Calgarian cyclists vexed by snow-clogged bike lanes

Uncleared or unplowed snow on the bike lanes and paths of Calgary is frustrating the city’s cyclists. The city’s website says that lanes are supposed to be cleared within 24-hours and bike paths within 48-hours of a snowfall. However, the bike lanes are where snow plowed from motorists’ lanes is sometimes piled, making riding dangerous, if not impossible.

Bike Calgary director Dale Calkins says, “Cyclists need to know where they can go and where it’s safe to go and if these routes are obstructed for them, that can be a serious problem for them – both unsafe and not encouraging for new people to ride.”

Calgary might look to its northern provincial rival city Edmonton for inspiration. Calgary city cycling strategist Tom Thivener says the city is aware of the situation and looking at different ideas and equipment to address the problem.