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P.O. BOX 684 GANGESSALT SPRING ISLAND

B.C. V8K 2W3

www.islandpathways.ca

DATE: 11APRIL2013

TO: SALTSPRINGISLANDFERRYADVISORYCOMMITTEE(SSIFAC)

FROM: ISLANDPATHWAYS

SUBJECT: PROPOSEDBCFERRYCORPORATION(BCFC)APPROPRIATIONANDREDESIGNOF

FULFORD-GANGESROAD(FULFORDTERMINALUPGRADEPHASE1)

BACKGROUND

In July 2011, BCFC presented its proposedMaster Plan to upgrade the Fulford Ferry terminal. In

September 2011, submissions to BCFC by Island Pathways and the BC Cycling Coalition (BCCC)

expressedconcernthattheneedsofpedestriansandcyclistsusingtheterminalwerenotaddressed.

NeitherIslandPathways,norBCCChavereceivedanycommunicationfromBCFCsincetheJuly2011

meeting.

OnFebruary27,2013,BCFChostedameetingtopreviewthe MasterPlanwiththeSSIFACChairand

hisguests.Figure1providesahighlevelsummaryofchangesmadetotheplanbetweenJuly2011and

February 2013. While lane widths for automotive parking and through traffic have increased,

pedestrianandcyclistaccess/egresshasbeendowngradedfroma1.5msidewalktoa1to1.2mpaved

shoulder.

ISSUE:

BCFCsproposedappropriationandredesignofFulford-GangesRoadisunacceptable.Thedesigndoes

not reflect current active transportation design standards and may increase the vulnerability of

pedestriansand cyclistsapproachingandleaving theterminal,the local businessareaandadjacent

neighbourhoods.

Figure 1: Comparison of Assigned Roadbed Widths - July 2011 & Feb 2013

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CONSIDERATIONS

BCFCdisregardforpedestrianandcyclistferryusersiscounter-intuitive.Pedestrianandcyclistuseof

the Fulford Terminal is highest during the five-month period beginning in May and ending in

September.Thistimeframecorrespondswiththeheaviestvolumesofmotorvehicletraffic.In2012,

cyclistpassengersrepresentedbetween12.8%and17.8%ofallwalk-ons( Table1).

Table1:2012Foot&CyclingPassengerVolumesRoute4(FulfordSwartzBay)

Pedestriansandcyclistsrepresentasignificantandgrowingshareofferryusers. Unlikemostferrydemographics,cyclistpassengerutilizationofRoute4isincreasingonayear-over-yearbasis.

Between2010and2012,therateofcyclistpassengerutilizationofRoute4increasedfrom

3,894to4,823,anincreaseof23.9%orapproximately12%peryear( Table2).

BCFCsCoastalEngagementmaterialsreportedthat,in2011/12,BCFCexperiencedthelowest

vehicleutilizationratesin13yearsandlowestfootpassengerutilizationin21years.

BCFCcaranddriverpeakseasonfareshaveincreasedby252%from$12.50in1987to$43.95

in2012.

Table2:CyclistVolumes-Route4(Fulford-SwartzBay)2010to2012

TheproposedBCFCplandoesnotmeetminimumstandardsforupgradingmajorruralroads,i.e.,

Fulford-GangesRoad.BCFChasnotrespondedtoIslandPathwaysenquiriesaboutthesafetyofits

designforactivetransportationusers.

RECOMMENDEDACTIONS

Itisrecommendedthat

1. BCFCdocumenthowitsproposedroadbeddesignwillaccommodatesafeaccessandegress

forpedestriansandcyclistsduringpeak(MaythroughSeptember)periodsandidentifywhich

measures (e.g., signage, lane markings, policies and procedures) will be applied to limit

pedestrianandcyclistriskofinjuryand/orcollisiononcetheupgradeiscompleted.

2. BCFCshareRecommendation1documentswiththepublicpriortomovingforwardwithits

Phase1terminalupgrade.

Month

Foot

Passengers

Cyclist

Passengers

TotalFoot&

CyclistPassengers

%ageofWalkons

Cycling

May 5,246 770 6,016 12.8%

June 4,985 1078 6,063 17.8%

July 6,123 963 7,086 13.6%

August 6,716 1141 7,857 14.5%

Sept 5,508 871 6,379 13.7%

TOTAL 28,578 4,823 33,401 14.4%

Month2010 2011 2012 Increasesince2010

May 660 576 770 16.7%

June 685 647 1,078 57.4%

July 968 986 963 -0.5%

August 960 1052 1,141 18.9%

September 621 621 871 40.3%

TOTAL 3,894 3,882 4,823 23.9%