The District of Kent recently announced the completion of their active transportation plan.
The plan has been in the works since the fall of 2022. The plan serves as a guiding document making recommendations for walking trails, signage, bike lanes and other projects related to promoting active transportation.
“Active transportation” is defined as any human-powered transport, which includes walking, skateboarding and cycling. E-scooters and e-bikes might also fit into the category.
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The plan would not have been possible without regular feedback from the public throughout. An initial community survey got 240 responses, pop-up events raising awareness about the plan garnered another 80 responses.
“Active transportation is an important piece of our overall transportation and infrastructure plan,” stated Kent Mayor Sylvia Pranger. “Feedback from the community is vital and will help ensure that our District is accessible to everyone.”
The feedback sessions revealed three themes the enveloped concerns and suggestions from residents: connecting the community, making active transportation more enjoyable and promoting active transportation.
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The finished plan identifies a long-term network for active transportation. Should the plan proceed as proposed, this would fill in the gaps of the walking and cycling trails in the community to allow more active transportation opportunities throughout the District of Kent.
In addition to building more sidewalks and trails, the district further outline the need for amenities such as lighting, signage and bike parking and education like etiquette and safety information.
During a council meeting last month, Pranger pointed out that projects like street crossing lights at Mackay Crescent and Highway 9, for example, would require funding and assistance from the province. The mayor noted that the district has made money available for such improvements before, but the province turned the proposal down. She hopes local officials can hold the province to task to help implement the active transportation plan.
The Fraser Valley Regional District is currently working on a regional active transportation network plan that would, in time, connect the district to the wider FVRD. The FVRD expect the project to be completed this spring.
An online survey collecting data on active transportation is available now at haveyoursay.fvrd.ca; the survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. This survey marks the second round of public engagement, and the next phases will be to finalize the plan and ultimately present it to the FVRD board.