To recommend and identify ways that the City of Bathurst can ensure that citizens living in Bathurst have access to and can increase their participation in active and sustainable transportation options (biking, walking, skateboarding, rollerblading and using public transit for examples) as a mean of commuting to and from work, errands and appointments, for recreational purposes so as to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions from single occupancy vehicle use, to increase physical activity and wellness, reduce transportation costs, affordable access to employment and increase quality of life in our City.

1.      The City of Bathurst becomes the second City in NB and the 15th member of the Atlantic Canada Sustainability Initiative by signing the ACSI Charter.

2.      The City of Bathurst conducts with the partnership of BSD, a Visioning and Public Consultation process with City residents and stakeholders to develop a Sustainability Vision, Goals and Integrated Sustainability Plan with a target date of 2020 based on the principles of the Natural Step as outline in the ACSI Charter and principles.

3.      The City of Bathurst enacts a “Green Procurement Policy” in all Municipal operations and that the City makes a commitment to ensure that purchasing decisions demonstrate our commitment to moving our community toward greater sustainability.

4.      The City of Bathurst enacts a policy that Federal and Provincial Gas Tax Revenues must be shared and a portion used each year to implement, improve or maintain Sustainable Transportation infrastructure and public transit bus services in the City and that these tax revenues can no longer be used only for road and motorized vehicle road improvements.

1.       Enact a by-law requiring that all subdivisions and new subdivisions must have at least one sidewalk and one, one two directional/ multi- modal designated lane along the street connecting the subdivision to a designated lane along a major street and connecting the subdivision to the recreational trail system in the City.

2.       Enact subdivision and planning by-laws that will achieve the goal of having new subdivisions/ multi- unit residential developments and all new commercial developments include in the design features the principles of Sustainable Conservation Design (water and energy conservation, renewable energy, active and sustainable transportation features and links, waste reduction, edible landscaping, ecological protection of unique features, trails, natural water ways and habitats).

3.       Enact a by-law that requires that all future road and bridge improvements must include designated multi-modal lanes for biking, skateboarding and rollerblading.

4.       Enact a by-law that any new residential or commercial development must not develop over and must protect and respect existing trails including NB Trails that may cross over the developers land.

 

1.       The City assists buildings owners in Bathurst to replace their old bike rack technology with new technology bike racks that are suitable for all types and sizes of bicycles and assist building owners in reducing the cost of purchasing these new bike racks by taking orders for and making a bulk purchase of these new bike racks.

2.       Ensure that our City residents have access to sustainable transportation options by implementing public transit bus service, using three 15- 24 passenger transit buses, and by accepting a portion of the offered gas tax revenues for capital purchasing of buses and shelters and to start the service before 2010.

3.       Implement a Sheltering Project by installing rain/ bus shelters along City streets and begin to offer advertizing space for major corporations, government agencies and other organizations and use this revenue to support operating costs of the small transit bus service.  

4.       Link Bathurst to Beresford by ensuring that Bathurst street side bike lane along St. Peter’s Avenue links to multi- modal lane already installed in Town of Beresford that more citizens can choose to bike to and from work, college and school.

5.       Implement with the partnership of major employers and external funding, a designated bicycle parking lot facility at each large employment center by decommissioning at least 6- 8 car parking spaces and converting them to bike parking spaces with proper signage starting with the four City owned parking lots in the downtown area.

6.       Increase the fees for motorized vehicle parking spaces in City owned parking lots and direct this revenue to support public transit bus services in our City.

7.       Apply to the Northern Initiative Fund for funding to assist with STAP recommendations.

8.       That the City of Bathurst provide a $150,000 Municipal subsidy annually to help support operating costs of a public transit bus service.

9.       Ensure that there are secure, covered garbage cans at all street corners and along major trails during all seasons.

 

 

1.       The City should remove all obstructions from City sidewalks to ensure pedestrian safety and accessibility. Example: Tree wells with raised edges that have been placed so that they obstruct 50% of the width of the sidewalk should be relocated.

2.      Ensure that there are crosswalks and signage a minimum of every 500-1000 meters on all City streets. (Sunset, Rough Waters, Basin Road etc…)

3.       Modify curbs at all crosswalks so that they are accessible to wheelchairs

4.       Ensure that all crosswalks are kept clearly identified, accessible and painted for easier identification by both motorists and pedestrians.

5.       People with vision loss rely on the parallel traffic to determine when it’s safe to cross at a controlled intersection.  When they arrive at the corner, they listen to the traffic and when the parallel traffic starts going, they cross in the same direction.  Certain intersections are very complex and it’s very difficult to determine when it’s safe to cross.  That is when an audible pedestrian signal is required to better and safely determine when it is safe to cross.  

These are the recommendations for the audible pedestrian signals to be installed in the City of Bathurst:

a) Main/Douglas: because this is an X-shape intersection and the traffic is very difficult to analyze

b) King/Main: because the traffic pattern is not regular.  Many cars coming from King St are turning on Main St. and do not create a parallel traffic.

c) St-Peter/St-Anne: because this is a T-intersection and there is no parallel traffic to determine when it’s safe to cross.  St-Anne would need sidewalks for our clients to feel safe when walking on that street.

d) Entrance of the Bathurst Mall and St. Peter: because this is a T-intersection and lack of parallel traffic to determine when it’s safe to cross St. Peter Street.

e) Entrance to Mall (Superstore), Laurier, St. Peter: because there low traffic on Laurier and less parallel traffic to determine when it’s safe to cross St. Peter.

6.         That the STAP Committee and CNIB work with local malls and box stores to recommend and find a way to install or identify a location on their properties where a pedestrian designated crosswalk or sidewalk can be added to the property to allow safe access for pedestrians from the St. Peter’s Avenue sidewalk to the closest main entrance door of the shopping mall or business building.

1.      Install one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane with active transportation signage along one side of street for biking, skateboarding and rollerblading.

2.       Include one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane on proposed new connecting street from St. Anne to Parkwood Heights (if this road is not constructed, the alternate connecting route would be to widen the curb on Ryan Street to allow for one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane).

3.       Install 6 resting benches and rain/ bus shelters along St. Anne Street and an advertising program on the shelters to generate revenue to cover annual operating cost of public transit bus service.

4.       Partner employment buildings to install designated bicycle parking lots.

1.       Encourage the Skateboard Committee to study what types of netting could be installed over part of the park to provide partial shade to users.

2.       Permit skateboarders to use designated multi-modal lanes as they are developed along city streets so as to provide a sustainable from of affordable transportation and physical activity to our youth.

1.      Include one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane, active transportation signage in design of new bridge and as part of scheduled upgrading of road in 2008.

2.       Install three crosswalks, 6 resting benches and rain/ bus shelters on both streets.

3.      Partner with the hospital to install designated bicycle parking lot and link to City trails.

1.       Re organize traffic flow on St. Peter’s Ave. to three lanes with center turning lane. 

2.       Install one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane with active transportation signage from Beresford limit, along St. Peter’s Ave. to Harbor View Blvd, Youghall and Queen Elizabeth Drives.

3.       Install 30 resting benches and 10 rain/ bus shelters along these streets. 

4.       Partner major employment buildings to install designated bicycle parking lots.

1.       Reorganize traffic flow to one lane on the North side of the street and re designate this lane to a two directional/ multi- modal designated lane or double the paved walking trail to allow for a multi- modal bike lane with active transportation signage and ensure it links with the street side lane multi- modal lane on St. Peter’s Avenue, King Avenue and Main Street.

2.       Partner with major employment buildings to install designated bicycle parking lots.

1.       Implement road diet to allow for the installation of one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane with active transportation signage in upgrading design from Harborview Boulevard, along Main Street, to Daly Point and to City limit sign along route 134.

2.       Install 10 resting benches and rain/ 6 bus shelters along route and advertising program on resting benches and shelters to generate revenue to cover annual operating cost of public transit.

3.       Partner with major employment buildings to install designated bicycle parking lots.

1.       Implement one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane with active transportation signage beside the sidewalk on one side of King Avenue from Main Street to the City limit sign.

2.       Install 10 resting benches and rain/ 5 bus shelters along route.  

3.       Partner with major employment buildings to install designated bicycle parking lot.

1.       Install sidewalk along Basin Road to Terry Fox School and along all of Basin Road.

2.       Install one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane with active transportation signage

3.       Install 5 resting benches and 4 crosswalks around Basin Road.

1.           Install sidewalks along one side of Rough Waters Drive to City limits.

2.           Implement one, two directional/ multi- modal designated lane and signage

3.           Install 10 resting benches and 3 rain/ bus shelters along route. 

4.           Partner with employment buildings to install designated bicycle parking lots.

      1. Ensure that existing recreational trails in the City connect to each other and have access to a City street and to the provincial Train system.
 

      2. Ensure City trail areas that wash out after heavy rains are built up or paved to improve seasonal use, accessibility and safety for trail users.
 

      3. Link the East Bathurst NB Trail to the new Miriamichi Avenue street side multi-modal lane
 

      4. Link the Downtown NB Trail to East and West Bathurst trails
 

      5. Work with NB Trails to ensure that trail grooming is done in an ecological manner, preserving older trees, native plants, and unique habitats and is kept free of grooming debris
 

      6. Ensure that trails have resting benches and secure garbage cans and regular garbage pickup.   
 

      7. Restrict snowmobilers and motorized recreational vehicles from using the trails inside the City.
 

      8. Ensure trail cover is suitable for bicycles and pedestrians.