Is Fredericton Ready for Bike Commuters?
FREDERICTON–Marie Eve Fillion has been commuting to work by bike four to five times a week in rain, snow or shine since last fall. For her, there’s no bad weather, only poor clothing choices.
“I am fortunate that my eight kilometre commute is mostly on roads with a decent shoulder width, bike lanes or multi-use trails,” Fillion said. “However, for many Fredericton area commuters, there is a lack of safe trail connection or developed network to bring them from home to work.”
Even in Fredericton, a city that could be ideal for cycling, many feel there is still plenty of work to be done to make the city more cyclist friendly. As more and more people choose bicycles over cars to get to work and around town, the question of whether or not New Brunswick cities are well enough equipped to deal with a growing number of cyclists becomes a big one.
According to the City of Fredericton website, bike routes and lanes were introduced in Fredericton in 2008 as a result of recommendations from the city’s Trails/Bikeways Master Plan, the goal of which was to create 45 kilometres of bike lanes and 39 kilometres of bike routes by the end of Summer 2011.
City of Fredericton traffic engineer and active transportation coordinator Jonathan Lewis says to date the city has created 24 kilometres of bike lanes and 18 kilometres of bike routes. He says there are also 19 kilometres of paved trail and 37 kilometres of unpaved trail for cyclists to use. Lewis says biking infrastructure in the city is continuously improving.
“We know there’s a whole lot of gaps out there and the key for us in the next five to ten years is trying to identify exactly where those gaps are and then work towards filling them,” Lewis said. “We’re looking at possibilities for bike facilities right through downtown right now. In terms of how we compare in New Brunswick, I think quite favourably but I know we’ve got a lot of work to do if we want to compare with larger cities like Ottawa for example.”
Fillion says she thinks road infrastructure planning should always include considerations for active transport. She says she’d like to see a network connection to all major communities in the four corners of Fredericton.
Proper infrastructure for cyclists is crucial for the safety of those sharing the roads. Fillion says this infrastructure must come along with road user education.
“Many drivers still require education in relation with bikers being allowed on the road and in the lane, and more cyclist education about the right way to share the road with other users. That would make us all safer,” Fillion said. “Getting honked at when riding to work is unsafe and irritating especially if it’s because of ignorance.”
Savage’s bike shop owner Matt Savage says that more and more people are enjoying the benefits of commuting. He says that reduced costs of running a vehicle, health benefits and reducing CO2 emissions are all factors leading people to commute by bicycle more.
“Five years ago if you drove your bike to work, people would think you were poor,” Savage said. “Now it’s becoming the norm, with many employers allowing bikes to be brought into the office, in addition to installing bike racks.”
Savage believes that the cycling infrastructure in Fredericton could be greatly improved by more bike lanes around the city and more bike racks downtown.
“By encouraging cyclists to bike downtown and park their bikes, we all win,” Savage said. “I am continually amazed that the city of Fredericton doesn’t mandate the installation and creation of bike lanes on all new infrastructure. In many cases there simply isn’t room to create bike lanes. However, when building new roads or redeveloping roads, the city has a unique opportunity to create the infrastructure needed to encourage more cyclists to enjoy, safely, the benefits of cycling.”
Jonathan Lewis says that when the city does street renewals, they look at whether cycling infrastructure can be implemented there or if it’s already present, how it can be improved. He points to Sunset Drive as an example, explaining that as they work on the street next year, they will renew its bike lanes as well.
Lewis says that while there is usually only consultation about infrastructure with the neighbourhoods that will directly be affected by changes, the city’s Imagination Fredericton municipal plan review will provide further opportunities for cyclists and other concerned citizens to provide input.
“In the past it was all about cars, cars, cars and now we’re trying to take a much more balanced approach between cyclists, pedestrians and cars and providing space for all of them,” Lewis says. “We’re continuing to try and build more trails and that way that will help connect some of those gaps. We’re building trails on Cliffe Street this year, Aberdeen Street and then over on Prospect Street.”
“Certainly the city is committed to spending money on improving the cycling infrastructure that’s out there and trying to fill these gaps.”