SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The city is considering implementing a bylaw that would require bicycle racks at new commercial and high density residential buildings in order for the developers to get a building permit.

"We're just saying that if we're going to have all this parking for cars, then we can set out a small amount of space for bicycle parking as well, every time we build a new building," said Kevin Kennedy, one of the city councillors in support of the plan.

Kevin Kennedy: "If we're going to have all this parking for cars, then we can set out a small amount of space for bicycle parking as well." - NNSL file photo

Kennedy said it is a step to promote "responsible transportation," of which cycling is a prime example.

"It's one of those things that are win-win-win," said Kennedy.

"Everything about cycling is great. It's good for the environment, it doesn't generate greenhouse gases, it's healthier for you, and it's cheaper – much, much cheaper – and it doesn't take up as much space. You can park 20 bikes in the space it takes to park one car."

Councillors were given information detailing which bike racks are most effective, as well as the amount of cycle parking space that should be available based on the number of people using the building.

This package was part of the Municipal Services Committee Agenda, and was put together by the city's department of planning and development.

Jeffrey Humble, the city's director of planning and development, said the proposed bylaw would be a "step in the right direction" towards making the city more environmentally friendly.

The package was also specific about which types of bike racks to use – suggesting that the racks should hold the bicycle frame instead just the wheel, should accommodate a wide range of sizes and shapes of bikes, and should not have hazards such as sharp edges, among other criteria.

Kennedy said the criteria came from dialogue with cyclists around Yellowknife on what works and what doesn't.

"Some bike racks are essentially useless," said Kennedy, citing the rack at Sir John Franklin high school as an example.

"There are hundreds of students and many, many of them are cyclists. If you drive or ride your bike past you would probably see all kinds of bikes attached to every fence, every post, every sign, anything that they can find to lock them up to. But there's one actual rack -- it's a kind that doesn't work, and it's broken."

Grant White, the director of community services, said the city recently bought and installed 88 bike racks through a $100,000 GNWT Public Transit Fund grant.

"We bought and installed bike racks, we developed a bike route system throughout the city, and we have a bike route pamphlet that we've been distributing through various means around the city," said White.

The cost for the acquisition, transportation, and installation of the bike racks averaged out to be about $643 per rack.

"Gradually we have to make these changes and provide people with the facilities that they need so they can cycle and feel that their bike is safe and parked somewhere that's convenient to them," said Kennedy.