A City of Lethbridge committee will spend the next year collecting data on the downtown bike lanes. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Downtown Lethbridge bike lanes to stay – at least for now

May 3, 2024 | 1:54 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Dozens of people were in Lethbridge City Hall on Thursday as members of a committee discussed the future of the downtown bike lanes.

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

Just five months later, Councillor Rajko Dodic proposed removing all of the existing lanes and cancelling the construction of any yet-to-be-built ones.

Instead, council had voted to defer the matter to the May 2 Assets and Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee (SPC) meeting so that residents could voice their opinions on the matter.

Several of those in attendance at the SPC meeting spoke while one dozen others wrote in letters of support or opposition.

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A surgeon who wrote in said the most effective way to reduce the mortality and morbidity of collisions is to create an environment where people drive slower, drive smaller, and drive less. He believes the bike lanes accomplish these goals.

One resident thinks bike lanes are necessary because, while Lethbridge’s population continues to grow, there is little-to-no room left to expand parking in the downtown core.

On the other hand, a local raised concerns about accessibility for people with disabilities and claimed it has become more difficult for emergency services vehicles to navigate around the bike lanes.

Another letter-writer expressed their dissatisfaction with a lack of consultation from the City of Lethbridge before constructing the bike lanes.

In the end, the committee voted to recommend that city council direct staff to collect data on bike lane usage and public opinions before returning next summer with a full report.

The full Lethbridge City Council will decide what ultimately happens to the bike lanes.

READ MORE: City delays decision on pausing/removing downtown bike lanes

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