I'll start this week with an update on the area on 17 Ave SW from Christie Park Gate to 47 St. Good news is that they are putting in a MUP on the W-bound side of 17 Ave from Costello to Christie Park Gate (not sure of beyond that point for now), however it doesn't connect to Costello yet. But they've been doing lots of work around the path on the N side of the overpass over Sarcee Trail, so bikes have to stick to the road, which means you have to stop at a couple more lights than if you were on the path.
They've also taken out the end of the path where it abuts 47 St, but I'm sure it will be coming back online at some point. Short term pain for long term gain.
The pedestrian overpass over Bow by 24 St was closed this morning - are they finally going to pave the approach ramp? I'm interested to see if they'll also install a proper ramp onto 24 St from the path.
Lastly, they are doing some work in the small green space across Crowchild Trail from Sunalta School. They have a couple of signs up but I haven't had time to stop and read what it says, but at least it looks like they have started to improved the sightlines (by hacking away some of the bushes) off of the crokscrew ramp with the blind corner on the W side of that nasty old ped bridge. Does anyone know what the overall plan is here?
24St Ped. Bridge
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
Been anxiously waiting for the paving to be completed on the north side. Checked out the West LRT website and it does show the bridge as closed from July 23-27 for paving. Here's hoping they also do something with the transitions from 24th to the soon-to-be paved pathway. It's a bit sketchy right now as you end up on the wrong side of the road when you leave the pathway. I usually hop the curb and move my way to the proper side, it's never busy so it isn't a huge deal. It's just not ideal.
I have been watching the
Submitted by amf673 on
I have been watching the progress on 24 St with interest. The lines that have been paiinted so far do not seem to match up with anything on the plans that were presented.
Starting at the north terminus of 24 St there are sharrows as far as the intersection with Soveriegn Cresent. These are nice, I suppose, but since the road in question is a 1/4 block long dead end not really of much use. It may mean that this gets cleared of snow since it is an official route? That would be nice as that section is usually one of the last to melt out.
Between Sov. Crescent and Bow Trail there are bike lanes on either side of the road. The southbound lane diminishes to nothing next to the curb before reaching the curb cut that allows someone to get to the pedestrian bridge. The lane appears to leave a parking lane for some reason.
The northbound lane starts around the corner on Bow Trail, swelling to full width on 24th.(For the cyclists travelling west on Bow Trail?)
I wonder what a cyclist coming off the bridge is expected to do? Cross on the crosswalk?
Right now the end of 24 is an informal 'park and cycle' and a place for people to park to go walking and for kids to park and smoke dope. With the opening of the LRT any available parking will be taken up by commuters unless there is some sort of restriction placed on it.
Typical weather
Submitted by RichieRich on
looks like the usual 510pm summer deluge and light hail storm has come early (ie 1230pm)... or supplementing our day. sigh... hope I threw in that lightweight jacket, knee warmers, and automated windscreen washers for my glasses.
Yep, that one moved in fast!
Submitted by gyrospanner on
I had to run an errand out to the northwest & got caught in it on the way home. It only lasted 10 or 15 mins and I escaped fairly dry as I had my raincoat with me....
Maybe we'll have a re-do on the way home? Watch your radar!
And Your Anemometer
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Wind from the South 25 kmh, gusting to 45 kmh
(from WX.CA)
Oh I forgot, speaking of updates
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Last week I was wondering what the deal was with the "almost completed" pedestrian approach to the NW side of the Peace Bridge. They had paved all of it except for the last 20 or 25 feet. I thought maybe they ran out of asphalt?
But as I drove by at noon today, I saw them putting cement in there.
The City has been doing a ton of work on both the North and South sides of the bridge lately and I think it will all come together quite well quite soon! Ditto that for the tenth ave area on the north side of the river.
Just in time ...
Submitted by mercator on
for stampede!
Doh!
Just in time for Stampede
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Good One!
But if I recall, it was supposed to be done for Stampede last year wasn't it?
D'Oh
Ogden RD gate open this AM South to Calf Robe Bridge...
Submitted by chaingunsofdoom on
Was surprised to see the gate was opened this morning. I came down that Ogden hill (no idea what street?) onto Ogden RD and saw the PoPo with Radar just in-time to stay under 50 KM/h.
If it stays this windy (50-70), I'll be busing home tonight.
Back riding
Submitted by InglewoodGuy on
Life kind of got in the way this summer between selling house, moving in with GF, etc. Haven't ridden hardly at all. Finally settled in the new house enough to break the bike out. Seven minutes door to door, slow rolling down leafy back streets, no need to bring a change of clothes. Bliss.
The new house is pretty close to the reservoir, and the kids are chomping at the bit to get their bikes out too so I think a ride up that way could be in order this weeekend.
glenmore
Submitted by umgray on
welcome to the neighbourhood but remember the glenmore resevoir pathway is a ZOO on nice weekend days. Dusk is the best time and if the kids are up to it the weaselhead at 9:30pm ish has cool bats flapping all over the place (neat for kids to experience)
have fun
Bats??
Submitted by InglewoodGuy on
Excellent, we're sold. We were out walking the dog last night in the neighborhood and I was pointing out all the cool birds around to the boys. They'll love bats.
I actually had to smack the
Submitted by birchy on
I actually had to smack the side of a car with my hand this morning because they came so close to me! I was approaching the first roundabout on Lansdowne Avenue heading SE.. I heard the car coming behind me and then saw them in my 'take-a-look'. We were approaching the roundabout at pretty much the same time, so most drivers will just wait.. but this one pulled right up beside me and was doing their right turn at the same time as me. 18 inches was okay with me.. but when it got to about 6 inches I got a bit annoyed.. I literally just had to take my hand off the handlebar, turn my palm outward, and pivot at the elbow. Yikes! I think they must have thought they hit me at first because they jerked to the left real quick. Not actually what I had in mind.. but in hindsight.. probably a good result! First time for everything I guess.. (most people are very courteous and give me lots of room)
A good slap is sometimes all
Submitted by snowandscience on
A good slap is sometimes all it takes. Good for you pulling that off. No damage to the car and the driver becomes aware of you really quickly. I don't like doing it, but it's become a survival instinct in Calgary.
Problems
Submitted by SpeedyJ on
I've had a lot of problems here over the years with drivers squeezing past. I find that it even worse when there's fresh snow. Once or twice I've had people try to pass even when taking the lane, one Mercedes driver nearly put himself into the concrete barrier. They see a bike and *have* to pass.
For various reasons had to
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
For various reasons had to take the bus 2 times this week. The number of bike commuters I saw along the way was VERY impressive. You don't realize the numbers when you are part of it in the same way as when you are an outside observer. Made me wonder: If I was not already a full time bike commuter and saw all those peope travelling by bike from my window on the bus, would I be inspired to start bike commuting? Hmm, guess that's a tough one to answer.
very impressive
Submitted by gyrospanner on
I've noticed a lot of traffic this week as well....
There has been traffic jams as people slow to go under the Crowchild Bridge etc....
I was thinking to myself this morning "Is it just the weather, or what?"
Mostly on Roads - Avoiding Pathways when Possible
Submitted by rustabout1981 on
I moved from the NW to the NE. I miss the commute that took me through Foothills Hospital. But it sounds like you guys are having serious traffic problems!
I was worried about driver's in the NE but so far everything's been great.
I am going through Prince's Island Park on my way home but it can be an absolute mess. There was an event last night... although the crowd was very curtious it was still a giant crowd to have to coast through. Once through the park and up the hill I take 8th Ave. which is great aside from a couple sketchy parts.
I was thinking about using St. Georges Drive but that is an Autobahn apparently. I'm looking for a safe way to bypass the zoo section.
nose creek?
Submitted by mikewarren on
Where are you going from/too? If Nose Creek pathways aren't too far out of the way, it's a great way and will be even better when the construction of the new bridge is done. Nose Creek spits you out a little west of the wier (*ahem*, Harvie Passage) and then (normally) you'd be able to come through to downtown via the Riverwalk stuff.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER RE: PRINCES ISLAND!
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Anybody who goes by Princes Island on tghe way home, pick another route today as there is a swarm of people down there for the Folk Festival.
See You on Third Ave!
Cheers
Gyro
24 St pedestrian bridge pathway paved
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
Got to test out the newly paved pathway on the north side on the way home tonight. So glad I don't have to wait for the lights at Bow Trail and 26th anymore. I was reminded this week how long they are again.