City invites cycle track input at committee meeting
A city council committee spent the day debating a proposed downtown cycle track network.
Many members of the public in attendance were also able to speak out in favour or against the idea of a series of physically-separated bike lanes.
The plan is to try the cycle tracks for a year and then evaluate whether they are worth keeping or removing.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he feels it's an idea worth trying — just to get the data.
"We won't know how many people are using it, whether they are successful or not, unless we try," he said.
The pilot project would cost about $11.5 million.
The recommended network includes east-west lanes on Eighth Avenue S.W. and 12th Avenue S.W. and north-south sections on Fifth Street S.W. and First Street S.E.
Supporters say they will make it safer for people to ride downtown but opponents say it's a lot of money for few cyclists and will add to congestion.
Council is expected to make a final decision by the end of the month.
