Oak Bay residents have until Thursday to complete a survey on draft designs for Henderson and Haultain-Estevan cycling routes, and add their own suggestions.
The online survey is part of the district’s 2022-2026 active transportation plan, and cycling advocates are urging cyclists in the area to respond.
One proposal is for a Henderson Road cycling route to connect Oak Bay Avenue, Oak Bay High School, local churches, Oak Bay Recreation Centre and Carnarvon Park, improving access to the University of Victoria by connecting to Henderson Road’s existing cycling infrastructure.
The other design is for a Haultain Street-Estevan Avenue route to connect Willows Beach, Estevan Village and Cadboro Bay Road’s commercial district. It would also provide access to Haultain Street’s existing cycling infrastructure in Saanich.
Under the draft plans, a total of 33 parking spaces would be eliminated to make way for crosswalks, lane changes, curb extensions and improved sightlines.
Cycling advocate Jane van Hoorn, who was involved in mapping out a proposed Oak Bay cycling plan in 2011, is hoping cycling improvements will go ahead this time.
But she’s concerned that the process could stall because of public input, or plans could be stymied by lack of funding.
Van Hoorn, who has been part of Critical Mass Rides to raise awareness of the need for safe cycling routes in Oak Bay, would like to see cycling crossing buttons added to Oak Bay’s plans.
She’s also not thrilled about planned “sharrows” on Estevan Avenue, saying they’re “not particularly effective.”
Sharrows are painted arrows and a bicycle symbol on the street. Van Hoorn prefers painted bike lanes, although she says protected bike lanes, with physical infrastructure separating bike lanes from driving lanes, are best.
Lesley Blackman, owner of Estevan Pharmacy, is worried that Estevan Avenue is too busy and crowded for it to be a designated route for cyclists, suggesting Dalhousie Street instead.
There’s often a parking shortage on that stretch of Estevan Avenue, she said, and some drivers travel faster than they should.
Capital Bike’s local area committee for Oak Bay issued a statement encouraging cyclists in the area to fill out the survey.
“Imagine reduced traffic congestion at the Oak Bay Tea Party and fewer pickups and drop-offs at Oak Bay High. But to get return on investment and see significant use, these routes must be safe,” the group said.
“Take a look at the designs, tell Oak Bay which design features you feel are safe, and then let them know what is missing.”
Capital Bike listed ideas such as speed-bump gaps for cyclists and adding more bike parking at Willows Beach.
