Protected Bike Lane Pilot Nears Completion: City Wants Feedback

The downtown Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project is now entering its final summer season and the City would like feedback to determine if its project goals are being met.

“As a part of our evaluation of our downtown protected bike lanes we will be including input from citizens across Saskatoon,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation.

The Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project’s goal is to increase accessibility for all ages and abilities to the downtown. It wants to achieve this by making the Central Business District a more attractive and vibrant destination to the benefit of the entire city. The project is also a step towards implementation of the City’s Active Transportation Plan, making it easier and more secure to get into and around downtown.

“We want to make sure that we get the balance right in our city between people driving, taking the bus, walking, or using their bike,” says Gardiner. “Protected bike lanes have been adopted permanently in other city centres but every city is unique. We need to find the right transportation mix for Saskatoon.”

Preliminary data indicates protected bike lane use is in line with what other cities such as Calgary and Vancouver have experienced during their demonstration projects. An average of more than 300 people per day are using the separate bike lanes to safely navigate downtown streets while limiting impacts to vehicles and pedestrians.

The City’s Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project was approved in March of 2015 with a lane opening on 23rd Street later that year. The 4th Avenue lane was opened in May of 2016. In response to some preliminary feedback from downtown businesses and people who bike downtown, the City is planning some alterations to both lanes in the coming weeks.

The protected bike lanes support City Council’s Strategic Priorities for 2016 to 2020 of improved downtown development and environmental sustainability while meeting transportation needs of a growing city. A report and a recommendation on the future of the project will be prepared for City Council in fall 2017.   

Find more information at saskatoon.ca/bikelanes and share your feedback on the Shaping Saskatoon website.