A grassroots, impromptu meeting held Tuesday night over the bike lane on South Main Street went well over capacity, keeping at least two city councillors from getting in.
“We were way over capacity with around 140 people we could fit inside and many who couldn’t get in,” said one of the organizers Bella Nagy. “I think for a grassroots meeting that wasn’t even advertised in any way to fill over capacity is very telling and says a lot about how Penticton feels. There were a lot of upset people there.”
City councillor Amelia Boultbee posted that she and Coun. James Miller couldn’t get inside because the Seniors Centre was so full.
But Coun. Campbell Watt did get into the meeting.
“He took a lot of flack for council’s decision to proceed with the bike lane but credit to him for showing up,” she added.
The organizers spoke to Watt afterward.
“He basically said the bike lane is a done deal and they aren’t changing their minds,” said Nagy. “That is really disappointing. The city shouldn’t just steamroll this through. Clearly, the turnout last night is a real indication that Penticton residents deserve to be listened to.”
READ MORE: Citizens hold meeting against South Main bike lane
But the group isn’t done yet, she said.
They gathered up more volunteers and more signatures on their petition. They are planning a rally very soon and a Facebook group will also be posted.
The group recognizes that time is of the essence as the city has already started the Point Intersection work on Galt Street. The $10 million project, which went $3 million over budget, includes installing the new bike lanes down South Main.
The city promised that there will be more information about the final design sometime in May but not date has been announced. Currently, 3.8 km of the route is complete.
The main issue the group is protesting is the concrete barriers that will be put up on both sides of South Main. The barriers already exist on Atkinson Street and many have pointed to how unsafe that street is now, and how difficult it is for emergency vehicles to get through.
South Main Market has also come out to say how the barriers will impact the viability of their business.
READ MORE: Bike lane could greatly impact viability of South Main Market
To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.
<>Don’t miss a single story and get them delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up today for the Penticton Western News Newsletter.
<>@PentictonNews
newstips@pentictonwesternnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.