Cyclists Sought For New Port Coquitlam Advisory Group

Love to ride? In conjunction with Bike Month in June, the City of Port Coquitlam is looking for people who like to get around on two wheels for its new Cycling Advisory Group, which will help set the direction for future cycling-related projects in the city. The application deadline is July 14.

The group, whose mandate is to promote a safe and convenient cycling environment for commuter and recreational cyclists, will advise the Engineering & Operation Department’s Transportation Division. Its duties will include:

§  Reviewing and advising on bicycle transportation matters,

§  Providing input on capital improvement projects that involve bicycle facilities,

§  Promoting bicycling as a viable form of urban transportation and recreation, and

§  Promoting motorist and cyclist awareness, competence and safety.

Projects that will be brought to the CAG for input include the planning of a new cyclist and pedestrian underpass of the CP rail tracks at Shaughnessy Street.

In addition to city staff, CAG members will include up to three residents, up to three business owners, and representatives from HUB (formerly the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition), and potentially ICBC, the RCMP and School District 43. The group will typically meet four times a year, although additional meetings may be called to address urgent issues. CAG will be an informal group that will generally work to achieve consensus.

Applications for CAG will be accepted until July 14 – forms are available online at www.portcoquitlam.ca/cag or in print at city facilities.

Cycling is an important component of the city’s draft Master Transportation Plan, its environmental strategic plan goals to reduce greenhouse gases, and its goal of creating a healthy, sustainable community.

To promote cycling, the city has added numerous bicycle facilities in recent years, guided by the Master Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. Improvements have included marked bicycle lanes, signed bicycle routes, cyclist-activated traffic signals, and improvements to the Traboulay PoCo Trail.

For more information about the CAG, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/cag or call 604-927-5284.