Administration Seeks Approval, in Principle, of Saskatoon’s First Active Transportation Plan

City Administration will be presenting the final Active Transportation Plan (ATP) report to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation on Monday, June 13, 2016, requesting that the report be forwarded to City Council for approval, in principle, of the long-term benefits and key directions outlined in the plan.

“The ATP was developed with broad input from residents and stakeholders and establishes a long-term vision for active transportation in Saskatoon that complements the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan),” says Alan Wallace, Director of Planning and Development.  “Guided by community input, a vision, and goals, targets for active transportation have been developed, along with key directions and action items to improve active transportation facilities, policies and standards, support programs, and education and awareness initiatives over the next 30 to 40 years.”

Some of the key directions and action items included in the ATP are to:

1. address gaps in sidewalks, shared pathways and cycling facilities in core neighborhoods, existing employment areas, and other established neighbourhoods;
2. improve connectivity of sidewalks, shared pathways and cycling facilities in new neighborhoods, and employment areas;
3. address year-round accessibility and maintenance of sidewalks, pathways, intersections, and cycling facilities;
4. address road safety and personal security issues;
5. address barriers, such as crossings of major roads, river crossings, underpasses and overpasses, railways, and natural features, to provide adequate access for all active transportation users;
6. ensure adequate levels of bike parking in the downtown, at civic facilities, and other major destinations throughout Saskatoon;
7. ensure active transportation facilities are provided along key transit, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and growth corridors, as identified in the Growth Plan; and
8. enhance education and awareness to support and promote active transportation, including promotion of sharing the road between all road users, and responsible travel behaviours and attitudes to provide more accessible, convenient, and safe transportation choices for all.

The ATP target is to double walking and cycling trips to 24% of all daily trips and 15% of all commute trips by 2045.

“Without the ATP, increased traffic congestion, longer commutes, and higher infrastructure costs are expected to impact economic growth and prosperity, quality of life, and environmental leadership as Saskatoon’s population grows to half a million people,” said Wallace.

If the ATP is approved, in principle, a five-year implementation plan will be created and brought to City Council for approval in early 2017.

Comments and requests to speak at the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation meeting may be submitted, in advance, via the City’s website at www.saskatoon.ca/writetocouncil.

For more information on the ATP, please visit the project website at www.growingfwd.ca.