95th Ave. bike lane on its way out

A major west Edmonton bike lane will be removed this year after councillors voted Tuesday to eliminate the route and put in something better.

It will cost up to $475,000 to grind out lane markings on 95th Avenue from 149th Street to 189th Street, and along 189th Street from 95th Avenue to 87th Avenue.

But Coun. Michael Oshry said the two-year-old route and its impact on traffic has created animosity in the area.

“I think these bike lanes were a mistake,” he said. “I think it’s OK to make mistakes and it’s OK to spend money rectifying your mistakes.”

Fellow west end Coun. Andrew Knack, a year-round cyclist, said the issue produces more complaints to him than anything else.

“The majority of us don’t even use 95th Avenue. I use 100th Avenue because … it gives me the safety I need.”

They want to consult the public about a location for a separated bike path that would protect cyclists and might bring out more riders.

That work will take two years and includes determining what route would be best, transportation planning director Audra Jones said. “Short term, there’s really nothing that could be done.”

Officials said they will try to grind out the lane markings and refill the asphalt this year.

But Coun. Ben Henderson is concerned people won’t be happy with any alternatives.

Bike lanes require space and have an impact on drivers, he said.

“My fear is once it’s out, it will be a major uphill battle to put anything else back in there, whatever it is,” Henderson said. “I’m very nervous about this.” Mayor Don Iveson is unhappy about using money to take out bike lane markings instead of using it to fix arterial roads. “I think it’s a very expensive way to make a point, to say we heard.”

But Coun. Michael Walters argued the existing lanes haven’t worked. “This is about listening to people in our communities and demanding better bike infrastructure,” he said.