Cycling advocates call for safer bike infrastructures across Calgary – Calgary

Biking advocates in Calgary are calling for safer bike infrastructure throughout town after quite a few studies of icy and snowy bike lanes from cyclists.

Bike Calgary, an area volunteer group advocating for safer biking infrastructure, lately launched a marketing campaign to gather tales from cyclists about their experiences utilizing bike lanes throughout town.

Bike Calgary president Molli Bennett stated the vast majority of responses had been complaints in regards to the lack of snow and ice clearing for bike lanes throughout town.

“Improper snow clearing creates a hazard for bicyclists and likewise pushes bicyclists extra into the street, creating extra battle between drivers and bicyclists that nobody desires,” Bennett stated.

“I’ve skilled plenty of sketchy issues on bikes within the winter, and the snow provides a component to that. It may power you to drive out into site visitors after which you could have automobiles driving a lot nearer than you need.”

However clearing snow is not the one downside cyclists fear about.

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Brett Bergie, a lifelong bike owner, stated town does an excellent job protecting the downtown bike lanes away from snow and ice within the winter.

Nevertheless, Bergie famous that painted bike lanes are usually not sufficient to guard cyclists from autos within the metropolis.

“Generally, biking is kind of dependable within the metropolis centre. There are some exceptions, some downside spots, however total I really feel like we’re attaining a excessive customary in downtown Calgary,” she stated.

“However I would really like what they’re doing within the metropolis middle to be replicated elsewhere within the metropolis. This contains bodily safety between cyclists and motorists that permits equipment to come back in and take away the snow from the monitor extra completely.

“Paint will not be infrastructure. Folks want that bodily separation from site visitors to really feel secure, particularly customers who’re youngsters.

“Girls are additionally significantly delicate to driving with automotive site visitors, so we have to enchantment to broader demographics to get them on the bike.”

Calgary resident Natalie Rupert stated whereas town wants to enhance its snow clearing basically, it is vital that cyclists have clear and secure bike lanes to experience on.

“I reside within the metropolis middle and I see lots of people driving bikes, even when it is -40 outdoors. It is slippery and icy,” Rupert advised World Information.

“I believe it advantages everybody, as a result of with all of the air pollution, it is higher if extra individuals are biking and strolling locations. Why not encourage it?”

However regardless of the complaints, Bennett stated town is receptive to enhancing its biking infrastructure. She stated some components of town have limitations between the street and bike lanes.

“We have had painted infrastructure for a very long time earlier than the most effective practices modified, so we all know that metropolis administration is working arduous to deliver us as much as these requirements,” she stated.

Bennett additionally stated Bike Calgary is assembly with metropolis employees subsequent week to debate higher protections for cyclists within the metropolis.

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“We’re a volunteer-run group, however we gather info from customers after which have discussions with town about it. We’re seen as a stakeholder within the metropolis and so they take heed to us and we work collectively to attempt to resolve among the points,” Bennett stated.

“We’ve constructive relations with town … we hope that town is on our facet. They’ve loads to do and it’s not a simple job, however we imagine that they will do higher and that they may.”

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