EDMONTON – They’ve only been there for a few months, but an Edmonton community has had enough and isn’t backing down in its fight against bike lanes.
A report containing the views and concerns of more than 350 Ward 10 residents was released Monday and can be read below.
“The attached report details what we’ve heard from Ward 10 residents – good and bad,” City Councillor Michael Walters explained in an email. “We gathered input from a public meeting attended by over 350 people, an online survey, and hundreds of emails and phone calls. I also met with stakeholders from the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ Society and Edmonton Transit.
“Across the board, we heard that the City has made mistakes with the bike lanes on 40 Avenue, 106 Street, and Saddleback Road, and we need to fix those mistakes.”
According to Walters, people weren’t properly educated on lane additions or proper use.
“I think what we have unintentionally done is create some safety issues in outlying areas where we have put these new bike lanes,” he said.
Walters adds that bike lanes in southeast and west Edmonton would have been put to better use in the downtown core or Strathcona area, where bike traffic is more common. He plans to meet with the city to discuss changes.
“What I am going to be asking for from the Transportation Committee at this meeting is some information on relocation of the lanes that were put down in south Edmonton and west Edmonton, looking at how we can do it differently to resolve some of the issues that have been a result of having these new lanes put in.”
Walters believes it won’t take long for changes to be made. He’s hoping that issues such as cost and alternative routes can be negotiated by June.
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