Dalhousie wants bike lane on University Avenue

HALIFAX – Its become a hot button issue that has polarized supporters on both sides. Dalhousie University is teaming up with the city of Halifax to establish protected bike lanes on University Avenue in the South end. It’s a pilot project to accomodate the growing number of cyclists in the city who rely on bikes for transportation. But not everyone supports the proposal. The city and the university want input on the plan which will eliminate all street parking on University Avenue.

The proposal calls for a protected bike lane on University Avenue between Robie and Lemarchant streets, which is a 4-block span. The bike lanes would be on both sides of the street, which is divided by a boulevard. The pilot project would last for two years.

“I guess were looking for general feedback, is it a good idea or a bad idea” says David MacIsaac, the Supervisor of Transportation Programs in Halifax. He adds, “We’re also looking for specific feedback, so for example we have relocated some of the parking, and proposed relocating some of the accessible parking.”

One person who doesn’t like the proposal is Jerry Reddick, known locally as the ‘Dawgfather’ because he sells hot dogs on the street in front of the Dalhousie Student Union Building. The proposed lanes would force him out of what he calls a prime location.

“It would actually put me out of business and that’s why I don’t feel real good about it because you could find other places for that bike lane if you truly want a bike lane,” says Reddick.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It would actually put me out of business and that's why I don't feel real good about it because you could find other places for that bike lane if you truly want a bike lane," says Reddick.

The city would also lose all the parking meters along University Avenue to the bike lane, but it  would install meters on nearby side streets to compensate.

“Dalhousie is trying to be a leader in bicycle infrastructure for all ages and abilities,” says Nathan Rogers, the Assistant Director of Planning at Dalhousie. “We actually have about a 9 per cent mode share of faculty, students, and staff who travel to campus via bicycle so we’re trying to build on that momentum.”

Halifax cycling advocates are growing in number. A large contingent of bike lane supporters came to the open house, including Craig Stewart, a student at Dalhousie.

“It would be an encouragement of cycling in general,” says Stewart. “It would be a first step in making Halifax more bike friendly.”

Suggestions given at the meeting will be taken to Halifax Council.

Dalhousie hopes to have the bike lane operating by the fall.