Neighbourhood bikeways are designated bike routes on local streets with low traffic volumes and speeds where people biking and driving can safely share the road.

Neighbourhood Bikeways:

• Are high quality bike facilities where the roadway is shared between bikes and cars (i.e. typically no separation).
• Include design treatments that prioritize bikes, reduce shortcutting, and lower traffic speeds along the route (see 'What design treatments will I see?" tab for more details).
• Create a safer and more comfortable route for people of All Ages and Abilities (AAA) to ride a bike. This helps to encourage people who are less comfortable or have less bike experience to try going by bike.
• Improve bike connectivity and extend the bike network, connecting people to key destinations such as schools, parks, and neighbourhoods.
• Can improve intersection safety for all road users (those who bike, walk, and drive).
• Are new to Kelowna and have been successful in many cities across Canada and the United States.
• Are more cost-effective compared to protected bike lanes and multi-use paths.

Neighborhood bikeways have been classified as an All Ages and Abilities (AAA) bike facility—considered to be safe and comfortable for people biking of all ages and differing abilities. These are more inclusive facility types and can attract traditionally under-represented bike riders (e.g. seniors, women, and children).

On a comfort scale, neighbourhood bikeways are considered to be more comfortable than painted bike lanes and less comfortable than a protected bike lane.

A neighbourhood bikeway should:

• Fill a gap or extend the existing and future all ages and abilities bike network (connects to existing protected bike lanes or multi-use pathways).
• Connect residents to key destinations (such as parks, schools, public facilities, commercial zones).
• Promote an increase in bike ridership or encourage new riders.

To select a demonstration corridor for Kelowna's first Neighbourhood Bikeway, the following criteria were also considered:

• Relatively straightforward to implement (i.e. no major intersection upgrades required)
• Feature a variety of neighbourhood bikeway treatment types
• Not be within 250 m of parallel bike infrastructure
• Not involve crossing a provincial highway

Neighbourhood bikeways are an important part of creating a connected and active city. Sustainable transportation is a key pillar in the 2040 Official Community Plan. Additionally, the 2040 Transportation Master Plan set a target of quadrupling the number of trips by bike by 2040. Neighbourhood bikeways can help us reach this target by making it easier for people to access our active transportation network from neighbourhoods across the City.

A variety of treatments can be included on a neighbourhood bikeway route. Some examples are shown below.

The Neighbourhood Bikeways Study community engagement took place from May 30 to July 2, 2023. This engagement period introduced the Neighbourhood Bikeways concept to residents and showcased potential neighbourhood bikeway routes across the city.

A survey and interactive map were available for anyone who wanted to provide feedback. Live and online engagement sessions took place at various locations and times across the city.

Key survey findings include:

• 81 per cent of survey respondents were very supportive of neighbourhood bikeways
• Most respondents believe that bikeways will both slow down traffic and encourage them to bike more.
• The top concern of neighbourhood bikeways was “as someone who bikes, I don’t like the idea of sharing the road with cars”

Read the full report here.