Advocacy – Bike Calgary

03Jan 2023 by WheelsofFortune 2 Comments

Calgary Cycling Infrastructure – 2022 Year in Review

As 2022 comes to a close, we've compiled a summary of the changes and improvements that we've noticed around the City over the past year. Here's a link to our 2021 year in review post. A brief outline of what this blog will cover: Policy and/or administrative changes implemented in the past year Adaptive Roadways program Multi-use pathway / Off-street pathway projects Protected Wheeling Lanes Looking ahead to 2023 POLICY CHANGES In 2022 Calgary adopted 40 km/h residential speed limits, for all residential streets (streets with no painted centreline), and some collector streets (busier neighbourhood streets, often with bus routes). More information about this change can be found here. In 2022 some additional policy changes were made: Several commercial main streets such as 17 Ave SW (Beltline/Mission/Lower Mount Royal) and 9…

30Nov 2022 by jacq120 1 Comment

The 2023-2026 Budget and a Win for Biking

Advocacy

The City of Calgary 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budget hearings kept cycling moving forward in Calgary. Many of the City’s planning documents point toward expanding the 5A network (Always Available for All Ages and Abilities) of walking and cycling routes, building safe active routes to schools, and closing gaps in the existing pathway system. Throughout 2022, Bike Calgary engaged with City Councillors and staff on these priorities–including guided cycle tours through most of the city’s 14 wards. However, in early November 2022, Calgary’s proposed four-year budget dedicated little if any funding to these critical projects. Bike Calgary sent an open letter to Council outlining our concerns with the budget. Then, at public hearings on November 22 and 23, City Council heard directly from dozens of community members that active transportation…

12Nov 2022 by WheelsofFortune No Comments

City Budget – Help Support Safer Cycling

Advocacy, Infrastructure

Between November 21-25, Calgary City Council will debate the 2023-2026 budget, which will set the course on our city's spending priorities for the next four years. Our ask to you is to add your voice to speak up for safe, convenient and accessible mobility options in Calgary, with continued funding and support for walking, cycling, and transit. You can find details of the proposed budget here (we'd recommend starting with Item 9.2.1, Attachments 3 and 9): https://pub-calgary.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=dd277014-8af6-42d6-bf9e-b19fc7bb7080&Agenda=Merged&lang=English&Item=26&Tab=attachments The Ward 9 office has provided us with a great resource that explains how you can give your input on the budget: We'd love to see many Calgarians sign up to speak on November 22! Bike Calgary will be presenting along with a few of our community partners, asking for dedicated funding and…

14Aug 2022 by WheelsofFortune No Comments

Upcoming Detour – 3 Avenue South

Advocacy, Infrastructure

Please be aware of an upcoming detour on the 3rd Ave SW wheeling lanes. Starting on August 22, ATCO will be working on 3rd Ave SW between 2nd and 3rd Street SW. This work is expected to take 5 weeks, and is happening in preparation for the Green Line LRT project. See below for more information. Given the impacts to the 3rd Avenue cycle track we hope to see a thoughtful and safe transition in place for this detour. Check out https://www.calgary.ca/green-line/green-line-construction/green-line-featured-construction-project.html for more information about the overall project.

12Jun 2022 by WheelsofFortune No Comments

Unite the Heights and 11 Street SW Underpass

Advocacy, Infrastructure

Source: City of Calgary Engage: https://engage.calgary.ca/11StreetSWUnderpass Two more engagement opportunities have opened for upcoming projects in Calgary. This is an important opportunity to give your feedback on these projects which could include some significant upgrades for people walking and wheeling. Both projects are part of the City's plans for a safe and connected 5A Network for walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation. Unite the Heights (8 Avenue North from Mayland Heights to Crescent Heights) Engagement page: https://engage.calgary.ca/UniteTheHeights Timeline for input: June 6-June 26, 2022 The City of Calgary is undertaking a functional planning study on 8 Avenue north, which is an important east-west street linking the communities of Mayland Heights, Saint George's Heights, Renfrew, and Crescent Heights. Community destinations along 8 Avenue include McHugh Bluff, Crescent Heights High…

15Apr 2022 by WheelsofFortune 1 Comment

Kensington Area Improvements Online Engagement

Advocacy, Infrastructure, Uncategorized

The final phase of public engagement is now open for the Kensington Area Improvements project located in the northwest communities of West Hillhurst and Hillhurst/Sunnyside. Check out the design concepts and fill out your feedback here: https://engage.calgary.ca/kensingtonarea Active transportation users will be particularly interested in the first three projects on the website: 19 Street NW between 5 Avenue and Kensington Road NW: Separated on-street wheeling lanes on each side of the roadway, which also provides better separation for sidewalk users from the roadway lanes. The improvements include raised islands and curb extensions to shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians and to improve their visibility to drivers. This project would provide better access to the growing "main street" section of 19 Street. Source: City of Calgary Engage website: https://engage.calgary.ca/kensingtonarea 2 Avenue…

13Feb 2022 by WheelsofFortune 2 Comments

Feedback Requested – 12 Avenue SW Cycle Track Extension

Advocacy, Infrastructure

12 Avenue Cycle Track at 14 Street SW - Photo: Jon van Heyst This post is the first in a series about new cycling infrastructure projects in Calgary. Bike Calgary is looking for feedback from people who walk or wheel along these new pathways and bikeway additions to the city’s 5A Network. We hope to use this information to provide valuable feedback on these projects to City Council and administration, and to inform our advocacy on new and future projects. Construction on the 12 Avenue SW cycle track extension happened in two stages and officially opened in October 2021. This project extended the bikeway from the previous terminus at 11 Street SW west to 19 Street SW, then across 10 Avenue to the Bow River Pathway. See below for the…

17Jan 2022 by WheelsofFortune 9 Comments

Ramsay / Inglewood 11 St & 12 St Survey

#sharedstreets, Advocacy, Infrastructure

The redesigned streetscape for 11 Street SE / 12 Street SE through the communities of Ramsay and Inglewood has been released, and the City of Calgary is requesting feedback on the preferred design concept. Check out the plans and survey at the link below: https://engage.calgary.ca/ramsay-inglewoodTOD Adaptive roadway on the west side of 12 Street SE in Inglewood. Photo: Bike Calgary The design drawings call for a two-way wheeling path on the west side of 12 Street SE in Inglewood and under the CP rail tracks, similar to the current adaptive roadway on this street. Proposed design on 12 Street SE through Inglewood with west side multi-use pathway. Graphic: City of Calgary Engage South of the underpass, however, the pathway switches to the east side of the roadway. No rationale is…

08Jan 2022 by WheelsofFortune No Comments

Tell us how you cycle: Survey of Older Cyclists Now Underway

Advocacy, Education, Research

The Mineta Transportation Institute wants to learn more about older cyclists. Bike Calgary is sharing this survey to help them collect data that can be used to help change the built environment and to support continued cycling as people age. Increased cycling rates among all ages has sparked the need to learn more about how to make cycling possible and safe in the United States and Canada. Learning about why and how older adults (50 and older) cycle is no exception, especially since remaining physical active and engaged supports overall wellness. Survey results provide transportation planners and engineers, public health professionals, and journalists with better information about the needs of older adults who cycle, similar to what we know about kids that walk or bike to school. Based on what…

02Jan 2022 by WheelsofFortune 2 Comments

Calgary Cycling Infrastructure – 2021 Year in Review

Advocacy, Infrastructure, Uncategorized

As 2021 comes to a close, we want to reflect on some of the progress that has been made in Calgary towards safer and more convenient cycling routes. This will be somewhat of a longer blog post, so here is a brief outline: Policy and/or administrative changes implemented in the past yearAdaptive Roadways programMulti-use pathway / Off-street pathway projectsProtected Wheeling LanesLooking ahead to 2022 POLICY CHANGES One of City Council's most impactful actions towards safer active transportation in 2021 was the adoption of 40 km/h residential speed limits, for all residential streets (streets with no painted centreline), and some collector streets (busier neighbourhood streets, often with bus routes). More information about this change can be found here. After a strong majority vote in favour by City Council in February, the…