In recent years, we have invested in projects that encourage residents to get out of their cars and choose an active mode of transportation such as walking, cycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, strollers, scooters and more.
These projects support users of all ages and abilities, and include cycling and multi-use paths, sidewalks and pedestrian safety improvements, signage/pavement markings, and network connection improvements. Benefits include community liveability, social connection and improved health, along with reductions to traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to the City’s investment, other sources of funding include ICBC’s Road Improvement Program for signs and pavement markings on bike lanes and multi-use paths, and TransLink for cycling and sidewalk projects that meet regional transportation objectives.
Cycling
Cycling is a great way to travel around the community.
Port Coquitlam is proud to have won an Infrastructure Improvement Award on Feb. 23, 2023 from prominent cycling advocacy group HUB Cycling. Read the media release.
HUB Cycling, a non-profit cycling advocacy group, promotes cycling in the community. Activities include participating in events such as Bike to Work Week and learn-to-ride programs.
Multi-Use Paths
Multi-use paths are a newer addition to the City’s active transportation infrastructure. These shared paved paths are separated from roadways and provide additional safe places for people to walk, cycle and roll through the community.
Roads must be shared between vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. When designing Port Coquitlam’s road network, the City considers their competing needs for access, flow and safety. Port Coquitlam constructs new roadways and retrofits existing ones, as budgets permit, with cycling facilities and active transportation infrastructure such as multi-use paths.
In recent years, the City has directed investments towards multi-use paths (MUPs) as they serve a broader cross-section of the community and reduce parking impacts because they are typically constructed in the boulevard.
However, MUPs also face challenges with boulevard obstructions (e.g. poles, vegetation, trees, utilities), higher construction costs, and residents who have become accustomed to using the public boulevard space for their own private use.
Like most cities, Port Coquitlam complies with engineering design guidelines from the Transportation Association of Canada.
Cycling and multi-use path projects are funded by the City’s capital budget or constructed as part of new development projects. Other sources of funding:
ICBC contributes funding for pedestrian safety improvement projects through its Road Improvement Program.
Coast Mountain Bus Company contributes 50% of the project funding for wheelchair/pedestrian landing areas at bus stops.
TransLink contributes funding for cycling and active transportation projects that meet regional transportation objectives.
