Calgary opens new bike path

  • 2013-07-18
The morning of July 9th was a very special day for Calgary cyclists as it marked the opening of the city’s first dedicated bicycle track.

The route follows 7th Avenue west from 1st Avenue to 8th Avenue, and connects the downtown core with the Bow River Pathway. The two way track is separated from the rest of the motor vehicle traffic, and will provide a much safer travel pathway for those who wish to ride their bikes into or out from the downtown area.

Safety has been a top priority in the planning and design of the trail system. There will be ‘bike only’ traffic signals and Print companies have produced signage for the roadside. It has been designed to make riding one’s bike a viable option for those who work in the area. The pavement has been painted green to help differentiate it from the rest of the roadway.

City planners have worked hard to respect current traffic patterns. The number of on-street parking spots has been increased on other downtown streets to help make up for the loss of spaces due to the new track.

Since 2006, there has been a large increase in the number of people who ride their bikes into the city’s core. It is estimated that over 12,000 use the current roads, and with the new cycle path, those numbers are expected to increase significantly. This is great news for the environment.

A public education day will be held later in July to acquaint the public with the new system.

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