By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

City councillor explains thinking behind proposed bike escalator

Mar 23, 2017 | 11:10 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A proposal that came before City Council for consideration in the ten year Capital Improvement Program, is generating some public backlash.

Since Councillor Jeff Coffman brought the idea of a Whoop-Up Drive bicycle escalator forward on Monday (Mar. 20), social media has been buzzing with Lethbridge residents upset about the idea.

If approved, it would begin with a $250,000 feasibility study, which would evaluate putting the escalator on both sides of the Old Man River crossing. Construction would cost an estimated $3.1-million, with an annual operating cost of about $150,000.

When contacted by Lethbridge News Now, Coffman discussed why he feels the idea is worth exploring.

“There are a lot of people right now that have indicated a desire to actually cycle to work, cycle downtown, go to different events. In theory, we’ve got an integrated system where you can actually cycle from Copperwood all the way over to Henderson Lake. Imagine being able to do that through the river valley without the huge impact and energy required to get back up the other side of the hill,” said Coffman.

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Having said that, Coffman pointed out that just because an idea comes before council, doesn’t mean it’s a done deal that the city will proceed with it.

“The way that things get scoped out is members of council ask to have some research done — this is preliminary research done by staff — so that way at least we know. Council then makes a value decision as to whether or not this should be part of it,” Coffman explained. “We are facing a capital budget with limited funds — something like this, at least we have the information now, I’m not so certain it’s going to actually go forward, but at least we have the information, we know what something like this would cost.”

Coffman also touched on public concerns about how well the escalator would work in our city. He says to the best of his knowledge, this would be the first of its kind in a climate like ours, which is why the feasibility study would be an important step in the process. He added that more of them are beginning to appear around North America, which would provide further insight into how well one would actually work in Lethbridge.

While he called the escalator just one option and acknowledged that it may not be the perfect idea, Coffman did note that it’s important to keep looking for an alternative that gets Lethbridge residents moving.

“The hardcore cyclists or those that have electric bikes, will actually do the west side hill regardless of the weather, regardless of the incline. It’s the majority of population that would actually like to take that next step and be able to cycle around the city — get out of their car, get outside — but are really held back by that hill,” he stated.

“I’ve done it myself — I usually joke with my friends that I would like to have EMS standing by at the top of the hill — and I do end up pushing my bike at least half-way up the hill. It’s really about promoting health, promoting fitness, getting people out of their cars into a cycle infrastructure and just helping people by more active in their lives.”

The proposal will come back before council for debate in May, with a final decision being made in June.