[Daveography]

Elise Stolte‏ @estolte 18 hours ago
City changes #yegbike grid, no longer on sidewalk, connects to Westmount path. https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/downtown/bike-network.aspx… #yegcc Thx for the tip @EdmondChuiHW pic.twitter.com/RQSxtcs4qK

 

[Daveography]

Downtown bike lane installation hits a bump
Plans for the new, all-ages, adaptable downtown bike paths — being put in place now and continuing throughout the summer — have already been altered.

Even as new concrete barriers, short green posts and painted symbols on the road are being installed to form a downtown grid of connected paths, one segment of the path expected to run along 104 Avenue in the shadow of Rogers Place has been moved.

Previously, cyclists were set to share the sidewalk with pedestrians along 104 Avenue. But concerns about traffic and pedestrian congestion, especially during Rogers Place events, led city planners to move that leg to 105 Avenue, where it will extend from 101 Street to 116 Street, said Ward 6 Coun. Scott McKeen.

Chris Chan, executive director of Edmonton Bicycle Commuters, welcomes the change.

“It’s a really good move,” said Chan, noting he expects the city to soon announce plans to resurface part of 105 Avenue, which is notorious for potholes.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...e-installation-hits-a-bump-with-avenue-change

 

[Daveography]

New cycling options coming to Downtown this summer
May 10, 2017

The Downtown Bike Network is on its way! Construction of 7.8 kilometres of protected bike lanes and shared use paths running throughout Edmonton’s core began in early April with the removal of existing pavement markings, and the installation of new markings, flex bollards, signage and signal phasing.

The network will provide an all-ages, safe environment for cyclists to be separated from other modes of transportation. It is another way for the City to meet the transportation needs of all our citizens and contributes to building a livable and vibrant city.

Construction of the network will continue over the next two months, with the majority of the network anticipated to be complete by July. Parking restrictions will be in place along the network during the installation, and all modes of transportation are reminded to watch for continued on-street changes to parking, signs, concrete curbs and signals over the next two months.

After extensive review, a new East - West connector route was selected resulting in the network moving from 104 Avenue to 105 Avenue. The new design will provide enhanced cycling options, by connecting 105 Avenue from 116 Street to 101 Street on the north side through to Queen Mary Park. Due to this change, this part of the network will open later this summer. A detailed map of the network has been released and can be viewed at Edmonton.ca/BikeDowntown.

A survey is also now available for individuals to provide feedback. The survey is one part of the evaluation and monitoring program that will determine how adjustments will be made as needed to keep the network a safe and accessible transportation option, while minimizing impacts on other modes of transportation. There will be an evaluation period to determine how the network is operating before any potential changes are considered.

A public launch party to officially open the grid is planned for August 26. Additional details on this one-day festival will be announced in the coming months.

In June 2014, Edmonton City Council approved the 2014-2018 Bike Infrastructure Plan, which identified the need to build high-quality bike lanes in core areas of the city, including downtown. The Downtown Bike Network was approved by City Council in October 2016, to be open by summer 2017.

For more information:
edmonton.ca/BikeDowntown

Complete the survey

Media contact:
Kristi Bland
Communications Advisor, City of Edmonton
780-495-9904

http://secure.campaigner.com/csb/Public/show/g5q3c--cce47-5kftw915

 

[Daveography]

'Can’t wait until it’s done:’ Downtown Edmonton bike grid to open in July
The long-anticipated downtown bike grid is on track to open this July, something avid cyclist Tara Stieglitz says will mean a safer and faster commute for those who get to work on two wheels.

“It’ll just be a more optimal route,” Stieglitz said Tuesday on the under-construction lanes, which will soon stretch all the way along 105 Avenue from 116 Street to 101 Street.

“I bike right beside the track right now, so I can’t wait until it’s done.”

The route was originally designed be shared by cyclists and pedestrians on 104 Avenue, but city planners thought 105 Ave would be more suitable for people on bikes, because it would feature a separated lane to enhance safety, said Olga Messinis, bike grid project manager.

“This type of infrastructure in Edmonton is very new for the city and largely new for Alberta,” she said.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...wn-bike-grid-on-track-city-cycle-network.html

 

[Momin]

Update:

Edmonton's downtown network of separated bike lanes is scheduled for opening in July.

 

[Daveography]

Darren Proulx‏ @dnproulx May 21
It is very exciting to watch a new protected #cycling lane being built right on your door step. #yeg #yegbike pic.twitter.com/Yk1p6an3x0

 

[Daveography]

Permanent directional change coming to 102 Avenue
May 19, 2017

Beginning at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 23, 102 Avenue will be permanently closed to westbound traffic from 116 to 121 Street. The directional closure is a part of the 102 Avenue Bike Route.
During the construction of the bike route, parking on 102 Avenue between 116 and 121 Street will be affected, with a phased ban on the south side of the street. The parking ban will move as construction continues and will be reinstated once the bike route is complete.

The north sidewalk on 102 Avenue will also be closed in segments to align with needed construction activities, and will reopen when the project is complete. No bus stops will be affected. All modes of transportation are reminded to watch for changes as the construction of the bike route continues throughout 2017. The City of Edmonton thanks residents for their patience.

The 102 Avenue Bike Route runs from 111 to 136 Street, connecting the communities of Downtown, Oliver, Westmount and Glenora. Construction of the shared-use path from 136 Street to Connaught Drive was completed in 2016. Construction of the remainder of the route is expected to conclude in 2017, pending dependent on the completion of utility work.

Media contacts:
Kristi Bland
Communications Advisor
780-495-9904

 

[Daveography]

Downtown traffic congestion increases temporarily as bike lane installation continues
The city’s bike lane crews have a message for frustrated downtown drivers: hang in there, it gets better.

“We know right now traffic is at its absolute worst,” said project manager Olga Messinis, commiserating with motorists in the 100 Avenue and 103 Street corridors.

Traffic lanes have been closed, parking spots cut, but new and upgraded signal lights are still being installed. By mid-June, those will give engineers the flexibility to extend specific green times and clear rush hour traffic better, said Messinis.

On 100 Avenue, city engineers took one lane of traffic away to accommodate a bi-directional bike lane. The street is now down to one lane in each direction with the third lane dedicated to left-turns at most intersections. Before, it had two lanes in each direction with few reserved spaces for left-turning vehicles.

103 Street was narrowed for the bike lane, but still has parking on each side. It will have a vibrant green “bike box” at 100 Avenue, allowing bikes to cut in front of cars at a red light before turning left.

Lawyer Neil Mather has a bird’s-eye and ground level view of the 100 Avenue congestion.

From his office at the corner of 100 Avenue and 106 Street, he sees traffic backing up each afternoon from 109 to 103 streets. When he leaves for home, it can take two light cycles just to turn right from 105 Street onto 100 Avenue. “Traffic just isn’t moving.”

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...mporarily-as-bike-lane-installation-continues

 

[Daveography]

Bike signals being installed on 102 Ave.

 

[Daveography]

Media preview of the downtown grid this morning, expect photos!

 

[Daveography]

Story to follow, but quick notes:

• Phase 1 - 100 Ave., 103 St., & 107 St. - opens Friday, June 16 at 2:00 pm
• Phase 2 - 102 Ave., 102a Ave., & 103a Ave. - opens 3rd week of June
• Phase 3 - 105 Ave. - opens by end of summer
• Education campaign for drivers and cyclists will involve street teams along the grid, and will focus on positive reinforcement of how to navigate the new infrastructure
• This is not actually pilot project; it is an "adaptable" network that will respond to usage patterns
• Lanes will be prioritized for snow removal in winter (above vehicle lanes); city looking to adapt equipment it already has for this function

 

[Daveography]

Edmonton's first downtown bike grid tracks to open Friday
With three sections of track opening Friday, Edmonton's entire downtown bike grid is just about ready to go.

The city announced Thursday the three newly-opened sections include 100 Avenue from 103 Street to 109 Street, 103 Street from 100 Avenue to 103 Avenue, and 107 Street from 99 Avenue to 100 Avenue.

City officials expect the rest of the 7.8-kilometre grid, which will also cover 102 Avenue, and 99 and 106 streets, to open by July. Lanes that are available will have "now open" signs.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/06/15/edmonton-downtown-bike-grid-open-.html

Edmonton councillor sees need for close monitoring of bike grid pinch points
The downtown bike grid in Edmonton will open in stages, Coun. Scott McKeen confirmed.

“We’ll see some portion of it open imminently,” he said, suggesting 103 Street and 100 Avenue will top the schedule.

The downtown councillor is very anxious to see what happens along 100 Avenue because he’s predicting a major pinch point will happen near the High Level Bridge.

“Just west of 109 Street, on 100 Avenue, is a shared-use path that runs north-south. So what I’m concerned about is that rush hour traffic, heading west on 100 Avenue, they get the green, they come across and then they get held up right away by a bunch of cyclists crossing the path and then we stack up traffic backwards. That doesn’t make sense to me.”

“Could you actually have a traffic light for the cyclists there? Say you’ve got to let the car traffic go here folks for a couple of minutes. I don’t know.

“Hopefully we can be creative there and reduce some of the conflicts.”

http://globalnews.ca/news/3528836/e...r-close-monitoring-of-bike-grid-pinch-points/

Downtown Edmonton bike network ready to roll out

Bike box? Education campaign rolls out with new downtown bike lanes

 

[Surrealplaces]

Looks good. Great article btw!

 

[archited]

For the wheel-clan of @Daveography... http://www.architectmagazine.com/te...)&he=b9aad3be627df2fb73a36001ea987245bc664d31

 

[Daveography]

Rolling stop on the table as Alberta-wide bike review launches
Rolling through a stop sign, letting motorists back into angle parking – cyclists have some very specific hopes for a new province-wide bike review getting its Edmonton launch Monday.

Alberta and its major cities have agreed to develop a shared bicycle facilities guideline. A review of the Alberta Traffic Safety Act would follow, said the City of Edmonton’s Claire Ellick, a partner on the project.

Consultant Urban Systems is meeting with health-care providers, police, bike advocates, transportation planners and others Monday in Sherwood Park, part of a series of stakeholder meetings kicking off its work across the province.

It’s expected to complete the guidelines within a year.

“It will be especially exciting for the smaller communities,” said Chris Chan, executive director of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters, who is planning to be at Monday’s meeting if the weather holds for the long ride.

Without a clear guideline, each city planning new bike lanes needs to go out and study other best practices itself, he said. Small towns just don’t have the capacity to do that; they might make mistakes or just not do bike lanes at all.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...he-table-as-alberta-wide-bike-review-launches