Sidewalk Cycling - Daily Gleaner

Two city councillors are on opposite sides of the page when it comes to biking on public sidewalks.

Coun. Stephen Chase wants to protect the safety of pedestrians by stepping up police enforcement, but Coun. Stephen Kelly would like to explore ways to allow shared usage of city sidewalks.

Since January to the end of August, the Fredericton Police Force has stepped up its enforcement efforts.

Police Chief Barry MacKnight said under the city's bylaw, tickets can be issued for not wearing helmets while cycling. There were 201 municipal tickets issued for the first half of the year, 19 of which were prosecutions and the rest were written warnings issued by the city's park patrol.

There were 15 municipal bylaw notices issued for riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. Six involved fines.

Under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act, 33 people were handed tickets for riding on the sidewalk or not wearing helmets. Nine were prosecutions.

"Since there is still a pretty high incidence of people riding sidewalks on downtown sidewalks - and I want to emphasize that my concern is downtown where we have a lot of pedestrian traffic, frequently seniors and in some cases the sidewalks are restricted with the (restaurant) terraces in the summer - we should step up our effort with public education or issuing warnings," Chase said.

But Kelly isn't in favour of clamping down on cyclists who use the city sidewalks to get around the downtown.

In fact, he's asking the city's transportation committee chairman, Coun. Bruce Grandy, to let him raise the topic of a sidewalk sharing policy that would embrace not just bicyclists, but also skateboarders and people on inline skates.

"I am not sure how widespread this problem or issue may be, but I am interested in learning more about shared usage of City of Fredericton sidewalks with bikes, boards and blades, and would like to request a staff report that would provide the committee with some background on the subject. In particular, what other cities are doing in our area, any legal issues that we should know about and what staff would see as the pros and cons associated with the issue and possible options and resource requirements if applicable," Kelly said.

"I am not suggesting we would support moving forward on the issue, but I think it's important we have the information we need should we want to go in any particular direction. I realize I am asking our staff to take on another report and they are busy, so perhaps this request could be put in the queue and staff could report back when they have had time to consider the issue."

The Problem With Fredericton Traffic Lights

      Next month, Fredericton is installing a bicycle-sensing traffic light at the York/Montgomery intersection, which is just one intersection. What about the other several hundred intersections? A few of the older intersections still use underground, metal detecting* activated lights which are completely hopeless to a cyclist since they require a minimum of half a tonne of metal to activate the lights. For instance the Cliffe/Union Street intersection still uses the underground sensors. You can see in the pavement a faint rectangle where the wires are located. The metal of the vehicle triggers the lights to change.

Note the black lines where the wires are located.

     Today's modern traffic lights use a motion sensor activated light. As the name suggest, when a car passes in its vision, it tells the light that there is a car waiting to cross. These lights are more efficient and accurate, but their sensitivity isn't strong enough to pick up cyclists or even motorbikes. Many new signalized and upgraded intersections in Fredericton have this type of light.

The black sensor on top of the light is aimed
 at the centre of the facing lane.

     It would easier for cyclists if bicycle actuated lights were implemented at the major intersections, but I think a simple button would be easier. For instance, this style of light is common on many Vancouver streets. For now, city cyclists will just have to hang behind a car or dismount and use the pedestrian lights.

Debris in Fredericton Bike Lanes

     I can handle the odd stick or puddle in the bike lanes, but it's a tad obstructive when there is lots of debris, pot holes, drain covers, rocks... or even fruit? I do have to admit that bike lanes are in far better condition then they were last year. Maybe it is due to the increased usage, keeping the clutter down. As always, there is always room for improvement. For instance, the street sweepers could go through the bike lanes once a month to help keep debris out of the bicycle lanes. York Street is the oldest bike lane in the city (2008), and it has been beaten up the last three years. It is likely the most heavily used bike lane in the entire city, so it is definitely important to keep it clear.

Rough section in front of the train station

A brave soul who dares to bike uphill for 2km

     I also have to ask, why do all of the bike lanes end before a major intersection? I understand the ideology is to force bicycle traffic to merge into to car traffic, but what happens during grid lock? Many bicycles take to the sidewalks or squeeze dangerously through cars. I think Fredericton should look into how Moncton deals with their bike lanes. I vote for a bicycle thru-fare! 

     This time it's me blocking the bike lane! I thought I would show off my 'new' bike in a typical bike lane on the North Side. 

     This is a rare occurrence, but there was apples all over this bike lane on Royal Road! Many have already been brushed to the side, but it can be dangerous to run over a round object with 1 1/4" tires. 

Arguments Against Bike Lanes Are Absurd - Daily Gleaner

Cyclists ride in the bike lane across the Brooklyn Bridge during the evening commute in New York City. Improvements in biking infrastructure led to a 35 per cent increase in bicycle commuting in the centre of the city between 2007 and 2008.

Consider this: We have wide roads everywhere to accommodate cars, most of which carry only one person. On either side of many of those roads, we have pedestrian sidewalks. In most large urban areas, we also have bus lanes and transit systems such as subways and rapid transit.

When cyclists ride on roads, drivers often get annoyed. If they ride on sidewalks, pedestrians rightly get angry.

Human-powered transportation will only get more popular as gas prices rise and as the negative consequences of our car-centric culture increase. We should be doing everything we can to discourage single-occupant automobile use while encouraging public transit, pedestrian and pedal-powered movement.

In many North American cities, including Vancouver where I live, commuters scream bloody murder if it takes them an extra two minutes to get to their destination by car. The reality is that drivers are slowed more by increases in car traffic than by bike lanes.

According to the Globe and Mail, a study by Stantec Consulting Ltd. found that traffic delays because of bike lanes in Vancouver were mostly imagined. Drivers who were surveyed thought it took them five minutes longer to travel along a street with a new bike lane. But the study showed that it actually took from five seconds less to just a minute and 37 seconds more.

There's also the argument that slowing car traffic down is a good thing. In some European cities, planners are finding that making life more difficult for drivers while providing incentives for people to take transit, walk or cycle creates numerous benefits, from reducing pollution and smog-related health problems to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and making cities safer and friendlier.

In Zurich, Switzerland, planners have added traffic lights, including some that transit operators can change in their favour, increased the length of red lights and decreased the greens, slowed speed limits, reduced parking, and banned cars from many streets.

"Our goal is to reconquer public space for pedestrians, not to make it easy for drivers," chief traffic planner Andy Fellmann told the New York Times. He also noted that a person in a car takes up 115 cubic meters of urban space in Zurich while a pedestrian takes three.

In Vancouver, the Stantec study found that businesses along new downtown bike routes initially experienced minor decreases in sales, but that numerous strategies were available to overcome the declines.

In the long run, most cities that have improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure have seen benefits for area businesses.

Building bike lanes also creates jobs and other economic spin-offs, according to a study from the Political Economy Research Institute in Amherst, Massachusetts, titled "Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts."

Researchers found that "bicycling infrastructure creates the most jobs for a given level of spending." For every $1 million spent, cycling projects created an average of 11.4 jobs in the state where the project was located, pedestrian-only projects created about 10 jobs, and multi-use trails created about 9.6 jobs.

Infrastructure combining road construction with pedestrian and bicycle facilities created slightly fewer jobs for the same amount of spending, and road-only projects created the least, with a total of 7.8 jobs per $1 million.

One of the main reasons is that more of the money for road-building goes to materials and equipment, whereas with bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure more goes to wages and salaries.

It's important to note that European cities have matched disincentives to drive with improved public transit. After all, not everyone can get to their destination by walking or cycling.

But with fewer cars and reduced gridlock, those who must use automobiles - including service and emergency-response vehicles and taxis - have an easier time getting around.

Fortunately, the backlash against cycling infrastructure improvements appears to be subsiding. As oil becomes scarce and pollution and climate change increase, people are finally realizing that transporting a 90-kilogram person in two tonnes of metal just isn't sustainable, especially in urban areas.

Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation editorial and communications specialist Ian Hanington.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/1431284

Fredericton Bixi Bikes?

     Fredericton’s downtown is not known for the immense amount of cyclists. Well, on the streets that is... Every Frederictonian knows the problem of sidewalk cyclists. Why is it such a problem? Could the by-law officers do a better job? It doesn’t help that we’re also lacking infrastructure downtown. The only routes remotely close are The Green and Church Street. With the lack of cyclists on streets, could this be increased by a bike share program like Bixi? In order for this system to work, Fredericton must first invest in infrastructure on downtown streets.
     Currently, there are four cities in Canada that have a Bixi Bike Program: Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa/Gatineau and London. Could Fredericton benefit from this program? I think yes! Even though our population is off by a couple million compared to Canada’s major urban centres, it has the potential to be successful. Could we convince citizens, tourists or businessmen/women to rent out a bike instead of renting an expensive SUV? A program like this would be great for people who: cannot afford to buy a bicycle, use one a few times a year or are commuters. Do you think it's feasible? Watch an instructional video below on how the system works.

   We all know about the problem of hills in our fair city. Yes, they look fantastic anaesthetically, but they are a nightmare to any cyclist- except downhill! That's why I think to anyone using a Bixi Bike should have free access to transit. So instead of cycling up York Street and getting all hot and sweaty for a meeting or work; rent a bike from downtown, hop on a bus and bike to your destination uptown! 

     It is such a great possibility, and it would only upset the motorists who have never sat their backsides on a bicycle their entire life. What do you think?

If You Drive a Car...

     Air conditioners make cars bearable in the heat of summer, but they are HUGE energy users, increasing a vehicle's fuel consumption by 20%. That means a vehicle that normally goes 800 kilometres on a tank of fuel will only go about 675 kilometres with the air conditioner on - and many of us have it on by default all summer.
     The best solution is to just turn your AC off. When driving 60 KMH or less, roll down your window and enjoy a bit of fresh air. (Wise dogs have known the pure joy of fresh air for years.) At speeds above 60 KMH, keep a comfortable airflow moving by using the fan to bring in fresh air and keeping a window or sunroof open just a crack to let it out.
     On really hot days when that's not enough, alternate the AC on and off to get just the amount of cooling you need. Just remember: it costs you every time you turn it on.

Brought to you by Carl Duivenvoorden

Though, not that you need an air conditioner now that the cool weather is back again?

Vélo Québec

     This is a wonderful commercial, brought to you by Vélo Québec. For as long as cars exist, there will always be conflicts with bicycles. Essentially, the video states "They get along so well in our garages, why not on our streets?". This goes to show how many light years ahead Québec is in terms of bicycle culture compared to New Brunswick.
     I grew up in a small town where driving everywhere was "essential". The grocery store was 5km away. Friend's house, 11km. The nearest shopping centre, 30km. The nearest city was 140km! Drive, drive, drive. I was successfully brainwashed to believe that I would need a car once I turned 16. Where I grew up, there was no transit, trains or public airport, but there was the once a day bus. That is partly why everyone in my small town drove everywhere. The reasoning was due to convenience. Why is it in North America we are lead to believe that we must drive everywhere? That probably is one of the reasons why 1/3 of North America is overweight...
     When I finally moved to Fredericton, I realized is was more feasible to walk, bike or take transit to where I needed to go. In cities, it is much easier to get around due to public transportation and being more dense. My mentality began to change on my dependancy on a car. Why drive to the corner store when it was only a few blocks away? Why spend my savings on gas just to get around in the city? Granted, I am still young and don't plan on having a family any time soon, but my plan remains to never own a car.
     I challenge you, instead of driving the few kilometres to the store or friend's house, ride your bike. Imagine if everyone in Fredericton did that!

WWF Canada - The World Has Changed

Traffic Lights

     If you're brave enough to cycle in traffic in Fredericton, you probably notice the situation with traffic lights. You're waiting at the stop line for a green light, and you find yourself waiting for the light to change- a light that never changes. About 85% of traffic lights in this city are equipped with motion sensor activated lights. For those of you that do not understand- when a car passes in the motion sensor's vision, it flicks a switch telling Mr. Red-Light that there is a car waiting to proceed through the intersection. If you're a cyclist, you know it's impossible for the traffic lights to "see" you. The other 15% of lights are on 30 second or more cycles, meaning green light for 30 seconds in one direction and vice versa.
     How the flip are cyclists suppose to get through an intersection?! I think the motion sensitivity needs to be tweaked on the cameras to pick up cyclists, or maybe a special traffic light at major intersections? (Credit to Mikael for the picture.) I'm a little tired of doing a rain dance at an intersection for the light to sense me... Instead of dancing like a fool, I hang behind a car to do all the work for me.
     I'm sure every cyclist has encountered a motorist that misjudges the speed of a bicycle. For instance, this could mean a car passing a cyclist then turning right, cutting off the bicycle. This has happened to me a few times, and I definitely let the driver know. It's so tempting to lash out... Another situation is a car turning left, cutting off a bicycle coming in the other direction. These manoeuvres are extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, there isn't much a cyclist can do about it, other than to expect the unexpected.

Cycling Confusion - Daily Gleaner

Our attention today is on the fuss about bicycle lanes, parking in those lanes and other related matters. A week ago, Fredericton city traffic engineer Darren Charters announced the city will install another 23 kilometres of bicycle lanes this summer, and by October there will be 29 kilometres of bicycle routes.

The system is following a master plan for trails and bikeways recommended by a city-hired consultant. Charters said the rule citywide is to share the road with cyclists.

And that is how it should be.

Charters said the city was getting "great support from council, the public, and even the press on this." There appear, however, to be flaws in the system.

Mayor Brad Woodside voiced concern about parking on opposite sides of streets where there is a reserved bike lane, and Charters said there is confusion about the different types of bicycle lanes the city is installing.

There are actually three types of lanes. Some streets will be identified with signs as bicycle routes without markings on the pavement; others will be marked bicycle lanes with a white striped border that marks the width of the lane but parking may be permitted in those lanes; third is the reserved bicycle lanes where signs indicate no parking is permitted in those lanes.

It's no wonder bicyclists and motorists are confused.

Why is it necessary to have three types of lanes? Why is parking allowed within the lanes? Why is parking allowed across the street from lanes?

One letter writer to The Daily Gleaner said, "it is getting way too complicated to go for a bike ride" and another writer has major concerns that the bike lanes are too narrow, that they will give "some cyclists a false sense of security," and that "storm sewer grates and debris after storms usually share the same space as the cycle lanes."

The same letter writer says most Fredericton streets already have sidewalks on both sides, so he suggests in such cases that one side be designated for pedestrians and the other for cyclists and pedestrians.

Where that is possible, it may offer a sound solution.

We certainly support the bikers who have every right to cycle on the streets, and motorists need to be aware that bikers have those rights.

Motorists have had the roads largely to themselves for a long time. It might be difficult to adjust, but it is a present-day reality that is not going to disappear.

However, when the city makes driving a bicycle so complicated, it becomes a hazard.

We all know what happened to a cyclist from New York last September who was killed on Highway 7 near Petersville by a trucker. That man pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. It is a tragic case which netted the trucker two months in jail.

We don't want anything like that to happen in Fredericton or anywhere else.

We need a clear definition of bicycle lanes without the confusion, without the hazards and without the risks they place on both cyclists and motorists.

It's time to share the road and respect each other's rights to be there.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/1428375

New Brunswick Day

     Ah, it is nice to finally have a holiday where you can have an entire day to yourself. I spent the afternoon having a picnic on The Green watching people do their thing. Whether it be going for a holiday stroll, cycling or pushing their kids in strollers. Then there's the sensation of the lush grass tickling your toes and the quiet rush of the river a few metres away. It seems everyone was out enjoy this beautiful summer day!

     There has been some debate between the cyclists, joggers and the casual strollers on whether to pave the trail that winds its way through The Green. I guess they came up with a compromise to pave up to the Carleton Street Pedway. Even if it is just a short distance from the Light House to the pedway, it's better than getting a punctured tire to massive rocks! Hopefully this encourages cyclists to use the pedway instead of running across a four lane highway.

     There are some rare things to see in Fredericton, like a deer running through the Provincial Legislature. Even more rare, is to see a bike rack full of bikes! It is always so heart warming to see so many people taking an alternative to visit a park, or just downtown in general. 

     What better day than to chose a provincial holiday to protest shale gas drilling (hydro fracking) in our lovely province. Literally thousands of people showed up to protest and it was such an awesome sight to see so many people that do not want this controversial drilling method in our province. I totally forgot this protest was happening, until I was cycling by on Queen Street that I saw people swamped the legislature lawn. Honestly, I would have picked a better day, since none of the politicians were in office... Please check out the New Brunswickers Concerned About Shale Gas facebook page, and make sure to like it!

     Also make sure to like my facebook page and follow me on twitter. I am currently working on a contest and updates will be posted via twitter and facebook!

Fredericton Bicycle Signage Confusion

     Apparently there is some confusion about the types of bicycle lanes in Fredericton. To be honest, I did not know the difference until a few weeks ago. With the increase of motorists and cyclists alike, disputes seem to be growing. It can range from, "You can't park there, it's a bike lane!" or even physical assault. Hopefully this article gives you some clarity on some of the rules of bike lanes. In a recent article from the Daily Gleaner, they state the types of bicycle lanes, but it does not help without visual representation. There are three types of bicycle lanes currently in use in Fredericton:

1. The green sign with a picture of a bicycle and “ROUTE” printed below the bicycle is the most confusing sign. It can be placed on roads with or without painted white lines. On the road, a solid white line and a bicycle are painted, but no diamond. This means that cars can park in this lane, unless otherwise posted by a no parking sign. Where the bicycle lane is painted on the road, it defeats the purpose of a bike lane if motorists are allowed to park in it...

2. This next sign is rather simple to understand. It features a black box with a white diamond in the top left corner. In the top right corner, there is a picture of a black bicycle. In the bottom left (or right) is an arrow pointing to where the lane is. To summarize, this sign means that this lane is a designated bicycle lane and cars are not permitted to drive or park in it.

3. The next sign is a yellow diamond (Square? Shreddie?) shape, warning motorists to look out and give enough room for cyclists. The sign is usually accompanied by a "SHARE THE ROAD | PARTAGER LA ROUTE" rectangular sign below. On roads that this sign is posted, the far right lane in each direction is generally wider so motorists can give cyclists a wide berth. 

Don't forget to check out my facebook page. Polls, questions and comments are all available there!

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

Fredericton Faults

     There hasn't been a major earth quake in Fredericton in over twenty-five years, and I suppose the next one will take out the Princess Margaret Bridge. According to Google Maps, it doesn't exist anymore. I'm not here to talk about fault lines or what causes our earth to rumble. (Sorry, I had chili for lunch.) Currently, there are a few ridiculous by-laws for some of the bicycle lanes here in Fredericton. On Douglas Avenue for instance, you are allowed to park in the West-bound lane, where as it is forbidden on the South-bound lane. This law is in effect 24/7 and absolutely does not make the slightest bit of sense. I do admit I was wrong about some of the parking issues, but this by-law would make sense if it was a ban from 7am to 8pm, not 24/7. A bike lane is there to help separate a bicycle from vehicle traffic, not force the cyclist to merge into traffic every 500 metres.

     On York Street, parking is banned on both sides of the street except for the North-bound lane on Sundays. At least this by-law is more reasonable, but it will shock a cyclist not paying attention going 50km/h and finding themselves flying through the back window of a car. Either a car, or a drain will send you flying. You can see in the bottom centre of the image there is a storm drain. The sun is high in the sky, so it hard to tell just how much of a dip there is, but I measured it, and it's anywhere from 2-3 inches! That's a lot if you're on a road bike. I understand it's for drainage reasons, so I advise to go to the left it- but that's common sense.

     The past few days, we've been lucky to have sunny, gorgeous weather! I couldn't resist to go out and have a picnic on The Green and people watch. There was the usual casual strollers, people on their way to or from work, and a dad teaching his daughter how to ride a bike- which is always nice to see. I took this next picture early afternoon during the heat of the day, so there are not too many people around. Just a few people like me enjoying the shade.

     I finally got around to cycling around Devon to check out the MacLaren Avenue 'bike lane'. I am a bit baffled why there is a bike lane only 500 metres from the paved, segregated path. Maybe it's for the children going to school or to encourage density, especially since the new construction of Hillcrest Subdivision. (I think that's the name?) Whatever the reasoning, the addition of more bike lanes will encourage more and more people to chose alternatives.

     I hope everyone gets a chance to get out of the house tonight. Please feel free to send me pictures of your adventures or issues that you stumble upon.

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.

Bicycle Parking in Fredericton | Update

Today's blog is just a simple update of all the available bike parking facilities in Fredericton, even of the UNB/STU campuses! Feel free to let me know of any places I have missed or those of a local business. Below, I've provided an interactive map of all the places available to park and a link will be added to the sidebar for convenience.


View Fredericton Bike Racks in a larger map

It's Hot in Fredericton!

     Wait! Stop right there before you turn on the A/C. Did you know there are better and cheaper (that’s right, cheaper) ways of keeping cool, rather than jacking up the AC? Growing up, I never had air conditioning. We always found inventive ways to keep cool during those hot summer days. My personal favourite was wearing a wet t-shirt and sit in front of a fan! It’s a great way to show off muscles I suppose...

1.   If you’re fortunate enough to have a basement, hang out down there for the afternoon!
2.   Go to a mall that is already air conditioned. Plus, you don’t have to pay for it!
3.   Go to a beach or pool to cool off!
4.   Sit in front of a fan, wearing a wet t-shirt. Evaporating water cools you off.
5.   Put your feet in a bucket of ice cubes.
6.   Wear an ice pack as a hat.
7.   Go to a park with lots of trees. Did you know, a park full of trees is 3-4 degrees cooler compared to         the rest of the city?
8.   Take a short, cold shower.
9.   Eat a popsicle. Maybe it’s all mental, but you feel cooler when you eat one!
10. Close all the curtains. Leaving them open makes your house act like a green house.
11. Don’t use the oven or stove top during the hottest point of the day. Use the BBQ, cook early in the morning or wait until the evening.

     Cycling when it’s hot outside, it’s hard not to sweat. It’s a known fact that we all sweat to cool ourselves. What do I do to keep cool as possible when cycling and after?

1.  I wear a white cotton shirt and cycling shorts. Don’t wear black, because it absorbs the sun and makes you feel warm.
2.  I wear a well ventilated helmet. Most of your body heat is expelled through your head. Trapping it all in with a solid helmet makes you hot and not to mention you could get heat stroke!
3.  If you usually wear a backpack, strap it onto a rack. Heat is also expelled through your back and the added ventilation keeps you cool.
4.  Not everyone has showers at work, so I suggest you buy a pack of travel baby wipes to wipe yourself down. Nothing is worse than feeling dirty and sticky during work!

Can you think of any other tips to keep cool?

Bicycle Segregation

     There is a city wide issue for the need of more bicycle lanes and segregation. The South Side has two excellent East/West routes and a route through the Town Plat to the North Side across the bridge. The only problem is, these routes totally ignore the downtown core. I have talked to people saying they should take away the parking on the North or South side of King Street to have a two way cycling path with a barrier from vehicle traffic. The only problem in this car-dependant city, is the outcry from motorists and shop owners about taking away parking. God forbid you have to walk an extra block.

     I do understand short term parking is limited, but there is also the option of converting a lane on Brunswick Street where there is zero parking. Seen  in Montréal (see picture left), is what I could see on Brunswick Street here in Fredericton. Brunswick Street is a two lane, one way street with the occasional turn left slip lane. Here is a basic idea what the street could look like (see picture below). Ideas like this exist in Ottawa and Montreal, which could work rather well here. The only issue I see is motorists turning left without looking for cyclists- in this case a separate traffic light for cyclists/pedestrians would be necessary. 

     Are there any areas of the city that you think need bike lanes or paths?

Summer in Fredericton

With summer fast approaching on our heels, it’s hard to find an excuse not be outside! Nothing is more pleasant than riding your bike through the old elm and maple trees that reach over your head, scratching at the sky. When you live in a city, there are areas that you never really venture in to. For example, I hardly ever go to Marysville or Barker’s Point, all because I have no reason to go there. I encourage you this summer to just go for a leisurely ride and explore areas you do not often think about.

My favourite thing to do in the summer is catch a bus to Kings Place, and cycle to the Boyce Farmer’s Market every Saturday. It is a great way to meet the locals and it encourages to buy local products. From sausages to falafels and clothes to souvenirs, you can find anything here! Another one of my favourite activities is to spend an afternoon people watching or reading a book in Officers Square or Odell Park. It’s a great way to cool off in the shade while listening to the rushing river or a babbling brook.

The walking bridge seems to be getting a lot of attention this year, and with good reason! It’s the best way to get from the Southside to the Northside when walking or cycling. It offers amazing views of the city skyline and connections to the downtown core, and Carleton Park on the Northside. Here are some typical views you can see from the walking bridge (taken last summer).

You may even see a rower or two!

So, get off your butt and enjoy this summer in the "City of Stately Elms".

Also check out the Tourism New Brunswick website!