Halifax cyclists worry about Dalhousie University bike lane change

Cyclists in Halifax are raising objections over Dalhousie University's decision to remove the protective white plastic posts from one block of the University Avenue bicycle lane this week.

"Once you remove the barrier between the line of traffic and the person riding the bicycle, it's no longer a protected lane," said Kelsey Lane, the executive director of the Halifax Cycling Coalition.

"A protected bike lane, one of the main benefits is that you're separated from the line of traffic. Sixty per cent of people say they really want to see that separation in order to ride a bicycle, because it makes you feel safe."

Cyclists and concert-goers

Dalhousie University is trying to strike a balance between the needs of cyclists and concert-goers, who want easier loading and unloading during events at the Rebecca Cohn auditorium, by temporarily removing the posts, known as bollards.

"As an idea, we thought we'd take away the bollards from just in front of the arts centre, not anywhere else on the lane," said Rochelle Owen, director of sustainability at Dalhousie University.

White lines remain

The posts were removed on Sunday and Monday, although painted white lines remain to delineate the lane.

When the removal was announced by email on Thursday, the Halifax Cycling Coalition became concerned the change would send the message that the bicycle lane was a low priority. The group also was concerned removing bollards could put the safety of cyclists at risk.

"Sometimes you can have people actually parking in that bicycle lane," the executive director said.

"You're riding along and all of a sudden there's a parked car in front of you in your bike lane, and you have to move out into the line of traffic, which can be very dangerous."

Still committed to bike lane

Rochelle Owen uses a bicycle herself, and said Dalhousie is still committed to being part of the movement to get protected corridors in Halifax.

"We put in a separated cycle track because of safety, and trying to make the best-in-class corridor for cyclists, so I think that's still our intention," she said.

She said the change was made after the university's bike monitoring committee got a lot of feedback about the traffic around the arts centre.

We hadn't thought that would be a big issue.- Rochelle Owen

"In this particular case, we got about 100 or so comments about the bike lane, largely from the arts centre patrons about concerns about loading and unloading during large events when there's a lot of people coming and some people may have mobility issues," she said.

Unexpected feedback

Owen said the committee thought the modification to one-eighth of the bicycle lane would be acceptable. 

"I think we weren't expecting that feedback from the community. We hadn't thought that would be a big issue," she said.

"We have heard the cycling coalition's concerns, and we've invited them to the next meeting. We'll hear back, and maybe there's other solutions or modifications."

Compromise possible

Kelsey Lane wants the bollards back but said she's open to discussing access to the arts centre.

"We do really care about accessibility issues as well, and there are certain ways that we can design the bicycle lane that is comfortable for somebody riding a bike, but also allows you to be able to drop somebody off," she said.

The protected bicycle lane is a pilot project designed to last for two years.

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