New Bike Route will Connect Hammond and Pitt Meadows

As announced in the Maple Ridge News, the district is building a new "Hammond Trail" for walkers and cyclists that will connect Airport Way in Pitt Meadows with Ospring Street in Hammond (running under the Golden Ears Bridge).

This is a project dear to the hearts of the newly formed Hammond Neighbours group. We've even thrown around the idea of building the path ourselves, assuming we could get municipal approval.

I am willing to bet that many thanks are due to the Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows Cyclist group, who are the movers and shakers regarding improving cycling routes in Maple Ridge.

Comment by Jackie Chow on August 3, 2012 at 11:43am: Hi Jennifer,

Welcome to our HUB/GETI-sub-committee! Like you, we're looking forward to the completion of this connection for cyclists and walkers from Hammond to Pitt Meadows. Credit actually goes not to our group (HUB: Your Cycling Connection, formerly Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition - VACC), but to the District. I have to point out that there are actually two groups working to improve cycling in our communities. There's the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Bicycle Advisory Committee, with staff and council liaisons as well as members-at-large from each community appointed by Councils. And then there's us: HUB, an cycling advocacy group for people of all ages and abilities. We have been commenting that connections between the two communities are very poor, and this is a solution that the District came up with. Looking forward to hear more about this. The map is not too clear to me. You probably know more about it than me. It seems like some of the off-road route is existing (multi-use path along GE Way, and the multi-use path from Hammond Road to the Airport Parkway?), and some of the route is on-road along the Airport Parkway.

By the way, I've asked blogger Ian McLeod (Fraseropolis.com) to lead one of our Discovery Bike Rides, and he's proposing to do a Hammond Village ride on Sept. 15. If you have any suggestions as to routes to try/promote or destinations within Hammond to visit, please let me know. I'm meeting Ian on Aug. 11 to talk about it. Would you be interested in joining us? I can also add you to our e-mail list, so that you can advertise this ride and others to your contacts. Pls let me know.

Comment by Jennifer Zickerman on August 3, 2012 at 12:24pm: Hi Jackie. Actually, I don't know any more about Hammond Trail than what was published in the newspaper. Maybe the municipality could provide you with more specific information?

I'd love to meet with you and Ian to talk about a Discovery Bike Ride in Hammond. As you may know, I'm active with the Hammond Neighbours Group, and one of our members is working on a historical walking tour of Hammond. Parts or all of that route may be suitable for the Discovery Bike Ride, and we have some historical information regarding the neat old buildings and areas in Hammond.

Please add me to your email list. I'm happy to bring your activities to the attention of the Hammond Neighbours Group.

Comment by Jackie Chow on August 3, 2012 at 1:12pm: I already asked the Engineering Dept. to send me a better map with a better resolution.

It would be great if you can help us decide on destinations and a route for our bike ride. I'll let you know at what time and where we'll meet with Ian.

Can you give me your e-mail address, so that I can add you to our e-mail list?

Thanks!

Jackie

Comment by Jennifer Zickerman on August 3, 2012 at 1:21pm: Sure - jenzed at gmail dot com

On August 11 I am also organizing a trunk sale at the Hammond Community Centre. It's over a 2, but once it's up and running in the morning I should be able to get away. However, if later in the afternoon is convenient for you and Ian, it would work best for me.