New cycle track increases biking in Calgary

The number of bike trips have increased in downtown Calgary since the city opened its first dedicated two-way cycle track last summer. The city council is scheduled to vote on whether or not to install a second track in April.

“Since putting in cycle track — which is a barrier separated bike lane — ridership has gone up to over 1,100 cyclists a day. So it’s about a 430 per cent increase on this one facility alone,” Calgary cycling co-ordinator Tom Thivener said in the CBC News online report.

The cycle track has a concrete barrier that separates motorized vehicle lanes from the cycling lanes. The second track is proposed for First Street S.E.,  a high-traffic area, and some council members are suggesting alternative cycling solutions, rather than removing a lane from motorized vehicles.

“[At] any given time, you have police pulling people over or construction, the traffic is just crazy,” Coun. Sean Chu said in the report. “Why do you have to compete with a vehicle? Why can’t you take three feet, four feet, five feet off the sidewalk and be on the sidewalk?”

Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi is encouraging city council to discuss the plan in detail before committing to the new track this year.