West Coast Cycling Network Plan

West Coast Cycling Network Plan - October 2019

Background

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) has begun the process of developing a long-term plan for the construction and maintenance of cycling and other active and alternative transportation infrastructure. As part of this plan, the ACRD intends to provide a strategy to connect the existing Tofino, Ucluelet, and ACRD Multi-Use Paths (MUP) to the Pacific Rim National Park's ʔapsčiik t'ašii Trail (pronounced ups-cheek ta-shee).

The ʔapsčiik t'ašii Trail is currently under construction, but upon completion will be approximately 25 km long, running along the Long Beach Unit of the national park between Tofino and Ucluelet. Tofino's MUP runs from town parallel along the Pacific Rim Highway to Cox Bay. Plans to extend Tofino's MUP to the Park's boundary and the ʔapsčiik t'ašii Trail were initiated in 2019. Ucluelet's MUP extends from town, connects to the ACRD MUP, which runs parallel along Peninsula Road and the Tofino Ucluelet Highway. There is an opportunity to connect the southern MUP pathways through ACRD jurisdiction to ʔapsčiik t'ašii Trail. This project would be the final link needed to connect the two ends of the peninsula creating a continuous multi use path from Ucluelet, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government Lands, Esowista, Ty-Histanis, and Tofino.

Objectives

The intent of the West Coast Cycling Network Plan is to provide a roadmap outlining the Regional Districts vision for cycling infrastructure over a ten year timeframe. The plan will seek to:

• Reduce vehicle traffic trips congestion and GHG emissions
• Provide safe and accessible cycling and alternative transportation routes for all ages and abilities
• Encourage transportation cycling to and from school, work, and errands
• Support the West Coast tourism economy
• Reach new types of provincial, national, and international travelers to bolster the sustainable tourism sector
• Provide economic opportunities for new attractions along trails

Community Engagement

An Open House was held at the Ucluelet Community Centre to provide an opportunity to collect comments and feedback for the plan as well as an online survey.

West Coast Cycling Network Plan 2019

Map