Pages tagged "winter city"
Caroline’s position on Bike Lanes and that it is important for council to take petitions and community concerns seriously. The current councillor’s top down approach, “we know what is better for your neighbourhood” is not working.
Let’s Talk Bike Lanes and Community Voice in Ward Métis
Edmonton is a growing city, and investing in safe, active transportation matters — but so does meaningful engagement with the people directly impacted by those changes.
I’ve heard from many residents of Ward Métis who feel blindsided by elements of the City’s bike lane expansion — including the proposed lanes on 79 Street, the plans in Delton, and more routes being rolled out across our city. While cycling infrastructure is important, we need smart, targeted solutions that balance safety, accessibility, parking, and local context — especially in a winter city like ours.
Residents are asking fair questions:
- Was there proper engagement with those living on impacted streets?
- Has real seasonal data been gathered to justify these specific routes?
- What happens to parking on streets already congested with multi-unit housing like 8-plexes and limited off-street options?
- How will accessible/handicap parking be preserved for those who need it most?
- Why not pilot temporary, painted bike lanes during the summer to test actual usage, traffic flow, and parking impacts — before committing to costly, permanent changes? Cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary have used this approach to gather real-world data, make adjustments, and build public trust.
What We Can Learn from Calgary
Calgary has been both praised and criticized for how it rolled out its bike lane network. There are lessons here for Edmonton:
What Worked:
- A pilot approach in downtown Calgary allowed for data collection before permanent infrastructure was installed.
- Public use increased once routes were connected and safe, showing that demand can grow when bike lanes are done well.
- The City adapted parts of the network based on feedback, demonstrating flexibility.
What Didn't Work:
- Some community pilots, like the one in Victoria Promenade In Edmonton received negative feedback from residents, didn’t meet usage expectations and was removed.
- Residents were frustrated by increased traffic congestion and reduced parking — especially in residential areas.
- Winter usability was limited in some areas due to inconsistent snow clearing and maintenance.
- Communication gaps led to confusion and pushback.
What About the Province?
There are signs the Province of Alberta is considering removing some bike lanes in Calgary — particularly on major roads where they've replaced vehicle lanes and raised concerns about congestion and parking. While no official orders have been made yet, it's clear that bike lane planning is becoming a province-wide conversation.
This is exactly why Edmonton must get it right from the start.
We should be proactive, not reactive: if we engage communities early, test ideas through pilot projects, and make evidence-based decisions that reflect our climate and our city, we can avoid costly mistakes, public frustration, and the risk of having to undo projects later.
This isn't about being “for” or “against” bike lanes. It's about planning smarter and listening better.
Let’s not forget — this is a significant investment of taxpayer dollars.
The City of Edmonton has committed $100 million to rapidly expand the bike lane network. We need to be absolutely sure we’re getting it right. Smart planning means listening to residents, adapting to our climate, and making decisions that reflect the real needs of Edmontonians.
- This doesn’t need to be an “either-or” issue. I believe we can support cyclists AND respect communities — but only if the City slows down and truly listens.
- Top-down planning erodes trust. As your voice on City Council, I’ll fight for more transparent processes, better local engagement, and common-sense infrastructure investments that reflect the reality of our neighbourhoods.
Let’s build a city that works for everyone — not just for plans drawn at City Hall.
July 2025 Post
I want to be clear: I support active transportation.
A bike plan is not just a nice-to-have—it's an important part of the transportation system of a modern, connected city. It helps people move around safely, support healthier lifestyles, and give Edmontonians more choice in how they get from place to place. The current city’s plans for the Delton community do not accomplish any of this and at great expense to taxpayers.
But like any part of our transportation system, bike lanes need to be integrated thoughtfully. That means understanding how a new route affects the surrounding road network, impacts local businesses and residents, and contributes to—not competes with—safe and efficient vehicle movement, especially on key corridors.
I’ve heard from many residents who are worried that removing vehicle lanes to add bike infrastructure may create unintended consequences: more congestion, reduced access, and challenges for families, seniors, or workers who rely on their vehicles every day. Those concerns are valid - we've seen this happen, and we need to take them seriously.
This isn’t about being for or against bikes. It’s about making sure we get it right. That we plan based on evidence, not ideology. That we properly engage with the residents in affected neighbourhoods, and actually listen to their feedback. That we recognize the role of cars and trucks and buses in a winter city and ensure that all modes of transportation work together—not against each other. That we can build it better. We can do better.
I’ll continue to advocate for a balanced approach.