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Bike Lanes
Bike Lanes Coming to Several City Streets
Fredericton (June 19, 2008) -Bicycle lanes will start appearing on some Fredericton streets early next month as the City begins to implement some of the recommendations of the City of Fredericton Trails / Bikeways Master Plan.
"One of the recommendations of the Trails / Bikeways Master Plan was to install some bike lanes as soon as possible as part of an active transportation effort," said Coun. Bruce Grandy, chair of the City's Transportation Committee. "This is part of the development for a more user-friendly transportation network in the city. These bike lanes are connected to one another, and will eventually tie into a broader on-road and off-road network."
There will be two kinds of bike lanes: reserved bike lanes and signed-only routes. Both will be clearly identified with signage and found on both sides of the street. Reserved bike lanes will also feature pavement markings. Motor vehicles are not permitted to park or drive in the reserved bike lanes.
Reserved bike lanes will be installed along Douglas Avenue from Maple to Brookside Drive; along Crocket Street from Canada Street to Brown Boulevard, then along Brown Boulevard to Cliffe Street; and, finally on York Street from Priestman Street to Aberdeen Street.
The shared routes will stretch from the RCMP "J" Division on Regent Street to Priestman Street, proceeding along Priestman to Smythe Street, onto Parkside Drive and Greenfields Drive, and then following Prospect Street to Hanwell Road. There will also be a shared route on Maple Street from Douglas Avenue to St. Mary's Street, then down St. Mary's Street to Union Street.
Various signs will be installed to identify the lanes and routes. Share-the-road signage for cyclists and motorists will also be installed. Pavement markings for reserved bike lanes will include solid lines and bike outlines in white.
The necessary bylaw amendments to limit parking along Crocket Street and Brown Boulevard will now proceed to City Council for consideration. Parking in the downtown is not impacted by the installation of bike lanes on York Street.
The City will now conduct a public education effort to inform residents about the new bike lanes. Pamphlets will be mailed to all city homes, and ads will appear on radio, in the newspaper, and on city buses. Information will also be posted to the City's web site. Installing the bike lanes and carrying out a public education effort will cost approximately $70,000.
Coun. Grandy is urging Fredericton drivers to respect the bike lanes and be vigilant as the bike lanes are rolled out. Signage and pavement markings for the lanes will be installed from July 2-11.
"While bike lanes will be installed on certain streets, cyclists will continue to travel along all city streets," he said. "No matter where motorists and cyclists are in the city, they are reminded to be on the look out for each other and for pedestrians. Share the road safely."
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Media Contact: Wayne Knorr, Communications Coordinator, City of Fredericton, 506-460-2181
