83 Avenue and 102 Avenue are the top ranked locations for the City’s newest bike routes through Downtown/Oliver/Glenora and in Strathcona/Garneau.
“The last couple of months have been really great. In May, we asked Edmontonians to restart the conversation on bike lanes and residents jumped on board. We received tremendous online and public meeting feedback which has helped shape our plans moving forward,” said Tyler Golly, General Supervisor of Sustainable Transportation.”
Earlier this year, several bike route options were identified for Old Strathcona (from Mill Creek Ravine to 109 Street) and the Downtown area (from 107 Street to 136 Street). A detailed review of 16 criteria, including safety, route connectivity, pedestrian and vehicular conflict points, maintenance implications and public feedback determined the top ranked location of each route.
“We’ve already seen increases in the number of cyclists using our current on-street bike lanes,” added Golly. “For example, in this past summer’s count, we found double the number of cyclists using 40 Avenue since that bike lane was installed in 2013. Counts at 106 Street and 76 Avenue see 300 – 400 cyclists/day during the summer and fall, an increase of 80 to 90% since those routes were installed in 2011. If we install high quality cycling infrastructure, such as cycle tracks or bike boulevards, on 83 Avenue and 102 Avenue we should see the same increase, if not higher.”
The City of Edmonton is committed to providing Edmontonians with transportation options. Bike lanes are part of a plan that also includes expanding LRT, increasing transit options, making the City more walkable and encouraging carpooling.
In 2014, City administration changed its approach to its Bike Route Implementation Plan by refocusing on core areas of the city and considering higher quality cycling options. It’s a move supported by Edmontonians. An April 2014 poll conducted by Insight West showed that 54% support the installation of separate bike lanes and that a further 66% of Edmontonians agree that they increase the safety and comfort for cyclists.
