1st Street cycle track plan rejected by city committee
Dedicated two-way bike lanes would have linked Riverfront Avenue with Talisman Centre
A city committee has rejected a plan to build separated two-way biking lanes near Chinatown.
City staff had recommended the $3.6-million cycle track be installed on First Street southeast linking Riverfront Avenue with the Talisman Centre.
But after a lengthy debate the plan was defeated in a 4-4 tie vote.
Members of Calgary's Chinese community expressed concern that the bike lane would add to traffic congestion and make parking more difficult.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi also had reservations about the First Street route, suggesting it should be installed a trial basis first.
The overall downtown cycling network plan goes before council in April, at which time the First Street plan could be revived.
One leg is already in place — a dedicated two-way bicycle lanes opened last summer on Seventh Street S.W. between the Bow River pathway and Eighth Avenue.