Calgary Cycling Paths & Infrastructure

[kw5150]

Done. I want cycling routes to be fair for all including cars. I think a huge help would be some over the top, large pedestrian and cylcist overpasses over the rail lines. That way, some of the less accesible routes in our city would be utilized by more of the population. There is such an opportunity to provide a link to the downtown, over the rail lines on 6th st SW (that links up with the pedestrian pathway through the loughheed house park). I have thought this since I moved to Calgary. There are a couple other good possible links as well using these dead-ended streets.

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by kw5150

Done. I want cycling routes to be fair for all including cars. I think a huge help would be some over the top, large pedestrian and cylcist overpasses over the rail lines. That way, some of the less accesible routes in our city would be utilized by more of the population. There is such an opportunity to provide a link to the downtown, over the rail lines on 6th st SW (that links up with the pedestrian pathway through the loughheed house park). I have thought this since I moved to Calgary. There are a couple other good possible links as well using these dead-ended streets.

Too bad the Husky tower +15 only goes to the parking lot directly offseting.

If the $25 million Calatrava bridge addressed a gap of 1200m, I'm sure that they could find a much more cost-effective solution to address the 500 m gap at 6 ST SW.

IMO, City of Calgary needs to find new ways to quantify and prioritize the value of pedestrian infrastructure projects.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by Radley77

Too bad the Husky tower +15 only goes to the parking lot directly offseting.

If the $25 million Calatrava bridge addressed a gap of 1200m, I'm sure that they could find a much more cost-effective solution to address the 500 m gap at 6 ST SW.

IMO, City of Calgary needs to find new ways to quantify and prioritize the value of pedestrian infrastructure projects.

Yes, and these projects are pennies compared to some of the roadworks happening in the city.

[kw5150]

It is great to see the new bike lanes along 10th street. They are being used more and more and now cars dont try to kill you when you go down the hill! The city actually did a good job of keeping the car lanes efficient via turning lanes etc...it seems like a good balance. This hill was one of the main obstacles standing between people wanting to commute from the top of the hill into the city and back.

I dont live up there anymore, but i remember how freakin scary it was to go down that hill on a bike, especially with all of the kids fresh out of high school that go to SAIT and use that street.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by kw5150

It is great to see the new bike lanes along 10th street. They are being used more and more and now cars dont try to kill you when you go down the hill! The city actually did a good job of keeping the car lanes efficient via turning lanes etc...it seems like a good balance. This hill was one of the main obstacles standing between people wanting to commute from the top of the hill into the city and back.

I dont live up there anymore, but i remember how freakin scary it was to go down that hill on a bike, especially with all of the kids fresh out of high school that go to SAIT and use that street.

Now we just need to combine some bike lanes with on street parking to make things really interesting

[DavidKuitunen]

• Video Link

[5seconds]

New proposal for creating cycle lanes leading to North Glenmore Park along Crowchild Trail (South of 66th ave SW). Crowchild is 4 lanes at that point, but is just a local feeder into Lakeview Village and the Park, so they are looking to take 2 of the lanes and re-purpose them.

Real document available here:
http://www.box.net/shared/qsqidq00jdg2i9sosm3g

Simplified drawing here:

[DavidKuitunen]

Google Street View of North Glenmore Park along Crowchild Trail.

I used to ride along here everyday when I would ride around Glenmore park. I remember almost running into a flock of teenagers when I was using the sidewalk. The bike path connects directly with the narrow sidewalk, otherwise I would never bike on a sidewalk.

[Radley77]

I know our dragonboat team has used the paths around here for warmups and every once in awhile someone would jump in front of a cyclist.

Also found this graphic the other day regarding biking and found it interesting... how some areas are more suitable for calming (say inner residential streets in Lakeview) and other areas are more suitable for segregation (like Crowchild bike project).

[DavidKuitunen]

LINK

[Aegis]

^^ This design of this project is brilliant in so many ways. Very well executed!

[DavidKuitunen]

Originally Posted by Aegis

^^ This design of this project is brilliant in so many ways. Very well executed!

The underpass itself looks very well built. It's well lit, and overall turned out really nice. I think the bike lane really should've been designated on the street and not the sidewalk with pedestrians. I feel like most pedestrian won't even acknowledge the bike lane portion.

[MalcolmTucker]

I think it is on the pedestrian way due to the lower change in elevation. if there is a problem, can always set up a more permenant looking separation.

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by DavidKuitunen

The underpass itself looks very well built. It's well lit, and overall turned out really nice. I think the bike lane really should've been designated on the street and not the sidewalk with pedestrians. I feel like most pedestrian won't even acknowledge the bike lane portion.

At this time, I feel more comfortable driving on the street where I know I will get treated like a vehicle. Legally, one would be crossing at a cross-walk, so it is the cyclist's responsibility to stop to walk the bike across. The big risk here is of an accident when cars are turning right and cyclists continue straight from the sidewalk to the road and get side-swiped. This piece of infrastructure is more geared towards the interested, but concerned cyclist.

I think a better implementation IMO, would have been three transition zones, where one shifts from a semi-segregated (painted) pedestrian\cyclist realm to fully segregated (grade-separation or divider) separate pedestrian\cyclist\driver realm to semi-segregated (painted) motorist\cyclist realm.

[DavidKuitunen]

Originally Posted by Radley77

At this time, I feel more comfortable driving on the street where I know I will get treated like a vehicle. Legally, one would be crossing at a cross-walk, so it is the cyclist's responsibility to stop to walk the bike across. The big risk here is of an accident when cars are turning right and cyclists continue straight from the sidewalk to the road and get side-swiped. This piece of infrastructure is more geared towards the interested, but concerned cyclist.

I think a better implementation IMO, would have been three transition zones, where one shifts from a semi-segregated (painted) pedestrian\cyclist realm to fully segregated (grade-separation or divider) separate pedestrian\cyclist\driver realm to semi-segregated (painted) motorist\cyclist realm.

I feel more comfortable riding on the road, it's not about my own safety. It's about the safety of children and elderly walking on the sidewalk. Children are unpredictable and will dart out in front of you in a second. I feel very uncomfortable riding on the sidewalk because I could seriously hurt a small child or anyone not paying attention. I know not everyone feels so comfortable riding with traffic, but a bike lane can do wonders for making drivers more aware, and gives newer cyclists a boundary to help them feel more comfortable.

I don't think there is anything wrong with other people riding on the sidewalk, as long as they're going under 10km/h, but if you're a serious cyclist or a commuter that feels comfortable going faster you should stick to the road. I really think an on street bike lane is the most effective way to get more cyclist riding that route.

[MalcolmTucker]

When I lived in Toronto I started commuting mostly in designated bike lanes. After being frustrated with people going too slow, and delivery vehicles half parked in bike lanes I switched to the majority of my commute being on a bus/taxi/bike lane, or just on general roads. That being said, there should be options for everyone - it does take awhile to gain a bit of fitness and confidence to be in general traffic all the time.

Sidewalk bikers that aren't children annoy me however - leads to too many cars thinking: why are you on the road at all, when there is a perfectly good sidewalk?

[DavidKuitunen]

IMPROVE IT: City Biking - Good article from CBC

[DavidKuitunen]

A big day for Calgary cyclists, but much work remains - Calgary Herald

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by DavidKuitunen

A big day for Calgary cyclists, but much work remains - Calgary Herald

I had heard that the educational component saw reduced funding from the proposed amount. IMO, cyclists will have to be their own biggest advocates for awareness and rules and regulations. I put one of these stickers on my partner's SUV and have been handing them out to friends. Especially, a good thing for handing out to your spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend that is still commuting by auto. And only 10 bucks!

http://www.isharetheroad.com/

I have found Calgary driver's to be some of the most respectful driver's on the planet. For example, this morning a driver blinked his headlights at me this morning as I transferred from the pathway to the road system to indicate he was yielding right of way. Things like this show drivers are being proactive about safety and amaze me!

[Radley77]

Hi folks, there is an opportunity to be a ward representative for Bike Calgary. I've made a submission to be ward 9 rep.

If anyone else is interested in being a ward representative you can find out more information here:
http://bikecalgary.org/node/3086