Multi-use pathway could link Stanley Park and Calgary's industrial area

The City of Calgary is looking at ways to make it safer for people to commute to Highfield Industrial Park.

Kevin Schlauch has ridden his bike to work along 42nd Avenue S.E. in all seasons for the past three to four years. 

"There's a whole lot of activity going on on a very busy road. As long as I've been riding on it I've never been comfortable on it," he said.

Schlauch described the section between Macleod Trail and Blackfoot trail as a high-volume strip, challenging for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. 

Those on foot have to contend with poorly maintained sidewalks, and have to constantly switch back and forth across four lanes of traffic. Cyclists have to navigate the perilously narrow lanes while watching out for heavy traffic, which often includes large trucks and speeding cars. And drivers? They have to watch out for all those nervous cyclists.

The road is the main connector between Stanley Park and the industrial area, and it's only going to become a more vital artery once the Green Line is built.

Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra said he's pitching the city on turning a little-used service sidewalk on the south side of the street into a multi-use pathway. 

"It's a major access point to the Highfield area, there's a lot of people who cycle into that area, on top of that there's a lot of people who would like to cycle into that area but don't," Carra said.

"The idea that we could turn that service road into a multi-use pathway that bikes could use … all of a sudden you've got an amazing bicycle network servicing a bunch of people."

Carra said he's cycled along 42nd Avenue in the past, and he's not a fan.

'Dangerous, scary' for cyclists

"It is a dangerous, scary thing to bike."

Schlauch said a pathway is a great solution to make it easier for workday commuters to get to the area, and to bring in more customers to the local breweries.

"42nd is the obstacle. There are people biking on it, it would boom if there was a safer way," he said. "It's a way to get more customers in the door, get people where they're going safely."

Carra said the plan will be discussed during city council's budget debate this fall. 

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