The new Integrated Mobility Plan

I rode my bike downtown this afternoon to meet some neighbours for coffee. It took me five minutes. The neighbours drove, got stuck in traffic, sent a series of increasingly discouraged texts, and eventually gave up and went home.

The Integrated Mobility Plan was before the Mobility Committee today, and that’s a good illustration of why it matters. It's a long-range document, planning how Frederictonians get around through 2050.

More than half of the car trips Frederictonians make during the afternoon rush are under 5 km. A lot of those could be a walk or a bike ride, if the infrastructure made it feel safe and practical.

Right now, 16% of rush hour trips are made by walking, cycling, or transit - about 1 in 6. The IMP's target is 30% by 2050, roughly doubling that share as the city grows. What I like about the plan is what it says about who active transportation is actually for: it’s a mobility system that serves residents of all income levels and abilities. People who can’t afford a car. People who can't or don't want to drive. People aging in place. Young families with kids. Newcomers to the city. A strong Active Transporation network isn't a cycling amenity - it's about whether people have real options.

I've spent 25 years on bikes and trails in this city. It's good to see us moving in this direction.