A plan that could have changed the way people get around in Calgary’s downtown core has been put on the back burner for now.
The next phase, a dedicated bike lane along 1 Street S.E. didn’t get enough votes in council.
Staff say that about 1,160 bikes already travel along the 1.7 km route without any protection from cars.
With a dedicated lane, that traffic is expected to double and then grow by 15 to 20 percent annually.
Councillors still have reservations about the plan, because it would restrict traffic on 1 St.
“We have to find a cycle strategy for sure,” says Ward 12 councillor Shane Keating. “We have to find a cycle network. Is that the best place for both the bike and the car?”
Ward Sutherland isn’t convinced that 1 St. is the best place either. “So what we’re going to do is inconvenience 13,500 vehicles for 153 cyclists.”
Businesses are also taking a hit from the new cycle network.
Last year, the 7 St. S.W. cycle track went in and changed the flow of traffic and business.
“Substantially changing a one way street going away from our businesses has been a negative part,” says James Buchanan of Buchanan’s. “Taking all the parking away on the street from in front of our business has been a negative part.”
The plan is now going back to city staff to come up with some alternate routes.
More options will be presented to council in April.
