Kamloops seeks public input on electric vehicles and cycling plan

The City of Kamloops is asking residents to help draw a roadmap for the transition to an electric-powered transportation system.

The municipality created an online survey to gather opinions and suggestions by the end of February for its electric vehicle and e-bike strategy.

"We have to start moving into that at some point," Kamloops Coun. Dale Bass told Daybreak Kamloops host Shelley Joyce.

"Even I recognize that," said Bass, who acknowledged that though she is interested in replacing her 11-year-old car with an EV, she's holding out forwider choice in models and price range.

She added that her husband owns an e-bike.

"I think probably a lot of people feel the same, although some people are gradually making the switch."

The city's survey questions include whether residents support a requirement for parking spaces in new developments to be EV-ready; city investment in public EV and e-bike charging stationsand the gradual replacement of the municipal vehicle fleet with electric models.

More charging stations needed?

The city survey also asked residents whether their household owns or is considering buying an electricvehicleand whether factors such as price, range or access to charging stations are deterrents to acquiring one.

"We're going to obviously adjust our infrastructure, add more charging stations," Bass said.

"Right now, the city has two," she said. "There are lots more. Hotels have them. But right now, the city has one at the Travel Centreand one at TCC" (The Tournament Capital Centre next to Thompson Rivers University campus).

Bass said she would also like to see an e-bike rental service in downtown Kamloops, after seeing them "all over the place" in Vancouver last year.

"So you don't have to buy one. Maybe you take the bus downtown and you've got more things to do:Rent one," she said.

Bass noted that the lack of cycling infrastructureor the condition of existing bike pathscould discourage many from switching to e-bikes as a transport mode.

"I was thinking I should get an e-bike, but I don't think I want to ride it on the highway," she said. "And another point about the bike paths is that they're harder to keep ice-free in the winter."

The public survey on the City of Kamloops electric vehicle and e-bike strategyis open until Feb. 28.

Meanwhile, on Feb. 26, an eveningengagement session will invite feedback in person on the EV and e-bike strategy atthe Valley First Lounge at the Sandman Centre.

With files from Daybreak Kamloops