Cyclists and businesses are struggling to find middle ground in the discussion of a bicycle-friendly route in Halifax.
The Halifax Cycling Coalition has proposed the Crosstown Connector, a continuous bicycle corridor that runs from the south end to the north end, eventually connecting to the Bedford Highway bike lane.
The second of two public consultations for the proposed cycling corridor was held Tuesday night, with open discussion among cyclists, business owners and the public before the proposed route heads to council this summer.
But business owners and cyclists don’t agree. Cyclists find a route running up Agricola Street most appealing, but business owners worry about how that route will impact their retail operations.
“We’re very supportive generally, except that we’d like everyone to come out in the best possible position and not just one group,” says Bernard Smith of the North End Business Association. The loss of parking is an obvious concern.
Smith’s group is advocating for a route that runs along the streets between Agricola Street and Gottingen Street—Maynard and Creighton Streets—instead.
But Rob Soward, co-chair of the HCC, says that in terms of providing a continuous, safe and comfortable route, Agricola Street would best meet those criteria. “Given the number of major destinations along there and places that people frequent on a daily basis that are within a five kilometer trip, that really is the sweet spot for cyclists.”
Soward says that in all routes proposed by the city, there was a loss of parking somewhere along the route but that some trade-offs have to be made.
“I think we need to focus on finding the best corridor that’s really going to be a success and then we need to start designing solutions to mitigate the losses for businesses,” he says.
This article appears in Apr 5-11, 2012.
the cycling trails are fragmented and non existant. some start and end with no rhyme or reason.
now I know why.
Just once, I would like to read a story about a plan to improve this city where everybody is on board and dissenting voices are cast aside as nothing but a mere nuisance. Why does the media give so much weight to naysayers, anyway?
I’ve been an urban cyclist for decades, but I’m new to Halifax. I have to say I’d much prefer the off-Agricola route for the connector – although I hate to ‘side’ with a business association as opposed to my fellow-cyclists.
The only really good reason to use Agricola is the traffic light at North Street, but we can find a solution to that on a side street.
The good reasons for using a side street; cyclist safety, revitalizing the neighborhoods between Agricola and Gottingen (where there is traffic, business will come!), lower expenses, more pleasant experience (sorry – I don’t relish exhaust fumes on my ride home after work), not to mention the minimal impact on traffic and parking.
Whatever happens, I think this is a great project for Halifax! Thanks!