Review of City Proposed Cycling Projects
On April 4, 2011 ten members of the BikeBridge Cycling Association were invited by the City of Lethbridge (Infrastructure Services) to review and discuss Bike Lane and Pathway Projects proposed by the City to be undertaken from 2011 through to and including 2013. Members of the BikeBridge Board also agreed at that time, to further review the projects and provide our assessment. That Review has been completed and submitted to the City’s Infrastructure Services Department. Here is a summary of the review:
A copy of the complete review report (pdf) can be downloaded here…
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Review Summary
BBCA* has reviewed the Bike Lane and Pathway projects proposed by the City for 2011-2013. Our review was done from the point of view of the transportation cyclist, and in the context of what we believe will encourage more use of bicycles for transportation. In our view, the best measure of the return on investments in cycling infrastructure is the increase in bicycle use as a transportation choice in Lethbridge.
BBCA believes that the way to encourage more bicycle use is to provide fully complete, predominately Bike Lane based, infrastructure that allows the transportation cyclist to fully and safely utilize that infrastructure for contiguous point to point travel.
BBCA believes that the Bike Lanes and Pathways as proposed are essentially a patchwork of short and disconnected projects, determined more from an objective of equitable distribution of available resources than as a means to provide a return in terms of increased bicycle use. BBCA believes there must be a comprehensive Bicycle Transportation Backbone Route System Plan developed and that investments should be systematically targeted so that each major component of that Backbone is completed fully and in turn.
BBCA suggests that instead of proceeding with the projects as proposed, the City re-focus all available Bike Lane and Pathway capital funding resources toward creating a Bicycle Transportation Backbone Route System, and that the City, in partnership with BBCA, establish an advisory group to determine the structure, standards and priorities for that Backbone.
Stuart Walker President, BikeBridge Cycling Association*BBCA BikeBridge Cycling Association
dear bikebridge directors, thanks for a terrific overview of the current city plan–your reponse is progress and clear. hopefully city council is listening.
am currently injured and unable to ride or commute but appreciate all the work of bikebridge. cw
Thanks again for your effort on this. Much appreciated. Please continue to post updates. JS
On April 26 BikeBridge received the following response from
Ahmed Ali, Traffic Engineering & Transportation Planning Manager
Thank you for the comments. As discussed, the pathway project along Scenic Drive is currently under progress, we will continue to work on this project in 2011 and hold on any bicycle lanes/routes we had identified for 2011-2013. I would discuss within the department about your suggestion on creating a Bicycle Transportation Backbone Route System through probably a master plan study. I will keep you updated on our next steps. Thank you.
On May 2, the BikeBridge Board has sent the following response back to the City (Ahmed Ali):
Thanks very much for your reply. We are pleased that you concur with our suggestion to pursue the creation of a Bicycle Transportation Backbone Route System in Lethbridge. We are hopeful you also agree that the development of that backbone requires concentrating efforts and funding on transportation cycling infrastructure over the next 3-4 years. And, that within this time-frame, it is desirable for transportation cycling infrastructure to take priority over recreational pathway developments to allow the bicycle transportation system to catch up.
We agree that the Bicycle Transportation Backbone Route System should be integrated into the City’s new Transportation Master Plan, but we are concerned that the timing of the new TMP will not coincide with the need to apply available budget resources over the next 3 years (2011-13). We believe that our suggestion to create an advisory group would allow a head start on determining a backbone structure which, in turn, would provide valuable inputs for the TMP.
We understand your reluctance to withdraw from the Scenic Drive project, but BikeBridge still believes the project is ill-advised. When our group began our 2011-13 projects review, we started with a list of elements we believed would be necessary to at least help make the Scenic Drive pathway reasonably useable and safe. That review is included below for your information. During the compilation of our review, we realized the necessity of these elements in reducing user conflicts and we decided that we could not support the project. We believe that this project will essentially replicate all the negative aspects experienced with the multi-use pathways along Mayor Magrath Drive South. It remains our view that the overall purpose for separated facilities should be the reduction of conflicts among transportation users. We maintain that this project will increase conflicts particularly between cyclists and pedestrians and cyclists and motorists.
Although we are disappointed in the proposed projects, BikeBridge remains willing and eager to continue to work with the city to better our community by supporting bicycle transportation use. We look forward to building a closer working relationship with you, both through TMP development and an on-going advisory group.
Stuart Walker
President, BikeBridge Cycling Association
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BikeBridge Projects Review and Recommendations:
Regional Multi-use Pathway on Scenic Drive S (4th ST S – 1 ST S)
At roadway crossings located at 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 AVE S and the Whoop Up Drive to Scenic Drive Ramp and Scenic Drive to Whoop Up Ramp:
Mark zebra strips and bicycle icons within crossings to indicate cyclists are allowed to access (ride across with green)
Provide in-pathway loops (desirable) or push button activation for crossing lights with bike icon signal indicators in both directions (North and South)
Provide a crossing advance phase over north-south Scenic Drive traffic to allow pedestrian and cyclists to begin crossing before same direction traffic is allows to turn onto the Avenues
Disallow right turn on red from east bound Avenues onto Scenic Drive and west turns from Scenic Drive; and provide signage on Avenues warning motorists not to block crossings
Provide advance warning signals and “bicycle crossing ahead”, “yield to Bicycles in Crossing” signs on Whoop Up Drive off ramp and on ramp.
Multi-use conflict resolution:
Include a painted broken centre line along the entire length of the pathway (solid where passing not recommended)
Provide frequent signage along the pathway reminding pedestrians to keep or walk to the right and reminding cyclists, boarders and skaters to keep to the right and warn when passing
Provide signage reminding that pedestrians have right-of-way
Provide signage warning of an approach to a road crossing and to wait for green cycling and/or pedestrian light
Establish signage on either end of Scenic Drive bridge advising that the pathway is too narrow for two-way use and requiring users to wait until the current user has cleared the bridge
Establish a name or number for the pathway and include on signage along the route, also periodically provide signs indicating connecting locations or streets and distances (for example West Lethbridge, University and Lethbridge College)
Mechanical Barriers:
Provide mechanical separation where pathway is immediately adjacent to Scenic Drive as protection for path users and to reduce debris (gravel & auto parts) and snow from roadway ploughing.
Notes and Further Recommendations:
As the existing Scenic Drive Pathway (south of 4 ST S through to MMDR S) can apparently not be rebuilt to the standard of a high speed bikeway , and because many cyclists use this pathway as a S-N commuter/transportation link, BikeBridge recommends that this project include upgrading this existing pathway (south of 4 ST S) with the same centre line, road crossing, signage, mechanical barriers and turn restriction standards as noted for the new pathway section
It should be considered that most cyclists will want to leave the pathway (particularly those arriving from West Lethbridge and eventually from North Lethbridge) to cross Scenic Drive to destinations downtown and beyond. BikeBridge recommends that direct traffic signal activation be provided to ensure bicycles are recognized by the traffic signal system.