Charlottetown, Cornwall, Stratford need better cycling connections, Green leader says

Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker called Tuesday for safer cycling on P.E.I. and asked if the government will put bike lanes on the Hillsborough Bridge.

During the legislature sitting on Tuesday, he called the bridge connecting Stratford and Charlottetown "one of the most hazardous links in the cycling network of Prince Edward Island."

• Hillsborough Bridge walkway 'has to be made a priority'

Bevan-Baker asked about the bridge on the same day he presented a petition started by cycling activist Josh Underhay that pushed for more bicycle lanes.

The Green leader said there could also be more extensive bike lanes between Charlottetown and Cornwall.

"This government has put a higher priority on spending … on the Cornwall bypass than it has spending a small amount on cycling infrastructure," he told the legislature.

Bridge upgrade estimated at $5M

Transportation Minister Paula Biggar responded that the Cornwall bypass makes cycling safer by pulling traffic away from the town.

"In addition to that we are again concentrating on installing bike lanes as part of that new Trans-Canada Highway extension, which will take travellers right across North River Bridge into the city," she said. "And we will continue to work with the City of Charlottetown on addressing the concerns and the approaches on the Hillsborough Bridge."

Stratford's mayor has pressed the province to commit to a pedestrian and cycling path on the bridge, which will cost an estimated $5 million.

Cornwall is hoping the province will consider adding bike lanes along the stretch between the town and the North River Causeway, after the Cornwall bypass project is complete.

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