The City of Saskatoon is committed to improving active transportation options for residents, and visitors. In support of the City’s active transportation goals, Avenue C from Spadina Crescent to 45th Street has been identified as an All Ages and Abilities (AAA) cycling route to be designed as a safe and inclusive space for all modes of transportation that connects the people of Saskatoon to each other and to many destinations in the City.

The Connecting Avenue C project was approved by City Council on December 20, 2023. The design for Avenue C features:

• Neighbourhood Bikeway from Spadina Crescent to 19^th Street;
• Protected Bike Lanes from 19^th Street to Jamieson Street;
• Neighbourhood Bikeway from Jamieson Street to 38^th Street; and
• Shared-use Pathway from 38^th Street to 45^th Street.

How your feedback will be used

Please review the Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 What We Heard Reports for a summary of feedback that was considered by the technical team to prepare a design for the proposed plan. The Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 Stakeholder Session presentation decks are also available for review. 

Engagement feedback from all phases, along with design plan research and internal City considerations, will result in a final report detailing findings and recommendations that will be provided to City Council in Fall 2023.

 

Contact Us

Comments and questions can also be provided by email, telephone, or mail using the contact information below:

Name: Carly Grassing

Phone Number: (306)986-3663

Email: cycling@saskatoon.ca

 

City of Saskatoon

Attn: Carly Grassing

222 3^rd Avenue North

Saskatoon, SK  S7K 0J5

Project Goals

The Connecting Avenue C Walking and Cycling Improvement Project will engage the public and stakeholders, as well as complete technical investigations to develop a functional design for an All Ages and Abilities (AAA) cycling facility and improvements to walking facilities on Avenue C (Spadina Crescent to 45th Street).  

Additionally, walking facility improvements will be identified to enhance connectivity, safety, and accessibility. Possible walking facility improvements could include adding sidewalks where there currently are none, enhancing pedestrian crossings, installing pedestrian safety measures like curb extensions, and adding accessible pedestrian ramps with texturing for people with low vision.

Key goals of the project include:

• Designing safe, comfortable, and accessible active transportation facilities along Avenue C;
• Engaging residents throughout the project to understand local priorities and concerns; and
• Creating a plan that considers the needs of all users.

​Project Location

Engagement and design activities for the project will be focused on Avenue C from Spadina Crescent to 45^th Street in Saskatoon. 

A map of the study area is provided here.

Active Transportation in Saskatoon

The City of Saskatoon is continually aligning its transportation infrastructure project priorities with its Plan for Growth and Active Transportation Plan. It has been demonstrated in other Canadian winter cities that the implementation of safe, comfortable, and equitable active transportation corridors is seen as an essential part of helping the City reach its long-term transportation and land use goals. There is a wide range of public health benefits to active transportation investment that contribute to tangible, long-term improvements to physical and mental health in our communities.

All Ages and Abilities Cycling Facilities

The Connecting Avenue C Walking and Cycling Improvement Project is focused on the design of All Ages and Abilities (AAA) cycling facilities for Avenue C from Spadina Crescent to 45th Street in Saskatoon.

An AAA cycling facility is designed for people ages 8-80, offering safe, convenient infrastructure for those interested in cycling, but who may not be comfortable riding on busy streets with high traffic volumes and speeds.

Three key principles of designing AAA cycling facilities are:

1. Safety: Because cyclists are vulnerable road users.
2. Comfort: To attract and encourage new cyclists.
3. Connectivity: To create practical routes to other cycling facilities and key destinations in the city.

AAA cycling facility types include:

Multi-Use Pathway		Neighbourhood Bikeway
Protected Bicycle Lane		Raised Cycle Track

Walking Facilities

The Connecting Avenue C Walking and Cycling Improvement Project will identify walking facility improvements to enhance connectivity, safety, and accessibility.

Walkability is an important measure of success in urban design for its contribution to property values, economic activity, health, security, and vibrancy. Modest, strategic improvements to walking facilities can help a neighbourhood reach its full potential as a walkable urban environment.

Possible walking facility improvements could include:

• adding sidewalks where there currently are none
• Enhancing pedestrian crossings
• Installing pedestrian safety improvements (e.g., curb extensions)
• Adding accessible pedestrian ramps with texturing for people with low vision

Phase 1

The objectives of the first phase of engagement, conducted May to June 2022, were to:

• Introduce the community to the project by providing information on existing conditions, needs assessment and pertinent background information;
• Gather feedback from the community on opportunities and challenges they see related to developing Avenue C as an active transportation corridor; and
• Help inform design options that will be tailored to the corridor's transportation needs.

A stakeholder session was held in the afternoon of May 13th, 2022 and had 13 attendees. An online public survey was open for responses from May 12th through June 13th, 2022 and received 295 responses. Lastly, the Project Manager was directly contacted through 8 emails and 3 phone calls.

What We Heard

Common themes from the stakeholder session included:

• Maintaining trees and creating green space wherever possible should be a priority.
• The facility design needs to be inclusive and consider the needs of all users (walking, wheelchair, etc.).
• Safe, accessible, and controlled intersection crossings will be necessary to ensure the comfort and safety of all non-vehicle users.

Common themes from the survey responses included:

• Overall concerns for cyclist safety and concerns regarding sharing the road with vehicle traffic.
• The need for street lighting, sidewalk installation or widening of sidewalks to create a safe walking environment for pedestrians.
• Improving traffic calming and intersection safety.

Common themes from the direct contacts to the Project Manager included:

• High traffic speeds and volumes along Avenue C create safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Concerns around parking loss and disruption to access of local businesses along Avenue C.
• Creating accessible and easily understandable ways for all residents to provide feedback on the proposed design.

Please review the Phase 1: What We Heard Report for a summary of feedback that was considered by the technical team prior to developing design options. The Phase 1: Stakeholder Session Presentation is also available for review.

Phase 2

The objectives of the second phase of engagement, conducted in November 2022, were to:

• Provide information on existing conditions, pertinent background information, and the types of facilities proposed for Avenue C; and
• Gather feedback from stakeholders and the community on preferred facility options for each segment of the Avenue C corridor.

A stakeholder session was held on November 16, 2022 and had 7 attendees. A public engagement session was held on November 17, 2022 and had 20 attendees. An online public survey was open for responses from November 2nd – November 30th, 2022 and received 346 responses. Paper surveys were available at Mayfair Library and received 3 responses. A total of 5 emails were received from the public.  

What We Heard

Common themes from the stakeholder session included: 

• Maintaining, protecting, and adding trees and landscaping wherever possible. 
• Sidewalk widths should be widened to enhance comfort and safety for all users. 
• The number of pedestrian and cyclist crossovers that occur in some sections, especially school zones, is a concern. 
• Concern regarding potential conflicts between pedestrian and cyclists on shared, multi-use paths. 
• Concern for cyclist safety on shared roadways. 

Common themes from the public engagement session included: 

• A general desire to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists over vehicular traffic. 
• A desire to retain existing green space and trees, as well as a desire to increase the landscaping along the corridor, especially in the industrial area where there is less/non-existent green space. 

Common themes from the survey responses included: 

• Overall concerns for cyclist safety and concerns regarding sharing the road with vehicle traffic. 
• Concerns around the removal of parking on certain segments of Avenue C. 
• Desire to become less car-centric and to support active transportation. 

Check out the Phase 2: What We Heard report to read about the main themes we heard during Phase 2 of engagement. The Phase 2 Stakeholder Session presentation is also available for review. 

Phase 3

The objectives of the third phase of engagement, conducted May – July 2023, were to:

• focus on sharing and collecting feedback on the proposed design before taking the recommended design to Council.

A stakeholder session was held in the afternoon on June 13, 2023 and had approximately 12 attendees. A public engagement session was held in the evening on June 13, 2023 and had 55 to 60 attendees. An online public survey was open for responses from May 29 – June 30, 2023 and received 527 responses. One paper survey was submitted at the public engagement session. A total of four emails were received from the public and four comments were submitted on the project Engage Page.

What We Heard

Common themes / comments from the stakeholder session included:

• General Support for the 30 km/h speed limit.

• Support for proposed bike parking.

• Snow clearing is a concern.

• Support for curb ramps and sidewalk improvements.

• Parking impact is a concern.

Common themes / comments from the public open house included:

• Suggestion for secure bike parking.

• Concerns with personal safety and crime rates.

• Accessibility issues are a concern.

• Concerns and questions around cost.

• Snow clearing was noted as a concern.

• Concerns about loss of parking spaces.

• Questions about how many people want / would use cycling facilities on Avenue C.

Common themes / comments from the survey responses included:

• General support for reduced, 30 km/h speed limit.

• Concerns around the removal of parking on certain segments of Avenue C.

• Concerns for cyclist safety in areas without separate and protected cycling lanes proposed.

• Safety in general for cyclists and pedestrians is a recurrent concern / priority.

Please review the Phase 3: What We Heard Report to read about the main themes heard during Phase 3 Engagement. The Phase 3 Stakeholders Presentation is also available for review.