St. Catharines Active Transportation Master Plan

by Dan Romanko MCIP, RPP, CNU-A

Nearly 60% of St. Catharines residents feel that this City is not safe for cycling. This was a concerning finding from a survey conducted by WSP in preparation for the St. Catharines Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP). It was encouraging to see that the ATMP was recently unanimously approved, as this is an important step towards a city where people of all ages and abilities can safely walk, bike, and use other forms of non-motorized transportation.

The ATMP aims to create an integrated network of multi-use paths, sidewalks, bike lanes, and safe crossings. By enhancing infrastructure, we are not only addressing environmental and congestion concerns but also boosting the overall quality of life. Walkable cities have proven health benefits, reduce vehicle emissions, and foster more vibrant and connected communities.

So many of our roads are built exclusively for cars. Wide multi-lane roads encourage cars to drive faster than posted limits, and without safe pedestrian crossings, sidewalks and separated bike lanes, we are putting people at risk for potentially deadly accidents. Adding signage is simply not enough – we need well-designed infrastructure and political will required to make our roads safer.

The plan prioritizes safety and accessibility by investing in infrastructure that is both practical and equitable. These enhancements are particularly significant for the downtown core and key transit corridors, as they offer practical alternatives to traditional car commutes, connecting residents to work, school, parks, and local businesses. There are a few key active transportation routes that the plan establishes to reach these goals:

Spine Routes
Connector Routes
Greenways
Rural Routes

You can find a breakdown of these routes on our Instagram page in our recent series of Reels.

This forward-thinking approach aligns with broader urban planning trends focused on environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and resident well-being. A future with better active transportation options is a future where St. Catharines becomes a model of a resilient, healthy, and connected community. Our hope for the future is also that these changes will lead to improvements in broader transportation networks, extending pedestrian safety and connectivity beyond St. Catharines.

Author

Dan Romanko MCIP, RPP, CNU-A

Dan Romanko is a consulting Professional Planner practicing urban design, and neighbourhood development in Ontario with over 25 years’ experience. Growing up in Mississauga in the ’80s, his childhood years were spent in a categorically suburban environment. This experience sparked an interest in land-use patterns and ultimately the Urban Planning profession. Dan began his academic career at Sheridan College, graduating as a Civil Engineering Technician in 1992; he then went on to complete the Honours Urban and Regional Planning program at the University of Waterloo, graduating in 1997.  Years later, his interest in community scale sustainability found him continuing his education and he received a Master of Engineering Design in Sustainable Infrastructure from McMaster University in 2012. Dan has worked as a planner in a consulting role since 1998. From 2000-2009, Dan worked with Barr Associates in St. Catharines as urban designer. After a five-year stint at another multi-disciplinary firm downtown St. Catharines, Dan returned to Barr Associates in 2015 as partner and the company changed its name to Better Neighbourhoods Inc. In addition to his managing partner role, Dan is a full member in the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and been qualified as an expert witness at the Ontario Land Tribunal.  He has been an accredited member of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU-A) since 2009 and has attended annual Congresses since 2006.  Dan lives downtown St. Catharines with his family and is fortunate to have a seven minute walk to work.
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