E&N Rail Trail
Watch for trail designs to be showcased this month. 
The E&N Rail Trail will link downtown Victoria, the Galloping Goose and Lochside Trail to a new off-road corridor alongside an active railway. The Capital Regional District and engineering consultants will present concepts for the trail at open houses in the four municipalities where the trail will be built. Plans call for completion by February of 2010.

E&N Rail Trail Open Houses: 7 pm. to 9 pm. all locations

  • Mon. April 21, Victoria City Hall, 1 Centennial Square
  • Tues. April 22, View Royal Town Hall, 45 View Royal Ave.
  • Wed. April 23, Esquimalt Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Rd.
  • Thurs. April 24, Langford Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Ave.

Walking:
B & B owners, hoteliers, and other businesses wanting walking maps in quantity, for their guests or customers, should contact John Luton (free delivery in the Capital Region).  The map shows several walking routes in and around downtown Victoria — a great city to see on foot.  Watch for our new map soon, with added running routes.  Here’s what you get to see on foot this month:  Luton's Photos

More on walking at Green Communities Canada, with Safe Routes to School programs.

Advice Column:
Hi John,
I have a question.  We normally cycle the Gulf Islands, but this year we’re considering a ride that includes Vancouver Island.  Our challenge is connecting the Galloping Goose to Shawnigan Lake and somehow avoiding the Malahat.  The VIA Rail Dayliner doesn’t take bikes and coach liners don’t seem to offer the routes we want.  I don’t recall the elevation profile, but if we do try the Malahat, can you tell me if it’s easier one direction vs. another?  We have our wives along and they fear the big climbs.  Any suggestions?
- Sent from Perry’s iphone.

Hi Perry,
At the moment you can't connect the western Galloping Goose to Shawnigan Lake.  You can use the Goose through Victoria and suburban Saanich to link to the Interurban Trail that meanders flatly north to Brentwood Bay and the Mill Bay Ferry (the island's most beautiful shortcut, especially for cyclists:  the water is flat and someone else's engine is doing the work).  From there, Shawnigan Lake is 10 km or so away, mostly over rolling backroads.  I think traveling north gives you the more challenging climb up to 350 m (1150 ft or so).  It's not as pleasant a climb; more so because of growing traffic volumes and too many aggressive rumble strips along the corridor.  It’s still passable; however, the alternative is a much nicer and safer ride.
- John

How To: Look For Ideas
We should be so lucky as Quebec, where La Route Verte has benefited from generous, sustained and focused funding.  The cycling network is generating jobs and economic activity, and providing local bicycle transportation routes for commuters across the province.  Have a look at the latest Velo Quebec report.  Be very jealous of the features shown in the photos.  Our trails should look so good!  (It’s a big file but worth the wait to let it load.) Velo Quebec Forum.pdf

Engineers’ Corner:
I’ll be busy this month, attending E & N open houses, presenting bike parking ideas at a conference of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and working through other plans for improving cycling facilities on the Island.

Bike parking that gets high marks — good racks, sheltered from the weather, and well situated to invite informal surveillance: Sheltered Racks
Making bike lanes feel more like a separate facility, this raised bike lane example from Eugene, Oregon (thanks to Lee Shoemaker at the City of Eugene) is something we’re considering for projects around Victoria, and could help make the roads more comfortable for a broader range of cyclists.  The design might be particularly helpful where trail networks have to use the road. Raised Lane

Bicycles at Rest:
Get a copy of our bicycle parking manual.
Send $5 to CBWS at 22 Philippa Place, Victoria, BC V8S 1S6.

Bike to Work Week is coming..
The stories are a little thin but expect the arrival of the sunshine and spring weather to generate interest in activity.  Bike to Work Week always generates new activity and new interest in cycling.  Victoria’s event is one of the most successful in North America and it is little wonder.  The latest census confirms we are still the cycling capital of Canada.  More than 5.6% of the city’s commuters — about 9,000 a day — ride bikes to and from work.  More will join the usual crowds early in June for Bike to Work Week.  Several Island communities are getting on board with their own events, including Nanaimo, Campbell River, Comox and the Cowichan Valley.  Here’s what the Goose looks like during the annual event:  Bike to Work Week '07 Find out more: BTWW

Bike for fun?
Check out the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition rides calendar for recreational tours: Fairfield Artists Tour goes April 26th.

Dirt:
Fun can be had in the dirt if you are ready for it.  New sponsor, Oak Bay Bikes, has a Nanaimo store that is running three basic mountain-biking clinics to help you keep the rubber side down.  Find out more at: Oak Bay Bikes Nanaimo

Cycling + Walking Matters is sponsored by:

Lighthouse Breweries Found in pubs and restaurants across Vancouver Island and select locations on mainland BC. Also available in 6-pac cans in liquor stores, cold beer and wine stores. 

Also sponsored by:
Cottage Pirouette Cyclist friendly accommodation near the heart of Victoria  and Fairfield Bicycles Victoria's friendly bicycle shop.


SchwalbeMany thanks to new sponsor Schwalbe tires
Some fresh rubber will fit well on the bombproof wheels Fairfield Bicycle Shop put together for my Kona. Logged more than 5,000 km last year, mostly working, mostly on Schwalbes. Thanks for the support.

CBWS website by Reliable Controls  VICTA by Viewmont.  Projects supported by Saanich, Victoria, Vancity, and other funders. Also supported by individual donations from Friends of Cycling and Walking.

Cycling and Walking Matters is written by John Luton, edited by Karen Kelly