Downtown Penticton Association has concerns over downtown bike lanes

Photo: Sarita Patel

A proposed bike lane route through downtown Penticton has the Downtown Penticton Association concerned.

The Downtown Penticton Association is voicing concerns that the two finalists for a lake-to-lake bike lane route, one option along Martin Street and the other along Winnipeg Street, were narrowed down without enough consultation and could be detrimental to some downtown businesses. 

Lynn Allin, DPA executive director, said that while the organization is staunchly in favour of the bike lane project in theory, those two corridors may not be the best spot due to taking out parking. 

"Everyone is looking for ways to make downtown greener and transportation easier, and less cars is frequently better," Allin said.

"But what we're concerned about right now is the proposed locations and just how much actual engagement happened on it...I think there's room for more."

Allin said the bike lane project will be a major topic of discussion at the association's upcoming AGM, asking members how they feel the lane fits with their vision of downtown's future.

"We have not done any research on this. If there's bikes lanes nearby would people come down and shop more, eat more? I don't have that answer because we have not engaged our members with those questions which is what we're starting to do now."

The city narrowed down the two preferred downtown sections of the route after a public consultation began in September which then saw 400 attendees at two open houses in December, garnering 200 feedback forms. 

"The Martin Street option is favoured as it is direct and would have the least impact on parking and traffic but we also heard from many cyclists who believe that Winnipeg St. would provide a better experience,” said city engineer Ian Chapman.

“We’d like to have a further discussion with residents and businesses in the downtown before we land on the preferred option.”

That discussion will take place at two further open meetings at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on March 25 and 26.

Allin encourages individuals and businesses to attend, and will be bringing the findings of the AGM to the city so that a "bigger voice" from the DPA is heard by the bike lane task force.  

As for alternative routes, she doesn't have a solution handy. 

"We have to look at, as an organization, what works for our membership. At this point, I don't have a route picked out," Allin said, adding that she has heard some people float the idea of a Channel Parkway bike route. 

As for Penticton and Area Cycling Association urban cycling director Matt Hopkins, he is pleased that the Martin Street and Winnipeg Street options are the finalists. 

"From our perspective the most important thing was that they were going to be safe and appropriate for all ages and abilities, and I think both of them do that," Hopkins said. "There isn't a real great safe way to get into the downtown area with options as they sit now."

He called Martin Street particularly dangerous for cyclists in its current form, with two lanes in one direction with parking on both sides, essentially trapping cyclists between moving cars and parked cars as they navigate the street. 

Hopkins is aware of the DPA's concerns and has met with them on multiple occasions to discuss the project, and hopes a mutually beneficial solution can be reached. 

"I think in terms of parking, what we feel is it opens up a larger question about what is the purpose of the street," Hopkins said. "Is it solely to store and move automobiles for adjacent businesses or is it for the benefit of all citizens to move about their city in the mode they choose?"

More information on the proposed routes can be found here and the public is welcome at the open meetings March 25 between 6:30 and 8 p.m. and March 25 between 5 and 6:30 p.m. at the convention centre.