Bell: Danielle Smith government 'very serious' about a bike lane crackdown
The debate over bike lanes in Calgary has been ongoing for years, with many feeling that they have not lived up to the promises made by city council. While some believe that bike lanes are essential for creating a more sustainable and cyclist-friendly city, others argue that they have had a negative impact on businesses and traffic flow.
Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen, is one of the voices calling for a more thorough evaluation of bike lane projects. He is pushing for new legislation that would require a detailed study of the potential negative effects of new bike lanes before they are implemented. This would give the province the power to remove existing bike lanes that are not working out or causing problems for the community.
With the upcoming city election, the issue of bike lanes has become a central focus for many candidates. Jeff Davison, who is running for mayor of Calgary, has taken a strong stance against new bike lanes, proposing a four-year freeze on any new projects. He believes that the current bike lanes are not being used as much as city hall had predicted and that they are hurting local businesses.
Davison’s plan to evaluate existing bike lanes and remove those that are not effective has sparked controversy among cycling activists. However, he remains firm in his belief that decisions about bike lanes should be based on facts rather than storytelling.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the future of bike lanes in Calgary is uncertain. Whether the province will step in to regulate new projects or if city council will take a more cautious approach remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the issue of bike lanes is far from being resolved.
