Other cities are searching for ways to improve bicycle safety. I would suggest that Red Deer city council and assistants provide some free advice to their counterparts elsewhere, since we know how to do it in Red Deer.
The alternatives are “simple” and easy to impose on the public.
Alternative 1: Pick a street; do not consult with the resident taxpayers on the street; ‘simply’ paint lines and put up signs on both sides of the street; then inform the residents that there is no longer parking in front of their property and that the city would like their feedback on the project.
Results: Ten to 20 bikes per day, half of which still ride on the sidewalk, where it is safe. Residents parking on their front lawns or considering the approximate $3,000 cost to put in a driveway, if the city will change the curbs. The street is now a freeway with no respect shown for residents whose taxes go up every year.
Alternative 2: If there is not room for two bike lanes on a street, then you ‘simply’ paint a lane down the middle of the street with traffic moving by on each side. This approach may require removal of parking privileges, or it may require removal of a traffic lane such as a specific lane for left turns.
Results: More traffic congestion and particularly more confusion with bicycles in the middle of the street. An accident waiting to happen. Sadly, just like in motorcycle vs. car incidents, the cyclist always loses.
So we have the expertise here in Red Deer and the solution is ‘simple.’ Just go straight ahead and do it. No need to consider the implications to the taxpayers, whether they be businesses or household residents.
And to our representatives in City Hall: If you happen to have some paint left after the bike lane project is complete, it would be great if you could spare some for the crosswalks and lines in our school zones. You know, for the safety of our children. Priorities, priorities — it must be terrible, figuring how distribute our tax dollars in a sensible rather than ‘simple’ fashion.
Jim Dawson
Red Deer