Bike Lanes - If we are Going to be a Progressive City, Lets Plan for 20 Years from Now

I have been inundated with questions about Bike lanes. As you know I want them added as roads are being installed so that we don't have to come back later and add them. I also want them installed in the Callingwood and Lessard bridges over the Anthony Henday.

My opinion has raised some eyebrows.

Here is my response to a letter about cyclists.

"This might take a minute, so bear with me.

Bikes are an interesting story in Edmonton. They are such a dichotomy. When I am on my bike I am terrified of cars. When I am in my car I am terrified of Bikes. Unlike rock, paper, scissors, however, when I am walking I am terrified of both.

I really believe that if Edmontonians, are going to make this a cycling city and I think that bicycle lanes are the way to do it. IF THEY ARE USED PROPERLY, bike lanes keep bikes, cars and pedestrians separate, they take up much less space than a car lane or a sidewalk and IF USED PROPERLY make everyone’s life easier. You are frustrated, as are a lot of people because you see bikes acting outside the rules. I admit that I feel the same way when I see them scoot through traffic or shoot through stop signs etc but that is no different than cars that do exactly the same thing endangering us all or pedestrian that jaywalk. The vast majority of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians stay within the boundaries of the law.

If we are going to be a progressive city, we need to try to envision the world as we want it 20 years from now. I really believe that bike lanes are part of that future. Energy costs are going up, space is at a premium and people are more aware of the physical and mental advantages of cycling. I see it like the recycling center on the East Side of town: 25 years ago people thought it was ridiculous, now we brag about how we are the number one recycling city in the world.

I admit, I have several of the same experiences as you and I also want the traffic laws enforced (for cyclists own safety) but I wonder if people said the same thing about cars 100 years ago when they started roaming the streets of Edmonton.

The world is changing. Bikes are growing in popularity. My plan to add the lanes as roads are constructed minimizes costs and means the lanes can be properly placed outside of parking lanes. If ALL streets were (from Right to left) Sidewalk, Parking lane, Bike lane, Driving lane then we could all learn the proper etiquette and I really believe that your frustrations and mine would be minimized.

Finally, although you did not mention it, many people are saying that we should not have the expense of lanes for a sport that is only available during the summer. Then we would have no soccer fields, no Commonwealth stadium and the like. Our short summers make us all the more excited about our time in the sun.

In conclusion, I want you to know I understand how you feel and I empathize but it is my opinion that the lanes are part of our future and anything we can do to move our city forward is a good thing."

Photo credit: consortiumoffools.wordpress.com/tag/bike-lanes/