Letter of thanks to Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows from HUB

Honourable Mayors, Councilors and municipal staff:

On behalf of HUB, Your Cycling Connection (formerly Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition), we would like to extend thanks to the District of Maple Ridge and City of Pitt Meadows for a number of recent cycling & pedestrian infrastructure projects that are visibly and tangibly improving these modes of transportation in our communities.

It is the view of HUB, that a safe and contiguous network of cycling and pedestrian routes from east-to-west and north-to-south in our community would act to encourage people to consider transportation options other than the automobile for "some" of their local trips. With safety being paramount in the minds of current and considering cyclists, some form of separation (whether by space or physical barrier) from travelling vehicles is always preferred to the situation of a cyclist hugging the edge of a busy, fast-moving roadway. It is also recognized that where vehicular traffic can be slowed to 30km/hour or less using traffic-calming methods, cyclists can safely integrated with vehicles. 

In addition to existing cycling infrastructure, recently completed or currently under-construction in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows we see a number of projects which should serve to encourage people to safely venture out on their bikes for more trips of exercise and health, recreation, school, business and shopping. 

Among the recent projects in Maple Ridge:
• 240th Street, painted cycling lanes on both sides
• 232nd Street, painted cycling lanes on both sides
• 122nd Avenue/Mountainview Crescent, traffic-calmed roadway and broad Multi-User-Pathway (MUP) on both sides.
• Abernathy Way, separated MUP 
• 227th Street, broad multi-user sidewalks on both sides
• 117th Avenue/Thorne Avenue, signed shared roadway and traffic-calming
• Hammond to Pitt Meadows recreational trail  

Recent projects in Pitt Meadows:
• New Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan
• Kennedy Road MUP
• McLean Park access
• HUB also recognizes Pitt Meadows' significant pre-existing cycling network and investments and their leadership in this regard.

Thanks again for all your contributions to this essential piece of the local transportation puzzle and we look forward to continued work toward a safe, inter-connecting and well-used cycling and pedestrian network.

Rick Halas, Ivan Chow, Jackie Chow, Alex Pope, Peter Jongbloed, Barry Bellamy, Dave Rush
HUB, Your Cycling Connection