More drama in the ongoing plans for bike plans in Edmonton. The expansion is facing renewed pushback, with residents in Grovenor calling on the city to rethink part of its active transportation rollout. This time, it’s not quite the same as some of the criticism in other places we’ve seen in Canada.
The new administration in Montreal, for example, seems intent on cancelling present or future plans. In Ontario, especially Toronto, there’s been a two-year battle for bike lanes. This one in Edmonton seems (maybe) a little different. Not necessarily against bike lanes, but how the plan has been implemented.
The petition
About 300 residents signed a petition delivered to Ward Nakota Isga councillor Reed Clarke, arguing the current plan could negatively affect parking, accessibility and local businesses.
Clarke said the criticism is not about opposing cycling infrastructure itself, but whether the proposed routes are the right fit.
“I think everyone supports active transportation and bike lanes,” Clarke said to the Edmonton Journal. “That’s not the argument here.”
The city’s proposal would add bike lanes along several residential corridors in West Edmonton as part of its larger active transportation network. But residents say the streets are narrow. They say parking is already limited and construction in surrounding areas has made cycling and driving more difficult.
After touring the route, Clarke said he counted six spots where parking used by disabled residents could be impacted.
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“There’s a lot of cyclists in that community,” he said. “The issues I’m hearing from them are… the roads are pretty narrow there.”
Marissa Loewen, president of the local community league, said many residents actually support bike lanes, but believe the city is prioritizing the wrong routes.
“We are absolutely not against bike lanes,” Loewen said to the Edmonton Journal. “But we don’t want to have active transport impede with folks who are disabled.”
Alberta government’s plans this fall
The debate arrives as Edmonton’s broader $100 million bike-lane strategy faces all kinds of political uncertainty. Why? Well, Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen recently said the province plans to introduce some legislation that could definitely create problems for the plans. The laws he intends to introduce would give it oversight over municipal bike-lane projects. If…
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