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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife cyclists' hopes for a bike lane pilot project, which was to begin this summer, were squashed this week as the city's administration decided to scrap the idea.

Janet Diveky rides her bike along 49 Street on Tuesday afternoon. She is disappointed the bike lane pilot project will not be going ahead. She said she understands the challenges the city faced with the proposed route, but believes the city needs to do more to protect cyclists. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo

The city had originally planned to start implementing a bike lane "pilot project" extending along Franklin Avenue from 46 Street to McDonald Drive in Old Town by the beginning of August.

However, once the planning began, several technical challenges arose.

"It's a shame," said cyclist Janet Diveky who added she was looking forward to the bike lanes. "I know they are trying to consider everything but we should be doing everything to encourage cycling."

Diveky, who has been hit by the door of a parked car, believes bike lanes are necessary to make the streets safe for cyclists.

"I think a bike lane, especially for kids, makes a huge difference," she said.

Diveky added she avoids riding on the stretch of Franklin where the lane was proposed because cars drive too fast and do not pay enough attention to bike traffic.

Jeff Humble, director of planning and development, said one of the factors preventing the project from going ahead is the road width. Franklin Avenue narrows dramatically from 12.5 metres in the downtown core to 10 metres and then eight metres into Old Town, making the stretch of road unsuitable to safely accommodate both motor vehicles and a bike lane.

Several dips in the road and areas covered by gravel instead of asphalt were also causes for concern.

"We would probably be putting cyclists' safety at risk," said Humble. "It would also create liability issues once we designate those lanes."

Councillor Dan Wong, who has been one of the most vocal supporters of bike lanes in Yellowknife, said the decision was "disappointing but not discouraging."

Wong said the problems could have been avoided with a bit of foresight on the part of administration.

"We left it up to administration to decide where the easiest place to implement a pilot project would be and they suggested this section of Franklin from 46 Street to McDonald Drive. Now we're hearing two months later that there are some technical challenges there," said Wong.

He added that while scrapping the pilot project is a set back, it will not deter the city from seeking solutions in the future.

"We're bound to run into some road-bumps along the way, but we're going to keep pedaling forward and we're going to get to where we're going."

Administration is now considering other possible pilot projects that could be incorporated as part of planned city road work.

One of the possible routes would be the stretch along 52 Avenue from 56 Street to 49 Street, which is scheduled for construction next summer.

The Smart Growth Implementation Committee has suggested allocating $15,000 to go toward public consultation and design of the routes pending approval of council, said Humble.

Administration plans to then conduct public consultations throughout September and into next year with a goal to have a tender ready for the Spring.

Although Diveky remains hopeful suitable locations will eventually be found for bike lanes, she said the work the city is currently doing would suggest otherwise.

"I live on a street where they are doing road work and they made the sidewalk twice as wide as it was before," said Diveky, who lives on Matonabee Street. "There's actually less room for cyclists

now."

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