Hello and welcome.

Sustainable Communities: Bike, walk, or use public transportation

The United Nations has identified 17 sustainable development goals. These goals are the
blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They were developed in the hope
that if all countries work to achieve the goals, the lives of all people will get better.

Currently, the levels of urban pollution are concerning. As of 2016, 90%

of urban residents are breathing unsafe air. With this in mind, the united Nations has identified
sustainable development goal number 11 as building sustainable cities and communities.
Let us take a closer look at how my community, Penticton British Columbia, is exploring
opportunities for progress toward the UN sustainable development goals through pollution
control measures and a city bicycle network plan.

Sustainable development is the process by which a community develops

attitudes and ongoing actions that strengthen its environment, economy, and social well-being.
Sustainable development, such as a city bicycle network, meets the needs of the present without
compromising future generations.

Penticton is moving toward developing as a sustainable community.

A sustainable community can persist over generations, enjoying a healthy environment,
prosperous economy and vibrant civic life.
A sustainable community also Recognizes the sensitive interface between the natural and built
environments, Understands and begins to shift away from polluting practices, Promotes resource
conservation and pollution prevention, and Focuses on improving community health and quality
of life.

All developing sustainable communities, including Penticton, need to

make pollution control a priority. There are numerous pollution control strategies that
communities can employ to reduce emissions and pollution, including promoting the use of
public transportation or eco-friendly vehicles, constructing sidewalks to encourage foot traffic,
and offering a city bicycle network.
With the world’s cities occupying just 3 per cent of the Earth’s land, but accounting for 75% of
carbon emissions. We all need to start doing our part to reduce air pollutants and combat climate
change. Pollution control will both strengthen our environment and our well-being.
Penticton is home to 37,000 people living within an area of 14 square kilometers. While it is
not an extremely large urban center, the city acknowledges opportunities for sustainable
development goals progress, particularly in taking action to address personal health and well-
being while tackling climate change and environmental protection.

In 2006, the city of Penticton began stage one by explore the

opportunity for a city bicycle network. A public survey was conducted and found that
only 3.5% of the population of Penticton travelled to/from work by bicycle. This number
represents a very small fraction of the potential population that could be using active
transportation in the city of Penticton.
Further research showed that in order to tap into a larger population of cyclists, the city would
need to address cycling concerns. By addressing accessibility and safety concerns, Penticton
could greatly increase the number of people using active transportation versus driving, thereby
improving both personal health and environmental health.

In 2012, the city of Penticton began stage two by conducting public

meetings. The consultations resulted in public support and recognition that increased use of
cycling as a mode of transportation will result in a more balanced transportation system that is
healthier, more liveable, cost efficient, and more effective in terms of the community’s
infrastructure investments. The City hired CTQ Consultants and Dirdul Community
Transportation Planning to complete a comprehensive plan. The consultants worked with
affected residents, businesses and the community-at-large to review options for the route and
determined a recommendation. Since 2012, the city of Penticton has successfully implemented
green bike lane traction pads at select intersections and bike lane improvements on several of the
city’s roads.

Stage three of the Penticton Bike Network Plan is currently

underway. The city has completed the bicycle network in areas of the city that have less
vehicle traffic with the addition of a bike lane. Work is currently underway on a plan for a lake-
to-lake cycling route. The need for a safe and convenient cycling route through the city and
connecting the Okanagan and Skaha lakes was reaffirmed in the draft of the 2019 Official
Community Plan. This stage of the bike network will have a greater impact on the community,
traffic, and businesses. As such, the city is in the process of gathering questions, comments and
recommendations from the citizens of Penticton on which roads they would prefer to have
utilized for the city bicycle network. A technical review will be completed to identify streets that
meet the requirements of an 'all ages and abilities' route. These options will then be vetted with
local traffic safety experts and the preferred route will be identified and presented to city council.
In Conclusion…
Bicycling is promoted as a transportation and population health strategy globally. Yet bicycling
has low uptake in North America compared with European bicycling cities. Safety concerns due
to collisions with motor vehicles are primary barriers.
To explore opportunities for achieving sustained development goals, the city of Penticton is
making investments in bicycle infrastructure. These interventions hold promise for improving
population health, given the potential for increased physical activity and improved safety, while
strengthening our environment.
Thank you for listening and remember, “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a
bike.”

Works Cited
“Benefits of Cycling.” walkandrollpeel.ca. Peel Region, 2016. Web. 4 Mar. 2020.
“City of Penticton Cycling Plan Update.” penticton.ca. Urban Systems, Sept. 2012. Web. 4 Mar.
2020.
“Ending Climate Change Begins in the Cities.” below2c.org. Below 2C, 2017. Web. 4 Mar.
2020.
Ketcham, Sandra. “Developing Sustainable Communities.” greenliving.lovetoknow.com.
LoveToKnow Corp., 2020. Web. 4 Mar. 2020.
“Lake to Lake Cycling Route.” shapeyourcitypenticton.ca. City of Penticton, 2020. Web. 4 Mar.
2020.
“Sustainable Development Goals.” un.org. United Nations. Web. 4 Mar. 2020.
“What Makes a Community Sustainable?” pca.state.mn.us. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Web. 4 Mar. 2020.
Winters, Meghan et al. “Impacts of Bicycle Infrastructure in Mid-Sized Cities.”
doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019130. BMJ, 21 Jan. 2018. Web. 4 Mar. 2020.