Council won’t force showers for cyclists

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 14, 2010 12:00 PM

Anyone wanting to shower after cycling to work may be left spinning their wheels. City of Vernon staff recommended Monday that it investigate end-of-trip facilities, such as change rooms and showers, for businesses. While a motion of support was made by Coun. Buffy Baumbrough, it wasn’t seconded and the concept died on the floor. “I guess they feel we’re not ready for that kind of initiative,” said Baumbrough of her colleagues. Currently, bylaws enquire businesses to provide bike racks. Baumbrough says staff didn’t want to necessarily change the bylaw but wanted a chance to investigate options for new developments. “One of the barriers to cycling is when people get to work, there is no place to change or shower,” she said. “Because it’s a barrier, it was worth pursuing. What would it take to provide a shower?”

Baumbrough believes such a staff review would have reinforced the city’s commitment to providing opportunities for alternative transportation. “Vernon, through the official community plan, has committed to reducing single-occupant vehicle trips,” she said. Mayor Wayne Lippert isn’t surprised there wasn’t broad support for end-of-trip facilities. “Staff was looking for a bylaw that any business doing renovations or going into a new building would be obligated to put in showers and change rooms for people riding bikes,” he said. Lippert insists provision of showers and change rooms should be voluntary. “For the city to mandate this is not right. It’s a cost that would be passed on to consumers somewhere along the line.”

In a written report, Wendy Majewski, transportation demand management co-ordinator, states many employees are trying alternate modes of transportation to get to work. “The main complaints and concerns are related to the lack of secure bicycle storage and the provision of lockers and shower facilities,” she said. Majewski points out that walking and cycling are considered high priorities in the city’s transportation plan. “A target of 20 per cent for walking, cycling and transit mode share has been set for 2031 to further encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation,” she said. “Many other cities have bylaws in place to ensure end-of-trip facilities are in place for employees.”

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Don Quixote: Bylaws that I have found on this subject:

City of Richmond Development Permit Guidelines (pdf) prescribe the general criteria for new development and are one of the tools that the OCP uses to achieve its objectives. The guidelines encourage non-residential projects to provide end-of-trip facilities such as showers and lockers for the convenience of employees.