Mayor promises to do better in rollout of new bicycle lanes
Concerns of businesses prompted apology; still time to improve design, Helps says
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps has apologized to merchants for the angst caused by the rollout of plans for the $2-million separated cycling lane on Fort Street.
“In particular, I am sorry for the angst, worry and for making you feel like the city does not care about you or your business,” Helps says in a letter hand delivered to 120 downtown merchants.
“We acknowledge that our initial engagement process was inadequate and may have caused you stress and for you to lose faith that your city will act in your best interests.
“I am truly sorry for taking an approach that felt more like the bike corridor on Fort Street is something that happened to you and not with you.”
The city has been receiving many complaints about the rollout of the all-ages and abilities cycling network, particularly about the loss of parking on Pandora and Fort streets.
In her letter, Helps promises to do better.
“What I can say is that going forward — and I know this has already started — our staff will be working more closely with you for insight on the street and direction as to your needs,” Helps said.
“They will be listening to your ideas and suggestions about how we can implement the Fort Street bike corridor in a way that enhances your business and increases your sales.”
Helps issued the letter after attending a bike summit Thursday organized by Downtown Victoria Business Association executive director Kerri Milton and attended by several parties, including business owners and cyclists.
Milton said the apology will go a long way toward calming the waters.
“I think it’s sincere. It came out because the businesses feel like that’s what they were owed — an apology for the lack of engagement in regards to their business frontage,” she said.
But Bruce Gillespie, managing director of Little Jumbo Restaurant, 506 Fort St., said the apology sends a mixed message.
“It’s nice to get a mea culpa, but when it’s still: ‘My mind’s made up, don’t confuse me with the facts’ … it just doesn’t ring as sincerely as you would like,’ ” Gillespie said.
“It’s: ‘Sorry we didn’t consult. We’re still going to do it.”
Milton said that the bike lane on Fort Street has still not received final approval from city council.
Helps said she issued the apology because “I felt it was necessary to acknowledge confusion and to let the businesses know that their success is our success. Staff are now working, almost on an inch by inch basis particularly in the 500 and 600 blocks, to make sure the design meets the needs of the businesses.”
Council hasn’t given final approval because final design has not been completed, Helps said, but plans are still to route the bike lane on Fort Street.
“But there’s still room to improve the design,” she said, noting the detailed design is now underway.
“So in a sense it’s kind of good that this all came to light when it did because now businesses can actually shape in a more detailed way how it’s going to work, look and feel in front of the businesses.”
Helps said she was pleased the Downtown Victoria Business Association is working with the city to engage the business community.
Construction of the first two-way, 1.2-kilometre separated bike lane on Pandora Avenue between Store and Cook streets is underway and scheduled to open this spring at a cost of $3.4-million.
Construction of the two-way separated bike lane on the north side of Fort Street, running between Wharf and Cook, is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2017.