Quote:
Originally Posted by kgc087
So I really think 22nd street needs a HUGE overhaul. the centre median should be widened with the addition of a raised planter. Bike lanes should be installed and the street should be made 2 lanes. If there are three then one lane should be a bus lane only. Along the sidewalk they should put in trees and just low planters. If the city did this up only part way to stimulate a gentrification it would greatly aid the one already taking place along 20th. I think this is a prime opportunity for d/t to almost begin to expand its borders for high density condos etc beyond idylwyld.
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Agree with everything except the bike lanes. Unless there is adequate protection (e.g. hard curbs or concrete barriers), mixing cyclists and motorists on a high volume/speed roadways will become an exercise in futility. People are less inclined to use bicycle lanes if they are located on a higher volume/speed roadway. The potential for serious injury is too great. See 25th Street, or an even better/worse example can be found along Preston Avenue from 14th St. to 108th or maybe it's all the way to 115th..?. Why should a cyclist -- traveling at 10-20 km/hr -- ride with cars, trucks, and buses traveling between 50-70 km/hr? Painted lines are great for increasing awareness, but are limited in their capacity to provide a safe, comfortable route for cyclists.
Reducing the speed limit is also an effective way to safely introduce cycling lanes on higher volume roads. But, that is likely not on the table in this town.
I'm supportive of mixing bicycles and cars on low volume/speed, narrower streets (e.g. 2nd Avenue). There, motorists are more attentive and traveling much slower. A collision between a car and cyclist is less severe than if it were to occur along a high volume/speed, wider roadway.
Sort of a rant...(I spent part of my summer surveying/mapping pedestrian and cyclist usage, etc for the City Centre Plan...wink wink to you lurkers).
And x2 to expanding beyond Idylwyld -- ideal land for high density residential!
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