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City to roll out bike lanes Trial thoroughfare to run along Franklin Avenue from 44 Street to Old Town
Cody Punter
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, June 19, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Cyclists in Yellowknife may have some more elbow room as they share the road with cars and trucks later this summer.
Mayor Mark Heyck sits on his bike at the top of Twin Pine Hill on Franklin Avenue, where the city plans to implement a bike lane pilot project later this summer. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo |
City's administration is getting closer to implementing a proposed bike lane pilot project on Franklin Avenue in the coming weeks.
"We've had a lot of positive feedback on the concept of bike lanes," said Mayor Mark Heyck.
"Where the feedback becomes a little murky is when we start talking about specific streets."
The proposed bike lane will be temporary and will run on both sides of Franklin Avenue, with the flow of traffic, from 54 Street to the McMeekan Causeway at Latham Island. Another media outlet incorrectly reported the lane would run through downtown from 54 Street to Latham Island.
According to Yellowknife's chief administrative officer Dennis Kefalas, the city will be going ahead with the pilot project unless overwhelmingly negative feedback arises during public consultations the city plans to hold in the coming weeks.
"That's what we're going to proceed with, unless we hear a lot of opposition during our public consultations," said Kefalas.
Kefalas said he hopes public consultations will begin by early July, and added the city would be ready to paint the lanes between the second week of July and the beginning of August. Kefalas said the lanes will be marked with a white painted line and marked with light blue paint to ensure they are visible to drivers.
According to Kefalas, the goal of the pilot project is to get cyclists and motorists used to interacting and observing bike lanes. He said the fact the stretch of road on Twin Pine Hill on Franklin Avenue is already wide and unobstructed by parking makes it ideal for a low-impact evaluation of bike lanes in the city.
"We'll monitor it and after feedback from the residents, from the time we install it to the time snow flies," he said.
Administration is also in the process of coming up with possible bike lane routes that would connect the entire city with a continuous network of trails.
"Right now we're developing a map, showing possible locations for bike lanes, multi-use paths, and designated areas for bikes."
One of the more controversial decisions facing the city is where it should put bike lanes on the busiest stretch of Franklin Avenue, between 54 Street and 44 Street.
City councillor Dan Wong had previously suggested the city should look at putting a bike lane right through downtown on Franklin Avenue.
However, city administration is concerned that because that stretch of road is already so crowded with traffic, and cars park on either side, putting a bike lane there would be both unsafe and ineffective for improving traffic flow downtown.
Kefalas said administration will be proposing alternative routes for council in its report.
"A good alternative is 52 Avenue, just because it has low impact on residents, because there's no real residents on that street on the one side, so we wouldn't be taking away their parking or their driveways," he said.
Kefalas said 52 Avenue would be a sensible place for bike lane because it leads to the city's two high schools and one of its elementary schools.
He added the city will be looking at a mix of options, ranging from multi-use trails, painted bike lanes, bike lanes marked off by concrete dividers, and off-road trails to connect the city with a complete network of bike trails.
"We'll bring those proposals, once we get feedback from the general public. We'll say, 'here's what we've done,' and see what the input is. Then we'll prepare a report for council probably in the fall."
Heyck said he is looking forward to seeing what administration comes up with and hopes the city can find a way to improve bike traffic in the city.
"I think there will be some different solutions for different parts of the city, but it's something we hope to roll out in the next few years in logical progression," Heyck said.
For the time being, the mayor said he hopes the pilot project on Franklin Avenue will help both the city and commuters to figure out what works and what doesn't.
"Essentially, we want to come up with the best solution for each part of the city," said Heyck, which he said would happen, "Once we build up some experience both internally in the city and with cyclists that would be using it."
What do you think of the city's bike lane pilot project?
Ksenia Eic (cyclist)
It sounds like a good idea. I see a lot of people biking that way on my way to work. There's definitely enough room.
Kathy Green (pedestrian)
I don't mind. I walk to work and the bikes go on the sidewalks. Most of them are considerate. Maybe they could consider widening the sidewalk.
Al Hartman (motorist)
I agree with it, but I wouldn't want to see them going through downtown. As long as it's not disrupting the flow of traffic then it's fine. In certain areas where there is lots of traffic they should look at doing multi-use paths.
Jed Watson (cyclist)
I work (in Old Town) so I'll definitely use it. Ideally it's safer for cyclists. If a car comes behind a bike on the road, it has to slow down or get out of their way. With bike lanes, no one has to make a decision about anything, it's just there.
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