Council Divided on Shared Use - Daily Gleaner Fredericton

City councillor Stephen Kelly will get his wish granted for a city hall staff review of shared use for city sidewalks, but support for the in-house study came reluctantly from council colleagues.

Kelly and Coun. Stephen Chase are at odds when it comes to who should get to use public sidewalks.

Chase wants bicycles on city streets, on trails or in designated bicycle lanes, not on the sidewalk. He has argued for more enforcement to drive cyclists to downtown streets.

But Kelly said for nearly half a century, people have ridden bicycles on city sidewalks with relatively few conflicts with pedestrians.

Chase doesn't agree.

Kelly wants to go a step further and consider allowing skateboarders and people who use inline skates to share the sidewalk with pedestrians.

"People of all ages have used sidewalks for various reasons for convenience and safety," Kelly said.

"As a councillor over the past 10 years, I haven't had very many people tell me they have issues with people using the sidewalks - with certain restrictions. "

With the city moving in the direction of going green and being much more active, and with 240 kilometres of sidewalks in the city and $32 million invested in them, Kelly said the sidewalks should be used and can be shared the same way city walking trails are shared by walkers and bicyclists.

Kelly would like to see the idea researched and reported back to the committee by spring.

"I have some concerns with that," Chase responded. "First of all, we've spent a lot of money installing bicycle routes along the sides of streets and promoting bicycle routes, and I think there's further plans to create more bicycle routes.

"It's good to see people on bicycles and to see them using them in a safe way, using their helmets ... but the concern that I have is that bicycles are regulated under the Motor Vehicle Act and they are, in fact, a vehicle."

Chase said sidewalks are intended for pedestrians and are used by people in wheelchairs.

The councillor said he's not adverse to looking into Kelly's ideas, but is satisfied with existing law and policy which generally works well.

Coun. Scott McConaghy said children who are learning to ride bicycles should be on sidewalks, and generally there's little disagreement in residential areas.

McConaghy said he wouldn't want to drive bicyclists back onto city sidewalks.

"I think it's something we can take a look at," said Coun. Tony Whalen.

He said he's OK with young kids on bicycles on city sidewalks, but not older riders.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/1464361

Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Bicycles

Fredericton's Problem Intersections

     Some of the major problems concerning cyclists and pedestrians in Fredericton, is the lack of common sense, failure to yield or even courtesy. Granted, issues are at fault of some cyclists and pedestrians. Who walks at night dressed entirely in black or cycles without lights? Whatever happened to looking both ways before you cross the road? In the map below, I have noted some problem intersections, mostly from personal experience, but also stories from others where they have experienced conflicts. Feel free to explore the map and click the bicycle icons, where I explain my reasoning.

     You know your society is becoming car-centric when it starts installing signs such as the "Pedestrian Accident Area" posted to the left. Why build a society around cars, when you can build one around pedestrians, bicycles and even public transportation?! Incidents between cars, bicycles and pedestrians can be dramatically reduced by implementing traffic calming measures such as pedestrian islands, flashing lights. Even setting speed limits to 30km/h in residential neighbourhoods can be life savers! No, not the delicious candy, that thing that keeps you from knocking at the golden gates... or well, you know.

Flashing yellow lights installed in the ground attract the drivers
attention where it belongs.

Pedestrian island help pedestrians to concentrate on one
direction at a time while crossing.

Cycling at Night

     A few months ago, you may recall two different accidents where a vehicle hit a cyclist. The first one occurred on Waggoners Lane, and the other on Brookside Drive. From what I recall, both cyclists had lights and both drivers were not paying attention. I, myself, have had many close encounters at night, all of which include drivers speeding up behind me, honking, swearing at me, then speeding off. Ahh, the ideal date night.
     The majority of bicycle-car related accidents are due to the drivers not paying attention, the cyclist riding erratically, or visibility of the cyclist. I have encountered cyclists riding at night with no lights, reflective jacket or even reflectors. In order to legally ride a bicycle (yes, legally), you need reflectors. Why don't those kinds of cyclists get hit? Yes, Fredericton cyclists need to smarten up, but drivers also need to open their eyes a little, especially at dusk! Check out this cool video:

A Bicycle Highway for Fredericton?

     A bicycle highway is generally classified as the name suggests: a paved highway for bicycles designed to get you to your destination as quickly and safely as possible and segregated from cars. It may come as a shock, but Fredericton has a fairly well established network for a bicycle highway (and pedestrians). Those routes include:




1. Northside Trail (Trail Visitor Centre until St. Marys St.)
2. Nashwaak Trail (Trail Visitor Centre until Canada St.)
3. Gibson Trail (Trail Visitor Centre until Watters Dr.)
4. Bill Thorpe Bridge
5. South Riverfront Trail (Pedway until the Train bridge)
6. Lincoln Trail (Train bridge until Dunns Crossing)
7. Crosstown (University to Regent)
8. Valley Trail (Hanwell Rd. to Woodstock Rd.)

     These routes are very fast, direct and safe. The majority are built upon the abandoned network of rail beds, therefore are generally flat and do not have many intersections with streets. The one down side is the lack of river crossings and direct access from uptown to downtown.
     There has been a feasibility study on the construction of a multi-use bridge (similar to the train bridge) crossing the Carleton Street bridge piers. If this plan is ever carried out, it will not be cheap, but it will benefit everyone that travels to and from the North Side.

     It is very difficult to get from downtown to uptown and vice versa. The York Street bike lane starts at George Street and ends on Priestman Street. This is a very good connection, but bicycles are forced to share the road from Priestman Street along Regent Street until Arnold Drive. This section of road was not built with bicycles in mind, therefore bicycles have to travel through the most dangerous intersection in Fredericton and share narrow, busy lanes. Hence, why no one ever sees a bicycle uptown.
     Finally, Fredericton Tourism should get bragging rights for the best trails in all in Atlantic Canada!
     In conclusion; better connections to downtown are desperately needed, uptown infrastructure needs a desperate update and promotion for use of trails should continue to increase.
     Who knew we Frederictonians had our own little slice of bicycle heaven?

It's Not Easy Being Green

Re: Cycling in Fredericton

Upon reading about the trial of an individual accused of leaving the scene of an accident involving a cyclist, I felt compelled to share with your readers my own recent cycling experience in Fredericton.

On Friday evening, Oct. 21, I was on my mountain bike waiting to cross Smythe Street at Saunders Street, going east.

While waiting for a break in traffic, several cars in the left turning lane to Saunders Street from Smythe Street had stopped to let me cross.

Eventually the outside lane on Smythe Street going north had a break in traffic and a motorist going west on Smythe Street had stopped, thus allowing me to cross.

Unfortunately by this time a motorist held up by the illegal yielding of the other motorists hurled a profanity in my direction - for the most part blaming me for holding up traffic.

I didn't see who the motorist was yelling at me as I crossed Smythe Street, but I soon found out who it was. As I continued east on the next section of Saunders Street, a large white GMC pick-up truck came roaring up behind me. The guy driving this truck went ahead of me and turned right on Northumberland Street.

By time I got to the next intersection of Saunders and Westmorland Streets the large white GMC pick-up appeared again. This time he turned left and came as close to me as possible and proceeded to spit on me.

Essentially he drove all the way around the block to get a better shot at me.

If anything can be learned from this incident, it's that motorists shouldn't yield for cyclists unnecessarily - let us follow the traffic rules just as you should.

One more fact: this all happened within a few hundred metres of the spot where the lady in the wheelchair was killed crossing the street just a few weeks ago.

Rob Scullion

Fredericton

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/1453280

Cyclists Aren't Expected on the Road After September?

A Fredericton man thought he'd killed a cyclist he struck on a dark, wet night last fall, and that's why he left the scene, a prosecutor argued in court Tuesday.

Jonathan Kelly Stockall, 29, of 1690 Woodstock Rd. struck and injured a cyclist the night of Oct. 21, 2010, with his pickup truck.

He didn't stick around after the collision and was charged with leaving the scene of an accident under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act.

Evidence in the case was heard last week, and Stockall and Crown prosecutor Robert Murray were back in court Tuesday to deliver their closing arguments.

During his testimony last week and a police interview the day after the accident, Stockall said he thought he'd struck a deer, not a person.

His truck sustained some damage to the grill and passenger-side signal light, and the passenger-side mirror broke off as a result of the impact.

Murray argued Tuesday that Stockall's story doesn't add up.

"The accused had to know he hit a cyclist," he said, noting the bike had reflectors and there was a taillight.

A motorist who was on the scene at the time of the accident testified he thought he cyclist - who lay motionless in the intersection of St. Mary's Street and Brookside Drive - was dead. He was unconscious.

Stockall testified he slowed down after the impact and saw nothing in his rearview mirror.

Murray argued Stockall saw what the witness saw: a motionless figure he assumed was a dead body, and that's why he took off.

The prosecutor said Stockall only turned himself into police the next day after others noticed the damage to his car and when a friend mentioned there had been a hit-and-run accident in which a cyclist was injured.

Murray said Stockall knew it would only be a matter of time before the police came knocking on his door.

In his argument, Stockall reiterated he thought he'd struck a deer.

He said the cyclist's clothes could have covered the reflectors.

He said given the wet weather and the time of year, it never occurred to him a cyclist would be on the road at the time.

"I have nothing to hide. I've never been in trouble with the law," he said.

He didn't stop to provide assistance or information because he didn't think there had been an accident, he said.

Judge Julian Dickson reserved his decision until Nov. 2.

Man Turns Himself In

FREDERICTON - A man in Fredericton has turned himself in to police following a hit-and-run that left a cyclist with serious injuries.

Police say they have yet to confirm if the man was involved in the collision late Thursday on rain-slicked Brookside Drive.

The cyclist, a man in his 40s, is in stable condition at the Chalmer's Hospital.

Earlier, police said they were looking for the driver of a dark-coloured pickup.

(CFRK)

More Bike Lane(s?) Planned for City

"City council has directed its legal division to draft a parking ban along the east side of Canterbury Drive between Liverpool and Rochester streets. The parking ban will allow for the installation of bike lanes along Canterbury Drive.

Canterbury Drive is considered a major collector street and will be able to accommodate the bike lane.

Council has approved the preparation of the bylaw. No-parking signs will cost $200 and are within the 2011 sign budget."

Wait a minute... isn't Canterbury Drive already a bike lane? If any place in the city, bike lanes are desperately needed on Windsor Street, north end of Brookside Drive, Main Street, Waggoners/Dundonald/Beaverbrook and King Street. Are there any streets that you suggest that need a bike lane?

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/1453875

Car Centric to Bicycle Centric

      I found an interesting paragraph in one of my textbooks from school, concerning the difference(s) that bicycles make in the city setting.

"An excellent study by John Pucher and Ralph Buehler at Rutgers University analyzed the reasons for these wide disparities among countries. They note that "extensive cycling rights-of-way in the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany are complemented by ample bike parking, full integration with public transport, comprehensive traffic education and training of both cyclists and motorists." These countries, they point out, "make driving expensive as well as inconvenient in central cities through a host of taxes and restrictions on car ownership, use and parking... It is co-ordinated implementation of this multi-faceted, mututally reinforcing set of policies that best explains the success of these three countries in promoting cycling." And it is the lack of these policies they note, that explains "the marginal status of cycling in the UK and USA."

     An excellent point is made in regards to giving bicycles right-of-way, instead of giving it to cars. Here in Fredericton, almost always, right-of-way is given to cars. Could we change this ideology while this city is still young? It is a possibility that in the near future, bicycles will begin to overpower cars in terms of quantity. Eventually, Fredericton will have to adapt to this massive change and I'm afraid not many are going to like it.
     The excerpt mentions "ample bike parking, full integration with public transport, comprehensive traffic education and training of both cyclists and motorists." I have to admit, Fredericton has conquered the first two. What is mostly needed in this city is the "training of both cyclists and motorists." I cannot count how many times per week I am cut off or completely ignored by cars, or how many times I see bicycles on the sidewalk or riding dangerously on the street. A massive campaign is needed to fix this dilemma.
     In cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Berlin, they make driving "expensive and inconvenient." This being said, encourages the use of cycling or just plain walking. If we lose three parking spaces in downtown Fredericton, there is always a massive uproar. Is it necessarily a bad thing? God forbid you have to take the bus or walk.
     Finally, the last sentence mentions that cycling is not mainstream in North American society. In cities, cycling is not feasible due to urban sprawl and car centric streets.

"If you plan only for cars, then drivers will feel like the King of the Road. This reinfoces the attitude that the bicycle is backward and used only by the poor. But if you plan for bicycles, it changes the public attitude."

Fredericton, Partager la Route

     "Partager la Route". This video can be summed up in three words. Essentially, this is a flash mob aimed at motorists to let them know about the presence of bicycles on the road. Any cyclist can claim a near miss by a careless driver, but nothing compares to the ultimate fate. Please, be kind to us, because we are people too and have every right to the road as much as you do.

Bicycle Plague in Fredericton Continues

     Yes, I have noticed too, that I may be slacking a little in the blogging department. Can you blame me though? As we roll into autumn, bicycle news tends to slow down. After all, cycling is mainly a summer activity, or just whenever there isn't any snow from April until November.
     All year, bicycles on the sidewalk seem to be a rather large problem downtown. Actually, anywhere in the city. Why is it they speed down the sidewalk instead of being on the road? Are they afraid of the cars or do they just lack the skills to bike in traffic? I'm not pointing out that anyone who bikes on the sidewalk is a wuss by any means, but if you're that afraid to be on the road, it wouldn't hurt to learn a few rules and bicycle handling skills.

     Is there something the city could do to help this problem? I've said before, build bike lanes downtown, but that will definitely not solve the problem. It would take a few bikes off the sidewalk, but there will always be the few that like to bend the rules or just do not care.
    Maybe something as simple as a sign would be enough to deter a few people from riding their bikes on the sidewalk.
     An adult on a bicycle has the capability of cruising around 15-25km/h. If a car is pulling out of a driveway, they are not expecting a bicycle to be zooming down the sidewalk. If you hit the car, you are liable for your own injuries because you are breaking the law in the first place.
     I am not the police, so I cannot enforce this by-law. If you are going to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk, at least use common sense and ALWAYS ring your bell when coming up behind people. Remember, if the police actually did something, there is a $50 fine.


http://www.fredericton.ca/en/publicsafety/2011June29_BikingOnSidewalks.asp

Not Enough Enforcement - Daily Gleaner

Re: Cycling on sidewalks

I wholeheartedly support the stance taken by city councillor Stephen Chase on the issue of cyclists on city sidewalks: that more needs to be done to reduce this dangerous practice.

Councillor Kelly suggests we need a study to get the full picture on whether sidewalks could be shared with cyclists and skateboarders. But we don't need a study to know that a mix of fast-moving bicycles and foot traffic is dangerous.

One wonders why the city has spent all that money on providing safe cycle lanes if the sidewalk was an adequate, safe alternative.

Last year I raised the issue of non-enforcement of the city bylaw with Police Chief MacKnight stemming from two collisions (I have been clipped by a handlebar and a foot peddle) and one near-collision of my car with a speeding cyclist as I slowly reversed out of a shared driveway.

I do not think I am an unusual 'cycle magnet,' so I suspect that others in the downtown and university hill areas may have had similar experiences.

I was very disappointed to see the measure of the so-called enforcement that Chief MacKnight mentioned would happen. Just six tickets and 15 warnings in six months. This has clearly had little effect of deterrence, as I observed three cyclists on the sidewalk during a 10-minute walk to the FREX on Saturday.

Many times police cruise by sidewalk cyclists without issuing warnings.

I echo Counc. Chase's desire for better enforcement of the bylaw, and increases in fine occurrences as a deterrent measure, in conjunction with a raised general and campus awareness campaign.

Patrolling should include campus arterial routes too.

James Whitehead

Can Fredericton REALLY Do This?

Fredericton, NB (September 6, 2011) – Fredericton Transit, Green Matters and Regent Mall are partnering to promote World Carfree Day in Fredericton on September 22. World Carfree Day is an annual celebration held to raise awareness about the alternatives to vehicular transportation.

"City Council has made a commitment to sustainability by encouraging alternative forms of transportation, said Mayor Brad Woodside. "Recognizing events like Carfree Day helps to raise awareness about the benefits of using non-vehicular transportation".

To recognize World Carfree Day, representatives from Fredericton Transit, Green Matters, and Green Shops will be set up at the Regent Mall all day on September 22, sharing information about alternative transportation and active commuting. New transit schedules and trail maps will also be available. Visit the booth on that day, and be eligible to win some great active commuting prizes from our partners at the Regent Mall.

"With the Princess Margaret Bridge remaining closed into October, continuing to choose alternative forms of transportation helps ease traffic congestion and reduces fuel consumption and emissions," said Councillor Eric Megarity, Chair of the Public Safety and Environment Committee. "I encourage residents to try different commuting options when getting back into their regular routines."

World Carfree Day is a project of the World Carfree Network, founded in 1997. The Network is the hub of the global carfree movement, whose mission is to promote alternatives to vehicular transportation, and aims to reduce car dependence, and improving overall quality of life. More information can be found on the Network’s website, www.worldcarfree.net.

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/environment/NR2011Sep6CarFreeDay.asp

Sidewalk Cycling - Daily Gleaner

Two city councillors are on opposite sides of the page when it comes to biking on public sidewalks.

Coun. Stephen Chase wants to protect the safety of pedestrians by stepping up police enforcement, but Coun. Stephen Kelly would like to explore ways to allow shared usage of city sidewalks.

Since January to the end of August, the Fredericton Police Force has stepped up its enforcement efforts.

Police Chief Barry MacKnight said under the city's bylaw, tickets can be issued for not wearing helmets while cycling. There were 201 municipal tickets issued for the first half of the year, 19 of which were prosecutions and the rest were written warnings issued by the city's park patrol.

There were 15 municipal bylaw notices issued for riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. Six involved fines.

Under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act, 33 people were handed tickets for riding on the sidewalk or not wearing helmets. Nine were prosecutions.

"Since there is still a pretty high incidence of people riding sidewalks on downtown sidewalks - and I want to emphasize that my concern is downtown where we have a lot of pedestrian traffic, frequently seniors and in some cases the sidewalks are restricted with the (restaurant) terraces in the summer - we should step up our effort with public education or issuing warnings," Chase said.

But Kelly isn't in favour of clamping down on cyclists who use the city sidewalks to get around the downtown.

In fact, he's asking the city's transportation committee chairman, Coun. Bruce Grandy, to let him raise the topic of a sidewalk sharing policy that would embrace not just bicyclists, but also skateboarders and people on inline skates.

"I am not sure how widespread this problem or issue may be, but I am interested in learning more about shared usage of City of Fredericton sidewalks with bikes, boards and blades, and would like to request a staff report that would provide the committee with some background on the subject. In particular, what other cities are doing in our area, any legal issues that we should know about and what staff would see as the pros and cons associated with the issue and possible options and resource requirements if applicable," Kelly said.

"I am not suggesting we would support moving forward on the issue, but I think it's important we have the information we need should we want to go in any particular direction. I realize I am asking our staff to take on another report and they are busy, so perhaps this request could be put in the queue and staff could report back when they have had time to consider the issue."

Bike Lane Fail

     This "bike lane" on the bottom of Brookside sets the world record for the "World's Narrowest Bike Lane". I assume that they will be widening the shoulder of the road eventually, but for now it remains as a fail.

     I also wanted to let everyone know that the Valley Trail is now paved and marked. This is such a beautiful trail and it is well worth spending the afternoon to explore it.

The Problem With Fredericton Traffic Lights

      Next month, Fredericton is installing a bicycle-sensing traffic light at the York/Montgomery intersection, which is just one intersection. What about the other several hundred intersections? A few of the older intersections still use underground, metal detecting* activated lights which are completely hopeless to a cyclist since they require a minimum of half a tonne of metal to activate the lights. For instance the Cliffe/Union Street intersection still uses the underground sensors. You can see in the pavement a faint rectangle where the wires are located. The metal of the vehicle triggers the lights to change.

Note the black lines where the wires are located.

     Today's modern traffic lights use a motion sensor activated light. As the name suggest, when a car passes in its vision, it tells the light that there is a car waiting to cross. These lights are more efficient and accurate, but their sensitivity isn't strong enough to pick up cyclists or even motorbikes. Many new signalized and upgraded intersections in Fredericton have this type of light.

The black sensor on top of the light is aimed
 at the centre of the facing lane.

     It would easier for cyclists if bicycle actuated lights were implemented at the major intersections, but I think a simple button would be easier. For instance, this style of light is common on many Vancouver streets. For now, city cyclists will just have to hang behind a car or dismount and use the pedestrian lights.

Bicycle Laws

     Recently, I have been having issues with motorists passing me too close, not giving way, cutting me off or just being blatantly stupid. Included, is information for 'we the cyclists' of the road. I cannot stress more the importance of NOT cycling on the sidewalk. I saw a little girl almost get mowed down, and I do not want to think what could have happened. Here is a post from the provincial laws according to the June 2005 New Brunswick Driver's Handbook. 

     I must add the importance of vehicle drivers not to tailgate a cyclist. If a cyclists falls, they fall like a brick and stop dead in their tracks. A car would not be able to stop in time and would run over the cyclists. Please use common sense- it's not worth the risk of someone's life.

6.4 Drivers and Bicycles 

Riders of bicycles must obey the traffic rules and regulations that apply to all road users. Drivers must respect the bicyclist's right to share the road. 

Vehicle Drivers 

Bicyclists are at greater risk of death or injury- use extreme caution.
- Check your blind spot when turning left and especially when turning right.
- Bicyclists can dart in and out of traffic quickly, expect the unexpected.
- Give the bicyclist room, do not tailgate or crowd the bicyclist. 

Bicyclists 

You are at greater risk of death or injury in a collision.
- Let others know what you are going to do, use hand signals and be in the correct lane position.
- Check your blind spots.
- Avoid busy streets.
- Stay off sidewalks.
- Safe bicycling requires knowledge, skill and maturity.
- Keep your bicycle in good working order and properly equipped (i.e. horn, lights and reflectors and night). 

It is mandatory to wear an approved helmet when riding your bicycle.

Jack Layton 1950-2011

Fredericton Buys Bike-Sensing Traffic Signal - CBC

Fredericton is investing $15,000 in a pilot project to see if a new type of traffic signal will reduce the amount of time cyclists are forced to wait at intersections.

Cyclists using Fredericton's bike lanes are often stuck waiting at red lights because bikes don't trigger traffic lights.

Coun. Bruce Grandy, the chairman of the city's transportation committee, said the unit will be on a pole and aimed along the bike lane.

"It detects your motion, much like a radar detector on a car when you're speeding or anything else," Grandy said.

"It detects when someone rides in on their bicycles and starts the activation of the timing of the lights."

Grandy said the initial $15,000 system will be installed at the intersection of Montgomery and York streets.

If the pilot project proves successful, the specialized traffic signals could be set up at other intersections next year. Similar traffic signals have been used in municipalities in Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Fredericton council awarded a contract to Fortran Traffic Systems for the Wavetronic 2 Approach Matrix digital radar detection system.

The contract is worth $14,649, plus HST. It is expected to take one day to install the new unit.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2011/08/23/nb-fredericton-traffic-signals-bicycles-849.html

Debris in Fredericton Bike Lanes

     I can handle the odd stick or puddle in the bike lanes, but it's a tad obstructive when there is lots of debris, pot holes, drain covers, rocks... or even fruit? I do have to admit that bike lanes are in far better condition then they were last year. Maybe it is due to the increased usage, keeping the clutter down. As always, there is always room for improvement. For instance, the street sweepers could go through the bike lanes once a month to help keep debris out of the bicycle lanes. York Street is the oldest bike lane in the city (2008), and it has been beaten up the last three years. It is likely the most heavily used bike lane in the entire city, so it is definitely important to keep it clear.

Rough section in front of the train station

A brave soul who dares to bike uphill for 2km

     I also have to ask, why do all of the bike lanes end before a major intersection? I understand the ideology is to force bicycle traffic to merge into to car traffic, but what happens during grid lock? Many bicycles take to the sidewalks or squeeze dangerously through cars. I think Fredericton should look into how Moncton deals with their bike lanes. I vote for a bicycle thru-fare! 

     This time it's me blocking the bike lane! I thought I would show off my 'new' bike in a typical bike lane on the North Side. 

     This is a rare occurrence, but there was apples all over this bike lane on Royal Road! Many have already been brushed to the side, but it can be dangerous to run over a round object with 1 1/4" tires. 

Arguments Against Bike Lanes Are Absurd - Daily Gleaner

Cyclists ride in the bike lane across the Brooklyn Bridge during the evening commute in New York City. Improvements in biking infrastructure led to a 35 per cent increase in bicycle commuting in the centre of the city between 2007 and 2008.

Consider this: We have wide roads everywhere to accommodate cars, most of which carry only one person. On either side of many of those roads, we have pedestrian sidewalks. In most large urban areas, we also have bus lanes and transit systems such as subways and rapid transit.

When cyclists ride on roads, drivers often get annoyed. If they ride on sidewalks, pedestrians rightly get angry.

Human-powered transportation will only get more popular as gas prices rise and as the negative consequences of our car-centric culture increase. We should be doing everything we can to discourage single-occupant automobile use while encouraging public transit, pedestrian and pedal-powered movement.

In many North American cities, including Vancouver where I live, commuters scream bloody murder if it takes them an extra two minutes to get to their destination by car. The reality is that drivers are slowed more by increases in car traffic than by bike lanes.

According to the Globe and Mail, a study by Stantec Consulting Ltd. found that traffic delays because of bike lanes in Vancouver were mostly imagined. Drivers who were surveyed thought it took them five minutes longer to travel along a street with a new bike lane. But the study showed that it actually took from five seconds less to just a minute and 37 seconds more.

There's also the argument that slowing car traffic down is a good thing. In some European cities, planners are finding that making life more difficult for drivers while providing incentives for people to take transit, walk or cycle creates numerous benefits, from reducing pollution and smog-related health problems to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and making cities safer and friendlier.

In Zurich, Switzerland, planners have added traffic lights, including some that transit operators can change in their favour, increased the length of red lights and decreased the greens, slowed speed limits, reduced parking, and banned cars from many streets.

"Our goal is to reconquer public space for pedestrians, not to make it easy for drivers," chief traffic planner Andy Fellmann told the New York Times. He also noted that a person in a car takes up 115 cubic meters of urban space in Zurich while a pedestrian takes three.

In Vancouver, the Stantec study found that businesses along new downtown bike routes initially experienced minor decreases in sales, but that numerous strategies were available to overcome the declines.

In the long run, most cities that have improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure have seen benefits for area businesses.

Building bike lanes also creates jobs and other economic spin-offs, according to a study from the Political Economy Research Institute in Amherst, Massachusetts, titled "Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts."

Researchers found that "bicycling infrastructure creates the most jobs for a given level of spending." For every $1 million spent, cycling projects created an average of 11.4 jobs in the state where the project was located, pedestrian-only projects created about 10 jobs, and multi-use trails created about 9.6 jobs.

Infrastructure combining road construction with pedestrian and bicycle facilities created slightly fewer jobs for the same amount of spending, and road-only projects created the least, with a total of 7.8 jobs per $1 million.

One of the main reasons is that more of the money for road-building goes to materials and equipment, whereas with bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure more goes to wages and salaries.

It's important to note that European cities have matched disincentives to drive with improved public transit. After all, not everyone can get to their destination by walking or cycling.

But with fewer cars and reduced gridlock, those who must use automobiles - including service and emergency-response vehicles and taxis - have an easier time getting around.

Fortunately, the backlash against cycling infrastructure improvements appears to be subsiding. As oil becomes scarce and pollution and climate change increase, people are finally realizing that transporting a 90-kilogram person in two tonnes of metal just isn't sustainable, especially in urban areas.

Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation editorial and communications specialist Ian Hanington.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/1431284

Redesigning Fredericton's Downtown Part II

     The following pictures are provided by NACTO, shared by one my faithful twitter followers. This is a continuation of my original post, Redesigning Fredericton's Downtown. You know, just to bring things into perspective. With some redesigning, planning and education of motorists and cyclists, this plan is quite feasible.

Speed Limits

     I suppose it's the mentality of some cyclists, that the law doesn't apply to them. That gives us a bad rep! Did you know that there are speed limits on the Downtown Core trails? It is rather frustrating to maintain such a slow speed, but it's necessary due to higher traffic and more risk of hitting someone.

(I'm trying my best!)

     I also took a few pictures of some bike racks, too bad they're not getting more use out of them! Then again, this isn't Amsterdam... Have you ever tried cycling to work?

(I spotted a bike rack beside the art gallery!)

     I've also updated the bicycle parking map, it's pretty handy! Let me know if I've missed any spots, and I will add it to the map as soon as possible!

*Pictures taken on my phone, sorry for the low resolution :)

Fredericton Bixi Bikes?

     Fredericton’s downtown is not known for the immense amount of cyclists. Well, on the streets that is... Every Frederictonian knows the problem of sidewalk cyclists. Why is it such a problem? Could the by-law officers do a better job? It doesn’t help that we’re also lacking infrastructure downtown. The only routes remotely close are The Green and Church Street. With the lack of cyclists on streets, could this be increased by a bike share program like Bixi? In order for this system to work, Fredericton must first invest in infrastructure on downtown streets.
     Currently, there are four cities in Canada that have a Bixi Bike Program: Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa/Gatineau and London. Could Fredericton benefit from this program? I think yes! Even though our population is off by a couple million compared to Canada’s major urban centres, it has the potential to be successful. Could we convince citizens, tourists or businessmen/women to rent out a bike instead of renting an expensive SUV? A program like this would be great for people who: cannot afford to buy a bicycle, use one a few times a year or are commuters. Do you think it's feasible? Watch an instructional video below on how the system works.

   We all know about the problem of hills in our fair city. Yes, they look fantastic anaesthetically, but they are a nightmare to any cyclist- except downhill! That's why I think to anyone using a Bixi Bike should have free access to transit. So instead of cycling up York Street and getting all hot and sweaty for a meeting or work; rent a bike from downtown, hop on a bus and bike to your destination uptown! 

     It is such a great possibility, and it would only upset the motorists who have never sat their backsides on a bicycle their entire life. What do you think?

If You Drive a Car...

     Air conditioners make cars bearable in the heat of summer, but they are HUGE energy users, increasing a vehicle's fuel consumption by 20%. That means a vehicle that normally goes 800 kilometres on a tank of fuel will only go about 675 kilometres with the air conditioner on - and many of us have it on by default all summer.
     The best solution is to just turn your AC off. When driving 60 KMH or less, roll down your window and enjoy a bit of fresh air. (Wise dogs have known the pure joy of fresh air for years.) At speeds above 60 KMH, keep a comfortable airflow moving by using the fan to bring in fresh air and keeping a window or sunroof open just a crack to let it out.
     On really hot days when that's not enough, alternate the AC on and off to get just the amount of cooling you need. Just remember: it costs you every time you turn it on.

Brought to you by Carl Duivenvoorden

Though, not that you need an air conditioner now that the cool weather is back again?

Vélo Québec

     This is a wonderful commercial, brought to you by Vélo Québec. For as long as cars exist, there will always be conflicts with bicycles. Essentially, the video states "They get along so well in our garages, why not on our streets?". This goes to show how many light years ahead Québec is in terms of bicycle culture compared to New Brunswick.
     I grew up in a small town where driving everywhere was "essential". The grocery store was 5km away. Friend's house, 11km. The nearest shopping centre, 30km. The nearest city was 140km! Drive, drive, drive. I was successfully brainwashed to believe that I would need a car once I turned 16. Where I grew up, there was no transit, trains or public airport, but there was the once a day bus. That is partly why everyone in my small town drove everywhere. The reasoning was due to convenience. Why is it in North America we are lead to believe that we must drive everywhere? That probably is one of the reasons why 1/3 of North America is overweight...
     When I finally moved to Fredericton, I realized is was more feasible to walk, bike or take transit to where I needed to go. In cities, it is much easier to get around due to public transportation and being more dense. My mentality began to change on my dependancy on a car. Why drive to the corner store when it was only a few blocks away? Why spend my savings on gas just to get around in the city? Granted, I am still young and don't plan on having a family any time soon, but my plan remains to never own a car.
     I challenge you, instead of driving the few kilometres to the store or friend's house, ride your bike. Imagine if everyone in Fredericton did that!

WWF Canada - The World Has Changed

Traffic Lights

     If you're brave enough to cycle in traffic in Fredericton, you probably notice the situation with traffic lights. You're waiting at the stop line for a green light, and you find yourself waiting for the light to change- a light that never changes. About 85% of traffic lights in this city are equipped with motion sensor activated lights. For those of you that do not understand- when a car passes in the motion sensor's vision, it flicks a switch telling Mr. Red-Light that there is a car waiting to proceed through the intersection. If you're a cyclist, you know it's impossible for the traffic lights to "see" you. The other 15% of lights are on 30 second or more cycles, meaning green light for 30 seconds in one direction and vice versa.
     How the flip are cyclists suppose to get through an intersection?! I think the motion sensitivity needs to be tweaked on the cameras to pick up cyclists, or maybe a special traffic light at major intersections? (Credit to Mikael for the picture.) I'm a little tired of doing a rain dance at an intersection for the light to sense me... Instead of dancing like a fool, I hang behind a car to do all the work for me.
     I'm sure every cyclist has encountered a motorist that misjudges the speed of a bicycle. For instance, this could mean a car passing a cyclist then turning right, cutting off the bicycle. This has happened to me a few times, and I definitely let the driver know. It's so tempting to lash out... Another situation is a car turning left, cutting off a bicycle coming in the other direction. These manoeuvres are extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, there isn't much a cyclist can do about it, other than to expect the unexpected.

Understanding Fredericton’s Bike Lanes and Bike Routes

August 3, 2011 - With additional bike routes and bike lanes being installed on Fredericton streets, it is important that the public understands the differences and signage associated with each.

Bike routes are identified by signage only, while bike lanes feature signage, as well as lines and symbols painted on the street. Depending on the street, parking may or may not be permitted in bike lanes.

First introduced in Fredericton in July 2008 as a result of recommendations from the City’s Trails/Bikeways Master Plan, there will be 45 kilometres of bike lanes and 39 kilometres of bike routes city-wide by the end of summer.

“Bike lanes and bike routes support cycling as a form of alternate transportation,” said Coun. Bruce Grandy, Chair of the City of Fredericton’s Transportation Committee. “Motorists need to be aware of cyclists and cyclists are reminded the rules of the road apply to them. Everyone needs to share the road.”

Bike routes are designated by signage only along a street. Such routes are typically installed along arterial and major collector streets, which have high traffic volumes or where the existing cross section cannot accommodate bike lanes. There are also bike routes on residential streets where the road is too narrow to allow for a bike lane. According to the City’s Master Plan, other than “bicycle route” and “share the road” signs, there are generally no other changes made to the roadway.

The Master Plan defines a bike lane as a facility located on the travelled portion of the street or roadway that is designed for one-way cyclist traffic. Bike lanes are defined on the road through pavement markings and signage. White lines help to delineate the location of the bike lane.

The outline of bicycle painted within the lane further identifies the space as a bike lane. The diamond in the lane means that the lane is reserved for bicycles only. Vehicle parking is not permitted. No parking signs are also posted along these stretches of bike lanes.

No diamond painted in the lane means that vehicle parking is permitted and cyclists should expect parked cars. This affects approximately 20 per cent of bike lanes in the city. Bike lane dimensions and signage are based on Transportation Association of Canada standards, allowing for consistency across the country.

“Restricting parking on both sides of residential streets is not practical,” said Coun. Grandy. “Having bike lanes where parking is prohibited and others where parking is allowed is a good compromise for neighbourhoods. When encountering a parked car, cyclists must be cautious and remember the rules of the road.”

The following is a list of where bicycle lanes will be installed this year: Brookside Drive from Main Street to Douglas Avenue; Forest Hill Road from Beaverbrook Street to Kimble Drive; Irvine Street from Noble to Gibson streets; Kimble Drive from Knowledge Park Drive to Wilsey Road; McEvoy Street from Noble Street to MacLaren Avenue; MacLaren Avenue from Cliffe to Gibson streets; Noble Street from MacEvoy to Irvine streets; Royal Road from Sunset Drive to the Royal Road School; Rookwood Avenue from Waggoners Lane to Woodstock Road; Sunset Drive from Main Street to Clements Drive (Route 105); Hanwell Road from Woodstock Road to Waggoners Lane; and Priestman Street from York Street to College Hill Road.

In 2009, bike lanes were installed along Goodine and Montgomery Street. Bike lanes were installed in the following areas in July 2008: Douglas Avenue from Maple to Brookside Drive: Crocket Street from Canada Street to Brown Boulevard; Brown Boulevard to Cliffe Street; and, York Street from Priestman Street to Aberdeen Street.

That same summer bike routes where established on Regent Street from the RCMP "J" Division to Priestman Street, proceeding along Priestman to Smythe Street, onto Parkside Drive and Greenfields Drive, and then following Prospect Street to Hanwell Road. A bike route was established along Maple Street from Douglas Avenue to St. Mary's Street, then down St. Mary's Street to Union Street.

For complete details on bike lanes and bike routes in Fredericton, visit www.fredericton.ca.

“While there are numerous bike routes and bike lanes in the city, cyclists will continue to travel along all city streets,” noted Coun. Grandy. "Motorists and cyclists are reminded to be on the lookout for each other and for pedestrians. Obey the rules of road and share the road safely."

Bike Lane Campaign

Bike Lanes
Bike lanes can be found on one side or both sides of the following streets:

• Brookside Drive from Main Street to Douglas Avenue
• Brown Boulevard to Cliffe Street
• Crocket Street from Canada Street to Brown Boulevard
• Douglas Avenue from Maple to Brookside Drive
• Forest Hill Road from Beaverbrook Street to Kimble Drive
• Goodine Street from Vanier Industrial Drive to Harland Court
• Hanwell Road from Woodstock Road to Waggoners Lane
• Irvine Street from Nobel to Gibson streets
• Kimble Drive from Knowledge Park Drive to Wilsey Road
• McEvoy Street from Noble Street to MacLaren Avenue
• MacLaren Avenue from Cliffe to Gibson streets
• Montgomery Street from York to Smythe streets
• Noble Street from MacEvoy to Irvine streets
• Priestman Street from York Street to College Hill Road
• Royal Road from Sunset Drive to the Royal Road School
• Rookwood Avenue from Waggoners Lane to Woodstock Road
• Sunset Drive from Main Street to Clements Drive (Route 105)
• York Street from Priestman Street to Aberdeen Street

Bike Routes
Bike routes can be found along sections of the following streets:

• Barton Crescent
• Bishop Drive
• Bridge Street
• Canterbury Drive
• Church Street
• Forest Acres Court
• Fulton Avenue
• Hanwell Road
• Kings College Road
• MacKnight Street
• Maple Street 
• Montgomery Street
• Regent Street
• Reynolds Street
• Smythe Street

A PDF and printable map is viewable here.

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/transportation/BikeLaneLocations.asp

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/transportation/2008July10BikeLanesPage.asp

Cycling Confusion - Daily Gleaner

Our attention today is on the fuss about bicycle lanes, parking in those lanes and other related matters. A week ago, Fredericton city traffic engineer Darren Charters announced the city will install another 23 kilometres of bicycle lanes this summer, and by October there will be 29 kilometres of bicycle routes.

The system is following a master plan for trails and bikeways recommended by a city-hired consultant. Charters said the rule citywide is to share the road with cyclists.

And that is how it should be.

Charters said the city was getting "great support from council, the public, and even the press on this." There appear, however, to be flaws in the system.

Mayor Brad Woodside voiced concern about parking on opposite sides of streets where there is a reserved bike lane, and Charters said there is confusion about the different types of bicycle lanes the city is installing.

There are actually three types of lanes. Some streets will be identified with signs as bicycle routes without markings on the pavement; others will be marked bicycle lanes with a white striped border that marks the width of the lane but parking may be permitted in those lanes; third is the reserved bicycle lanes where signs indicate no parking is permitted in those lanes.

It's no wonder bicyclists and motorists are confused.

Why is it necessary to have three types of lanes? Why is parking allowed within the lanes? Why is parking allowed across the street from lanes?

One letter writer to The Daily Gleaner said, "it is getting way too complicated to go for a bike ride" and another writer has major concerns that the bike lanes are too narrow, that they will give "some cyclists a false sense of security," and that "storm sewer grates and debris after storms usually share the same space as the cycle lanes."

The same letter writer says most Fredericton streets already have sidewalks on both sides, so he suggests in such cases that one side be designated for pedestrians and the other for cyclists and pedestrians.

Where that is possible, it may offer a sound solution.

We certainly support the bikers who have every right to cycle on the streets, and motorists need to be aware that bikers have those rights.

Motorists have had the roads largely to themselves for a long time. It might be difficult to adjust, but it is a present-day reality that is not going to disappear.

However, when the city makes driving a bicycle so complicated, it becomes a hazard.

We all know what happened to a cyclist from New York last September who was killed on Highway 7 near Petersville by a trucker. That man pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. It is a tragic case which netted the trucker two months in jail.

We don't want anything like that to happen in Fredericton or anywhere else.

We need a clear definition of bicycle lanes without the confusion, without the hazards and without the risks they place on both cyclists and motorists.

It's time to share the road and respect each other's rights to be there.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/1428375

New Brunswick Day

     Ah, it is nice to finally have a holiday where you can have an entire day to yourself. I spent the afternoon having a picnic on The Green watching people do their thing. Whether it be going for a holiday stroll, cycling or pushing their kids in strollers. Then there's the sensation of the lush grass tickling your toes and the quiet rush of the river a few metres away. It seems everyone was out enjoy this beautiful summer day!

     There has been some debate between the cyclists, joggers and the casual strollers on whether to pave the trail that winds its way through The Green. I guess they came up with a compromise to pave up to the Carleton Street Pedway. Even if it is just a short distance from the Light House to the pedway, it's better than getting a punctured tire to massive rocks! Hopefully this encourages cyclists to use the pedway instead of running across a four lane highway.

     There are some rare things to see in Fredericton, like a deer running through the Provincial Legislature. Even more rare, is to see a bike rack full of bikes! It is always so heart warming to see so many people taking an alternative to visit a park, or just downtown in general. 

     What better day than to chose a provincial holiday to protest shale gas drilling (hydro fracking) in our lovely province. Literally thousands of people showed up to protest and it was such an awesome sight to see so many people that do not want this controversial drilling method in our province. I totally forgot this protest was happening, until I was cycling by on Queen Street that I saw people swamped the legislature lawn. Honestly, I would have picked a better day, since none of the politicians were in office... Please check out the New Brunswickers Concerned About Shale Gas facebook page, and make sure to like it!

     Also make sure to like my facebook page and follow me on twitter. I am currently working on a contest and updates will be posted via twitter and facebook!

Redesigning Fredericton's Downtown

     Downtown Fredericton streets were originally designed in the mid 1700's with horses and buggies in mind. Cars and bicycles were not an issue until they became popular in the late 1800's. In the beginning, cars just went whatever way they felt like. Then came the dawn of traffic signs and policemen directing traffic. Finally, the modern traffic light. I feel like history has repeated itself and we are back to going whichever way we want… Every hundred years, it feels like the streets start to get narrower and narrower. This is due to bigger cars, more people and the ever increasing need for parking. Currently Queen, King and Brunswick Streets are at a maximum three lanes wide. Two lanes are for moving traffic, and one for parking or turning lanes.

     I understand there is not a lot of room for manoeuvrability in the downtown core in terms of road space, but I think a few inches could be spared? I have said before that all bike lanes in the city end 50 metres or more before an intersection. The idea is to force cyclists to move into traffic so motorists would not suddenly turn right and run them over. I have provided solutions through Plan A and Plan B.

Plan A Queen Street

     As you can see, the bicycle lane is painted blue for added visibility. This would only be required 100 metres before and after an intersection. A dotted white line through the bike lane provides an opening for right turning traffic. Cars must yield to cyclists already in the bike lane. This style of bike lane would run from Church Street to Northumberland Street. The separated lane would improve speed and safety for cyclists through the downtown, especially during the rush hours.

Plan B Queen Street

     If space is an issue, a designated Bus, Taxi, Charter, Emergency Vehicle and Bicycle lane would be provided in the right lane of Queen Street. The lane would be painted a maroon colour or paved with a mix of sandstone pavement. This lane would require to be widened slightly so these special service vehicles can move around cyclists. Special service vehicles wanting to turn left or right would use the regular lanes. Dotted white lines provide and opening for regular vehicles to turn right. This type of lane would run from Church Street and end on York Street. From York Street to Northumberland Street, the use of Plan A would be required. The designated lane (Plane B)would have hours from 5am to midnight. From midnight to 5am, regular vehicles would be permitted to drive in the lane. 

     You may have noticed, "Well, this is an excellent West-bound corridor, but what if I wanted to go East?" Brunswick Street is most likely the widest downtown street. Parking is banned for its entire length, except on Sundays, thus making it excellent for a bike lane. The plan for Brunswick Street is quite similar to Plan A for Queen Street, minus the parking stalls. Again, the lane is painted blue and dotted white lines provide an opening for cars to turn left, and cars entering mid-block from Kings Place Garage or Brunswick Garage. This style of lane would run from the Woodstock/Smythe/King/Brunswick intersection all the way to Church Street, travelling the furthest left lane.  The lane would preferably be on the left, due to the majority of the bicycle traffic turning left to the downtown core.

Brunswick Street

 

Plan A/B (This pic is borrowed from Active Transportation Fredericton)

Please note, these are all theoretical solutions, and none of them are or may never be official.

Cyclists Concerned Over Parking in Bike Lanes

Some Fredericton cyclists are raising safety concerns over the city's decision to allow vehicles to park in some of its new bike lanes.

Cyclists in the capital city will have nine more bike lanes to use by the end of the year.

Todd Young is one of many Fredericton cyclists who use the city's streets and trails every day.

Young said he believes the city is smart to add the new bike lanes.

But Young said he is worried that some of the bike lanes are open to vehicle parking.

"That creates the chance for cyclists to have to swerve around a car, and a car could be coming from behind or whatnot too," Young said.

"So it just creates an unnecessary danger for cyclists."

The city will have 45 kilometres of bike lanes by the end of 2011.

Cars will be able to park in about nine kilometres of the city's bike lanes, which are all located in residential neighbourhoods.

Darren Charters, the city's traffic engineer, said it's necessary to have parking available on one side of the street in those residential areas.

"To go in to a residential neighbourhood and remove all the on street parking would be very difficult for the residents," Charters said.

Charters said from a safety perspective, the city is comfortable with the decision because there is less traffic in those areas and vehicles tend to go slower.

"On the rare occasions where folks are parked on the street, cyclists can easily go out and around those parked vehicles," Charters said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2011/07/28/nb-fredericton-bike-lanes-606.html

Keep this momentum going everyone! 

Mayor Says Bike Lanes Designation Confusing - Daily Gleaner

Mayor Brad Woodside isn't happy with the city's system of designating bicycle lanes that allow for parking on one side of the street opposite a reserved bicycle lane.

In Woodside's neighbourhood on Douglas Avenue, there's a reserved bike lane on one side of Douglas Avenue running from Maple Street to Brookside Drive.

In the reserved lane, the city has measured off a portion of the street for bicyclists.

There's a white line running parallel to the curb to mark off the lane's width. Inside that line, painted on the pavement, is the image of a white bicycle.

There's also a white diamond that signifies that no parking is permitted.

However, on the opposite side of Douglas Avenue, there's a white-striped pavement marker running parallel to the curb with the white image of a bicycle on the pavement, but no diamond. That means cyclists can drive within the designated area, but they must share it with parked cars.

If someone is biking down Douglas Avenue toward Maple Street - and he or she encounters a parked vehicle - the bicyclist has to swerve into traffic.

Woodside said that's unsafe.

"On Douglas Avenue, there were 12 cars parked and that's a very difficult situation when we're trying to promote bike safety. When you're a kid and you're out on that street, you have to go out 12 times to get around it (those cars) that are legally parked. It might be legal, but it seems to be quite dangerous," he said.

City traffic engineer Darren Charters said it's not an ideal situation to have vehicles parking in the non-reserved bicycle lane, but it's a compromise based on the lower traffic volumes and speeds on residential streets.

Charters said the decision to use pavement markings on any street that encourages bicycle traffic is based on the classification of the street.

For instance, York Street, because it's a major collector street, has no parking on either side of the road. On that street, the city has marked with white markings a bicycle lane going up the hill and one coming down. Both are classed as reserved and cyclists aren't supposed to encounter parked cars anywhere the length of the roadway.

"Major collector (streets), arterial (roadways) of any sort, you will see no parking on either side of the road and dedicated reserved lanes on both sides of the road," Charters said. "That's exactly why we totally remove it (parking) on major collectors and arterials like Sunset Drive.

"There's higher traffic volumes, speeds tend to be a little higher and there may be trucks, so we absolutely don't want cyclists moving out around a parked car in a lane along those types of roads.

"The ideal situation wherever there are bike lanes is to have no parking. However, in residential neighbourhoods, it was recommended to us by our consultant that we will leave parking on one side of the road," Charters said.

If homeowners are having a party or extra guests, they may not have sufficient driveway room to accommodate visitors.

Examples of streets that have reserved bicycle lanes on one side, and parking is permitted on the opposite side in the unreserved bicycle lane include Crocket Street, Douglas Avenue and Rookwood Avenue.

The city has one other type of bicycle lane designation and that's a bicycle route.

On a bicycle route, you will not see any white pavement marking or bicycle symbols stencilled on the roadway.

Instead, your clue to that street being a bicycle route will be the signs. A sign showing a bicycle in green will make it clear the roadway is a bicycle route.

Another sign will show a bicycle and car side by side with the words "Share the Road.''

City council has approved additional bicycle lanes and will restrict parking for nine additional lanes in 2011.

Here's the list of streets and parking restrictions for the nine new bicycle lanes:

* There will be no parking on either side of Brookside Drive from Main Street to Route 105.

* There will be no parking on either side of Forest Hill Road from Canterbury Drive to Kimble Drive.

* There will be no parking on the south side of Irvine Street from Noble to Gibson streets.

* There will be no parking on the south side of Kimble Drive from Stoneybrook Crescent to Barrett Court.

* There will be no parking on either side of McEvoy Street from Noble Street to MacLaren Avenue.

* There will be no parking on the south side of MacLaren Avenue from Cliffe to Gibson streets.

* There will be no parking on the east side of Nobel Street from Gulliver Drive to Irvine Street.

* There will be no parking on the east side of Royal Road from Sunset Drive to Royal Road School.

* There will be no parking on the west side of Rookwood Avenue from Saunders Street to Woodstock Road.

SGE Acres Ltd. of Halifax, in association with Marshall Macklin Monaghan of Toronto, developed the city's bikeways system as part of a trails and bikeways master plan.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/1426947

Thank you Mr. Mayor, for your help :)