'Great potential' to modernize: St. John's bike lane plan pedals forward

After eight years of spinning its wheels on the bike lane project, and with $2.7-million already spent, city council has agreed to recommendations from the Bike St. John's Task Force.

With Coun. Dave Lane steering the bike lane project, the city has agreed to spend another $125,000 to prepare a comprehensive bicycle strategy and master plan.

"This is a really great report," Lane told council at council's weekly meeting in St. John's Monday evening.

"With great potential to propel our city forward as it becomes a modern place to live."

Lane said there were four "quick-win projects" highlighted in the report:

- Upgrade the T'Railway with signage, repairs, and automated usage monitoring equipment.

- Create a Car Free Sunday Event in partnership with community groups.

- Create a cycling education event.

- Develop a bike rack design competition in support of the local arts community.

While the report had been accepted by council, an amendment caused a long debate.

Lane asked to have "status quo" on current bike lanes — lanes which would have been given back to drivers by allowing parking. A move that didn't sit well with Coun. Art Puddister.

"In Ward 3 and Ward 4, in Airport Heights and Cowan Heights, [bike lanes] have been a bone of contention for quite some time, " he said.

"I'd like to move forward as a council together and by removing these lanes. It's a good step forward."

After nearly 30 minutes of debate council voted to accept the amendment and keep all the bike lanes where they are, for now.

Coun. Bruce Tilley said most of the city's bike lanes are in his ward, and he hears complaints from residents all the time about them.

While he voted in favour of hiring the consultant to come up with a plan for the city's bike lanes, he doubts there will be a quick resolution.

"I don't know where this is going to end," he said.

"I know one thing … that I will never live long enough to see this come to a fruitful conclusion."

The city will now start the process of finding a consultant to oversee the project and establish a bicycle advisory committee.

Get work started for spring thaw

Meanwhile, Lane said he's happy the report results took place during the winter months so a plan will be in place and work can move forward when the snow melts.

"We will now work with an expert to take a lot of the information and work that has already been done and say, how can we formalize this and make sure it is safe," said Lane.

"Make sure that it's engineered properly so that we have safe, advanced bike lanes for all types of cycling throughout the city."