of facilities will get them cycling more? 53% of adults in Lethbridge are considered INTERESTED BUT For example: CONCERNED. Protected bike lanes and quiet residential streets would both be comfortable, but protected bike lanes would increase cycling significantly more. Off-Street Pathways Protected Bike Lanes Quiet Residential Streets Bike Lanes Would Increase Cycling Would Feel Comfortable No Facilities 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% (Based on a statistically valid telephone survey undertaken by Bannister Research & Consulting, January & February, 2016.)