Kitchener downscales plan for bike lanes after local residents object
KITCHENER — The city has revised its proposals for improved cycling facilities along a quiet street after residents questioned the need to spend up to $80,000 on cycling lanes.
Kitchener is looking for a better way to connect two key cycling routes: the Iron Horse Trail and new cycling lanes going in this fall along Courtland Avenue.
It had proposed putting in a multi-use path on Bedford Road, a street next to Rockway golf course, and separating the path from street traffic with removable posts. The three options the city proposed would either remove parking on one side of Bedford, or convert it to a one-way street.
But residents on the street, which is used by fewer than 100 cars a day, decried the move as “overkill,” and said the city is proposing unnecessary solutions. They argue that cyclists, walkers and cars have already figured out how to coexist on the street, and all that’s needed are signs showing cyclists the way between the two cycling routes and, perhaps, better lighting.
Cyclists also made it clear they’d prefer the money be spent on more pressing needs in the cycling and trails network.
This week, the city released its preferred plan, reached after public consultations. The new proposal would add three street lights on Bedford in the next couple of months, add way-finding signs and painted arrows on the pavement next spring, and look at long-term changes as part of the city’s cycling master plan update next year.
“I am thrilled by this outcome,” said Carolyn Keating, one of many Bedford residents who urged the city to come up with a less disruptive solution.
The original proposals would have cost from $50,000 to $80,000. The revised plan will cost about $2,000 and the unused money will be used for other cycling projects, said Darren Kropf, a project manager with the city.
The city heard from 245 people when it consulted on the project. Overwhelmingly, people supported better signage.
“By taking a step back to look at the whole network — and not just Sydney and Bedford — we can work with the region to identify options that ensure the entire route is more consistent and unified.”
The city will present its revised proposals and hear ideas for improving the route in the future at a public meeting on Oct. 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Bedford Road and Sydney Street South. (Rain location: Rockway Centre, 1405 King St. E.)