Goal of Safer Streets: Bike Lane Signage Reminder

Signs directing drivers and cyclists around the downtown protected bike lanes pilot project have been up for a few months, but the City and the Saskatoon Police Service want to make sure everyone knows what the rules are.

“The protected bike lanes on 4th Avenue and 23rd Street are still relatively new,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “Drivers may not understand why people on bikes are stopped where they are, or what they’re trying to do, so we’ve made some changes to road signs to try and help everyone learn how we can safely share the roads.”

For example, overhead signs are in place to remind drivers where right turns are not permitted on red lights at intersections with the protected bike lanes. 

“We anticipate that over time drivers will become more familiar with the new guidelines and compliance will increase.”

A related bike lane safety measure downtown includes Bike Boxes. These green-painted squares on the pavement at signalized intersections are connected to the protected bike lanes along 23rd Street and 4th Avenue. They are designed to help with two-stage left turns for people riding bikes. So, for people driving cars, right turns on red lights are not permitted where there is a Bike Box. 

“The SPS is dedicated to protecting the safety of everyone using Saskatoon roadways,” says Randy Huisman, Inspector for Central Division. “Our officers will be monitoring traffic activity around bike lanes and may issue warnings or tickets when violations take place.”

Protected Bike Lanes are dedicated, marked lanes for cyclists that are physically separated from vehicles and pedestrian traffic, and have been built in Canada’s largest cities including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary.   

The City’s Protected Bike Land Demonstration Project was approved in March of 2015 with a lane opening on 23rd Street later that year. The 4th Avenue lane was opened this past May. The project will continue to be evaluated over the next year to determine the impact of the lanes on the downtown core. A report and a recommendation on the future of the project will be prepared for City Council in early 2018.   

For more information on Protected Bike Lanes, visit saskatoon.ca/moving-around/cycling/cycling-plans-projects