2023 Courtenay Annual Report

Bikeways and Reduced Speeds in two Neighbourhoods Reduced speeds are now in effect on several roads leading to École Puntledge Park Elementary in West Courtenay, as well as a section of Piercy Avenue, with a goal of improving safety and comfort for people who walk, roll, or drive to the school and beyond. These projects are the first of several outlined in Courtenay’s five-year Cycling Network Capital Plan, approved in 2023, which prioritizes active transportation for all ages and abilities. The speed limit on sections of 4th Street, Pidcock, Woods, Willemar and Piercy Avenues, has been reduced from 50 km/hour to 40 km/hour. New pavement markings and signage identify these specific street sections as “neighbourhood bikeways,” helping connect people to schools, parks, and surrounding areas. Neighbourhood bikeways are local streets with lower vehicle speeds and volumes, where cyclists share the same space with vehicles. When the City asked the community for feedback during the development of Courtenay’s Cycling Network Plan, almost a third of respondents said gaps in the cycling network to key destinations were a concern. The active transportation network has expanded throughout Courtenay in recent years, through a combination of newly painted and protected bike lanes, shorter road crossing distances and pedestrian-controlled flashing beacons.

Streets and Transportation

The speed limit has been reduced from 50 km/hour to 40 km/ hour in some places in the City

Cycling Network Upgrades

Year

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Total

5.2 km 2.3 km 2.7 km

Neighbourhood bikeway

2.1 km

3.1 km

Painted bike lane

1.8 km 0.5 km

Painted bike lane with buffer

1.1 km

0.5 km 1.1 km

2.9 km Grand Total: 13.1 km

Protected bike lane

0.4 km 2 km

0.5 km

Total Cycling Network Upgrades

17

City of Courtenay | 2023 Annual Report