Council Directs Staff to Work Towards Official AT Plan
SAFE Summerside's All Ages and All Abilities AT Network Plan was accepted by City Council. Council directed Staff to work with SAFE "to bring forward an Official Active Transportation Network Plan for the City of Summerside for Council's review, consideration, and potential adoption."
This Network provides people of all ages and abilities safe opportunities to reach their destination (school, work, shopping, leisure, etc.) through active transportation (cycling, walking, scootering, in-line skating, skateboarding, wheelchairing, etc.).
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Accessible Greenwood Drive
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What People Are Saying
How we each want to move around our community is unique and different. Active transportation enables us to visit with the people they want to see, and get to the places we want to go; in the the unique and different ways we want to get there. If its with a stroller, a walker, on a bicycle, rollerblades or a scooter, a wheelchair or on foot, AT helps people move about safely in ways that make us healthier, reduce the carbon impact on our planet, reduce the wear & tear of our roads, connect us in-person with fellow travellers, and generally promote a better sense of being and community. Personally, I like to commute by bike when I can. My wife likes to walk to work when the weather cooperates. Our kids move around by bike, blades and scooters. I am excited by the work SAFE is doing and think there is a bright future in our beautiful city to build off the good AT work to date and lead the way in PEI!
Dan Kutcher (Summerside)
An AT system needs to be connected to where people need to go and enjoy going to: work, recreational spaces, shopping, schools, etc.
It needs to be visible, accessible, safe and taken care of. Many times when I travel around Summerside, I see the side of the roads littered with debris that make biking dangerous, and areas where sight lines are poor. Often areas I need to go through are high traffic with distracted drivers. The high curbs on sidewalks are dangerous. Often roads narrow quickly.
A real thoughtful and functional AT system would provide many opportunities for equitable, economical and environmentally healthier transportation that would be sustainable. It would respect it's users and engage the community and other users of the roads.
Dr. Doug Carmody (Summerside)
There is a relationship between the physical design & layout of communities - the “built environment” and the health of people living in them. Data suggests Active Transportation can improve our health & the health of our community. Healthy community lowers health care costs. The more we move the better we feel. The better we feel the more positive we become, helping to increase Summerside’s positive vibe & our Summerside Pride! The more we use AT, reducing vehicle use, the more $ we save. The healthier we become the longer we live, leading to the more people wanting live, work, play & do business here. Summerside can use AT to help grow our position as a most active healthy community. Together we can. Win Win Win.
Bill Schurman (Summerside)
I moved to east Summerside in June of 2019, and a part of that decision was to drive less and be able to participate in active transportation further as I age. I believe active transportation can help solve many issues such as climate change, mental / physical well-being, social interaction, and more conscious food choices.
Mike MacKinnon (Summerside)
Protected cycling lanes have been widely proven to increase cycling by all ages and abilities in communities. Cyclists are more likely to stop and support local businesses and reduce the need for driving if they feel safe in their commute. In addition, tourists will be attracted to Summerside as a cycling destination with safe protected bike lanes for their whole family.
Dr. Richard Wedge (Summerside)
Being a resident of Summerside and avid cyclist, the SAFE Summerside event held major importance to me. I know several people who have been struck by motor vehicles within the perimeters of Summerside throughout the years and it is a real and scary thing. Though this and having my own close calls have not deterred me from cycling, it is my hope that with proper education for drivers and a better infrastructure to accommodate cyclists, more people will feel comfortable getting out and being active. It is not only important for better health, but for the environment.
Lori Pridham (Summerside)
We are a family of four from Denmark, and we moved to Summerside in the summer of 2022. Bicycling is a big part of our culture and daily life. I hope to contribute to this amazing initiative so we all safely can ride our bikes on the streets of Summerside.
Active transport in a city like Summerside gives everyone infinite potential to get to where they need to go. Whether you’re doing it for exercise, because you love it, or simply because it’s your only mode of transportation, you should feel supported by the infrastructure the city is planning, and you should feel safe. I bike or scooter to work 5-7 months out of the year and have had some close calls. I choose to commute this way, but I am fortunate enough to have access to a vehicle should I chose otherwise, this is not the case for everyone. The people who only have AT as an option deserve the same safety and peace of mind you have while driving a vehicle.
Nick Cameron (Summerside)
I cycle my two children (Lyra and Niamh) to daycare on a daily basis. My eldest is getting to the age where she wants to be cycling herself, however I would be hesitant to let her loose on the busy roads going to her school. I'm very excited to see Summerside develop an AT network that allows everyone the option to safely get to school.
Rob McCraight (Summerside)
I was so glad to see the support for more infrastructure to support active transportation and very excited to help create a Summerside where everyone can get around safely and efficiently.
I have being trying to advocate for improved signage to keep walkways clear from vehicles so my daughter can access city locations in her wheelchair and enjoy the city with her friends.
As a grandmother of two who live in Summerside and have been biking for many years, I commend SAFE Summerside and their initiative to have enhanced safety and access for all people to participate fully in their community. Infrastructure is more than roads and buildings, it encompasses opportunities for all modes of transportation and accessibility.
Paula Biggar (3-time elected MLA, District 23, Ellerslie)
While we have done a fair job of creating awareness for public health, from Participation to Active Living, we also need to address the issue of infrastructure to not only advance these initiatives, but expand them so people of all abilities can access and benefit. Summerside can be a model community, our citizens health and well-being front and centre.
Wes Jackshaw (Summerside)
I would bicycle if there were connected paths throughout the city to get uptown downtown and east and west that were well marked like Greenwood. I've been struck twice by a vehicle and I hesitate to share roadway with people that hug the white line.
I generally walk two to five km per day, so I'm well aware of many streets that need safe paths/sidewalks for active transportation. We also need driver education of how dangerous their actions actually are.
Though we as a family have a car I do not personally drive so when I need to get somewhere, I go on foot. I take my two children with me. The amount of drivers who do not stop at crosswalks is scary as is the few amount of clearly marked crosswalks that are available. I worry for the safety of my family when we make our way around Summerside. We have thought about biking more but the struggle is that we, like many, live in an apartment with little storage. We have nowhere to store our bikes to keep them safe from the elements and potential theft. If there was a bike loan system where people could rent a bike for an hour and deposit it back at one of many drop off spots (this is common in Europe) I think there may be potential to have more bikers in the city.
Brye Caissie (Summerside)
It brings me much joy to read about active transportation initiatives here in Summerside, and elsewhere on the Island. My spouse and I decided to live car-free, we walk and cycle everywhere, which has greatly contributed to our health and well-being.
I only have a bicycle as my transportation. I used to bike on the shoulders, but after so many close calls (almost getting hit by cars), I only bike on the sidewalks now. I support the City building bike lanes to make it safe for people like me, with no cars.
The population is aging. We need a more wheelchair-friendly city.
I see people with accessibility issues driving scooters near grocery areas on Granville Street. I am always hoping they will be safe as these areas are not safe for scooters and bikes.
I grew up using a bicycle as a form of transportation - particularly to commute to work. Many of the streets in Summerside are so busy now I am not comfortable traveling on them by bicycle. I choose not to bicycle because I am concerned I will be hit by a vehicle. I almost got hit once and have not been back on my road bike since then. Safe routes in the city would be wonderful.
Elizabeth Trenholm (Summerside)
I currently have a car/bike accident-related concussion, so AT is even more important to me now.
With the rising costs of fuel (driving), health care shortages, increasing traffic and climate change, I believe active transportation is a great way to help combat these things and increase my personal fitness in the process. But, we need to be able to do so SAFELY. Cities and municipalities need to develop infrastructure for the types of transportation they want to see and have (e.g., bicycles), not to just maintain what is being used now (e.g., motor vehicles).
Curtis Fudge (Mont-Carmel)
I love cycling! It's fun, reduces emissions, reduces traffic and keeps me in shape. I want everyone to be able to enjoy active transport, so I support any initiative that endeavors to make it safer and more pleasant.
Living in the Netherlands opened my eyes to how communities built around accessible active transportation thrive! The infrastructure allowed for those from all walks of life to safely access active transportation. Entire families could function only using a bike! I even got to participate in an initiative where I helped blind individuals access active transportation through riding behind me on a tandem bike! From this experience and my studies in kinesiology I have come to strongly believe that active transportation infrastructure is key to healthy, environmentally friendly and sustainable communities!
Daniel Meister (Lower Freetown, former Summerside resident)
Many places in the world are setup to be AT friendly. It would be great if Summerside could boast the same as the first municipality on PEI to go down this road completely. It is the way of the future for the many reasons you brought to light in your presentation. I believe these changes are possible and very much needed.
Susan Christensen (Summerside)
I believe that an active transportation plan is needed so that we are not just tossing money and resources into a patchwork but into a well thought out network of active transportation. The benefits of a well connected active transportation network are much greater than a patchwork network.
Steve Howard, MLA (Summerside-South Drive)
We need to reduce the amount of cars on the road and promote more active transportation to increase physical activity and reduce emissions.
As a peson with many children and one in a wheelchair, I find it very difficult to find activities that include everyone. Thanks to our e-assist bike and a trailer we are able to safely enjoy the outdoors without the typical barriers when pushing my son and his over 60 pound wheelchair. Having well maintained trails is definately helpful for us. We hope to continue as far into the winter as we can but in the future it would be nice to be able to atleast walk somewhere safely during the winter months instead of the side of the road. I love seeing the new bike lanes made and I hope accessibility keeps moving forward because a lot of areas are still lacking.
Jennifer Gallant (Wellington)
I am a lawyer, practicing personal injury law with a focus upon representing cyclists injured by drivers, in Hamilton Ontario, spending approximately eight weeks per year at our cottage in Fortune, PE. I see the damage that car culture does every day through my work and am bombarded with stories of folks scared off the roads by the lack of driver education and safe, protected infrastructure. The health and cultural benefits of complete streets and a commitment to AT/Vision Zero are both quantifiable, and systemic. Our urban quality of life hangs in the balance.
Ian Brisbin (PEI summer resident)
I am an event planner, a self described environmentalist and an advocate for people with Parkinson's disease (PD), many of whom have balance issues and/or are seniors making up the largest demographic with PD.
I know that properly designed Active Transportation (AT) corridors that everyone can share is the only way to ensure that we can continue to have independence now and into the future.
My days driving a motor vehicle are quickly coming to an end. Soon I will be making a decision to voluntarily stop driving for the safety of everyone. I would like to know that our government officials at all levels want to see me and others like me continuing to maintain some level of health maintenance through preventative health measures like active living, something that I have been aggressively promoting since I was first diagnosed with PD over 13 years ago.
I have personally heard stories of people who are scared to take up cycling on our residential streets and highways because they feel unsafe. This is the same story that I hear over and over again and not just from people who are disabled or elderly. AT has to be safe and inviting for everyone and not be considered a secondary consideration after motor vehicle drivers. For many, like myself, this will be my only future option for safe transportation, independence, and health.
Dan Steele (Cornwall, former Summerside resident)
I am committing the next ten years of my life to bring safe and accessible AT to Summerside. I have been hit by a car two times while cycling in Summerside. My father and grandfather were hit by cars while they were walking; my grandfather died on site and my father's mobility & health significantly declined following the pedestrian/motor vehicle collision in Summerside until his death.
I will advocate as hard and strategically as I can as a volunteer with a full-time, year-round job and a family. I see a future where every resident of, or visitor to, this city — regardless of age or ability —will feel safe to enjoy their chosen mode of transportation. I view mobility as a universal right and the need to shift transportation priorities to include all forms of transportation as the key.
Ken Trenholm (Summerside)
We support your group's proposal for safe and accessible routes to Elm Street School. It is a wonderful proposal and we fully support the need for children (and adults) to be safe and active.
I appreciate your group's recommendations regarding the flashing lights and the need for changes on the corner of Victoria and High Streets, where the sidewalk seems to jut out a bit. Kenmore Avenue is somewhere else that is extremely busy, especially after school. I am unsure if the City would find putting a sidewalk there going towards MacEwen Road something feasible, but it would make the commute safer.
Jacqueline Reeves, Principal (Three Oaks Senior High School)