Riopel gains support for $2 million cycling scheme

Sault Ste. Marie's Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) is going to support a local group's bid for a master cycling plan worth more than $2 million.

The plan, being developed by the Sault Trails Advocacy Committee, would make Sault Ste. Marie the best cycling city in North America if approved by City Council, said spokesperson Andre Riopel.

Riopel (shown) wants to see five percent of the city's transportation construction budget set aside to fund part of the plan.

The cycling master plan calls for a hub of paved trails forming a 20-kilometre loop, affording users safe, easy access by non-motorized traffic to shopping centres, places of employment, schools, tourist areas and other major points of interest.

Part of route already set

Under the plan, the three-metre to four-metre-wide loop pavement would be totally isolated from motorized traffic, allowing four-season usage and including tunnels or bridges to cross major traffic arteries, rivers, train tracks and other obstacles.

The hub would form the largest park in the city and some of its route has already been roughed out.

It would include the existing boardwalk downtown, extended east to Bellevue Park, then looping north by a yet-to-be-determined route.

The trail would swing around the north end of town, most likely by Second Line, then find its way back downtown alongside the planned truck route.

In addition to the hub, the plan includes a secondary network of existing roads that would be shared with motorized traffic but may be modified by traffic-calming measures.

One-way exits on some streets?

"Some of these traffic-calming mechanisms may include centre motorized traffic barriers, one-way exits on some streets and signage throughout," said Riopel.

"We approve it [the cycling master plan] in principle and we think it's an excellent idea for Sault Ste. Marie," said Jerry Bumbacco, acting vice chair of PRAC.

"We would just advise they work with planners, as they requested, and the powers that be, so that everybody has input and will be satisfied with the final outcome," said Bumbacco.

In a presentation to PRAC last night, Riopel said the plan would be the most cost-effective way to reduce traffic congestion in the city.

"This will be good for motorists and for cyclists because it will get bikes off the roads," said Riopel.

Large number of bike accidents

He reminded PRAC of the high number of bicycle automobile accidents on City roads and suggested that getting cyclists around town without using dangerously busy five-lane motorized thoroughfares would be worth the cost.

He says similar plans have been implemented successfully in major cities around the world such as Paris, Helsinki, Ottawa and Washington and that they have the added benefit of attracting more tourists.

"Right now it’s a concept," said Riopel.

"We need engineers, planners, political will and public support to make it a plan."

Volunteer committee

The volunteer committee that's working on the master plan consists of about half a dozen local groups representing hikers, cyclists, triathlon competitors, and other people looking for safe transportation alternatives around the Sault.

Sault Trails Advocacy Committee has already gotten approval in principle for the cycling plan concept from the city but is now looking for approval of specific parts of the plan, in particular the hub.

Riopel expects the master plan will be ready for presentation to City Council within a few months.