General Updates and News

[TheCuriousMind]

Originally Posted by Musquodoboit County

Wouldn't it be nice if you got a vote for every piece of real estate you own in a municipality. That way people who actually have more investment in the municipality have more voting power. I can't stand people who are so anti development and somehow councils bow to them just so they can get their votes

In theory, if our city operates in a purely democratic manner, then the tides could be turned simply by those of us who are pro-development being more active in hearings, information sessions, etc in the way the NIMBYs are in order to demonstrate and represent the pro-development populus.

Giving the voting power to property owners is a terrible idea, however. Bear in mind property owners are increasingly large corporate entities optimizing for profit. This would likely just entrench those myriad issues that have already made life far worse for the average person in NS these past few years.

In my view, although our government would function better if it operated more like a company, it should be a company whose key performance metric is the quality of life of its citizens. Parametric analysis of the inputs that affect quality of life and their externalities should be paramount. Unfortunately, ineptitude abounds.

[Dartguard]

In my view, although our government would function better if it operated more like a company, it should be a company whose key performance metric is the quality of life of its citizens. Parametric analysis of the inputs that affect quality of life and their externalities should be paramount. Unfortunately, ineptitude abounds.[/QUOTE]

It seems to me that the present administration has worried a little too much about the tent folks but alas a National Music event is imminent so the front porch is being tidied up. I wonder why the old Nova Scotia Hospital has not been re opened to solve a number of our present problems. Hard roof shelter combined with close by professional mental health and dependency resources.
Seems like a DUH opportunity.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by JET

But it doesn't stop some cyclists, it's crazy what weather some folks will bike in.

Montreal just expanded its bixi bike share program into Winter. I wonder what the experience is there? Is it a response to the winter biking behaviour of non-bike-share-bikers? How many people take advantage of bixi in the winter, now that it's available?

Seems to me that people most prepared to bike in a Montreal winter would ALSO own their own bikes, but wonder if that's true.

[LikesBikes]

As winters get less and less snowy there are greater opportunities for people to continue biking year round. Canadian winters aren't what they used to be.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by LikesBikes

As winters get less and less snowy there are greater opportunities for people to continue biking year round. Canadian winters aren't what they used to be.

Absolutely, I don't know what these comments are about how crazy it is to bike in winter. It's hard to bike during an active snowstorm. That's about it. I biked from the far North End to downtown and back yesterday. It was pleasant and relatively mild, there was no problem at all when it came to weather. The real problem was haphazardly cleared bike lanes full of slush and snow boulders. That's not a seasonal problem, it's a problem of priorities. We wouldn't let the streets look like that days after a snowfall, why let bike lanes--essentially also a lane of traffic--look like that? Priorities.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

The real problem was haphazardly cleared bike lanes full of slush and snow boulders.

Absolutely that's the problem. The cyclist that I mentioned in my previous post wasn't doing anything wrong, it's just that the lanes were narrowed because of the large snowbanks, so there was less room for all vehicles, plus it was dark which made it more difficult to see him (apparently for the driver behind me).

So no wonder that there was only 1 cyclist that I saw on the road, given the conditions.

That said, there are realities, such as after a large dump of snow, the first priority is to clear the roads as well as possible for the majority of users, which are cars and trucks. This is done by pushing the snow to the side, which invariably narrows lanes after a large snowfall. These lanes need to later be widened by use of a snowblower and dump trucks to haul it away, which obviously takes more time. This is for areas where a "bike lane" is just a painted line on the roadway anyhow.

For dedicated bike lanes, there's no excuse for them not to be cleared at the same rate as sidewalks, since the equipment used would be the same.

It sounds like, perhaps, more of a budget issue or a contractor equipment issue if the clearing isn't happening as quickly as desired.

One would think, though, that there would be somebody behind the scenes who might question why we need all this budget for the few cyclists who will use the lanes in the winter, without realizing that if they improve the infrastructure, they will get more cyclists, in theory at least.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

Montreal just expanded its bixi bike share program into Winter. I wonder what the experience is there? Is it a response to the winter biking behaviour of non-bike-share-bikers? How many people take advantage of bixi in the winter, now that it's available?

Seems to me that people most prepared to bike in a Montreal winter would ALSO own their own bikes, but wonder if that's true.

I think that last point is correct.

Just yesterday I stumbled upon and watched a walkaround video on YT of the area of NYC encompassing 42nd St and 6th Ave. It was snowing and there was an inch or two on the ground. I believe NYC has a public E-bike program (they looked different from a Victorian bike) and the camera passed by what must have been a hub where they are available for use or returnable. There looked to be a hundred or so of them, all untouched and snow-covered, so many that the storage area was full. Nobody wanted to ride one in the snow and slop. Wisely, no doubt.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

For dedicated bike lanes, there's no excuse for them not to be cleared at the same rate as sidewalks, since the equipment used would be the same.

After the first of the two big snow dumps we got in February it took HRM 4 days to clear the sidewalk in front of my house. I get that; it was a very large, heavy snowfall and since I had cleared a path to get to the street it wasn’t like my front door was totally inaccessible. But far more people use the sidewalks than do bike lanes. Sidewalks in most areas need to come first. In fact I wonder if any thought was ever given to declaring some sort of “snow status” when there’s a heavy snowfall, where certain sidewalks are declared temporarily OK for use by the few cyclists wanting to try to ride, and where pedestrians use that side at their own risk until the bike lanes are eventually cleared and the special status revoked. It would almost like a parking ban except with different provisions.

[Antigonish]

Originally Posted by Antigonish

Do you think Andy Fillmore will resign as MP and run for mayor instead? If he does, what are people's thoughts on that?

Looks like he'll run

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/mp-andy-fillmore-considering-a-run-to-be-halifax-mayor-1.6776204

Who you got, Keith? Fillmore or Mason? Democracy is great (and hard choices!)

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

After the first of the two big snow dumps we got in February it took HRM 4 days to clear the sidewalk in front of my house. I get that; it was a very large, heavy snowfall and since I had cleared a path to get to the street it wasn’t like my front door was totally inaccessible. But far more people use the sidewalks than do bike lanes. Sidewalks in most areas need to come first. In fact I wonder if any thought was ever given to declaring some sort of “snow status” when there’s a heavy snowfall, where certain sidewalks are declared temporarily OK for use by the few cyclists wanting to try to ride, and where pedestrians use that side at their own risk until the bike lanes are eventually cleared and the special status revoked. It would almost like a parking ban except with different provisions.

It depends on the circumstances. In a suburb, where people tend to use the sidewalks a lot (to walk dogs, exercise, walk to the bus stop, etc.) and there is little to no bike traffic, then definitely sidewalks should take priority. In a downtown area, where there is more bike traffic, plus pedestrian traffic, it's a toss-up, IMHO, but the same equipment should be used to do the bike lanes and sidewalks concurrently, more or less. Double up the equipment if necessary. I'm sure there are all kinds of permutations and combinations, depending upon local conditions, but regardless bike lanes need to be done. I can't see cyclists using sidewalks as ever being a good idea, BTW. I experienced that in Japan and it's hard on the nerves as they are coming at you from every direction (but are also very conscientious and careful to not bother you for the most part, unlike Canadian cyclists in my experience).

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Antigonish

Looks like he'll run

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/mp-andy-fillmore-considering-a-run-to-be-halifax-mayor-1.6776204

Who you got, Keith? Fillmore or Mason? Democracy is great (and hard choices!)

Easy choice. Not that Fillmore is great, but it can only be ABM (Anyone But Mason). A well-behaved chimpanzee would be less dangerous than that guy.

[TheCuriousMind]

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

Montreal just expanded its bixi bike share program into Winter. I wonder what the experience is there? Is it a response to the winter biking behaviour of non-bike-share-bikers? How many people take advantage of bixi in the winter, now that it's available?

Seems to me that people most prepared to bike in a Montreal winter would ALSO own their own bikes, but wonder if that's true.

I live in Montreal and commute over 10km each way daily, either by bike or by transit. BIXI is a great service and the winter service is nice but they're only running about 10% of the full network this year, as a pilot, to gauge usage.

For me, I bike when I deem the weather good enough; so, not too much snow, not freezing cold. Probably about 60 days of the year total where I don't bike for weather reasons.

I really don't get the whole "nobody uses bike lanes in the winter so we shouldn't build them". Yes, in the winter the ridership is understandably lower. But by this logic, one could argue tennis courts, swimming pools, baseball pitches, skate parks, etc. Should not be build because they won't be well used year round. Winter is a crummy fact of life in Canada, but it doesn't preclude us building quality public infrastructure for the enjoyment of all (who choose to use it) when the weather is nice enough to do so.

[TheCuriousMind]

Originally Posted by TheCuriousMind

I live in Montreal and commute over 10km each way daily, either by bike or by transit. BIXI is a great service and the winter service is nice but they're only running about 10% of the full network this year, as a pilot, to gauge usage.

For me, I bike when I deem the weather good enough; so, not too much snow, not freezing cold. Probably about 60 days of the year total where I don't bike for weather reasons.

I really don't get the whole "nobody uses bike lanes in the winter so we shouldn't build them". Yes, in the winter the ridership is understandably lower. But by this logic, one could argue tennis courts, swimming pools, baseball pitches, skate parks, etc. Should not be build because they won't be well used year round. Winter is a crummy fact of life in Canada, but it doesn't preclude us building quality public infrastructure for the enjoyment of all (who choose to use it) when the weather is nice enough to do so.

As a follow up to this, it's also worth noting through many of the middle-density neighborhoods of Montreal, on smaller residential streets, there are 2-way, wide bike lanes separated by frequent bollards on one side of the road, and parking on the other side, from April 15 - Nov 15. Then, the bollards are removed and the bike lane becomes a second parking lane during the winter months. On main thoroughfares with higher car traffic the bike lanes, if they exist, are permanent fixtures that are curb separated with dedicated traffic signals, and they are regularly maintained through the wintertime (plowed and salted). This is the sort of compromise that could be useful in Halifax to promote cycling while still retaining the street network's utility for those who need to, want to, or otherwise will travel always by car.

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Easy choice. Not that Fillmore is great, but it can only be ABM (Anyone But Mason). A well-behaved chimpanzee would be less dangerous than that guy.

Not the biggest fan of Fillmore but I think I would feel alright with him being Mayor to be honest.

[bartekci]

The benefit Fillmore may have is his experience within other areas of the political spectrum. What Halifax and the HRM seem to need right now is leadership which can pressure and better work with the provincial and federal governments. The city is growing exceptionally fast, and so is the region, but we regularly see provincial politics lean more rural.

Perhaps under the hood, there is more money and support for the HRM than the press conferences and media make it out to be, so I may be wrong in that judgement.

There is a lot of city building that needs to continue, and with that building we need better services, both on and off the road. At minimum, we desperately need a real mobility strategy and to see that implementation happen as the peninsula simply cannot handle the amount of traffic it's getting and will continue to get (in larger doses).

[Summerville]

Originally Posted by TheCuriousMind

I live in Montreal and commute over 10km each way daily, either by bike or by transit. BIXI is a great service and the winter service is nice but they're only running about 10% of the full network this year, as a pilot, to gauge usage.

For me, I bike when I deem the weather good enough; so, not too much snow, not freezing cold. Probably about 60 days of the year total where I don't bike for weather reasons.

I really don't get the whole "nobody uses bike lanes in the winter so we shouldn't build them". Yes, in the winter the ridership is understandably lower. But by this logic, one could argue tennis courts, swimming pools, baseball pitches, skate parks, etc. Should not be build because they won't be well used year round. Winter is a crummy fact of life in Canada, but it doesn't preclude us building quality public infrastructure for the enjoyment of all (who choose to use it) when the weather is nice enough to do so.

I've been biking throughout the winter. Even the day after a snowfall.

That being said, you really need studded tires in the window and I have only been using bike lanes. I only use the streets when I have to. The current locations of some of the city's bike lanes are not the most efficient for bikes....but as a cyclist in Halifax, I'm happy for anything.

But if there were sufficient bike lanes that are plowed, then anyone can bike in the winter with the proper tires and clothing. Studded snow tires for bikes are a game changer and we probably owe it to the automobile drivers so that we don't get in their way. The city has done a horrible job all around this year in removing snow on streets, sidewalks and bike lanes.

[Summerville]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

Not the biggest fan of Fillmore but I think I would feel alright with him being Mayor to be honest.

Just reported that Andy Fillmore is suggesting that the Canada Post processing centre be moved off the peninsula to provide for housing for 5K people.

...sounds like the beginning of a campaign

[TheCuriousMind]

Originally Posted by fatscat

The benefit Fillmore may have is his experience within other areas of the political spectrum. What Halifax and the HRM seem to need right now is leadership which can pressure and better work with the provincial and federal governments. The city is growing exceptionally fast, and so is the region, but we regularly see provincial politics lean more rural.

Perhaps under the hood, there is more money and support for the HRM than the press conferences and media make it out to be, so I may be wrong in that judgement.

There is a lot of city building that needs to continue, and with that building we need better services, both on and off the road. At minimum, we desperately need a real mobility strategy and to see that implementation happen as the peninsula simply cannot handle the amount of traffic it's getting and will continue to get (in larger doses).

Worth noting therein that Fillmore's background is in urban planning also. He seems fairly pragmatic and while maybe not excellent will probably be quite solid in the mayor role. He'd have my vote if I was still in NS. And that's coming from someone who's quite fed up with his party at a federal level.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Summerville

Just reported that Andy Fillmore is suggesting that the Canada Post processing centre be moved off the peninsula to provide for housing for 5K people.

...sounds like the beginning of a campaign

IIRC there was once suggestion in another thread that this would have been a good site for a stadium. How times have changed.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Summerville

I've been biking throughout the winter. Even the day after a snowfall.

That being said, you really need studded tires in the window and I have only been using bike lanes. I only use the streets when I have to. The current locations of some of the city's bike lanes are not the most efficient for bikes....but as a cyclist in Halifax, I'm happy for anything.

But if there were sufficient bike lanes that are plowed, then anyone can bike in the winter with the proper tires and clothing. Studded snow tires for bikes are a game changer and we probably owe it to the automobile drivers so that we don't get in their way. The city has done a horrible job all around this year in removing snow on streets, sidewalks and bike lanes.

I'm curious as to how the studded tires work on dry pavement. Any slippage during higher speed turns, when you have a good lean on?

They would have been a game changer for me years ago. I quit riding in the winter when I was cutting through a Dartmouth park, my wheels slipped on ice and I fell onto a gravestone. Luckily I didn't hit my head but I had a large bruise on my rear end for a few weeks... it could have very easily been seriously worse, compounded by the fact that nobody probably would have found me for awhile.

That, and the fact that without cleared, separate bike lanes, I always felt like a sitting duck with nowhere to go should a car lose traction, or cut it too close with the narrowed roadways - probably why seeing that cyclist almost get clocked last week rattled me so (luckily, I don't think he saw it, because it happened behind him - I just happened to be looking in my rearview mirror at the time).

Halifax really needs to be set up better to support cycling. Problem is, it's easy for people to balk against the infrastructure costs when there aren't many people using it. And many people won't use it if it's not there or inadequately built. Catch 22.