Cycling at Night

     A few months ago, you may recall two different accidents where a vehicle hit a cyclist. The first one occurred on Waggoners Lane, and the other on Brookside Drive. From what I recall, both cyclists had lights and both drivers were not paying attention. I, myself, have had many close encounters at night, all of which include drivers speeding up behind me, honking, swearing at me, then speeding off. Ahh, the ideal date night.
     The majority of bicycle-car related accidents are due to the drivers not paying attention, the cyclist riding erratically, or visibility of the cyclist. I have encountered cyclists riding at night with no lights, reflective jacket or even reflectors. In order to legally ride a bicycle (yes, legally), you need reflectors. Why don't those kinds of cyclists get hit? Yes, Fredericton cyclists need to smarten up, but drivers also need to open their eyes a little, especially at dusk! Check out this cool video:

Bike Lane Fail

     This "bike lane" on the bottom of Brookside sets the world record for the "World's Narrowest Bike Lane". I assume that they will be widening the shoulder of the road eventually, but for now it remains as a fail.

     I also wanted to let everyone know that the Valley Trail is now paved and marked. This is such a beautiful trail and it is well worth spending the afternoon to explore it.

What Does a Diamond Mean Again?

     I guess I haven't made myself clear, or maybe I just do not have a big enough voice. Diamond = no parky parky. I am really hoping with the new Brookside Drive bike lane, that parking is not always going to be an issue. In fact, for all the new bike lanes in the city. I was cycling by the funeral home on the corner of Brookside and Douglas, and you guessed it- a funeral was going on. Now, I am not trying to upset the funeral attendees, but when there is a designated bike lane, you are not allowed to park in it. The bike lanes are official, and I have already covered that. So, shouldn't the by-laws be official too? I realize there are "no parking" signs set up yet, but they should be enforced. Would you park in a designated bus lane? Sadly, there is nothing I can do about it. I apologize in advance for the low resolution pictures, brought to you by my CrackBerry.

     If you haven't noticed, Brookside Drive is rather narrow in places, and it just got even narrower with the bike lanes AND with cars parked in it. For some reason, motorists feel the need to squeeze by you. Motorists, please exercise caution. It is not worth the risk of someone's life, just so you can get to your destination thirty seconds earlier. Can't we be friends on the road?  :)

A Cyclists' Dream

     Today is a cloudy, cool day, but that didn't stop me from getting pictures of the now official bike lanes! I only had enough time to get pictures of the Northside routes, but I will try to get the Southside done sometime in the near future. I started off from a disclosed location, and headed over Brookside Drive to check out what was going on. It turns out, they finally erected signs, designating a bicycle lane. The bike lane on Brookside (that has a nice ring to it), starts after the Douglas Ave intersection. If you see cities like Moncton, their bike lanes go straight through an intersection, where as in Fredericton, they stop short 50 metres.

Sign advertising Douglas and Brookside bicycle lanes.

Brookside designated bicycle lane.

Sunset/Main/Royal intersection, sign advertising Sunset Drive bicycle lane to the left and Royal Road going straight.

On the other side of the intersection, advertising the Sunset Drive bicycle lane to the right.

Sunset Drive bicycle lane. It seems like the diamond and bicycle are giant stickers?

Sunset Drive bicycle lane with debris in the gutter.

Royal Road designated bicycle lane.

MacLaren Avenue bike lane. No signs yet?

Sign advertising the McEvoy/Noble Street bike lanes to the left on MacLaren Avenue.

McEvoy Street designated bike lane.

Noble Street designated bike lane, featuring nice, smooth pavement!

Noble Street designated bike lane, with a no parking sign.

Noble/Irvine Street intersection. A sign is advertising the Irvine Street bicycle lane to the left or right.

Irvine Street designated bicycle lane.

Irvine/Gibson Street intersection.

     If you have any pictures you would like to share, upload them to twitter with the hashtag #cyclingfreddy, or upload them to my facebook page.

Updated Official Bike Lane Map

There are more bike lanes than I thought! Please keep in mind that some of these streets may still be under construction, so take care! Also make sure to click the bicycle layer in google maps to view the updated system.


View Fredericton Bike Lanes in a larger map

Bicycle Infrastructure Ain't Cheap

     Good news everyone! I have found a map, outlined in the Active Transportation Trailway Master Plan and Brookside, Royal, MacLaren, Hanwell and Rookwood are all outlined for a planned bicycle route. If only I can get definite answers from a reputable source, but judging by what I found on the map, they are most likely going to be bike lanes.

     It's funny- these bike lanes have only been around for a month, but cyclists have already adapted to using them, yet they are not even official. It just goes to show, if you paint a few lines on the street that look like a bike lane, cyclists will use them.  I have also noticed the increase of bicycles on the trails and bike lanes this year. Either it is because of the nice weather, a green dream come true or even due to the Princess Margaret Bridge closure. I hope when the bridge re-opens on September 5th, that we don't fall into old habits, but keep up this new habit.

(Bike lane with bicycle marker)

     You may think it is relatively cheap to build and sustain a bicycle culture, but it is actually quite expensive! Cities like Copenhagen or Montréal must invest millions, just to keep current infrastructure up to par. Here are some facts about the bicycle revolution here in Fredericton:

• For every kilometre of bike lane, it costs roughly $20, 000 to paint both sides of the road. 
• To erect signs costs $150 per sign and there are eight signs needed per kilometre.
• To construct a brand new trail costs $150, 000 per kilometre with a paved surface.
• A steel pedestrian bridge over Route 8 from Skyline Acres to UNB would cost almost $1.3 million.
• Asphalt trails are needed for high traffic areas such as The Green, Lincoln, Valley and Northside Trails. The asphalt will last roughly 15 years with yearly maintenance. It costs $45, 000 to pave each kilometre.
• A bridge over the Carleton Street piers would cost almost $3.8 million plus pier refurbishments!
• Almost 2, 200 people cross the Bill Thorpe Bridge each day! Impressive, considering the size of the city.
• 70 kilometres of the city trail system lays on old railway bed, saving us millions in construction costs.

(Crushed gravel surface trail | Bridge over the Little Nashwaak)

Google Maps Updates Cycling Routes!

After months of reports, Google Maps has finally updated cycling routes in the city! The York Street and Montgomery Street bike lanes have been added to the map as well as Prospect and Crocket Street. For those of you who do not know, light green is a bike lane, dark green is a multi-use path and a dotted green is a share the road. I know it's silly to be this excited over a map update, but it is great for cyclists and tourists wondering how to get around Fredericton safely. Plus, it makes a city look great to have such an extensive cycling network. I know we could never compare to cities like Montréal, Copenhagen, San Francisco or even Vancouver- but it is nice to have our own little bicycle metropolis.

Also, the North Side Trail has been added to the map. When I first moved to Fredericton, I never knew it existed!

I have not heard any updates on the possible bike lanes on Brookside Drive, Royal Road, MacLaren Ave, Rockwood Ave or Hanwell Road, but I promise to keep you updated as soon as I hear anything.

To see the full map on google, click the bicycle layer in the drop down tab or click this link.

Parking Issues/Bikes lanes in Fredericton North

     Apparently these stinkers think it's okay to park in a bike lane? I went cycling in the North-Western section of the city to capture these bike lanes that are popping up. Douglas Avenue has been in existence since 2008, but motorists seem oblivious to the parking ban. It's rather frustrating, because cyclists are forced into traffic. Bike lanes are there for a reason, to keep cyclists out of traffic. I am tempted to do a faux-pas and give each car parked in the lane a pamphlet about parking. In consideration of privacy for these motorists, I have blurred out the license plates. In most cases, the driveways are empty, why risk getting a $72 parking ticket? I will forewarn you that my picture quality is a tad low. I am trying out a new camera lens :)

Of course, it's easy to ignore this no parking sign...

     On Brookside Drive, mysterious white lines have appeared out of thin air. I cannot guarantee that this is a bike lane, but it definitely looks like one! Have my wishes been granted? There are naked poles (not Polish people!) on the side of the road, suggesting future signs. I wish I could get some answers for you!

Brookside/Oakland Intersection

     Mysterious white lines have also appeared on Royal Road. Again, I cannot guarantee bike lanes. If these are bike lanes, it will be fantastic for cyclists from the North-Western section of the city.

Hawkins/Royal Intersection

Ring Road overpass to City Centre

Typical up-hill terrain in Fredericton

     There is one bike lane that I can guarantee for you. Sunset Drive (as I have posted before) is now a bike lane. All 2.6 kilometres of it! The section from Floral Avenue to Main Street is currently under construction, so I suggest if you are using a road/racing bike to avoid this section. Here are some pictures to prove that it does exist!

Are there any other bike lanes popping up in Fredericton? Let me know!

Fredericton Bike Lanes and Princess Margaret Bridge Closure

I would like to start off today’s blog that google maps has finally added Douglas Avenue as a bike lane! I’m still working with google to get them to include York Street and Crocket Street/Brown Boulevard. You can see some of bicycle lanes and routes here. Once they have all of the bicycle lanes and paths listed, it will be much easier for locals and tourists to find the best routes to get around our fair city.

Note that not all of the multi-use paths are listed, and the city centre routes can be viewed here. I cycled the Douglas Avenue route a few days ago, and it is in excellent shape and gets four out of five stars! It loses only one star because there are a few areas where there is gravel on the road and parked cars. I should not have to remind motorists that it is illegal to park in a bike lane.

Now that the Princess Margaret Bridge closure is in full swing, the city is still trying to get motorists to find alternate ways of getting to work. I have said this before, but I will remind you of the Brookside Mall park and go shuttle bus that runs to downtown and vies versa. Also, it is entirely FREE!

Our neighbouring city of Saint John has also done something similar, calling their system the “Parcobus”. Link here. If the City of Fredericton advertised a little more, they may even get increased demand. I would not be surprised if they offered a park and go site from Kingswood Entertainment Centre to downtown in the distant future. 

Frederictonians are also preparing the impending construction season this year. More than ever the city is urging citizens to use alternatives. The full article by the Daily Gleaner can be found here. As noted in the article, Brookside Drive is getting an overhaul from Summerhill Row to Heron Drive, which will include continuing the widening of the road. I keep hearing rumours of a bicycle lane from Reynolds Street to St. Mary's Street. Knowing the city, it will not happen any time soon, but it is foreseeable in the future.