Support from both residents and cyclists swelling for Calgary’s new cycle track project, reports indicate

Calgary recently became one of the latest Canadian cities to introduce bike lanes to its infrastructure, and as the CBC reports, the response to them has been warmer than anticipated. Notably, the surprise of their positive reception comes after an earlier, more contentious reaction to the pilot project.

All indications, city officials said, is that Calgary residents appear to be changing their minds on bike lanes altogether.

The bike lane pilot project was rolled out by the city of Calgary five months ago, and in that time, the CBC reported, the number of cycling trips through downtown arteries has nearly doubled. Between its opening in mid-June and mid-November, the new cycle track, cycling co-ordiner Tom Thiverner said, had boasted 388,000 trips. “It’s essentially a doubling of the cycling trips on these corridors,” he told reporters.

“We’ve now got some basic accommodation for the cyclists,” he added, noting that riders feel safer on the separated lane with its barriers, “and we’re confident that it made it safe and comfortable for a lot more people to ride.”

When the cycle track was first opened, though, the reaction from much of the city to the new addition was anything but glowing. Almost immediately, reports say, calls to city works departments surged with complaints—some 1,400 in all—about changes to the timing of traffic lights and the removal of parking spaces. After taking measures to improve matters close to the new cycle route—including the addition of new markings, traffic signal adjustments, and others—the response from the community changed, reportedly. Eventually, a new poll reported that 64% of locals had warmed to the new cycle track pilot project.

The cycling community, of course, has likely been the most receptive to the project.

“It’s been hugely beneficial,” said Robyn Scrutton, a local bike courier, speaking with the CBC, “especially for people commuting to work who aren’t necessarily as comfortable riding in traffic as I am, but I use them whenever possible. I mean we, we kind of go anywhere anyway, but I think they’ve been awesome.”