11042 replies to this topic

[DustMagnet]

^ Might I recommend all or part of the Pacific Crest Trail?

[sebberry]

Having lived with myself for 62 years, I know myself far too well (sometimes to my detriment) to purchase a stationary bicycle that, despite great plans to "get in shape" by exercising in front of the TV ... in reality it would sit in whatever room I choose to unpack it in completely unused.

 

In that case, make sure you forget to plug in the E-bike once in a while so you have to do some of the work yourself

[Danma]

I'm purchasing an e-bike to increase my cardio vascular capacity, lose weight, tone muscle, and otherwise try to stay healthy at 62 years of age. Hopefully, as all of those things that need improving start to improve over time ... I'll become less and less dependent on the "E" portion of the bike, and get to the point where my body is proving 90% of the motive power.

I propose to do that by riding to and from work each day, thus reducing the dependance on my truck for that task by at least 75%.

 

There's research showing that people who ride e-bikes actually end up in a better place health-wise than people who have regular bikes, because they end up using it far more often and even if they're putting in maybe less effort, the amount they use it more than makes up for it.

[Mike K.]

And they likely cause fewer injuries among older riders, too boot.

[Danma]

And they likely cause fewer injuries among older riders, too boot.

 

It's likely, I agree. Compared to other physical activities cycling is relatively low-impact, but still there's potential for back, hip and knee issues due to overdoing it or poor form.

[spanky123]

In addition to the $11M+ being spent on bike lanes, City staff are suggesting that $19M will be spent over the next 5 years on other infrastructure upgrades to support better cycling, walking and mobility in the city.

 

https://pub-victoria...ocumentId=32527

Edited by spanky123, 27 February 2019 - 04:41 PM.

[Nparker]

...City staff are suggesting that $19M will be spent over the next 5 years on other infrastructure upgrades to support better cycling, walking and mobility in the city...

Is anything being allocated to repair the increasingly decrepit roads in the CoV?

Edited by Nparker, 27 February 2019 - 04:50 PM.

[Jackerbie]

Is anything being allocated to repair the increasingly decrepit roads in the CoV?

 

$19 million for Complete Streets (over four years) includes repairing and resurfacing streets. They'll be looking at what improvements can be made while they're dong work on the street anyways.

 

The separate "roads" budget in Public Works is just over $1 mil, which is for your usual pothole filling, crack sealing, patching and paving. 

[Mike K.]

That's over $36 million.

 

The City of Victoria is looking to budget tens of millions of dollars towards improvements to the public realm for cyclists, pedestrians and individuals experiencing mobility challenges.

 

$19.2 million will be earmarked for a "complete streets" approach to street improvements, described by the City as:

 

"Using a proactive pavement asset management strategy, streets are rehabilitated or resurfaced with the objective of maintaining the City's street system for future generations in the most timely and cost-effective way. Each road rehabilitation project is reviewed using a complete streets lens to help ensure that when we are repairing and replacing our infrastructure we maximize the benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility impaired whether that is new cycling infrastructure, sidewalks, street lighting, accessible traffic signals or new pedestrian crossings."

 

$11.2 million, including the potential to additional monies, will be allocated to the City's bicycle master plan which includes the protected bike lanes.

 

An additional $740,000 will go towards crosswalk installations, $182,000 towards traffic signal upgrades and $156,000 towards new transit shelters.

 

A further $1.93 million will a pedestrian master plan, while just under $3 million is earmarked for a pedestrian safety program and pathway upgrades.

[Nparker]

Hundreds of kilometers of existing roads in the CoV and bike lanes get the largest share of the budget. The per capita benefit is small for the dollars spent. It's pretty clear who lobbies the loudest at City Hall.

[rmpeers]

Hundreds of kilometers of existing roads in the CoV and bike lanes get the largest share of the budget. The per capita benefit is small for the dollars spent. It's pretty clear who lobbies the loudest at City Hall.

Our local govt doesn't even pretend to represent anyone other than a handful of donors and lobbyists. As long as those folks turn a blind eye to the sexual harassment and such, they will get what they want. Hypocrisy on a grand scale.

[spanky123]

That's over $36 million.

 

I referenced the document as it was notable, but the good news is that most of the monies are inflated. This document is in support of the Smart Cities initiative and the attempt to get the Government to kick in $10M for SIPP to build a mobility app. The City wants to make it look like they are spending a huge amount of money in support of the effort.

[nagel]

It's a measly 4% of the budget for the next 4 years.  I'm pretty sure even Saanich spends more on this stuff and nobody bats an eye.  Shelbourne alone will cost Saanich 12 million.

[Mike K.]

Saanich is 6x the size of Victoria, so they sort of have to spend more.

[sdwright.vic]

If you want to talk about what Saanich spends, then live in Saanich.

[Mike K.]

I think nagel does live in Saanich.

[sdwright.vic]

Then nagel needs to spend less time worrying about Victoria.

[spanky123]

It's a measly 4% of the budget for the next 4 years.  I'm pretty sure even Saanich spends more on this stuff and nobody bats an eye.  Shelbourne alone will cost Saanich 12 million.

 

So you wouldn't mind paying 4% more in taxes each year?

[nagel]

Then nagel needs to spend less time worrying about Victoria.

I promise I worry less about Victoria than Saanich, but I do work in Victoria so there is some acceptable amount of worry.  I don't think we really want to silo comments based on municipal residence.

[sdwright.vic]

Actually we do when certain people aren't paying the property taxes.