Leader-Post: Bicycles-only lane unveiled

Downtown’s bicycle commuters now have a little more room to ride. On Wednesday, the city unveiled its new Centre Square Bikeway, located at the corner of 14th Avenue and Lorne Street. The pathway, which provides bike-only lanes from College Avenue to downtown, is intended to provide safe and efficient travel for the steady flow of commuters riding through the area.

“There’s been a need to develop better pathways for people who commute to work downtown,” Coun. Fred Clipsham said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s going to work for cyclists and it’s going to work for the city.”
The new bikeway is located along the section of Lorne and Smith streets between Victoria and College avenues. Through repainting, the formerly two-lane streets now include a bikes-only lane, a driving lane and wider room for parking. Vehicles will not be permitted to drive in the new bike lanes, except when executing a right turn or trying to park.

Transportation officials first began looking at ways to expand the city’s bike network in 2006. The core area was chosen because of its high commuter traffic and strong public demand to connect downtown with the south end of Regina, said Kelly Wyatt, manager of transportation and infrastructure with the city.

“There are a large number of commuters using the area and with the one-way streets; this was really the ideal location for these paths,” Wyatt said. “Plus, it’s such a great connection with recreation opportunities in Wascana Centre.”

After consultations, design and repainting the roads, the project’s overall cost was $50,000.

Wyatt said the city hopes to continue expanding its bike network, though there are no current plans underway. If money is allocated in the next budget, however, there is no shortage of areas that could use similar bicycle-friendly roadways.

“There’s strong demand in the core community, on Montreal and 12th,” she said. “We’ve also had requests to look at connecting the Pilot Butte pathway system to Regina downtown and there’s interest on Broad Street.”

On Wednesday morning, Dave Andrews was all smiles on as he rode up Smith Street. Andrews rides daily and said Regina’s downtown cyclists have needed more riding lanes for a long time.

The bicycle-only paths mean riders don’t have to weave through traffic and won’t be surprised by doors suddenly opening on parked cars. That makes the ride both safer and faster, he said.

“It’s nice that the cars aren’t breathing down your neck,” Andrews said. “I can just relax and ride.”