If the city were to base its transportation master plan on the results of a recent survey it would be 害羞草研究所渢aking a step backwards,害羞草研究所� according to Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran.

The Transportation Citizen Survey, which garnered responses from 300 Kelowna residents, show a vast majority of residents support alternative forms of transportation, however many respondents still want to the city to build more roads, an opinion that doesn害羞草研究所檛 necessarily improve the flow of traffic.

The results showed strong support for the city害羞草研究所檚 direction towards increasing transportation options and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Seventy-five per cent of residents said that investing in walking, biking, transit, and other sustainable modes would be a good or very good idea.

However, not everybody was on board.

Council specifically took issue with the 51 per cent of respondents who said building more roads is a long-term solution for the city害羞草研究所檚 traffic congestion.

害羞草研究所淏uilding roads doesn害羞草研究所檛 reduce congestion,害羞草研究所� said Coun. Gail Given. 害羞草研究所淩ather, it adds to congestion.害羞草研究所�

Despite his comments, the survey showed 61 per cent of people believe cars and trucks passing through Kelowna have a significant impact on traffic congestion, while a report that went to council just a few months ago showed that just 13 per cent of traffic coming into the city are destined for elsewhere.

As a result, the city plans to focus its attention on educating the public about transporation, with staff noting significant differences between the answers of those surveyed and statistics on road use.

While acknowledging that educating the public is vital moving forward, Basran admitted there will never be a consensus on topics like this.

害羞草研究所淲e aren害羞草研究所檛 going to be able to convince or bring everyone along for the ride,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 going to take some political courage to make some decisions or investments in areas where maybe people don害羞草研究所檛 believe it should be. We know for a number of different reasons 害羞草研究所� financially and environmentally 害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 the right thing to do.害羞草研究所�

Basran also challenged the survey害羞草研究所檚 phrasing, specifically the part which asked if the city害羞草研究所檚 investment into sustainable transportation is a good thing.

害羞草研究所淥f course everyone thinks it害羞草研究所檚 a good idea,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚 bet you if you worded that question a little differently and said, 害羞草研究所榳ould you be willing to pay more in taxes to invest in (sustainable transportation)?害羞草研究所� the answer would be a lot different.害羞草研究所�

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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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