Bike St. John's Master Plan

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Consultation has concluded

image of logo for Bike St. John's Master Plan

The City of St. John’s has developed a new Bike St John's Master Plan with the help of Trace Planning and Design, Stantec, and the Planning Partnership.

The Plan was approved by Council on June 10, 2019. In their approval, Council noted that there will be ongoing public engagement on any projects or changes.

Thanks to everyone who contributed through public engagement! More than 1,000 people helped guide the plan by sharing experiences and feedback through public questionnaire forms, stakeholder meetings, public open houses, classroom visits, and drop-in sessions. Common themes and messages from the public included:

  • Safety is paramount
  • Off-street trails through natural areas are preferred by most
  • Riding a bike needs to be comfortable and convenient for more people to do it

Phase 1: In September and October of 2018, we asked the public:

  • where and why do people currently ride bikes?
  • what are the barriers and opportunities for cycling in St John’s?

See the Preliminary What We Heard for a summary of results.

Phase 2: In January and February of 20119, we hosted 4 public drop-in sessions, 1 stakeholder workshop and an online survey. A draft bike network map and vision statement were shared for public feedback.

The Draft Network Overview Maps and the Information Note for Council provide more details. We asked for feedback on:

  • Vision statement
  • Route selection (For example, comparing route options to bike from point A to B)
  • Bike facility type (Compare your comfort level using different facility types such as painted bike lanes, multi-use trails, etc.)
  • Surface materials (For example, should gravel or asphalt be used on multi-use trails?

The City of St. John’s has developed a new Bike St John's Master Plan with the help of Trace Planning and Design, Stantec, and the Planning Partnership.

The Plan was approved by Council on June 10, 2019. In their approval, Council noted that there will be ongoing public engagement on any projects or changes.

Thanks to everyone who contributed through public engagement! More than 1,000 people helped guide the plan by sharing experiences and feedback through public questionnaire forms, stakeholder meetings, public open houses, classroom visits, and drop-in sessions. Common themes and messages from the public included:

  • Safety is paramount
  • Off-street trails through natural areas are preferred by most
  • Riding a bike needs to be comfortable and convenient for more people to do it

Phase 1: In September and October of 2018, we asked the public:

  • where and why do people currently ride bikes?
  • what are the barriers and opportunities for cycling in St John’s?

See the Preliminary What We Heard for a summary of results.

Phase 2: In January and February of 20119, we hosted 4 public drop-in sessions, 1 stakeholder workshop and an online survey. A draft bike network map and vision statement were shared for public feedback.

The Draft Network Overview Maps and the Information Note for Council provide more details. We asked for feedback on:

  • Vision statement
  • Route selection (For example, comparing route options to bike from point A to B)
  • Bike facility type (Compare your comfort level using different facility types such as painted bike lanes, multi-use trails, etc.)
  • Surface materials (For example, should gravel or asphalt be used on multi-use trails?
Consultation has concluded

Check out the information on the page or review the questions and answers that have already been posted. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, post your question here and we will follow up with you. 

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    Is the City seriously considering paving the trail from Allandale Road to the east end of Quidi Vidi Lake? Sorry but I only heard about this today. I am entering my fifth decade as a runner and I credit this to being able to run on the wonderful gravel trails throughout St. John’s. It is much much safer to run/walk on gravel than it is to run on asphalt. It’s so disappointing to hear this, tell me that it isn’t true. Bill Goulding

    BillGoulding asked over 3 years ago

    Thanks for the question. The city is preparing for public engagement and design for the Kelly’s Brook Shared Use Path project, which includes the walking trail from Kings Bridge Road to Columbus Drive. No other sections of trail are being considered at this time. By way of your registration on this site you will get notifications about upcoming public engagement for the Kelly’s Brook Shared-Use Path project.

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    I live in 21 Whiteway Street. I have had a look at the preliminary Kellys Brook Multi Use Trail route between Newtown Road and Bonaventure Avenue. (ref Trail Sections 9 and 10). While I do not object to there being a multi-use trail running adjacent to the ballfield, Lions Chalet and Curling Club, I was surprised that the Preliminary Plan shows the new paved section taking the route of the current gravel walking trail, close to back yards of houses 1 - 25 Whiteway Street. There is lots of room on the gravel section adjacent to the ball field to accommodate a 3m wide strip of asphalt so that bikes can take that route as opposed to destroying a piece of very serene walking trail. There is a win-win to be found here. The multi use trail can take the route that vehicles currently take when accessing the ballfield. I have looked at the area and there is lots of room to locate the multi use trail while still having sufficient room for the Lions park spectator needs. If desired to formally delineate the trail from the rest of the gravel area a seasonal chain link fence can be put in place for the softball season that can be removed and stored for winter. Also, monies can be saved by not having to construct a trail parallel to the current paved access to the end of the asphalt turn around in front of Lion's Chalet. Paving, widening and making the current gravel trail behind 1 - 23 Whiteway Street, with the resulting bike use would seriously impact negatively on the enjoyment of the back yards of those residents. Given that there is ample room to route the trail in the existing ballfield gravel area, and simply using the existing paved access to the ballfield at the Lions chalet turnound there is no need to destroy this pleasant treed piece of park. I am requesting that this issue be looked at with a view to revising the route to a more appropriate alignment when final plans are prepared.

    brenoconnell asked over 3 years ago

    As this project is planned, there will be further opportunity for public engagement. In the meantime, thank you for submitting your concerns, they have been shared with our Transportation Engineering Division staff who are the leads for this project.

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    If Rennies MIll Trails was paved its unlikely many cyclists would use it to commute as they would most likely cycle on the nearby Rennies Mill Road and Strawberry Marsh Roads as those streets are wide, low volume and low speed. This way they would avoid walkers with dogs, kids on skateboards, etc.. The use of the term "safety" is misleading and "risk' would be a better term. The risk of a collision with a motor vehicle on Rennies Mill or Strawberry Marsh Road is extremely low. Actually, the risk to cyclists on most City subdivision streets is very low as these roads are relatively wide, low volume and low speed.

    Runner biker asked over 4 years ago

    Thanks for your comment! This is certainly an interesting question that will be considered as the project moves to the design stage. Please stay connected through this website to hear about future public engagement for projects related to the Bike Plan.

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    On a comment of 2 months ago by BG, the City responded with: "Thanks for your comment. People using proper shared-use path etiquette is really important for people to comfortably and enjoyably share trails. Educational campaigns are planned to accompany the opening of new routes." In a practical sense, many people don't follow rules, particularly when there is no enforcement, and one only has to look at the Outer Ring Road to see what happens when drivers have a divided double lane paved road with wide paved shoulders: they speed, even with a police presence Even though drivers are "educated" to drive according to the posted speed limit, which is 100km/hr, many do 140km/hr, even when its wet. The narrow trail sections, turns and gravel surface act as "speed limiters" for the cyclists that ride on them. Nobody does 140km/hr on Thorburn Road because its narrow but many do 140km/hr on the ORR because its wide. Bikes are prohibited on the Long Pond Trail and sections of Rennies Mills Trail and Virginia River Trail because there are downhill sections, and despite the posted "No Cycling" signs, many cyclists ride on them on a regular basis. In other words, the City's proposed "educational campaign" will probably prove ineffective. Widening, straighten and paving the trails will only lead to faster bike speeds and collisions and more complaints from the dominant trails users, which are walkers, dog walkers, runners and families with baby strollers. Also, it should be noted that baby strollers are already a common sight on the current gravel trails despite statements made in the Telegram by a City representative.

    Runner biker asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback 

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    I am concerned about the plan to widen and pave the trails. There is no way this can be done without removing existing vegetation and creating a wider, paved surface can only increase the amount runoff into the rivers from rain. We are already dealing with flooding problems because of upstream developments. How is the increased runoff and consequent increased risk of flooding during heavy rains going to be prevented. If there is no plan for this perhaps at the very least a non-paved surface should be considered. The same applies to the consequences of vegetation removal to double the width of the trail.

    geneherz asked over 4 years ago

    Thanks for sharing your concerns. The environmental impacts of trail improvements will be assessed in more detail at the design stage. Alternatives and mitigation strategies will be explored as part of that process. These issues are important and will be considered.


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    Doing anything to Rennies River trail seems to be quite a touchy subject. The message that is out now is that the 'Grand Concourse is going to be paved!'. I'd suggest the focus be put on the Kelly's Brook trail as recommended in the plan. I think once people see the benefits of a safe, shared, accessible trail that can be used by many, this panic will subside. Lets catch up to what other major Canadian cities are doing!

    amackay11 asked almost 5 years ago

    Thanks for your comment. You're right. Kelly's Brook trail is the first shared-use path project to design and build. It will serve as a helpful discussion tool when engaging with communities in advance of upgrading Rennie's River and Virginia River trails to shared-use paths. 

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    I ask that staff and council keep level heads when considering feedback received from existing trail users. There are absolutely issues with paving any area (including the City's continual expansion into surrounding landscape) but it is a challenge we can meet. Many cyclists are also walkers, runners, and environmentalists. I for one want permeable, usable surfaces for all users. Concerns about cycling etiquette are exaggerating in my opinion. Those citing issuse with behaviour on trails today have to recognize that these riders are already fine with breaking rules. Are we to believe that cyclists who avoid trails due to the rules are going to break them once mixed-use is implemented? Cyclists are perfectly capable of riding for the conditions, slowing down around bends, and respecting other users. A campaign of education will ensure this. Concerns about trail widening are neither here nor there. Trails are by definition created and they can be deliberately shaped. They can be widened and become perfectly pleasant, treed routes in just a few years. How do we create the wonderful trails and parks of the future if we don't start now? Finally, we have to recognize that we are talking about both leisure and transportation here. While recreational routes are nice, if they can be part of a functional network that reduces car usage we have to consider it. Thanks to staff and council for their work so far on this! P.S. I second kmorry's request regarding internal and supporting elements of the plan. These are uncontroversial and should not be considered tied to the trail proposals.

    mjphilpott asked almost 5 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback!

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    I, like many others, was not aware of the public engagement on the bike master plan. In addition, it would never have occurred to me that the proposed plan would recommend paving and widening three of the Grand Concourse trails. I was disappointed and shocked. My reasons are these: 1. Pavement is a very unforgiving surface for runners and walkers, the primary users of the trails. 2. Pavement deteriorates and any savings on maintenance will be short-lived. 3. Efforts to keep the trails clear of snow and ice in winter will divert sorely needed funds from sidewalk clearing in the city. Furthermore any use of salt will be environmentally devastating to the precious river system. 4. Widening the trail destroys the "country in the city" feel of the walking experience and damages the plant and tree ecology. 5. The amount of infrastructure the plan demands is out of all proportion to the number of bike users, current and projected. 6. The Rennies River plan recommends a loop to reduce the incline on a portion of the trail when, on the other side of the river, is Rennies Mill Road with limited traffic and little incline. 7. The impact on residents whose homes border the trails can be severe and any municipal effort to expropriate property would be an inexcusable affront to those property owners and to city taxpayers who would be forced to fund the expropriation and the litigation which would inevitably follow. 8. The cost is simply too high for a city which charges high municipal taxes and struggles to maintain the existing infrastructure. The Grand Concourse was a gift to the citizens of the city. I would hope that this council will not be responsible for destroying it.

    G. Christmas asked almost 5 years ago

    Thanks for your feedback, and sorry to hear that you missed the engagement opportunities! Your comments will be considered moving forward. Please stay connected through this website to hear about future public engagement about each of the shared-use path projects as they advance to the design stage.

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    Why is one of the touchstones in the plan to “Avoid removal of on-Street parking”? Cars are a detriment to civic living, to the environment, and to the general safety of everyone. Our politicians should be actively discouraging the use of cars, and requiring citizens to either park in their driveways or own fewer vehicles is an excellent way to do this. Road space currently reserved for parking should be allocated to pedestrians, runners, cyclists, dog-walkers, stroller pushers, wheelchair users, etc.

    Rob Pittman asked almost 5 years ago

    Thanks for the question. Although the plan doesn't include any "touchstones," a common theme we heard from residents during public engagement was that they didn't want to lose their on-street parking. This was included in the Engagement Feedback Summary on page 3. 

    Community Acceptance (page 13) is important for the success of any project. This section identifies the need to engage with communities as cycling infrastructure is implemented. Discussion about on-street parking for a specific project would happen at this stage.


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    When will the first phase (i.e. - giving official permission for cyclists to use trails, soft infrastructure such as painted bike lanes) be implemented?

    Rob Pittman asked almost 5 years ago

    Thanks for the question. Design of the first catalyst project, a shared-use path along Kelly's Brook trail, will begin this year. Funding for construction will depend on future capital budgets. None of the existing trails will be open to people cycling until they've been properly upgraded for comfortable shared-use. 

    Chapter 7, the Action Plan of the Bike St John's Master Plan, describes implementation strategy. Hope this helps answer your questions!