This is a letter of concern regarding the announcement (received on June 27) that residents on 59th Avenue, from 67th Street to Grant Street will lose street parking privileges due to installation of bike lanes on both sides of 59th Avenue.
I am sure that our representatives put a lot of thought into this concept. However, it was done in an arbitrary manner. To my knowledge, there was no consultation with the residents who are about to lose street parking privileges.
The city can be proud of the bike trail network that is in existence, and expansion of such requires careful consideration of bikers as well as residents. Bike lanes should be placed in areas that offer an environment conducive to biking. 59th Avenue is a “connector road” for city commuting, and is one of three main arteries to downtown from the north. Our avenue is a bus route, a commuter route, used as a shortcut for the RCMP, and is used by numerous trucks despite the fact that it is not a truck route.
59th Avenue is fast moving (even though speed limit is 50 km/h) and noisy. Removing parking from the avenue will turn it into a speedway.
Removal of parking privileges will reduce our property values. Parking availability is an important consideration whether an individual is purchasing or renting. In short, street parking is absolutely essential for many residents on 59th Avenue. Parking two blocks away is simply not acceptable.
I do hope that some reconsideration of this proposal will be given.
Jim Dawson
Red Deer