The Delta HUB Cycling Committee would love to hear from North Delta.
We are a group of volunteers who came together in 2014 to form a local HUB committee – one of ten in the lower mainland. “HUB” refers to HUB Cycling, a Vancouver non-profit that encourages more people to cycle more often.
Most of us are long-time residents of Delta; all of us are cyclists, ranging from students to seniors to recreational riders and commuters. We all recognize that Delta has amazing areas to explore, with lots of potential for active travel – whether to the dyke, local shops, or the community centres.
We also know the gaps, and believe that having a united voice is key to communicating and resolving the missing links.
During the past couple of years, Delta HUB has been busy documenting existing conditions, identifying possible fixes, and working on solutions with a range of decision-makers – from the Corporation of Delta to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and TransLink.
We’ve also been building relationships with other groups and organizations who can help raise the profile of safe and connected cycling. Through engagement with Fraser Health, ICBC, service clubs, developers, business groups and the Delta Police, we’ve discovered many areas of common ground.
To prioritize safety, our group is working to introduce the best cycling practices that we see in other areas. This includes improving bike route signage, awareness strategies such as the use of green paint on the road, and expanding bike lanes. We’ve also been involved with bike education and maintenance through the schools.
One initiative – called “UnGap the Map” – is high on our radar as well. The goal is to gradually build-out a complete network, whether by expanding off-road greenways or leveraging new projects – like the Massey Tunnel Replacement – to develop safer and more efficient connections.
In North Delta, we’ve heard how east-west travel could be improved – through both trails and signage – to allow for better access to Scott Road, the Surrey-Delta Greenway, or the Alex Fraser Bridge. We’ve also heard about ideas to connect schools, recreation centres and other community destinations with quieter pathways.
With your input, we’d like to help make cycling a safer and more attractive choice for everyone.
If you would like to get involved or provide feedback, please contact us anytime at delta@bikehub.ca. We host monthly Committee meetings too (on the first Thursday of the month), which are open to everyone. Meeting dates and other helpful resources can all be found on our webpage: bikehub.ca/delta.
Happy cycling!
Patrick Thompson is the chair of the Delta HUB Cycling Committee.