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Council hears concerns and potential solutions for Lake-to-Lake Cycling Route

Angled parking and changing to the east side of Martin Street were discussed
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The Lake to Lake bike route. The City of Penticton has been working to learn the concerns from residents and devise potential solutions along the route. (City of Penticton)

Penticton continues to move ahead with work on the lake-to-lake cycling route.

On Feb. 2, council heard an update on the work that is currently being done to consult with residents on the route.

Since the planned route was approved by council in November, city staff have been gathering feedback and looking at concerns regarding the final two phases of the route from Fairview Road and Martin Street to Okanagan Lake.

An update on the budget of the cycling route, including potential funding, will be presented to council on Feb. 16.

READ MORE: Penticton gives green-light to lake-to-lake bike lane on Martin Street

Numerous concerns from residents were provided, including the speeds of vehicles along the streets and the impact on businesses and the loss of parking. City staff worked on potential solutions for these concerns.

On Fairview, removing the central shared turning lane would allow for parking to be kept on one side of the street.

Another solution to potential loss of parking suggested by business owners would be to use angled parking, which would require a technical analysis before it could be included in the final design. That would potentially result in a single lane for vehicles from the 300 to the 600 blocks of Martin Street in addition to the single lane potentially considered for the 200 block.

Moving the cycling lane to the east side of the 200 block and reducing the street to a single lane would reduce the amount of impact to businesses, and allow the businesses to keep the patios that they had paid the city for in 2013.

READ MORE: Video: Victoria mayor weighs in on Penticton’s bike route

Coun. Katie Robinson expressed her praise for city staff and their work on educating and collaborating with residents regarding the cycling route.

“It’s good to see how the process is working and how everybody is trying to come together with some solutions to a very complex issue. I think the community is really starting to get behind this project and I honestly think it’s going to be so wonderful for the future generations to come.”

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
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