Active transportation includes all human-powered forms of travel, such as walking, and use of micromobility devices or mobility aids. Electric micromobility devices (e.g. electric bicycles, electric kick scooters and other similar forms of personal micromobility devices) are also considered alongside these purely human-powered forms of travel. They hold the potential to make active travel an option for more people to travel greater distances and to “flatten” steep hills.

Design professionals should aspire to create active transportation facilities that are comfortable, convenient, safe, and attractive for everyone, regardless of age or ability. This is often referred to as ‘All Ages and Abilities’, ‘AAA’, or ‘Triple A’ facilities in active transportation design. Planning and designing for people of all ages and abilities is a national and international best practice that should be aspired to for all active transportation facility design and network implementation.

Electrification of existing and emerging modes of transportation (e.g. electric vehicles, electric micromobility) to support the decarbonization of transportation.

Micromobility refers to the use of small, lightweight transportation options typically designed for short- and medium-distance travel, including bikes, scooters, and their electrified forms.

The Southwest Coquitlam active transportation improvements projects form part of the City’s overall micromobility network. This network aims to provide a safe, convenient and comfortable network for people of all ages and abilities (sometimes called ‘Triple A’). The ultimate objective of the micromobility network is to facilitate and support all trip purposes to go from Anywhere to Everywhere.

The key principles of the micromobility network are based on global best practice:

• Cohesive – A network that enables door-to-door trips.
• Direct – Routes that follow natural desire lines to key destinations.
• Safe – Routes that reduce risks by designing infrastructure for people of all ages and abilities.
• Comfortable – Routes with minimal stops and nuisances, and smooth surfaces.
• Attractive – A network with pleasant and well-maintained routes with trees and landscaping.

The overall micromobility network is made up of individual micromobility routes facilitating connections to and between various destinations, including residential neighborhoods, schools, parks, civic and recreational facilities, commercial and employment areas, and transit hubs such as SkyTrain stations.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that most residents and businesses are located within 400 metres of the micromobility network by 2050.

The percentage of trips made by a travel mode relative to the total number of trips made using all modes.

A transportation design approach that acknowledges that people make mistakes and we need to make sure that our streets are designed in such a way that these mistakes do not result in a serious injury or fatality. One of the core focus areas based this approach is to design safer streets. This approach has been endorsed by Council.

Good and equitable community building looks at spreading infrastructure improvements across all neighbourhoods. While there are also active transportation improvements planned for other areas of the City, there are four new routes currently planned for Southwest Coquitlam. You can learn more about those proposed projects under the tab "Southwest Active Transportation Projects"

Southwest Coquitlam can support active transportation because it is relatively close to SkyTrain stations, schools, shopping, parks, recreation and other City amenities.

However, the current travel experience can be uncomfortable, because many streets need improvements in safe places for people to walk or use micromobility (i.e. bikes, scooters, etc.). Improving the overall experience and establishing interconnected routes will play a crucial role in making active transportation trips more feasible and attractive in this part of Coquitlam.

The City’s Strategic Transportation Plan update is guided by three citywide goals for 2050. They include:

• 50% of all trips in Coquitlam to be made by walking, micromobility or public transit;
• Zero transportation greenhouse gas emissions; and
• Zero serious traffic injuries and fatalities.

Investing in infrastructure that will help make these goals achievable is an important part of implementing the Strategic Transportation Plan and building a complete community.

The proposed active transportation improvement projects will help create a connected, reliable, and safe place to walk, bike, scoot or navigate with mobility aids for those currently doing so and for people who are hesitant to do so today.

In recent engagement surveys, we heard from people that there is a strong desire to use micromobility for transportation, but concerns with road safety, traffic speed and dangerous drivers (40%) as well as a lack of protected bicycle lanes or crossings (38%), are major barriers.

The active transportation improvement projects will also support the City’s efforts towards Vision Zero that will serve as the City’s roadmap to creating a transportation system designed with safety in mind.

Implementing micromobility routes also contributes towards a more equitable and inclusive transportation network as there are people (for example students, seniors and people with visual and/or mobility impairments) who do not or cannot use vehicles as their main mode of transportation.

Micromobility, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, has gained popularity as a fun, practical, economical, quick, and sustainable mode of active transportation. The electric power of these devices makes it easier for people to navigate steep hills without as much effort. As a result, steep grades are no longer the barrier they used to be.

The planned active transportation improvements are important parts of reaching the City's goals around transportation and sustainability. Each corridor will deliver infrastructure that supports people who walk and use mobility aids, as well as people who use micromobility (e.g. bikes, scooters and their electric versions).

The improvements will be designed to support people of all ages and abilities (sometimes called ‘Triple A’), including seniors, children and youth, and people facing mobility challenges.

Where possible, the proposed corridor improvements will also include separate facilities for people who walk and use mobility aids, versus for people who use micromobility. This approach will help separate people travelling in different ways at varying speeds. In instances where constraints exist, a shared facility such as a multi-use pathway may be considered.

To establish a safe and comfortable micromobility network, the proposed corridor designs will align with the British Columbia Active Transportation Design Guide. The speed and traffic volumes are two of the main factors that determine the type of facility. Generally, in order to be considered a 'Triple A' facility (for all ages and abilities) people cycling or scooting must be separated from traffic except on low speed, low volume streets.

The active transportation improvement projects are funded through various local, regional, and provincial sources. This includes the transportation capital budgets, the Frontage Works Program (either delivered or funded through private development), Development Cost Charges (paid by developers) and matching General Reserve Contributions. Additionally, financial support is secured through senior government funding programs, such as the Province's Clean BC Program and TransLink's Capital Cost Share Programs.

The City is working on a number of active transportation projects across the city. As it becomes available, information on those projects will be posted to LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca.