This column is written as imaginary correspondence between Byron the Bicyclist and Patty the Pedestrian
Dear Byron the Bicyclist.
Make a two-way bike path! That was the advice of the head of Calgary’s public works department at the Active Transportation Conference we attended. He was speaking about separated cycling paths.
Calgary has over 1,000 kilometres of bike routes and trails. (Trails are for both cyclists and pedestrians.)
To me, it seems counterintuitive to have a two-way bike route on one side of the road instead of one on each side. But for city crews, a two-way bike path means they can get bigger equipment in to clear the route faster and for less cost.
Byron, you were in Victoria not long ago. Did you see any two-way bike routes there?
Signed; Patty the Pedestrian
Dear Patty.
Yes, I did see some two-way bike routes in downtown Victoria. Former two-lane streets with parallel parking were converted to one-way streets with parallel parking both sides of the single lane. The two-way bike route was where parallel parking used to be next to the sidewalk.
Victoria’s manager of public works stated it was important for bike route to be continuous. That is so the equipment can move continuously along the bike route.
For the cyclist, a continuous bike route is essential or we might as will just bike on the road. Cycling from 11th Avenue through to Western Avenue at Highway 97 requires three dismounts and remounts. From South Lakeside trail to Highway 20 there is a missing link to the shoulder of Highway 20.
But we are making incremental progress. One shoulder of Highway 20 from Mackenzie to South Lakeside is improved. The traffic island on Mackenzie near Margett’s Meats makes crossing safer. Though loose gravel on the new pathway requires a dismount as well.
Hopefully, the Active Transportation Plan will recommend ways to have continuous bike routes that are safer for all.
Sincerely;
Patty the Pedestrian
Bert Groenenberg is a pedestrian, cyclist and motorist who has lived in Williams Lake for over 30 years.
