Saturday March 8, 2025 | METCHOSIN, BC [Posted 10:07 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The District of Metchosin is a rural area west of Victoria, where use of vehicles is prominent if not essential.
But Metchosin Mayor and Council are hoping to receive an Active Transportation Grant, focusing on one priority project.
Active transportation includes walking, rolling and cycling.
Currently, 93% of all trips made by Metchosin residents are by vehicle and only 2% of trips are made by active transportation modes, including walking and cycling. Metchosin has lower rates of walking and cycling compared to its neighboring Westshore communities.
The draft Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) identifies network improvements to support people cycling, walking, and wheeling (including people with disabilities) to improve safety, remove or minimize barriers, and facilitate connectivity across the community and to neighboring municipalities.
But what is the priority? How to choose from among many that have been identified by council and the public?
To assist with that decision the District has engaged a consultant and public input has been made available online and at a recent open house.
Phase 1:
Phase 1 of engagement (during Fall 2024), identified some key takeaways that helped inform the draft ATNP. Most notable were challenges and barriers to cycling and walking on Metchosin streets due to a lack dedicated and protected cycling and roadside pedestrian facilities.
There is also a desire to see more neighbourhood connections to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and improved opportunities for access to neighbouring communities.
Additionally, there is significant concern for high traffic speeds, particularly on roads without separated spaces to walk or cycle and where streets are narrow and with blind corners.
Through the first round of engagement, some priority projects appeared to be emerging as preferred for future active transportation improvements, some of which include the expansion of roadside trails on Happy Valley Road around the Village Centre, and a roadside trail on Metchosin Road that will enable connections to the Village Centre, Galloping Goose, Witty Lagoon and Colwood.
Phase 2:
The District of Metchosin is now conducting a second round of engagement on the draft Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP).
The ATNP provides a strategy to improve active transportation conditions in Metchosin that align with the policy goals and objectives that are most important to the community.
Public input received will help refine the draft plan and prioritize projects for future investment, including the selection of one top priority project to apply for funding through the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant program.
Open house:
The March 5 open house in council chambers was hosted by Mayor Marie-Térèse Little and Councillors Shelly Donaldson, Sharie Epp, Steve Gray, and Jay Shukin.
About 30 members of the public attended to discuss active transportation issues with mayor, council, staff and consultants from Urban Systems.
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NEWS SECTIONS: METCHOSIN | TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION
