Halifax Active Transportation

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

I think the thing is we're only just now getting to the point where we've truly "built it". Yes, there has been ten-ish years of "real" investment in AT, but it's only now that we're starting to see the skeleton of a connected network.

Up until now bike lanes in HRM have been like the sidewalks in Bayer's Lake - sparse and unconnected. You'll see the occasional people walk over informal trails between the few pieces of sidewalk, but by-and-large people don't walk there unless they absolutely have to because it's such an unpleasant experience. It's been the same with bikes. Yes, there are stretches of bike lanes, but to use them you have to go off-road (or rather, on-road) and so only those that have to or are really dedicated use them.

But that's changing. The big connections are being made, and now it's actually enjoyable to bike in certain areas. To use my own experience, biking from the deep North End into downtown was super uncomfortable because the Barrington Greenway just dead-ended at the sewage treatment plant and then you had to awkwardly find a way onto the road and navigate through one of the most car-focused pieces of infrastructure (the Cogswell Interchange) in the city. As soon as they started work on the Cogswell project and put in the multi-use trail connection from the sewage treatment plant to the Hollis Street bike lane, it got downright enjoyable and became my primary way to get to work.

And now those connections are starting to show up in terms of increased ridership.

I think the next couple of years are going to be a real tipping point in terms of cycling in this city (at least on the Peninsula).

Well said, and we also have to consider that once the major infrastructure is built, then the costs are relegated to maintenance, which shouldn't be much more than maintaining the previous road network, considering that in many cases the bike lanes just nibbled into the existing road network a little.

It will be nice once it's done, and we can all just get used to them being there, like part of the furniture. Then we can move on to other things to get upset about...

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Let's liven this forum up with a controversial AT project!

Implementation of Peninsula South Complete Streets: University Avenue and West and East Connections

I kind of wish the recommendation for University Ave was Option 2C - the one with two-way bike infrastructure to the north of the median... looked like it would make really nice exterior plaza spaces in front of the large Dal buildings that front onto the street - they'd all be south facing and pretty park-like, I think. What's being proposed is the cheapest and, frankly, feels like minimizing the investment in public space.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Well said, and we also have to consider that once the major infrastructure is built, then the costs are relegated to maintenance, which shouldn't be much more than maintaining the previous road network, considering that in many cases the bike lanes just nibbled into the existing road network a little.

It will be nice once it's done, and we can all just get used to them being there, like part of the furniture. Then we can move on to other things to get upset about...

Appeasement never works.

[DBaz]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Appeasement never works.

That seems to be true. We’ve been appeasing entitled suburbanites for decades and they still whine like little…

[Dmajackson]

The University Avenue Bikeway did go to Regional Council last night. I figured with it being election season it would be an interesting watch. Lovalace was in full political mode last night but switched her vote at the last second which only left two councillors voting against this project moving forward; Purdy and Russell.

Purdy is very anti-bike lane so no surprise there. Russell seemed to be concerned about the truck traffic issue.

The motion to proceed was approved 15-2.

[new2halifax]

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

I kind of wish the recommendation for University Ave was Option 2C - the one with two-way bike infrastructure to the north of the median... looked like it would make really nice exterior plaza spaces in front of the large Dal buildings that front onto the street - they'd all be south facing and pretty park-like, I think. What's being proposed is the cheapest and, frankly, feels like minimizing the investment in public space.

I agree with you, option C was far more interesting. Also Dalhousie was willing to cover part of the cost if the city would have gone option C. But I'm ok with the decision nevertheless, it will be an improvement to the area.

[Dmajackson]

Almon Street Bikeway is slowly getting built. The section in front of Richmond Yards is still torn up.


HalifaxDevelopments.ca (Photo by David Jackson)

[OldDartmouthMark]

I have to say, the bicycle lanes on the Bedford Highway from near the Mount to the Fairview Overpass sure leave a lot to be desired. They are mostly torn up from curb replacement, but even then it doesn't look like they moved the curb much, if any, to provide more room for lanes. The cyclists I saw this morning were either weaving around traffic to avoid getting their wheels caught in the open gap between the pavement and curb, or simply riding on the sidewalk.

We have to do better than this for our cyclists, that was just plain terrible.

Almon Street, however, looks great!

[Dmajackson]

Bird Canada to offer e-bikes and e-scooters, residents invited to attend launch event at Grand Parade

Posted: May 13, 2025 - 10:07 am

Shared micromobility (e-bikes and e-scooters) is rolling out across the Halifax region starting Thursday, May 15. The Halifax Regional Municipality is introducing new transportation options to explore and get around. The municipality is partnering with Bird Canada on a two-year pilot program to introduce a fleet of 300 e-bikes and 300 e-scooters which will expand over the pilot period.

This new program will roll out in phases to key areas of the municipality, with designated parking zones and a convenient app for ease of use. The first phase will include areas in Halifax, Dartmouth, Fairview, Spryfield, Westphal and Woodside. Subsequent phases will expand into communities including, but not limited to, Burnside, Bedford and Sackville.

...

Read More of the Halifax Press Release

I downloaded the app, registered, and had a look around the map. Ever since my bike was stolen a few years back I've been missing riding around town. I think I might start using this to get to some development sites that I currently avoid due to parking issues. There is a parking zone out front of my building and within 1km of my work so I might use it for to commute sometimes. Thankfully much of my bike commute would now be via designated bike infrastructure.

A guaranteed 30-minute commute was always relaxing to me. Driving over the bridges is a 20-minute commute, 95% of the time for me. The 5% which can turn into hours is sometimes so bad I just abandon my car in Dartmouth and walk over the MacDonald. Having another choice for those days is great.

[Keith P.]

I wonder how many of these will end up in the harbor. That seems to be a popular pastime for some.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Hoping that more scooters will lead to more awareness/responsibility/courtesy by the users. I’ve had some close calls as a pedestrian with inattentive/reckless e-scooter users. You kinda have to keep your head on a swivel when you are walking in areas where they are present now.

[eastcoastal]

In the press, they're saying that Bird can sense when they're being used on sidewalks and they gradually slow and play an audio alarm. They also say that they'll continue charging a user if they're left somewhere that is not a designated parking location... hopefully these functions help mitigate some of the potential negatives. On the whole, bike rental programs seem to be popular elsewhere, and maybe they can open up more mobility options here.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Hoping that more scooters will lead to more awareness/responsibility/courtesy by the users. I’ve had some close calls as a pedestrian with inattentive/reckless e-scooter users. You kinda have to keep your head on a swivel when you are walking in areas where they are present now.

I suggest a large and heavy walking stick if you venture onto sidewalks here now, to fend off both the criminal element and the reckless scooter users.

[someone123]

Not sure if this has been posted before. Proposal from a few years back for a pedestrian/AT bridge over the Northwest Arm: https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie..._Martheleur_NWA_%20Pedestrian_Bridge.pdf

It would be useful for commuters, students, and recreation on both sides without bringing in more cars. It saves a huge amount of travel time if you are going from the mainland side to Dalhousie. It's more useful today too with the advent of small electric vehicles.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by someone123

Not sure if this has been posted before. Proposal from a few years back for a pedestrian/AT bridge over the Northwest Arm: https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie..._Martheleur_NWA_%20Pedestrian_Bridge.pdf

It would be useful for commuters, students, and recreation on both sides without bringing in more cars. It saves a huge amount of travel time if you are going from the mainland side to Dalhousie. It's more useful today too with the advent of small electric vehicles.

Certainly more practical than a regular road crossing but it might be hard to find the right location. In their policy brief poster they show it going to Flemming park near the tower, but the park would be challenging for commuters. The hill leading down to the park is quite narrow and steep, and I can't see it being a very pleasant transportation route. The park also means that there aren't many people living in the area directly surrounding the crossing on the mainland.

I think an AT crossing would be great if the main goal was to improve access to the park and tower from the peninsula, but for commuters I wonder if an aerial gondola going directly to PCR would be better. Perhaps it could even extend up to HCR with a stop on each so that several different bus routes would connect to it. Especially if the peninsula station allowed for an easy connection to route #1. Yes it would mean more transferring than say, taking #9 all the way downtown, but it would still save time since not only would the distance be shorter for many trips, but it would bypass all the congestion around the rotary.

[Keith P.]

A proper bridge that could also serve vehicles would be far more useful for not much more cost. The argument has always been that a bridge across the NW Arm cannot be built because it would ruin the view out to the mouth of the harbor, which I find absurd, but whatever. It has always seemed to me that the real obstacle to an Arm Bridge of any sort would be the access points at either end. There is no logical spot on either side that would not be hugely expensive due to high-priced properties on either side and the outcry from those whose ox would be gored by any attempt to solve the problem.

[OldDartmouthMark]

PSA: Don't charge your e-bikes inside your home!

Two in hospital following fire caused by charging e-bike in White Rock, N.S.

The Greenwich Fire Department says two people were sent to hospital following a house fire caused by a charging e-bike.

The fire department says it responded to the house fire on Deep Hollow Road in White Rock, N.S., shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday.

Upon arrival, fire crews found the homeowners had extinguished most of the fire. However, two of the three occupants of the home were sent to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.

According to a news release Sunday, the fire department says an e-bike being charged in the basement went into “thermal runaway,” causing a fire that spread into the ceiling.

The fire department adds fires involving lithium-ion batteries like the ones used in e-bikes and scooters are becoming much more common, and is advising residents not to charge their bikes inside their homes.

“Folks with these devices should always ensure they are charged away from combustible materials and should ensure they are present during charging,” said Ripley.

[Jstaleness]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

A proper bridge that could also serve vehicles would be far more useful for not much more cost. The argument has always been that a bridge across the NW Arm cannot be built because it would ruin the view out to the mouth of the harbor.

With some of the modern designs and work we see from our very own Cherubini Metal works company, I would say that we could have a very attractive crossing in that location. Jokes aside, throw a big glowing Scotiabank Crossing Sign on it, and BAM!

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Jstaleness

With some of the modern designs and work we see from our very own Cherubini Metal works company, I would say that we could have a very attractive crossing in that location. Jokes aside, throw a big glowing Scotiabank Crossing Sign on it, and BAM!

Sounds great (other than the Scotiabank sign )!

[Nouvellecosse]

The main objection I've always heard to a Northwest Arm road bridge is that it would make the quiet wealthy areas on the Halifax side into a traffic corridors with all the noise, pollution, spillover congestion that would entail. And given the political influence of the wealthy, no one has wanted to take on that fight. But a crossing that didn't involve motor vehicles would be a very different proposition.