Port Moody’s City Initiatives and Planning Committee will review traffic modelling results and next steps for the Guildford Way Bicycle Facility Improvements Project at its meeting on September 9.
The project proposes an all-ages and abilities protected cycling route along Guildford Way between the Coquitlam border and Ioco Road. Staff recommend moving forward with a bidirectional bike lane on the north side of the road, which would connect to Coquitlam’s existing Guildford Greenway.
Currently, Guildford Way has painted bike lanes on both sides of the road with no physical separation from traffic. City staff say these do not meet safety standards given the traffic speed and volume.
Coquitlam has already installed protected lanes on its section of the corridor, making Port Moody’s segment the only gap in the Guildford/Murray cycling network.
A detailed traffic modelling study was completed after earlier council direction and budget approval. The study used PTV Vissim software, which staff say provides more realistic results than previous Synchro models.
It found that adding protected lanes would increase delays at key intersections, particularly at Guildford Way, Murray Street, and Ioco Road, where all left-turn movements would be affected.
To address this, staff recommend keeping the channelized southbound right-turn lane at Murray and Ioco while redesigning it for improved pedestrian and cyclist safety.
They also advise modifying traffic signals to restrict right turns on red and to allow only protected left turns. Staff noted that while the changes will require some cyclists to cross Guildford Way, the facility will overall be safer and more comfortable.
Future development on the south side of Guildford Way could provide space for an eastbound bicycle lane, though the timing of such an option is unknown.
The committee will also review a proposed pilot project on Murray Street between Ioco Road and Klahanie Drive. The pilot would remove a curbside vehicle lane to relocate bidirectional bike lanes onto the roadway.
Staff say this change could reduce conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians at the CP Rail crossing, where the pathway narrows and cyclists are currently directed to dismount.
The project budget is $2.06 million, supported by a $1.06 million grant from TransLink. Initial funding of $24,000 from the Master Transportation Reserve was previously approved to develop the concept plan. City staff say they will continue to seek additional grant funding if design and construction costs increase.
If the project advances, communications will be carried out with stakeholders and road users, though no public engagement is currently planned.
According to staff, the project supports the city’s strategic goals of advancing climate change mitigation and providing safe, efficient, and accessible transportation options.
This is great news. I love to cycle but don’t feel safe in some areas.