Neighbourhood Bikeways

Open for engagement:

May 2026: the second round of engagement for the Neighbourhood Bikeways Identification and Prioritization project is happening now! Take the survey by June 7.

In the first round of engagement (fall 2025), residents shared where they'd like to see neighbourhood bikeways in Saanich.

Staff reviewed and analysed feedback to create:

Get involved!

Read the documents, view the maps, and let us know if we've missed anything with the survey on the HelloSaanich project page.

Neighbourhood Bikeways

Neighbourhood bikeways are streets with low traffic and speed where people cycling and driving can safely share the same space on the road. Neighbourhood Bikeways play an important role in the overall cycling network. With low traffic speeds and volumes, they are attractive routes for a wide variety of cyclists and can supplement and connect spine routes.

Neighbourhood Bikeways might include:

  • Signs and pavement markings
  • Speed humps, traffic circles, or diverters
  • Other features to make cycling more comfortable for all ages and abilities

Examples of Neighbourhood Bikeways in Saanich

Saanich is working to expand the network of neighbourhood bikeways as part of the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) long-term bicycle network. While the Plan identifies the network, the next step is to identify which streets should be developed as neighbourhood bikeways and which should be designed as other types of cycling facilities.

Neighbourhood bikeways also go by the following terms:

  • Greenways
  • Bicycle Boulevards
  • Bicycle Priority Streets
  • Slow Streets
  • Bicycle Greenways
  • Neighbourhood Greenways
  • Local street bikeways

Neighbourhood Bikeways Identification and Prioritization

The Neighbourhood Bikeways Identification and Prioritization project has identified which routes in the long-term bicycle network should become neighbourhood bikeways and which should be other types of cycling facilities. The project also created a clear and fair process to prioritize which neighbourhood bikeways get built first.

ATP long-term bicycle network map

 

Types of cycling facilities

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Project Results

Which bicycle routes should be built as neighbourhood bikeways?

The project determined that the following factors should be assessed to determine which routes can be built as neighbourhood bikeways:

  • Width of the travel space
  • Speed of motor vehicles
  • Number of motor vehicles using the road
  • Absence of yellow centre line
  • Level of transit service provided along the route

  • Other type of cycling facility not feasible

A map showing which routes in the long-term bicycle network will be built as neighbourhood bikeways was created:


Which neighbourhood bikeways should be prioritized for implementation?

The project determined that the following criteria should be used to determine which routes are priorities:

  • Speed of motor vehicles
  • Number of motor vehicles using the road
  • Timeframe identified in the Active Transportation Plan
  • Road Safety Action Plan priorities for safety improvements
  • Number of connections to other facilities
  • Existing cycling volumes
  • Proximity to sensitive land uses (for example: schools, community centres, seniors’ facilities)
  • Proximity to desired destinations (for example: schools, community centres, parks, shopping)
  • Proximity to dense land uses (ie. Centres, Corridors and Villages in the Official Community Plan)
  • Lack of an existing parallel route in the area
  • Constructability and coordination with other projects
  • Distribution of projects throughout Saanich

Following analysis of the above criteria for each route, a series of maps was created to show the build-out plan for neighbourhood bikeways:

To view individual years’ build-out plans, please use the links below:

Through public engagement we heard that neighbourhood bikeways’ connections to other cycling routes and logical routes to destinations are important. Through the analysis phase it was determined that some minor additions to the long-term bike network in the Active Transportation Plan would improve legibility and connectedness of the network. These additions are shown on this map.

Spring 2026 Public Engagement

Please take our survey at HelloSaanich to let us know your thoughts!

Fall 2025 Public Engagement

An online survey, three pop up engagement events, meetings with various interest groups and emails received comprised the first round of public engagement. Participants shared their thoughts on how we decide which routes should be neighbourhood bikeways. Respondents told us what matters most when prioritizing neighbourhood bikeways.

A What We Heard summary report from the Fall 2025 Public Engagement is now available.

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Why neighbourhood bikeways?

  • Neighbourhood bikeways and other types of cycling facilities work together to build out the network, and each have different advantages and disadvantages. Many different types of cycling facilities are required for different users’ abilities and comfort levels, and to serve different purposes.
  • They are a cost-effective way to build a significant portion of the long-term bicycle network
  • Their creation has side effects that create other community benefits – traffic calming, vehicle access right-sizing, slower speed limits
  • They connect to other routes and to local destinations. They help fill gaps in the network.
  • They allow for retention of some or all parking, depending on the context. Neighbourhood Bikeway projects provide an opportunity to formalize parking.

Why are we doing this?

Saanich is making cycling easier and safer for people of all ages by creating routes away from busy roads. This project supports Saanich’s goals for safer, more sustainable transportation and responds to public feedback—people want more cycling options off busy streets.

How does this fit into the bigger picture?

The project supports the Saanich’s Active Transportation Plan, Official Community Plan, Road Safety Action Plan, and Council’s Strategic Plan to build a safer, low-carbon community.

Project timeline

  • Fall 2025: Brainstorm ideas for decision-making
  • Fall 2025: First round of community engagement (share ideas on the decision-making for cycling facility types and priorities)
  • Winter 2026: Review feedback and finalize the frameworks for decison-making
  • Spring 2026: Second round of community engagement 
  • Summer 2026: Finalize priorities and share results.

How can I get involved?

We're looking for community input for this project. There will be two rounds of engagement, including survey and pop-up events. Details and links to get involved will be posted here and at HelloSaanich.

Follow the project on HelloSaanich for information on how to have your say.