Haligonians divided over bike lanes

The bike lanes installed along Windsor Street in Halifax in mid-October are still facing some pushback from local residents and store owners.

Within a few days of the bike lanes’ installation, cyclists had reported finding thumbtacks thrown along the path. Many believed they had be put there intentionally to deter cyclists from using the new infrastructure.

There have also been many reports of cars parking in the bike lane, which runs along a main street connecting the north and south ends of Halifax. The Halifax Forum, a community centre, has been a problem area along the street since the installation nearly a month ago. Cars park on the side of the road to go into the forum, leaving the bike lane blocked and forcing riders closer to vehicular traffic.

Tickets for parking in the bike lanes start at $25 and can increase to nearly $58 if left unpaid. There currently aren’t any no-parking signs, but the city is considering installing them.

There are still other aspects of the lane that need fixing and completion, such as a section that ends abruptly without warning.

Some shop owners are upset that street parking has been replaced by the bike lanes because that can lead to a decrease in traffic to their stores. City staff claim nearly all the parking lost to the new lane has been replaced by the opening of parking on side streets.

Charles Pilcher owns a flower shop on Windsor Street. The shop has been in his family for 64 years and he was upset by the lanes. He told the Chronicle Herald he only sees about 30 bikes use the new lanes each day.

“The street is a hostage,” Pilcher told the Chronicle Herald.

There will be a meeting to discuss the bike lanes on Wednesday at 5 p.m., at the Halifax Forum. Cyclists might expect the bike lanes to be blocked by parked cars.