Cycling And Pathways Study
DOWNLOADS
You can download the final report of the Cycling & Pathways Study.
[
PDF
1.3MB]
SUPPORTING MAPS
Regional context: Existing conditions and facilities.
[Map size: 287KB]
Urban area: Existing conditions.
[Map size: 671KB]
Urban area: Pedestrian focus.
[Map size: 672KB]
Urban area: Recreational focus.
[Map size: 723KB]
Urban area: Utilitarian cycling focus. [Map size: 685KB]
Downtown waterfront concept.
[Map size: 483KB]
ALSO IN THIS SECTION
Eight scenes showing areas of the Kingston waterfront as they are in 2003, and how they could be developed in the future.
RELATED LINKS
Find out about the On-Road Bikeway Implementation Plan and routes.
Find out why Kingston's waterfront lands are an important resource for the entire community.
PDF HELP
The freely available Adobe Reader software can be used to view the PDF documents on the City of Kingston Web site.
[ Download]
CONTACT US
Planning & Development Department
Tel: 613-546-4291, ext. 3180.
City planners have completed the final report of the Kingston Cycling and Pathways Study, a comprehensive review and analysis of the existing and potential pathway system for cyclists and pedestrians.
The final Cycling and Pathways Study report can be downloaded from this Web site in electronic form and is available in printed form at the 1211 John Counter Blvd. municipal office.
Waterfront pathway highlight: Confederation Park
The purpose of the Kingston Cycling and Pathways Study is to provide the City and its citizens with ideas and direction. This work has been based on thorough investigation of local opportunities and challenges. It has benefited from ongoing input from citizens who have attended a number of meetings and open houses. The Study draws from the experience of other municipalities and, we believe, represents the state of the art in planning for pedestrians and cyclists. It also explores a number of misconceptions associated with these modes of transportation.
The Kingston Cycling and Pathways Study presents a vision of what could be. It recommends the programs and facilities that would provide pedestrians and cyclists with an obtainable level of reasonable service.
BACKGROUND
There has been an increasing demand for more recreational pathways and greater access to the waterfront. As a result, it was recognized that there was the need for a comprehensive review of the pathway system for the entire new City of Kingston. For the purpose of the study, the term "pathway" is used generically and includes walkways, pathways and trails.
The Cycling and Pathways Study is an inventory and assessment of the existing pathway system, examines linkages and interconnections, proposes appropriate pathway extensions and upgrades, reviews and develops design standards, harmonizes planning policies and prioritizes and provides costing on proposed improvements and provides an implementation strategy for improvements within a short and long-term planning horizon of 25 years. This comprehensive approach to pathways planning also allows the City to effectively enhance the existing pathway system, to create a long-term plan for refining the existing network, and defines new pathways for the suburban and rural portions of the City.
This comprehensive review and analysis of the existing and potential pathway system in the City of Kingston, is different from the typical master plan approach. It goes further to consider prioritization, costing and implementation strategies.
The City of Kingston has an abundance of parks, open space areas, recreational uses, historical and environmental sites and attractions — many could be linked with an improved pathway system. The City currently controls, through ownership, lease and right-of-way, a significant amount of public open space, of which waterfront property is a major component.
Across the City, there is a variety of pathway uses, which include in some areas: bicycle lanes, paved roadway shoulders, sidewalks and pathways through open space areas in newer subdivisions. All of these uses have the potential for connecting to a broad network of pathways within and beyond the City.
There is a range of societal issues that affect how people think about pathway systems relating it to one or a combination of the following considerations: transportation, recreation, culture, history, environmental conservation and nature appreciation, tourism, heritage, community values, projected population growth, and financial implications.
Some of the benefits of improving the pathway system include increased pathway use by commuters and an increase in the area's profile as a destination for recreational tourists. This will contribute to local economic and community development. Improvements will permit the promotion of pathways for community recreation, health, enjoyment and quality of life.
The City of Kingston is committed to public participation, openness and accountability in conducting studies and in the development of policy. The study process includes a clearly-delineated public consultation framework. The consulting team consulted with a range of pathway users, interest groups and the public.
The study will link to a number of initiatives of the Community Strategic Plan, adopted by Council on October 24, 2000. The initiatives include the Transportation Master Plan, the Waterfront Strategy and Open Space components of the Official Plan initiative.
Specifically, through the Transportation Master Plan and Waterfront Strategy initiatives of the Community Strategic Plan, there has been a growing interest in examining existing and potential pathways routing. The Cycling and Pathways Study provided a more detailed and site specific analysis than the strategic context provided by the Transportation Master Plan. The results from the Cycling and Pathways Study were used as input into the Transportation Master Plan.
Also due to the prominent role of the existing waterfront pathway system in the Cycling and Pathways Study, portions of this study fed into the Waterfront Strategy and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
