Traffic chaos at B.C. Ferries terminal prompts call for village trail extension on Gabriola Island

A group of residents on Gabriola Island, B.C., near Nanaimo are calling for a trail to connect the B.C. Ferries terminal with an existing trail that leads to the main village.

Steven Earle, a representative with the Gabriola Transportation Society, says the quick injection of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles coming off the ferry has become increasingly chaotic.

"The roads are narrow, the shoulders are non-existent and there aren't sidewalks," Earle said.

"It's always been an issue, but it's becoming more of an issue with [an] increased number of cyclists and a lot of people on electric bicycles."

The trail would help divert cyclists and pedestrians off of the road, and provide them with a safer, car-free route.

A year ago, a 2.3-kilometre gravel trail finally came together on Mayne Island after residents lobbied for it. Earle hopes the efforts of the Gabriola Transportation Society could lead to something similar.

The society's proposed 650-metre trail on Gabriola would ideally connect with the island's existing 1,400-metre trail leading to the main village.

Earle says residents began lobbying for a new trail when the Ferry Advisory Committee was still in place, but discussions with B.C. Ferries were dropped when the committees were cancelled.

According to its website, B.C. Ferries is planning to upgrade the terminal at Descanso Bay.

But at a Regional District of Nanaimo meeting last week, Earle said that project is on hold and it will be a long time before it comes to fruition.

In an email to CBC News, B.C. Ferries said the project needs collaboration between several jurisdictions, including the province, the regional district and Islands Trust.

"While our funding and mandate do not extend to municipal roads or land-based infrastructure, we are committed to being a strong partner and ensuring public safety is a priority," a B.C. Ferries spokesperson said.

Earle says having to deal with multiple stakeholders has always been an issue, but in this case he's sure it's the regional district's job to take the lead on the project.

"We have to deal with so many different agencies that one of them will say, 'Well it's not us," he said. "So they'll go keep trying to pass on responsibility to someone else."