New cycle track opens in Bridgeland
Posted Sep 19, 2016 10:43 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The city is trying to get Bridgeland residents excited about the newest cycle track.
Staff stationed themselves along the new route on Edmonton Trail NE Monday morning, between Memorial Drive and 2 Ave NE.
They were educating commuters on two wheels, on foot and behind the wheel about what the new signs mean, and what to look for.
The track is steps away from Counc. Druh Farrell’s ward, and she says a big reason to put in the infrastructure was safety.
“Every time we open a new connection to other cycle tracks, it just increases the number of people who feel comfortable cycling,” Farrell said. “We’ve been hearing for a number of years that people don’t feel comfortable cycling on the street.”
Patrick Alexander bikes to work year round and prefers the track to his old route.
“(Riding on the road) was definitely not as safe, because cars tend to speed a lot between the four lanes and the two lanes, even though there was always a red light. So, they go very close to you,” he said.
While pedalling on the sidewalk is illegal for those over 14, Farrell says cyclists have no obligation to use the track, however the hope is that barrier from vehicles whizzing by will warm them up to this new infrastructure.
“We don’t really need to convince them. We’re offering the facility for the average cyclist, but if they choose to use the road, they’re allowed to use the road, it’s the Highway Traffic Act, it’s a vehicle and they’re allowed to use the road. We’re encouraging people to use the cycle tracks, but they’re not required to use them,” she said.
Tom Thivener, Transportation Projects Co-ordinator for the City of Calgary, says he expects the number of people using it to grow, especially since it links up to the Bow River pathway downtown.
“The cycle track’s just going to get busier and busier, because this area is seeing a lot of transition,” he said.
Gareth Lukes, of nearby Lukes Drug Mart, is hopeful it could even bring more business.
“I think eventually it will, I think it’s just — people need to start getting used to using the cycle tracks, and sort of viewing it as sort of a viable mode of transportation,” he said.
