It's a trail system to span the entire country.

The Trans Canada Trail is the two-wheeled and two-legged version of the major highway that links the country together.

Now a group is hoping to improve the connection of the trail locally in time for Canada's 150th birthday celebration.

Trails BC, a non-profit group responsible for promoting the Trans Canada Trail in B.C., is proposing a cycling pathway along the north side of Clarke Street in Port Moody that could parallel the Evergreen Line from Moody Street to Queen Street.

From there, the group is proposing the pathway could go north and then east to Vintner Street to pick up on the existing Trans Canada Trail on Douglas Street.

Trails BC vice-president Leon Lebrun suggested the current setup along Clarke is not ideal for cyclists at the moment, and the proposed new route would accommodate both the commuter and recreational rider through the corridor.

"Having a pathway on the north side of Clarke would mean it would be a nice continuous pathway that wouldn't need to cross a series of cross streets," he told The NOW.

Lebrun also suggested the pathway would bring an increase in pedestrian traffic to businesses in the area.

The group has asked both the City of Port Moody and Evergreen Line construction officials to consider the feasibility of such a path.

Lebrun noted Trails BC is looking at improving the cross-country trail for the country's big anniversary in 2017.

"We're looking for ways to make the trail more distinct, and this would certainly help to do that," he said.

Lebrun cautioned the proposal is still in the early stages and its feasibility needs to be studied before it proceeds.

He also noted the project would go through some private property, which would also need to be worked out.

But the proposed path does have support from at least one Port Moody politician.

Coun. Rick Glumac said he sees an opportunity for the city to work with Trails BC to develop the pathway.

"In different parts of the country like Quebec, it's a huge attraction," he said.

"People go on the Trans Canada Trail and cycle and they walk and they go from village to village and do bed and breakfasts and things like that."

Glumac also argued the pathway would help the community.

At Tuesday's council meeting, the councillor brought forward a notice of motion to support the idea in principal.

Glumac said Trails BC needs the support of council so the group can move forward and look for funding for the project.

The motion is expected to be discussed at the next council meeting.

The Trans Canada Trail is made up of nearly 400 individual trails and, when completed, will stretch 23,000 kilometres.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com