Halifax Active Transportation

[pblaauw]

The Halifax Infirmary, Dartmouth General and Cobequid Medical Centre collectively serve far more than the average 22,906 person average. HI alone serves more than average.

Too much!

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Summerville

I understand your concern regarding the country's fiscal situation, but in terms of the subject of this string, would suggest that Halifax should be a fiscal martyr and give the money back?

"Sorry Justin,...thanks for offering to invest in new infrastructure, but we can't in good conscience, and for the greater good of our country, accept your offer to coast share...we have to refuse to accept this cash. Please give it to London, Ontario."

No, it's more like: "Justin, this bicycle infrastructure did not pass the Keith approval test. Please check KP's list of acceptable use of tax money and invest thusly."

This thread has devolved into a state of ridiculousness. Many posters attempt at having reasonable, intelligent discussion about the topic, and one member continues to attempt to force his personal views on everybody, because he doesn't like/agree with anything related to the promotion of cycling, and then almost always following it up with negative comments about certain councillors whose views don't align with his.

Now we're at the point where we shouldn't accept federal funding for infrastructure that has obvious benefits to many, with little repercussions on most everybody else, just because one poster obviously has a vendetta against cyclists. Really, it feels like a waste of time to even post here at times - there's too much useless tripe that interferes with the discussion.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by pblaauw

The Halifax Infirmary, Dartmouth General and Cobequid Medical Centre collectively serve far more than the average 22,906 person average. HI alone serves more than average.

Too much!

Your observation illustrates the three different Nova Scotia's. The Halifax area has three hospitals for the half of the Provinces population that uses them. The other 40 yes 40 serve every tiny community that has had the political pull to build one. COVID fallout will lead to some difficult Adult discussions about future fiscal capacity and priorities. Bike infrastructure funding is going to be available for about 18 more months then the hammer comes down on nice to haves.

Will our society, as an example ,decide to spend 7 Million on a bridge from the Bridge for cyclists or spend the same amount in the building at Northwood that needs separation of rooms. The separation of rooms has been bought and paid for by the folks that will use them . The bridge from the bridge....

[Good Baklava]

Listen to Mark folks, this thread has become an orchard for picking fruits of unripe wisdom.

The discussion no longer revolves around what does or doesn't work about AT infrastructure in HFX. Instead the dialogue has morphed from reasoning to disputing. The opponents of AT should be suggesting their alternative ideas for improving transportation infrastructure, not veering off into rants about the national budget or the number of hospitals.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by Good Baklava

Listen to Mark folks, this thread has become an orchard for picking fruits of unripe wisdom.

The discussion no longer revolves around what does or doesn't work about AT infrastructure in HFX. Instead the dialogue has morphed from reasoning to disputing. The opponents of AT should be suggesting their alternative ideas for improving transportation infrastructure, not veering off into rants about the national budget or the number of hospitals.

Well GB you assume everyone agrees that AT infrastructure is a good investment. It certainly is for the VERY small percentage that intend to use it.Good for those folks that have the ear of our politicians and their hands close to the public purse. I have been around however long enough to know that pendulums swing back and forth and COVID realities are about to end the AT party.

[Good Baklava]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

Well GB you assume everyone agrees that AT infrastructure is a good investment. It certainly is for the VERY small percentage that intend to use it.Good for those folks that have the ear of our politicians and their hands close to the public purse. I have been around however long enough to know that pendulums swing back and forth and COVID realities are about to end the AT party.

As a common courtesy it is encouraged to read a post in its entirety, and re-read it, before inferring what the other person is trying to say. I did not once assume everyone favours AT, since "alternative ideas for improving transportation infrastructure" could include car lanes, buses, trains or even hot air balloons if you want to add some humor to the thread.

Your note about Covid-19 is actually relevant since bike sales have spiked during the outbreak, which would justify more AT investment.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Good Baklava

Your note about Covid-19 is actually relevant since bike sales have spiked during the outbreak, which would justify more AT investment.

Since the major change during this time has been the end of commuting to offices in favor of working from home, the inescapable conclusion is that these purchases were for strictly recreational use. Therefore it makes little sense to continue to build bike lanes to/from the DT core but rather to create infrastructure in parks for such use.

[Summerville]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Since the major change during this time has been the end of commuting to offices in favor of working from home, the inescapable conclusion is that these purchases were for strictly recreational use. Therefore it makes little sense to continue to build bike lanes to/from the DT core but rather to create infrastructure in parks for such use.

The new bike lanes that go through downtown also assist those that want to access downtown in general. I used them today to get to the various markets downtown.

But yes, many people are using their new bikes on the rails to trails or through parks that allow bikes. Keep in mind that you have to get these locations, and not everyone is using a bike rack on their car.

Bike lanes are not purely used for commuting to work. As I mentioned in a previous post, the proposed route from isleville, through northwood, maynard, etc will be a great route to cross the peninsula. No hills, it’s located away from main thoroughfares. Once it is in, it should provide a route that marries up with Trollope street, the universities and south park.

With a continuous route, you will probably see more people using their new bikes, especially as offices downtown begin to open up.

[Keith P.]

Until the weather changes.

[Summerville]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Since the major change during this time has been the end of commuting to offices in favor of working from home, the inescapable conclusion is that these purchases were for strictly recreational use. Therefore it makes little sense to continue to build bike lanes to/from the DT core but rather to create infrastructure in parks for such use.

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Until the weather changes.

It’s been a pretty good summer hasn’t it. I do bike year round but I understand why many won’t.

But you can bike in this city from March until December.

We spend a lot of money on sidewalks. Considering that every street has two, there is probably less use.

Going back to that new proposed route,...it will be one lane on each one-way street, and it will be there to draw cyclists off the main roads.

[atbw]

Originally Posted by Summerville

It’s been a pretty good summer hasn’t it. I do bike year round but I understand why many won’t.

But you can bike in this city from March until December.

We spend a lot of money on sidewalks. Considering that every street has two, there is probably less use.

Going back to that new proposed route,...it will be one lane on each one-way street, and it will be there to draw cyclists off the main roads.

It's quite a decent route already. I really have no reason to fight with traffic on Agricola or Gottingen. It really just needs some neighbourhood traffic circles at the quiet intersections and some better crossing infrastucture at North, Almon & Young.

The West End bikeway from Windsor to Bayers/Mumford will be a solid corridor too. With a proper tie-in to the COLT via Bayers, it's going to be a really popular route.

[Dmajackson]

A few updates;

- The 'Slow Streets' program has ended. It was scheduled to run until September 30th but Hurricane Teddy has prompted an early removal of the barrels and temporary signage.

- Construction has started on South Park Street protected bike lanes from Sackville Street to Spring Garden Road.

[j.graham]

There's construction at Vernon/Coburg. I believe they're installing the bike-activated lights there and adding painted bike lanes to go between Vernon and Seymour. Also left turns only for cars coming from Vernon or Seymour, forcing vehicular traffic onto Coburg.

[Nouvellecosse]

I suppose it's a good opportunity for construction since traffic is way down.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by j.graham

There's construction at Vernon/Coburg. I believe they're installing the bike-activated lights there and adding painted bike lanes to go between Vernon and Seymour. Also left turns only for cars coming from Vernon or Seymour, forcing vehicular traffic onto Coburg.

This is correct except due to the offset intersection the bike lane will be in the centre on the side street approaches. Traffic will be forced to turn RIGHT off of the side streets (Seymore towards Robie and Vernon towards Oxford).

I've been getting a kick out of the South Park closure for its new bike lanes. There are numerous turn restriction signs, lane closures and a 'Street Closed. Local Traffic Only' and 'Detour' sign yet almost everybody still drives northbound right through the closure. Traffic regulations really are just suggestions to Halifax drivers.

[j.graham]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

This is correct except due to the offset intersection the bike lane will be in the centre on the side street approaches. Traffic will be forced to turn RIGHT off of the side streets (Seymore towards Robie and Vernon towards Oxford).

I've been getting a kick out of the South Park closure for its new bike lanes. There are numerous turn restriction signs, lane closures and a 'Street Closed. Local Traffic Only' and 'Detour' sign yet almost everybody still drives northbound right through the closure. Traffic regulations really are just suggestions to Halifax drivers.

Whoops, yes. Definitely meant right turns only. And today biking past South Park on Spring Garden there were two construction workers ensuring people didn't enter South Park at least.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I've been getting a kick out of the South Park closure for its new bike lanes. There are numerous turn restriction signs, lane closures and a 'Street Closed. Local Traffic Only' and 'Detour' sign yet almost everybody still drives northbound right through the closure. Traffic regulations really are just suggestions to Halifax drivers.

Maybe these are acts of righteous civil disobedience on the part of the car driving public in Halifax over the affrontery of yet another incursion on their ability to navigate the downtown core without having to defer to the cycling lobby all the time............

[OliverD]

Yes, the car driving public has it so very rough...

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Yes, the car driving public has it so very rough...

Truth. And it keeps getting worse. Time to vote the captive Council members whose strings get pulled by the HCC out.

[Dmajackson]

I don't have a photo unfortunately but I was pleased to drive the new section of Herring Cove Road this afternoon. The 600-block (south of Greystone) is now home to a sidewalk and a buffered bike lane.