Vehicles going wrong way on 102nd Avenue

It seems some Edmonton drivers are still coming to terms with the city’s newest bike lanes.

The opening of the permanent bike lane in the Oliver neighbourhood has seen 102nd Avenue go from two-way traffic to one lane between 111th and 121st streets.

However, there have been plenty of reports of vehicles driving the wrong way down the bike lanes, often forcing cyclists onto the road.

The city last week launched an education campaign, with crews out door-knocking at the houses adjacent to the bike path to get the message out.

They are also planning to mail new education material and a route map, and have added another section to the city’s website to inform drivers of the change, said Megan Pharo, a social marketing co-ordinator with the city.

“The goal of the education team is to do our best to make sure everyone is aware of the changes,” Pharo said Monday.

“It is new. It is going to take a little time to get used to it.”

Chris Chan, executive director of Edmonton Bicycle Commuters, who has himself witnessed vehicles going the wrong way down the bike lanes, said it was a “bit of a learning curve” for drivers.

During the summer, the city’s street bike team was out educating drivers when the downtown network first opened. In August, Edmonton police were posted at several downtown intersections to enforce the new restrictions.

It is new. It is going to take a little time to get used to it … We are all learning and we are all in it together.

There are currently no plans for a similar program on 102nd Avenue, a police spokesman said.

Also during summer, flexible bollards were installed in the middle of the downtown network bike lanes as an added deterrent, but those are removed to allow winter maintenance.

“There’s a few growing pains,” Chan said.

Another factor is the fact that the bike lanes opened Nov. 14, after the first snowfall, meaning some drivers didn’t get the chance to see the lanes clearly, Chan said.

“People who regularly drive in the area will get used to them, but it will be those who less frequently visit the area who may not realize the new bike lanes exist and may get confused,” Chan said.

Pharo said the city’s message is clear: “Be aware, watch for the signs along the new route and watch out for each other.”

“We are all learning and we are all in it together. We just want to keep people safe,” she said.

According to open data from the 311 city service, since Oct. 29, 20 complaints have been made about bike lanes in the city, all but three falling under the category of snow and ice maintenance. Half of the complaints were made in Ward 8 and just one was made in the Oliver neighbourhood in Ward 6.