Calgary Coun. Sean Chu looking to cut money cycling infrastructure on Stephen Avenue

With Calgary’s downtown cycle track network set to be up and running this upcoming summer, Coun. Sean Chu is looking for ways to reduce how much is spent on cycling infrastructure. Recently, Chu spoke out on proposed changes to Stephen Avenue. He said the city plans to spend close to $600,000 to modify a pedestrian mall to allow for cyclists.

“Why can’t we spend, let’s say, $10,000 for paint and just paint the line on the road,” he said . CBC News Calgary reports that the city hasn’t revealed how money will be spent changing Stephen Avenue. The city is scheduled to release the plans to the public in the next few months. The current proposal for bike use on Stephen Avenue is to allow riders during off-peak times. There are no plans for a physically separated track.

Coun. Chu of Ward 4 has spoken critically of other plans to make Calgary roads more bike-friendly. In March 2014, he posted on his Twitter account, “This is nothing but BULL SHIT. 7St increased to 1160 cyclists per day? What was she on? The Emperor continuously getting new clothes. Winter?” The post followed a debate regarding cycling traffic data on 7th Street and how it pertained to the possible construction of a separated bike lane on 1st Street S.E. The tweet was later deleted.

Prior to that, Chu proposed taking space from the First Street S.E. sidewalk instead of the road to construct the cycle track. “Why can’t you take three feet, four feet, five feet off the sidewalk and be on the sidewalk?” he asked.