Williams Lake's new Active Transportation Network Plan could help put the city on the right (multi-use) pathway.
Or at least the timing is right to make some progress on improving walking and cycling infrastructure in the city, according to mayor and council.
The new plan, developed by consulting company Urban Systems with extensive community consultation and work with a community working group, was approved by city council at their regular meeting on June 24, 2025 in city hall.
More than just a network plan to improve infrastructure for walking, cycling and mobility device use in the city, it includes not just maps of proposed paths, sidewalks and bike lanes, but also potential grant sources to help pay for the network, and a phased implementation strategy to help make the long-term vision a reality.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said the completion of the plan is timely, as the city looks at updating their Official Community Plan.
"Perfect timing," he said, also pointing out the recent paving of the RC Cotton pathway by the city, giving better accessibility to those on wheeled devices.
Coun. Joan Flaspohler, who was the city's liaison with the Active Transportation Working Group (ATWG) for the city which worked with Urban Systems to give support in developing the proposed network plan, expressed her appreciation for the final plan.
"This is what makes a community healthy and whole because it helps connect," she said, noting it helps physical and mental well-being. She said she believes the city listened to citizens in developing the plan and hopes they continue to follow through with the plan.
Coun. Angie Delainey also mentioned the "massive amount of feedback" the city received during the engagement process.
"This is a good news story, there was a lot of input that went into it," she said, noting the plan gives a "plan of attack" for the city to put it into action.
"Hats off to the community for everyone that's put their time and energy into it, including Urban Systems."
Paid for through a $50,000 grant from the province which was matched by the city, it was done in partnership with the ATWG supported by the city.
Fraser Basin Council facilitates the ATWG for the city, and council acknowledged the work of not only Urban Systems, but also Jane Wellburn from Fraser Basin Council and the ATWG in developing the plan.
Wellburn said the ATWG remains committed to the implementation of the plan and is "excited to work with city staff on securing funding and prioritizing future projects" calling the plan a "rich and detailed roadmap to improving active transportation in Williams Lake."
"This means safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility device users, anyone choosing a human powered means of moving around, and is a positive step in the right direction for our community," said Wellburn.
Urban Systems defines active transportation as: "all forms of “human-powered” transportation. This includes walking, cycling, or rolling. Rolling is used to describe people travelling with mobility devices, including scooters, wheelchairs, and strollers."
Through their research and engagement, they found an estimated 87 per cent of Williams Lake residents commute by motor vehicle and are inactive during their commute. They said by providing opportunities for safe active transportation and accessible recreation, the city could improve residents' health and well-being, help create more community connections, reduce the city's climate change impacts, reduce congestion, improve community safety and comfort, increase equity by supporting a more balanced and equitable transportation system and provide economic benefits to local business.
Check out the city's new Active Transportation Network Plan.
