Calgary Cycling Paths & Infrastructure

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by floobie

This happens really often on Edgemont Blvd. in the NW. There's a bike path running the entire length of it, but I still see cyclists riding on the road for some reason. There's absolutely no reason not to use the path, as far as I can tell. It's usually empty of any traffic, be it pedestrian or cyclist. It follows the road exactly, and is in much better condition than the road itself. It's also on a rather long, challenging hill. So, cyclists going up the hill are usually going a LOT slower than traffic, making the bike path a still safer choice.

I have nothing against cyclists riding on the road... if there isn't a better place for them to be. It just seems like a waste of the infrastructure we're lucky to have.

I don't cycle in that area, but I thought this link describes maybe why you are seeing the so-called 40 year old spandex bike-roadist using the road instead:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...jYP-tQIYKskUEzPHg&cbp=12,191.54,,0,30.48

A cyclist that is using that path would have to come to a near complete stop due to the sharp corners, also he or she would also have to identify that oncoming vehichles are yielding before proceeding. If he stays on Edgemont Blvd one has both right of way, as well as no sharp turns.

I don't think cyclists do this because they 'enjoy being obstacles' so much as that they are choosing the speediest and most time-efficient route.

Cycling infrastructure should be targeted in terms of cost-efficiency, (where cycling traffic is heaviest or has the potential to be heaviest), and where it has the biggest chance of reducing time spent travelling relative to dollars spent. Calgarians are usually very pragmatic, so I would hate to see wasted cycling infrastructure as well. Also, it should not be zero sum for productivity. i.e.: Don't try to build a system that improves cyclist travel time at a the expense of bigger losses in vehicular travel time.

Hopefully, as City of Calgary develops a cycling plan, it's looking at how it can add cycling infrastructure in a cost-effective manner (time savings relative to dollars spent) and addressing mobility issues where there is the need as well.

[ClaytonA]

Originally Posted by floobie

This happens really often on Edgemont Blvd. in the NW. There's a bike path running the entire length of it, but I still see cyclists riding on the road for some reason. There's absolutely no reason not to use the path, as far as I can tell. It's usually empty of any traffic, be it pedestrian or cyclist. It follows the road exactly, and is in much better condition than the road itself. It's also on a rather long, challenging hill. So, cyclists going up the hill are usually going a LOT slower than traffic, making the bike path a still safer choice.

I have nothing against cyclists riding on the road... if there isn't a better place for them to be. It just seems like a waste of the infrastructure we're lucky to have.

Looking at this on google maps it looks like partly a design issue assuming we're discussing Edgemont Blvd.
Cyclists can have the same issues as motorists with respect to pedestrians, so sometimes when cycling it's better to stay on the road versus the path. Plus the path can wind around and wind up and down more than the road. I hear what your saying about the infrastructure not being used; however, often I find for the type of riding I do (commuting) the pathways are not designed for users like me-they're more for the family going out for a walk/stroll on Sunday. I'm going point A to B and the roads are often better designed for the speeds 25-30km/h I typically travel (not up hill). What do you think?

1) This pathway is set up more for pedestrians than cyclists commuting. For example at the Edgemont Dr intersection the pathway jogs away from the road with a seperate leg leading to a cross walk set back from the flow of traffic on Edgemont Blvd. This could be alleviated if there was an access/egress lined up with the flow of traffic just past Edgemont Dr where a cyclist wouldn't have to worry about cycling against traffic to get onto the pathway (mind you only for ~10m in an intersection). Once you're on the road the curb is just as much a barrier for you as a cyclist as it is for vehicles.

2) When you're starting up the hill your more likely to be on the road (on the south side of John Laurie same reasons as above plus with pathway is on the west side of 53rd St. EDIT: I don't think there is a pathway south of John Laurie only sidewalks. (and I got beat )

[fusili]

Originally Posted by floobie

This happens really often on Edgemont Blvd. in the NW. There's a bike path running the entire length of it, but I still see cyclists riding on the road for some reason. There's absolutely no reason not to use the path, as far as I can tell. It's usually empty of any traffic, be it pedestrian or cyclist. It follows the road exactly, and is in much better condition than the road itself. It's also on a rather long, challenging hill. So, cyclists going up the hill are usually going a LOT slower than traffic, making the bike path a still safer choice.

I don't know about going up, but going down that path is terrible because you pick up tons of speed, and then, just before the health club you hit a whole bunch of small bumps caused by tree routes and then a huge lip that makes you get some air. It is really dangerous. I am not sure if they have fixed it, but I would rather take the road because of that reason.

[floobie]

Originally Posted by fusili

I don't know about going up, but going down that path is terrible because you pick up tons of speed, and then, just before the health club you hit a whole bunch of small bumps caused by tree routes and then a huge lip that makes you get some air. It is really dangerous. I am not sure if they have fixed it, but I would rather take the road because of that reason.

Hehe... I know exactly what lip you mean. I certainly had my fun with it, back in the day But yeah, it's since been flattened. That whole bit around the World Health Club is a bit sketchy. I was referring more to the part further North, where it's properly divided with a yellow line and all. Just checked the Calgary bike path map (http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/g...ap.htm?gclid=CKTx8KGIg6MCFQonbAodqXQscw), it apparently isn't considered a bike path south of the World Health Club. So, any complaints I've ever made about cyclists riding on the road around there are rescinded. But North of that, I'll stick to my original argument.

And the rest... valid points indeed. I guess it really depends on what kind of riding you're doing. I personally don't care about losing a few seconds here and there to cross a road, nor do I mind slowing down on the narrow part. Though, I'll maintain that I've never really seen anyone go quickly enough up the hill to make riding on the road for the entire stretch worth it. Even on my friend's rather highly geared single speed bike, pedalling as hard as I could, standing up on the pedals the whole way, I highly doubt I exceeded 20km/h.

You're right Clayton, there isn't any bike path on 53rd south of John Laurie. So, I can see that being an inconvenience (perhaps a site for future development!). What I often do is make a left just before John Laurie (at the intersection pictured in Google Maps a few posts up), follow that residential road, and then catch up with another path that crosses John Laurie on a bridge, and continues through a few neighbourhoods that ultimately lead you to Dalhousie Station.

And you also raise a good point about curbs. I do tend to forget just how much of a barrier it is to your average cyclist. I've gotten used to hopping them or whatever, so they don't really hinder me much anymore.

[kw5150]

for the record, mine was just a guess.

[srperrycgy]

I'm not an avid cyclist, but my 'hood of Killarney does have signed and marked Bike Lanes on 26th Ave between Crowchild Tr and 37th St SW. For the most part, the lanes are well used; my pic notwithstanding.



Image Mine.

[McPaul]

Not entirely sure where to put this, but I was out on the pathways today and went through the Killarney area... Is there some sort of pattern to where street signs are supposed to be located? It seems entirely random.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

I'm not an avid cyclist, but my 'hood of Killarney does have signed and marked Bike Lanes on 26th Ave between Crowchild Tr and 37th St SW. For the most part, the lanes are well used; my pic notwithstanding.



Image Mine.

I love this bike lane. We used it the other day and it is a great connection to the area and back

[kw5150]

My experience has been getting better while biking in this city. Keep it up Calgary. I hope this system continues to evolve. I had such a good ride last weekend and the city was so busy with pedestrians and cyclists.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

I'm not an avid cyclist, but my 'hood of Killarney does have signed and marked Bike Lanes on 26th Ave between Crowchild Tr and 37th St SW. For the most part, the lanes are well used; my pic notwithstanding.

That's pretty sweet! Does anyone know if the City has started to require cycle lanes on major streets in new subdivisions?

[DavidKuitunen]

What Cycling Infrastructure in North America Could Be Right Now
-From Momentum

[Wentworth]

Originally Posted by Riise

That's pretty sweet! Does anyone know if the City has started to require cycle lanes on major streets in new subdivisions?

Not in my neck of the woods, and we even already have fairly heavy pre-existing recreational cycling traffic, particularly along Old Banff Coach Road. (Speaking of which, one of the most dangerous stretches for cyclists is the piece of Old Banff between Cougar Ridge and 101st St., which is a popular road cycling route, yet there are no shoulders and there is heavy truck traffic.)

When I commute to work by bike, I have an awkward first Km cycling along 85th Street to Bow Trail, where I am able to duck into Strathcona and off of the major streets. Along 85th, I frequently get honked at, I think people seem to think there is a pathway along 85th there, but other than about a 100 foot stretch, there isn't.

While I am at it, what the hell is going on in Strathcona? The City is spending big coin on traffic calming measures (like those curb bump-outs, whatever they're called), why couldn't they have just spent the money on a dedicated bike lane there instead? Aren't these bump outs actually more dangerous for cyclists, as they force you back into traffic.

[ClaytonA]

Originally Posted by Wentworth

Not in my neck of the woods, and we even already have fairly heavy pre-existing recreational cycling traffic, particularly along Old Banff Coach Road. (Speaking of which, one of the most dangerous stretches for cyclists is the piece of Old Banff between Cougar Ridge and 101st St., which is a popular road cycling route, yet there are no shoulders and there is heavy truck traffic.)

When I commute to work by bike, I have an awkward first Km cycling along 85th Street to Bow Trail, where I am able to duck into Strathcona and off of the major streets. Along 85th, I frequently get honked at, I think people seem to think there is a pathway along 85th there, but other than about a 100 foot stretch, there isn't.

While I am at it, what the hell is going on in Strathcona? The City is spending big coin on traffic calming measures (like those curb bump-outs, whatever they're called), why couldn't they have just spent the money on a dedicated bike lane there instead? Aren't these bump outs actually more dangerous for cyclists, as they force you back into traffic.

+1 I used to do triathlons and cycled Old Banff Coach Rd quite a bit. It seemed so backwards that the older, unimproved sections of the road had shoulders for cyclists/broken down motorists/whatever and the improved stretches newly built by the City put in curbs and two narrower lanes, so as a cyclists you were forced to take up a lane and block traffic.

We're getting more traffic obstructions in Brentwood right now too, and I agree - want people to walk? Build wider sidewalks and don't leave dead walls where the developer/architect said f it such as London Drugs along Charleswood.
http://www.druhfarrell.ca/files/pdf/PedestrianCycleUpgrades.pdf

[DavidKuitunen]

Quick little video I made with my iPod.

• Video Link

[Aegis]

Originally Posted by Wentworth

While I am at it, what the hell is going on in Strathcona? The City is spending big coin on traffic calming measures (like those curb bump-outs, whatever they're called), why couldn't they have just spent the money on a dedicated bike lane there instead? Aren't these bump outs actually more dangerous for cyclists, as they force you back into traffic.

I agree. At least go half-way and make the bump-out slightly more narrow so that cyclists can pass by without having to merge into traffic. With the slowed traffic, the merging should be easier, but still.. I wish they would incorporate the view of the cyclist into road improvements, in a more comprehensive way.

While I'm at it.. can someone explain the logic of cycling against traffic on 11th ave SW? I keep seeing people (usually without helmets no less) doing it. It's actually unsafe for both motorists and cyclists.

[Aegis]

Originally Posted by DavidKuitunen

Quick little video I made with my iPod.

• Video Link

Nice video. Funny how you were traveling on a 3-lane expressway with a bike path visible in the same shot. lol

[DavidKuitunen]

Originally Posted by Aegis

Nice video. Funny how you were traveling on a 3-lane expressway with a bike path visible in the same shot. lol

That wasn't me, that was just some guy I saw. Kind of a weird thing to do. I ride the pathways when I'm in the city for the most part.

[mwalker_mw]

Originally Posted by Aegis

Nice video. Funny how you were traveling on a 3-lane expressway with a bike path visible in the same shot. lol

20km/h speed limit... 'nuff said...

I had a cyclist get pissed off at me yesterday as I was driving along riverfront ave. because I slowed down and let him take the lane in front of me as the street was narrowing. From his waving and gesturing apparently hew was offended I didn't buzz by him to try and make it to the red light 50 yards in front of us a few seconds quicker. He then promptly went through the red light we were approaching almost cutting off another cyclist coming from the opposite direction, who also went through the red light...

We really need the police to start enforcing the real problem cyclist traffic violations instead of just handing out speeding tickets on the pathways. That being said, I was happy to see a CPS bike patrol riding on 14th st. fully taking a lane and just generally showcasing the matter of appropriate interaction between on-street cyclists and vehicles.

[DavidKuitunen]

Originally Posted by mwalker_mw

20km/h speed limit... 'nuff said...

I had a cyclist get pissed off at me yesterday as I was driving along riverfront ave. because I slowed down and let him take the lane in front of me as the street was narrowing. From his waving and gesturing apparently hew was offended I didn't buzz by him to try and make it to the red light 50 yards in front of us a few seconds quicker. He then promptly went through the red light we were approaching almost cutting off another cyclist coming from the opposite direction, who also went through the red light...

We really need the police to start enforcing the real problem cyclist traffic violations instead of just handing out speeding tickets on the pathways. That being said, I was happy to see a CPS bike patrol riding on 14th st. fully taking a lane and just generally showcasing the matter of appropriate interaction between on-street cyclists and vehicles.

It's nice to see the Bike cop's riding on the street. Because I still get people giving me dirty looks and sometimes yelling at me for taking a lane. If Cop's do it daily people will eventually figure it out. I remember during stampede week I was riding on 17th Ave and I passed a huge truck full of guy's listening to Katy Perry and I was taking the lane in front of them. One guy hung his head out the window and yelled "—!" right in front of melrose. Got to love Calgary!

[DavidKuitunen]

I bought a new frame and took a trip up highway 8 and through Bragg Creek then back to Calgary by taking 22x. I must have seen easily over 100 cyclist.

The New Frame...

Fueling up in Bragg Creek


Happy New Frame


Cinelli Vigorelli