Cyclists will again have free rein on the lanes already designated for their use after council's almost unanimous vote in favour of a cycling route improvement report.
Coun. Brian Skakun was the lone vote in opposition for the plan to start enforcing no-parking rules on approximately 69 kilometres of roadway. The report, by L&M Engineering, earmarked about three kilometres of bike lanes where parking will continue to be allowed.
Coun. Jillian Merrick introduced the report, which she said she was excited to discuss.
"It's been 15 years in the making," she said after outlining work by groups over the last years to develop transit routes.
"We have to invest infrastructure that's safe and accessible for cyclists to use."
The best part, she said, is the
72 km cycling network will come to the city at a low cost.
"For the cost of the consulting report," Merrick said. "It's just simply a conversation and a policy."
Skakun and a few others countered that assessment, pointing to the $70,000 fee for the report.
To Skakun, it was too much for a something that highlighted points city councillors already knew about.
"There's going to be significant capital cost down the road," said Skakun.
"There's going to be the cost of signs, enforcement and impoundment."
Better cycling infrastructure is the direction other cities are moving towards, said Coun. Murry Krause.
All agreed with L&M's recommendation that the city start educating the public around the new rules. It also suggested a phase-in period.
"Initially warning tickets could be issued for a period of 30 days. This grace period could be extended in the problem areas if the city experiences substantial non-compliance," the report said.
"We need adequate signage to make sure people are aware where the cycle lanes are," Krause said.
L&M Engineering's report summarized a number of meetings it had with affected parties.
The Prince George Cycling Club said it is seeing more winter riding.
"There is no point having bikeways lanes if parking is allowed," it said and also suggested having a directional arrow with the bike symbol to educate riders which direction they should be traveling.
Four areas raised the most concern around removal of parking: along Ospika Boulevard near the soccer fields, CN Centre and next to Rainbow Park; 15th Avenue from Ospika Boulevard to Hwy 97; and along 10th Avenue to Burden Street to McBride Crescent.
CN Centre event staff said the move will mostly affect sold-out shows, but noted aquatic centre and soccer parking lots are not being used.
The rodeo grounds could also offer overflow parking, and moving parking away from Ospika Boulevard will make it safer for pedestrians walking to their cars parked along the busy route.
The Simon Fraser Lodge along 10th Avenue was "very concerned" about parking, given at least six to eight staff park on the road.
Similarly the Phoenix Medical Centre's 220 stalls aren't enough for their 120 workers.
L&M said it can finish the design drawings by June 30, 2016 so painting and signs can be put in place by this fall.
