Lethbridge City Council looks to hear from the public before voting on whether to remove the new bike lanes in the downtown core. March 12, 2024. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

City delays decision on pausing/removing downtown bike lanes

Mar 12, 2024 | 3:43 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Residents of Lethbridge will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the future of cycling lanes in the downtown core.

At the regular city council meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, members discussed the possibility of cancelling all bicycle paths and lanes that have yet to be built and to look into the costs of removing the lanes that have already been installed.

The motion was introduced by Councillor Rajko Dodic, who said the implementation of bike lanes have caused many issues for those who frequent the downtown area.

The first lanes were installed along several streets in October 2023.

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In the months since, the City heard concerns about snow removal becoming more difficult, some parking spaces being lost, and the reduction of driving lanes.

One person said she had struggled to get from her parked vehicle to her doctor’s office as it was difficult to move her wheelchair over the blocks that surround the bike lane.

Officials with the City said they have already taken several steps to mitigate these concerns, including the removal of 32 of the concrete blocks and renting a specialized piece of equipment that can more effectively clear snow from the bike lane.

Councillor Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, on the other hand, was in favour of keeping the cycling lanes, as she said cycling and pedestrians make for better communities.

The city had budgeted approximately $4 million for the total bike lane project, some of which has not been spent at this time.

Many members of council agreed that they wanted to hear more from the public before making a decision one way or another about what to do with the lanes.

The public will first have an opportunity to give feedback at the City’s Community Conversation on April 25, 2024.

The matter will return to City Hall at the Assets and Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Members of the public will be able to voice their opinions at that time.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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