Latest news with #bikeLanes
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Halifax Cycling Coalition to hold rally against motion to stop bike lane construction
The Halifax Cycling Coalition is holding a rally to voice its opposition to Mayor Andy Fillmore's motion that, if passed, would immediately halt the construction of new bike lanes in the municipality. The rally will be held at City Hall at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The motion calls for a pause on awarding any contracts for new bike lane designs or construction capital projects. The pause would continue until a staff report assessing the 'feasibility of alternative network solutions' that could reach active transportation goals while maintaining or improving the flow of traffic is complete. 'This motion is not about stopping progress,' said Fillmore in an open letter. 'It's about sequencing progress properly. Right now, we're seeing road space reduced before alternatives like reliable transit or safe, connected bike routes are in place.' The Halifax Cycling Coalition called Fillmore's motion 'politically motivated, not good transportation policy' in its post about the upcoming rally. 'Halifax enjoys the second highest rate of people cycling and walking of all Canadian cities,' the post reads. 'Do we want to jeopardize that? 'Cycling and walking make for a healthier population, reducing pressure on the healthcare system. At the same time we reduce greenhouse gases, particulate emissions, noise, and road violence.' Council will vote on the motion at their meeting on Tuesday. More to come… Halifax Bike Lane A green bike lane marker is pictured in Halifax, N.S. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
'I don't hate bike lanes': Ford clarifies stance on cycling infrastructure in Toronto
Video Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he hopes alternatives can be found regarding three major bike lanes in the city of Toronto.
CBC
29-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Bikeway construction on The Esplanade draws community controversy
Social Sharing Some downtown residents say they are opposed to a bikeway on The Esplanade but the city of Toronto says more than half of respondents it consulted four years ago said they supported the project. At a news conference Wednesday, resident Sharon Danley said the city must keep the needs of all residents in mind when it comes to its bike lane plans. The news conference was organized by the Downtown Concerned Citizens Organization, which says it represents 58,000 residents in three wards. "Bike lanes restrict road space," Danley said. "Bike lanes have turned streets into parking lots, with residents unable to shop, get their kids to events, and seriously impact emergency services and Wheel-Trans." Danley said the bike lanes are also having an impact on seniors and people with disabilities, forcing those who take the bus to walk further than before and making Wheels-Trans pickup "unduly risky." Vehicles cannot park close enough to the curb to extend their ramps over the sidewalk due to the bikeway and people in wheelchairs are affected, she said. "Bike lanes prioritize able-bodied young male cyclists while ignoring seniors and the disabled who can't cycle. Yet we are supposed to be an accessible city," Danley said. Bikeway being constructed as part of road work, city says In a news release on Wednesday, the city said it awarded a contract in March 2024 to build a bikeway on The Esplanade between east of Yonge Street and Market Street as part of water main, sewer and road work. Public consultation on the project took place from October 2019 to March 2021, the city said. The consultation introduced the project to the community and helped the city to identify needs and priorities, it added. A total of 74 per cent of respondents said they agree or strongly agree that the bikeway would meet the goals of the project, which were to improve safety for everyone, make walking, cycling and taking transit more attractive and maintain access to local and citywide destinations, according to the city. The city said crews are continuing to work on The Esplanade and Mill Street Connection Project. Once completed, a two-way cycle track on The Esplanade will run from Bayview to Lower Sherbourne Street, from Lower Sherbourne Street to Lower Jarvis, and west of George Street to west of Scott Street. The city says it will then upgrade the bikeways on The Esplanade, from west of George Street to Berkeley Street, to ensure they "more seamlessly integrate with the streetscape." In a March 10 construction notice, the city said there will be road and sidewalk restrictions within the work zone but: "Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times." The city said the contractor will notify residents of any temporary restrictions to their driveway access, and if a property has two entrances, one will be kept open at all times. Margaret Samuel, a resident of the ward and a lawyer, said The Esplanade between Yonge and Jarvis streets is a "vital" secondary artery in the city, but the "economic viability" of many nearby businesses, including St. Lawrence Market, is being affected by the bikeway construction. Samuel questioned whether the city can proceed with the bikeway given Ontario's Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, which came into effect in 2024, says cities need provincial government approval for new bike lanes that remove a lane of traffic. According to the city, projects with contracts awarded before the new rules kicked in can continue without restrictions. "Because this contract was awarded before the rules took effect, the City can move forward with the Esplanade-Mill Street Connection project as approved by Toronto City Council," the city said. The Esplanade connects with existing network: advocate Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, a charity that says it works to make Toronto a healthier cycling city, said he does not agree with the residents' assessment of the bikeway. "This is the kind of secondary road that in theory Bill 212 would be supporting," he said. "The Esplanade is technically classified as a collector. So again, if we can't put a bikeway on the collector, or on the Esplanade, which is beside a park that has lots of destinations, lots of apartments, lots of people who live there, I kind of question where can the city put bikeways?" he said. "When we're looking at bikes as part of a city's transportation network, you want to make sure that bike lanes are connecting to destinations," Longfield said, adding The Esplanade is an example of just that.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Councillor's refusal to apologize renews concern about deteriorating civility in council chambers
Debates are expected and arguments are not uncommon, but a tense standoff between a pair of city councillors on Thursday was the latest example of the deteriorating decorum during committee meetings. The Budget Committee was debating a motion by Coun. Susan Stevenson and Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen seeking more information about the costs to install and maintain future bike lanes. Coun. Skylar Franke explained that the information is readily available to councillors without requiring a formal motion and was recently considered when Council approved the Mobility Master Plan (MMP). 'If we are looking for savings, we do see that there is a much more heavy burden (on taxpayers) from car infrastructure,' Franke argued. Van Meerbergen pushed back against Franke's suggestion. 'When you listen to some of the previous rhetoric trying to make the point that roads and cars cost more than bikes, you've really got to give your head a shake,' he said. 'It borders on the nonsensical when you hear some of these arguments. We need a better road system.' 052325_Van Meerbergen councillor city of London File - Councillor Paul Van Meerbergen in council chambers (CTV News London) Budget Chair Elizabeth Peloza halted Van Meerbergen after Franke objected. 'Calling my comments nonsensical is offensive, and I would appreciate an apology,' asserted Franke. But Van Meerbergen would not apologize. 'If you check the record, you'll see that I stated 'borders on the nonsensical'. I did not state the name of anybody, and I'll leave it at that,' he countered. Franke again demanded an apology, 'I do not engage in rhetoric. I share my feelings and opinions, and I do it without trying to offend anyone.' Van Meerbergen replied, 'Like the other councilor, I too engage in rhetoric. She engages in rhetoric all the time, to make these equivalencies between the cycling system and the road system.' After several tense minutes, Franke decided the budget meeting was more important than pressing the issue with Van Meerbergen. 052325_budget meeting London city councillor skylar franke Counciller Skylar Franke during the Budget Committee meeting on May 23 (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London) 'In the interest of saving time for this committee. I will retract my request for an apology,' she stated. 'But I would hope that other members of council would see fit to choose their words wisely.' Shortly after the tense exchange, Stevenson lamented the deteriorating level of respect during debates. 'The diversity of opinion and thought is not something that I'm finding is here enough, as much as I would like to see it' she told colleagues. Stevenson and Van Meerbergen's motion was defeated (4-10). After the meeting, Peloza acknowledged the deteriorating decorum in council chambers and its impact on decision-making. 'If you really want an efficient meeting, choose your words wisely,' she advised. 'Some people perhaps prefer controversy, which might result in media coverage by several (news) outlets, which just leads to things being less efficient.' A year-and-a-half still remains in this council's term. 'When we share this space, the public is watching,' Peloza added. 'It's really important to hold ourselves to a (level) of decorum and professionalism that Londoners require of us.' The next meeting of the budget committee is June 11.
CBC
14-05-2025
- General
- CBC
The great bike lane debate in northeast Edmonton
Social Sharing Construction season is in full swing, especially in Edmonton's northeast. But the 132nd Avenue collector renewal project has a stick in the spokes — some residents are speaking out against construction. On top of the regular headaches from dust and noise, some residents and business owners say they aren't happy with the city's bike lane plans for the area and communication. On this week's episode of This is Edmonton, host Clare Bonnyman sits down with CBC Edmonton producer Pippa Reed, who spent some time in the area to hear what residents are saying.
