North-end Halifax bike parking dispute resolved

The Halifax Cycling Coalition says a dispute over bicycle parking in the city's north end has been resolved with a new corral that was installed on Bauer Street by Dee Dee's Ice Cream Friday.

"Our ideal location was actually in what we call the clear zone, so it's the space between the stop sign and where parking is. It's a no parking zone but it's not used for anything else," said Eliza Jackson, chair of the coalition.

The municipality issued a permit for the clear zone to the coalition Friday and the bike corral was installed shortly thereafter.

Traffic calming measure

The previous bike corral had been around the corner on Cornwallis Street in a spot where cars usually parked. It caused tension with some residents and someone would end up moving the bike corral on to the sidewalk in protest.

Jackson said she has not heard any complaints from residents since the new corral was installed. When she checked on it Sunday, she said it was still in its place.

"It's not taking up any parking space which hopefully will make the residents more content with the location and having it in that location in the clear zone acts as a traffic calming measure," said Jackson.

"It warns people who are driving to slow down when they're approaching a stop sign and that's the original intention behind the project."

'It's a win-win'

Tyler Eddy, a Cornwallis Street resident who originally spoke out against the bicycle parking when it was on his street, said he and his neighbours are much happier with its new location.

"The spot where it is now is a no parking zone so it hasn't displaced any of the limited parking the neighbourhood and it has provided additional bike parking for people who go to Dee Dee's. It's a win-win," said Eddy.

"I am an avid cyclist and I wasn't trying to wage a war against the Halifax Cycling Coalition, I was just expressing concerns of fellow neighbours about the consultation process ... I'm happy that everyone is happy in the end," he said.

More bicycle parking coming

Jackson said this latest bicycle parking area is the second of three that are part of a pilot project. The first was installed on Agricola Street and year ago. A third corral will be installed in the coming weeks in south-end Halifax.

"It's really important to have good bicycle parking at major destinations because if people know or anticipate they won't be able to park their bike when cycling to say to the cafe or bar or to go shopping, then they'll be less likely to take their bike," she said.

"We really just want to see people encouraged to ride their bike rather than deterred. We're hoping that providing more parking in popular spots will encourage people to ride their bikes more often."