By Jeff Labine

Bike lanes possible with public support

Feb 23, 2017 | 10:58 AM

Prince Albert could see bike lanes installed on roads but only if there’s enough support from the public.

The city is currently gathering input for its community services master plan, which is a multi-year guide for programming and infrastructure development in recreation, arts and culture. The city has held several ward meetings to gather as much input as possible before making a first draft of the plan.

Bob Gill, the city’s parks and open spaces manager, said ideas like installing bike lanes are being considered but only if they receive support from the community.

“It’s just early stages right now,” he said. “We’re just getting the public input through our neighbourhood meetings and the surveys we have out. It’s all about the public and the issues they want.”

He explained if the city did go ahead with bike lanes, they would be installed on roads to help increase connectivity between the residential and business districts.

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Gill mentioned Prince Albert might not have a big cycling community at the moment but that could change if more opportunities were developed.

“It’s something we have never had in the past so we don’t know how successful it can be until we try and implement it in an area and see how successful it is,” he said. “Some things that occur change have some controversy around them but that’s the whole idea about getting this input.”

Ron Horn, the owner and manager of Fresh Air Experience, wasn’t supportive of bringing in bike lanes. He said both drivers and bicyclists have to remember they are sharing the road.

He argued the rules of the road are in place to ensure people aren’t putting themselves at risk.

“I would like to see more people using their bicycles more responsibly,” he said. “It is a great way to kill two birds with one stone – a little exercise and a little transportation and saving a little money in your pocket.”

Horn said he believes both cyclists and motorists share the road responsibly, although he pointed out a few cyclists still ride on sidewalks and backwards on roads.

He added while there are no lanes in place, the city does have the ability for cyclists to use the Rotary Trail to get around the city without having to go onto roadways.

Jeff.Labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter