Cyclists are gearing up for the latest protest ride to council’s doorstep in Oak Bay after delays in anticipated infrastructure.
Riders in the region started ‘Critical Mass’ rides in 2023, calling for Oak Bay to provide cycling facilities more in line with neighbouring communities Saanich and Victoria.
Last time they rallied outside municipal hall, on March 25, was the night council approved a five-year implementation strategy for nine cycling projects prioritized in the 2023 Oak Bay Active Transportation Strategy Review – to be funded through taxes. The decision came after more than three hours of discussion that featured a plenty of letters from the public, both taxpayers and frequent visitors to the community.
READ ALSO: 9 projects planned over 5 years for Oak Bay bike network
In that report, staff outlined a projected hiring of two coordinators and a five-year rollout. A few days later during in a bid to trim the district tax increase for 2024, council opted to cut the two coordinator positions to one – but leave the rollout at five years, anticipating that might not occur.
The group is calling on council to reverse that decision and move more quickly on another.
Henderson and Cedar Hill Cross roads have long been part-time bike-only lanes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday with parking at night and on weekends. The proposal to remove parking, initially introduced in 2008 and 2010, resurfaced about a year ago and in February council tasked staff with preparing changes for the required traffic control order that would remove part-time parking.
READ ALSO: Shared bike, parking lanes could soon be history in Oak Bay
In February, council tasked staff with preparing changes for the required traffic control order that would remove part-time parking in bike lanes on Henderson and Cedar Hill Cross roads.
The Oak Bay Critical Mass ride, calling for safer cycling routes, is set for April 22, leaving the University of Victoria (Ring Road and University Avenue) at 5 p.m. and finishing at municipal hall 2167 Oak Bay Ave.
Council meets at 7 p.m., find the agenda and ways to participate in person and online at oakbay.civicweb.net/portal.
READ ALSO: Oak Bay opts for ‘quick win’ projects, sending two bikeways to design
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