Gaukel Street Pedestrian Promenade

[kwcc]

I keep hearing that the City doesn't want to route the Cycling Grid down Gaukel (connecting existing Young Street cycle route to Victoria Park) because it will be a pedestrian path but it seems to me that that would be a bonus.

Back in 2019 there was a lot of discussion between interested neighbours, city staff, CycleWR and the neighbourhood associations about whether Gaukel should be for pedestrians or for both peds + cycling.

Looking at a map, it might seem like Gaukel is a natural trail extension off of Vic Park, it's not actually a great route for cycling. The area of Victoria Park around the big green, past the clocktower and at the Joseph St. entrance is great for pedestrians, but too constrained and meandering for bikes. Water Street and David/Ontario Street are much better cycling routes to get from the Iron Horse Trail to downtown.

We're at the point where we can plan for both cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in a way that doesn't lump them together all the time, and I think that's great.

It's unfortunate that I don't think the people who actually live on those streets were consulted. I saw a lady crying in the meeting last Thursday, saying:"I'm glad someone is finally speaking up for us."
Sad.