Halifax mayor’s move to pause bike lane construction defeated

Halifax Pushes Forward with Bike Network Expansion Despite Opposition

Halifax will continue to move ahead with its bike network after councillors voted 12-5 to defeat a motion by the mayor asking to temporarily pause awarding new design and construction contracts for bike lanes.

Mayor Andy Fillmore made the motion at regional council on Tuesday afternoon. During the meeting, Fillmore expressed concerns about the escalating costs of the AAA (all ages and abilities) bicycle network and its potential contribution to Halifax’s increased traffic congestion.

“Halifax now has the third-worst congestion in Canada and the fifth-worst congestion in North America,” Fillmore stated. “People here are spending 83 hours a year stuck in traffic. That’s the equivalent of 12 working days behind the wheel in gridlock.”

The proposed pause would have lasted until staff provided a report listing bike lane projects over the next four years that could impact vehicle traffic capacity and congestion levels. The mayor also requested an assessment of alternative network options that could achieve active transportation goals while sustaining or improving current traffic flow.

However, Fillmore’s motion faced opposition from several councillors who argued that bike lanes do not cause traffic congestion. Coun. Sam Austin criticized the motion, stating that delaying work on bike lanes would only worsen traffic conditions.

“It’s the people of this city who want to move around sustainably, who we’ve been left hanging by having this project run years behind schedule, and now we’re proposing to add yet more time to that,” Austin said. “This isn’t good governing, this is foolish.”

Coun. Becky Kent echoed Austin’s sentiments, suggesting that discussions about pausing bike lanes should have occurred during budget deliberations.

Coun. Laura White highlighted that the motion was not aligned with the municipality’s strategic plans, emphasizing the importance of stability for businesses bidding on contracts.

Coun. Trish Purdy clarified that Fillmore’s motion aimed to evaluate specific bike lane projects that could potentially impact traffic congestion, rather than halting the entire network expansion.

On the other hand, Coun. Billy Gillis supported Fillmore’s motion, emphasizing the need to address current congestion issues promptly.

Hundreds of residents, including cyclists, gathered at Grand Parade to protest Fillmore’s motion, emphasizing the importance of sustainable transportation options.

Despite rising costs and inflation affecting the project timeline, Halifax remains committed to completing the bike network by 2028. The network’s complexity and the inclusion of street improvements have contributed to cost escalations.

Construction began in 2017 as part of Halifax’s integrated mobility plan, with the aim of achieving at least 30% of trips made by walking, biking, or taking transit by 2031.

The decision to move forward with the bike network expansion reflects Halifax’s dedication to promoting active transportation and addressing traffic congestion issues in the region.