WATCH: More than 60 Victoria parking stalls could be lost along the Dallas Road waterfront to make room for proposed bike lanes. Isabelle Raghem reports.
The battle between bike lanes and parking spots in Victoria could get even more heated.
According to preliminary designs for the Capital Regional District’s new sewage treatment project, up to 63 spots could be removed to make room for bike lanes.
It’s upsetting news for some drivers who say it’s hard to find parking as is.
“I come here quite often and it’s full. You’re looking for a parking spot,” said one driver Saturday.
The new separated bike lanes are part of the regional sewage treatment project.
City staff recommend having the angled parking spots from Dock Street to Lewis Street converted into parallel parking which would reduce parking from 120 to 70 spots. Another 13 spots would be lost near Paddon Avenue.
“I think it’s great they want to encourage bike lanes, but they should maybe find alternative parking elsewhere,” said a Victoria resident Saturday.
“It’s a perfect spot for a bike lane, so I wouldn’t mind too much if the parking spots are gone,” said another.
Preliminary designs for the project were shown to Victoria city council this week.
“I think council was a bit alarmed at the number of spots proposed to be lost,” said Victoria mayor Lisa Helps Saturday, “While we can expect people living nearby — those who are able — to walk and bike to the waterfront, it’s a regional destination. I think that there’s merit in looking at can we save some of those spots and what are the constraints of doing that?”
Council has asked staff to come back with new ideas in the new year.
The presented designs are 30% complete. The consulting team will meet with community associations in January 2018 with 50% designs to get their input, before presenting the updates to council in February 2018.
Isabelle Raghem
