Feasibility Study of Bike Lanes and a Multi-Use Path

The municipality of Chelsea, which is near the cities of Gatineau and Ottawa, is interested in increasing the municipality’s capacity for active and safe non-car travel for community members as well as ecotourists. A feasibility study will identify the development of the most appropriate bike lanes and multi-use path with a view to optimizing user safety, minimizing the use of Gatineau Park, and avoiding wetlands and identified ecological corridors, while promoting ecotourism activities. Chelsea will examine two new bike lanes and a multi-use path along a rail line. The study parameters, which will be assessed and tracked using a counter, will include the number of bike path users, the estimated number of car trips avoided, and the average and total distance of such car trips. This information in combination with vehicle emission factors and average consumption rates will be used to determine the reduction in GHGs (CO2, CH4 and N2O) in CO2 equivalent. As part of the analysis, Chelsea will assess various potential scenarios and identify the most appropriate bike lane and multi-use path scenario taking into consideration environmental benefits, such as the reduction in greenhouse gases (GHGs), but also the effect on the economy, quality of life, tourism, and the safety of cyclists. The results for one of the bike lanes were submitted to Chelsea municipal council in November 2015. Results for the second bike lane and multi-use path will be available in 2016. This project will be undertaken in collaboration with the National Capital Commission (NCC) and certain community groups, such as Sentiers Chelsea Trails. These representatives along with other neighbourhood representatives will be invited to provide input at various stages in the process. In terms of the development approach selected, Chelsea will produce an easement location plan for private properties and estimate development costs. The municipal wetlands plan will be used to analyze environmental issues involved in preserving wetlands and ecological corridors. The project is part of the strategic Outaouais Tourism Plan, the National Capital Commission’s Sustainable Transportation Plan, a sustainable community plan currently under development (GMF13134), and the Municipality of Chelsea’s Active Transportation Master Plan, which anticipates using cycling as an active and safe method of transportation between Chelsea and neighbouring municipalities. The study includes a number of innovative components when it comes to a municipality on the periphery of a large urban centre promoting active transportation. The feasibility study will document the impacts and benefits of a multi-use path on ecotourism, an approach that could well be of interest to other municipalities with an abandoned rail right-of-way. (Project description from original funding application)