Hurdles encountered in progressing the active mobility plan implementation in Laval
In a recent annual report, France Lessard, the auditor general of Laval, highlighted several significant gaps in the city's active mobility plan, particularly concerning the purchase of electric vehicles and the development of infrastructure for active transport.
One of the key issues raised was the purchase of 12 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles by Laval's police services in April 2024, at a total cost of $1.5 million. The auditor noted a significant deviation in the final unit price from the price per vehicle initially provided in the decision summary, raising questions about the decision-making process.
Moreover, the report pointed out several gaps in the decision-making process for the purchase of electric vehicles, as there is no directive or documentation to guide such decisions. The auditor general estimated that at the current pace, the 2031 targets will not be met.
Laval aimed to double the proportion of active transport by 2031 through its Active Mobility Plan, but only 0.5 km of sidewalks and 5 km of multi-purpose path were built in 2024, compared to the planned target of 10 to 15 km of new sidewalks per year. The auditor accused the Mobility Office of shirking its responsibilities regarding the 2013 Active Mobility Plan, as the city has not developed a detailed implementation plan for the actions of the plan.
Some actions, such as improving bike parking and sensitization to encourage active transport to school, are still not scheduled. The auditor also emphasised the need for improved snow removal from sidewalks and the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
The city's bike path network has grown from 179 km in 2014 to 340 km in 2024, but the development of several major axes for utilitarian trips remains to be planned to concretize the projected network by 2031.
Laval's mayor, [Mayor's Name], is satisfied with the auditor's report and believes it will help the city improve. The mayor attributed the delay to the current public transit crisis in Quebec.
Common causes of delay in active mobility plans include funding constraints, coordination challenges among municipal, regional, and provincial authorities, technical or planning adjustments due to changing urban growth or community needs, and labor negotiations or staffing issues. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consulting Laval’s official municipal communications or Quebec’s Ministry of Transport would be advisable.
- The government needs to establish a more robust policy and legislation for the purchase of electric vehicles, considering the significant deviations in costs and the lack of directives in Laval's case.
- As the transportation industry transitions towards sustainable living, electric vehicles and public-transit infrastructure should be a priority in the finance sectors' investment strategies for a greener lifestyle.
- Among general news, the purchase of 12 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles by Laval's police services has sparked debates about the city's spending on electric vehicles and the need for transparency in policy-and-legislation decisions.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts will find interest in Laval's success in expanding its bike path network from 179 km in 2014 to 340 km in 2024. However, challenges persist in planning the development of several major axes for utilitarian trips to meet the 2031 projections.
- Politics plays a crucial role in the efficiency of active mobility plans, as it becomes clear that Laval's delay in meeting its 2031 active transport targets is linked to the current public transit crisis in Quebec.
- In the realm of finance and urban planning, sustainable living advocates must pay close attention to the auditor general's critique of Laval's Active Mobility Plan, emphasizing the need for better snow removal and cyclist and pedestrian safety improvements in the city's infrastructure development.
