Wrong Track for Calgary Cycle Tracks Media Release April 8, 2014 The pilot cycle track network does little to improve downtown access and safety for

Calgary tour de nuit Society

Wrong Track for Calgary Cycle Tracks Media Release

April 8, 2014

The pilot cycle track network does little to improve downtown access and safety for the majority of Calgary's commuter cyclists.
The Tour de Nuit Society triggered the current review and public debate about downtown bike routes with an amending motion that passed City Council on July 5, 2011. Ironically, the Tour de Nuit Society would be barred from the consultation sessions by Transportation bureaucrats and replaced by a recreational cycling club.
The Society has a long history of opposing poorly conceived City cycling projects. In 2013 the Society derailed a key Transportation Department initiative to build a taxpayer funded bike rent system. Our research showed that the Transportation Department financial analysis was flawed. Bixi, the rental system created by the City of Montreal, is now in bankruptcy protection. The Tour saved Calgary taxpayers from a $3 million bicycle boondoggle.
Like the 7th St SW cycle track, which goes nowhere, most of the proposed cycle tracks achieve little and do not maximize the safety gains for bicycle commuters.
The network plan takes a complete miss on the vitally important east-west route and does not significantly improve access.
An engineering report commissioned by the Tour de Nuit Society indicates that there are two east-west roads where separated bike lanes (cycle tracks) can be placed without a loss of a corresponding traffic lane. Transportation was not interested.
The City did not release any bicycle demand forecasts and their performance target appears to be how much road space they can reallocate from cars to bikes without regard to actually increasing the percentage of Calgarians who cycle to work.
Like other key stakeholders, many councillors and the public we do not trust the source and/or interpretation of City cycling numbers. The source and quality of data needs to be improved and separated from the Department's pedalling propaganda.
Before a decision of this magnitude is made, the Tour de Nuit Society calls for a complete disclosure of all studies, traffic modelling results and the secret bike budget.

The Tour de Nuit Society is not convinced that the $11.5 million cost will significantly improve bike commuter access and safety into the central business district and consequently the expenditure is a poor investment by Calgary taxpayers.

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For further information contact:
Gary Beaton
President
403.589.1001

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