Recently, city council voted 5-4 to regress the lane lines on 40th Avenue from 52nd Street (down Michener Hill) and west on 55th Street to 48th Avenue.
As a professional driver, I have used that route, particularly at peak times, for 10 years. The week before last, on several occasions I drove the route and parked to observe traffic at specific times: 8:15 to 8:45 a.m., noon hour and 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.
I was pleased to see that traffic (vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, skateboarders, roller bladers, scooters, etc.) was flowing better than ever. The main reasons? Single file vehicle traffic kept everyone “in line” and at proper speed (within the limits and appropriate for conditions). There were no speeders as in previous years and there was no unnecessary lane changing or cutting others off. In fact, most vehicles were maintaining a proper two-to-three-second following time/space.
In the after-school rush, it was all over in 20 minutes. The morning rush was the same. The only difference is positive: safer roads.
By the way, I have noticed a significant increase in the number of bicyclists on the roads. Progress!
Council, I think you got it wrong. Did any of the naysayers and petitioners gather evidence before taking a position?
Kieran Lang
Red Deer