'Beyond infuriating': Concrete barriers in Garneau bike lanes removed after backlash
The City of Edmonton is removing concrete barriers from the Garneau bike lanes, after public backlash.
There were concerns not only that the barriers prevented the paths from being used by cyclists, but that they created a hazard for those cycling at night.
“Temporary signage would not only be a lot more practical for the situation, but also a lot cheaper too,” said Stephen Raitz with Paths for People.
In an email to CTV News, the city said, “to ensure the safety of those who bike or drive along this corridor, it was determined that the bike lane should be temporarily closed for use until appropriate signage is installed.”
“We can definitely understand that there can be operational concerns, we just don’t think it needs to be this heavy handed,” Raitz said.
“It kind of feels like we’re trying to hammer a screw.”
- City to add railing to Ada Boulevard bridge after Edmontonians voice safety concerns
- City making changes to crosswalks, bike lanes and streets to help with physical distancing
Raitz and others on social media pointed out that blocking the paths could also create an accessibility issue, with many who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices opting for bike paths when sidewalks haven’t been cleared.
“How this was able to be approved…merits much further investigation,” said Ward Papastew City Councillor Michael Janz.
“This does not align with city plan, this does not align with our values, this is beyond infuriating.”
Janz said this is part of a larger systemic issue where cyclists and other active transportation users are not prioritised the way drivers are.
“We know we’re trying to build transportation infrastructure to walk, to wheel, to roll throughout the city,” Janz said. “To have not just a failure like this, but to have such a dramatic and bizarre overreaction is perplexing and incredibly frustrating.”
The city told CTV News that installing the new signage has been made a priority, and the bike lane will reopen by 6 p.m. Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.