Agenda Package - City of Vernon

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF VERNON
INTERNAL MEMORANDUM
TO:
PC:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Patti Bridal, Manager, Corporate Services DATE: February 12,2010
Leon Gous, CAo FILE: 8330-50 f oZru" - 25
Kim Flick, Manager, Planning and Building
Wendy Majewski, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator
SILGA Resolution to Request lncreased Shoulder Width of Okanagan
Highways
Background
ln November 2007, the Province outlined targets for reducing greenhouse Bas emissions (GHG) by at
least 33 per cent below 2007 levels bV 2020 (Attachment 1 contains the press release from the
Premier's office).
ln order to comply with this direction and be able to report progress on reaching these targets,
transportation infrastructure is a vital component. Transportation in BC accounts for 40% of GHG
emissions. Encouraging alternative forms of transportation is a key factor in reducing the amount of
emissions. Cycling is one of the most popular, efficient carbon neutralforms of transportation around
the world, which could become one in the Okanagan Region (with the exception of cycling of the
winter months).
The Okanagan Valley has outstanding natural landscapes and a significant tourism industry (local
wineries, restaurants, beaches, parks) that have a wide appeal for touring and commuting cyclists to
travel within the Okanagan Region and between communities. Municipalities and districts want to
encourage the reduction of GHG and increase tourism within the valley. However, the existing
highways are inadequate and unsafe for cyclists, discouraging commuters and tourists in the use of
this alternative mode of transportation.
STLGA Resolution
Shoulder W¡dth and Rumble Strips Required on Okanagan Highways
City of Vernon
WHEREAS municipalities and communities within the Okanagan Valley are taking positive steps
towards attaining the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets, introduced by the Province in November
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