More civic engagement opportunities!
Copied below is a post written by Todd Kalyniuk on behalf of the GVCC regarding the recent survey about bike parking downtown and recommendations to Council based on the results of that survey. There is an opportunity for cyclists to support the recommendations by sending an email to engage@victoria.ca
Below is Todd's post:
The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition (GVCC) conducted an online survey of people riding bicycles in Victoria looking at Secure Bike Parking in Victoria. There was a total of 523 respondents. Based on the survey, now is the time for a call to action for the 2020 City of Victoria Budget cycle. Please send an email to Engage@victoria.ca to make your voice heard and to support our recommendations.
Background – in Victoria there were a total of 671 reported bicycle thefts last year as compared to 191 car thefts in the same period. Our survey shows that it’s a deterrent to riding to downtown Victoria
The key survey findings include:
1. Most respondents visit Victoria by bike daily or weekly (59.5%)
2. Only 20.5% are satisfied with current secure bike parking options
3. 80% of respondents are concerned about bike theft with 53% having had a bike stolen and only 15% of stolen bikes were ever recovered
4. Over 70% of respondents park on the street or in parkades
5. Only 11% are satisfied with current facilities and 62% of respondents would prefer a bike parkade or bike cage
6. The use of cargo bikes (7.9%) and bikes with e-assist (16.3%) are growing
7. 64% of respondents would be willing to pay a small fee for improved bike parking
8. 69% want parking close to their destination
Based on those findings, we are recommending the following actions to improve access to secure bike parking in Victoria:
City of Victoria
1. Increase and improve on-street bike parking close to destinations for < 2 hour parking
2. Upgrade secure bike parking in city parkades (type of racks, supervision, lockers and cages) > 2 hour parking
3. Encourage construction of more bike cages and bike lockers and allow businesses to lease spots for cages
4. Upgrade parking to support e-bike/cargo bikes & e-bike charging
5. Require adequate valet bike parking for event permits
6. Update zoning standards for bike parking on new zoning / building permits
7. Provides resources for commercial bike parking design and construction
8. Process to report locations with insufficient bike parking
9. Find & pilot new and innovative bike parking solutions
10. Look for partners wiling to host long-term valet bike parking or other innovations
11. Consider a by-law allowing bikes to be brought into residences, stores and workplaces
VicPD
12. Improve bike registration & theft reduction
13. Education on proper bike locking
Bike Parking Downtown - GVCC Survey/Recommendations
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