[ntt1]

Why are protected bike lanes so important on bike routes? It would have saved this man's life.

This happened in Calgary today. It's a bike route, but just painted lanes between parked and moving vehicles as you can see from the pic. Next year they are building protected lanes at this location to replace the paint, which would have prevented this death.

Unprotected routes also significantly impact ridership as people don't feel safe.

Near the intersection where the incident took place.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of similar areas in Edmonton. Looking at you, 82 Street, or 105 St in the SW. The painted lines give cyclists a false sense of security or give motorists an excuse to put cyclists out of sight, out of mind, while they speed by. Apparently, a lot of drivers think that the paint serves as some invisible barrier and they can pass within less than the legally required distance. The lanes are often directly in the door zone, with horrible pavement conditions. Most of them seem to have been put in at a time when the average vehicle size was much smaller than today, evidenced by the fact that so many street parked vehicles have their tires over the lane. They may as well be taken off the bike infrastructure map because sometimes they can be more dangerous to ride in than nothing at all.

 

[thommyjo]

95ave renewal from 163-182st is in full swing. Much of the north, westbound road and service road is ripped up east of 170th.

New MUP on south side is completed 182-172st currently.

 

[trevorhayden]

Should have been transformed like 132 Ave.

 

[thommyjo]

Should have been transformed like 132 Ave.

I pushed Hamilton and knack hard on this.

Key reasoning given was the volume vs 132ave is a lot heavier. Therefore 95ave is treated more as an arterial like 178st where a MUP is on the side. Vs 132 as a smaller collector can more appropriately have raised crossings, traffic calming, etc.

Idk if I agree. But their reasoning. I did push them hard to get the 163rd street slip lane removed. So I’m happy to see that. But 170th they didn’t because it’s too big of a road (their words)

 

[TAS]

I pushed Hamilton and knack hard on this.

Key reasoning given was the volume vs 132ave is a lot heavier. Therefore 95ave is treated more as an arterial like 178st where a MUP is on the side. Vs 132 as a smaller collector can more appropriately have raised crossings, traffic calming, etc.

Idk if I agree. But their reasoning. I did push them hard to get the 163rd street slip lane removed. So I’m happy to see that. But 170th they didn’t because it’s too big of a road (their words)

Dreeshen was just on Calgary radio show talking about 132Ave as a "major thoroughfare" being cut down to justify his opposition to the enhanced bike and walking infrastructure, which is so not the case.

Similar to parking minimums, too many of our roads seemed to have been planned for that small segment of time they are the busiest and then for the much larger remainder of time the volume is low.

Now that I live in dt with a good view of of 101st/104Ave as well as a few other streets filtering into dt from the north and east, I can't believe how quiet these roads are during the day - and not even that busy during morning commute - which given all the construction going on is something.

 

[trevorhayden]

Can you imagine if the UCP started to require off street parking at the provincial level?

 

[CplKlinger]

Can you imagine if the UCP started to require off street parking at the provincial level?

"Fine, but start with the Henday."

 

[policyenthusiast]

Can you imagine if the UCP started to require off street parking at the provincial level?

Obviously reading into a hypothetical here - but generally provincial meddling in land use ends up flopping. Nova Scotia attempted to pass a Coastal Protection Act which would help to reduce homeowner insurance premiums by mandating setbacks based on the risk of tide flooding. It rolled around gathering support for 6 years, then they scrapped the project, instead making a pamphlet for municipalities. They called it an "information-based approach".

 

[inclusion]

I submitted the idea of Bixi or something similar to my Councillor and got the response of, "there is too much animosity towards biking in Edmonton to proceed with something like this", we'll continue our strategy of capital work though. Too bad they don't see the connection of integrating actual bikes and corresponding infrastructure into the planning akin to Montreal, NYC, Toronto, etc. Having bikes readily available at major landmarks would be such a positive for tourism in Edmonton.

 

[TAS]

Last reminder about Citynerd fundraising event (for Paths for People) tonight at UofA if want to join.

Joining Ray (citynerd) are three other panelists (housing, transit and active transportation) MC'd by Taproot.

Some discussion items:
Recent BILD report - how should Edmonton grow?
Recent BRZ vote/direction and upcoming election.
Sidewalks/MUP vs seperate infra for bikes.
What is Edmonton doing well in urbanism and what does it need to change or pivot?
What are city's best and worst examples of urbanism?

To register:

Ask Me Anything, Urbanism Edition

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Save the date for this special event, a spin-off from our successful City for Life event series.Be part of showcasing Edmonton as a world-class city to an international audience, while bringing the community together to celebrate Edmonton's recent successes and Paths...

www.zeffy.com

 

[CplKlinger]

Last reminder about Citynerd fundraising event (for Paths for People) tonight at UofA if want to join.

Joining Ray (citynerd) are three other panelists (housing, transit and active transportation) MC'd by Taproot.

Some discussion items:
Recent BILD report - how should Edmonton grow?
Recent BRZ vote/direction and upcoming election.
Sidewalks/MUP vs seperate infra for bikes.
What is Edmonton doing well in urbanism and what does it need to change or pivot?
What are city's best and worst examples of urbanism?

To register:

Ask Me Anything, Urbanism Edition

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Save the date for this special event, a spin-off from our successful City for Life event series.Be part of showcasing Edmonton as a world-class city to an international audience, while bringing the community together to celebrate Edmonton's recent successes and Paths...

www.zeffy.com

Do you know if this'll be recorded and posted online for folks who can't make it?

 

[TAS]

Do you know if this'll be recorded and posted online for folks who can't make it?

It is not. The only video will be the one CityNerd puts out following his visit to Edmonton.

 

[thommyjo]

I submitted the idea of Bixi or something similar to my Councillor and got the response of, "there is too much animosity towards biking in Edmonton to proceed with something like this", we'll continue our strategy of capital work though. Too bad they don't see the connection of integrating actual bikes and corresponding infrastructure into the planning akin to Montreal, NYC, Toronto, etc. Having bikes readily available at major landmarks would be such a positive for tourism in Edmonton.

Totally. It’s political suicide to get in done at the present time, and yet it’s also 100% the right move and would see huge increases in mode share.

Lime is the best inbetween for now and helps many experience the benefit of infrastructure who wouldn’t otherwise.

I think ETS should take it on. Integrate with ARC. Have awesome connections to LRT, bike storage, etc.

 

[Kosy123]

Last reminder about Citynerd fundraising event (for Paths for People) tonight at UofA if want to join.

Joining Ray (citynerd) are three other panelists (housing, transit and active transportation) MC'd by Taproot.

Some discussion items:
Recent BILD report - how should Edmonton grow?
Recent BRZ vote/direction and upcoming election.
Sidewalks/MUP vs seperate infra for bikes.
What is Edmonton doing well in urbanism and what does it need to change or pivot?
What are city's best and worst examples of urbanism?

To register:

Ask Me Anything, Urbanism Edition

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Save the date for this special event, a spin-off from our successful City for Life event series.Be part of showcasing Edmonton as a world-class city to an international audience, while bringing the community together to celebrate Edmonton's recent successes and Paths...

www.zeffy.com

Pretty good turnout, the whole lecture hall was full.

Loved when CityNerd mentioned that central Edmonton’s bike lane network beats Toronto’s.

 

[TAS]

Pretty good turnout, the whole lecture hall was full.

Loved when CityNerd mentioned that central Edmonton’s bike lane network beats Toronto’s.

More than 300 people I believe as hall capacity was nearly 400.

He was impressed with bike infra and the lrt - particularly surprised that Edmonton has underground lrt system downtown, which he rode along with bus when he went to WEM. He playfully joked about our LRT being called 'the LRT'. Branding has never been this city's strong point.

He said the river valley, which is something you read about when searching Edmonton, can't be appreciated enough unless you actually experience it. It was a highlight for him.

He felt our patios are uniquely Edmonton in that they are placed on the sidewalk and then the sidewalk is extended out from there onto the street (noting Whyte Avenue). He's more familiar with the patio being located out on the street space and the sidewalk remains as is. Maybe it's our busier traffic noise or it's done for extra safety?

He noted Whyte Ave is nice but could be better - he was disappointed that it is so wide and takes away from the urban feel. That was a theme of several streets he visited. Another panelist commented that WEM is our most walkable street.

Back to Whyte, transit rep noted that bus only lane is crucial for this area given a couple of Edmonton's busiest routes are along here and they are held up by congestion - oftening running behind schedule.

Overall, he was impressed with Edmonton compared to other US cities of similar size that don't compare in terms of transit/biking. In terms of walkability, maybe not as favourable.

He commented that people here are friendly. And in ordering some food, he was asked what he's doing in Edmonton and he shared about the UofA speaking engagement on urbanism. "Oh like 15 minute cities," his server said.