The Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services informed Council that the attached decision note was prompted by a previous discussion concerning painted and unpainted bike lanes in Airport Heights. The note summarizes the variations of the Bike Plan since 2009, past decisions of Council, and the current status of the lanes. Transportation Engineering Staff were in attendance to respond to Council's questions and are looking for direction as to how to proceed.
Councillor Burton advised that the current network includes Airport Heights Drive, Viscount Street, Cowan Avenue, Canada Drive, Mundy Pond Road, and Cashin Avenue. All other previously painted lanes that are not part of the full network or backbone network have been removed, and what remains is aligned with the 2019 Bike St. John's Master Plan. In these areas, there are painted unidirectional bike lanes on each side of the street, with a hatched buffer and parking permitted on one side. The lanes also include painted bike symbols with reserved bike lane diamonds.
While bike lanes do improve safety, reduce collisions, and help cyclists navigate, they are not attractive for new or nervous riders. In order to increase ridership, the City needs to build routes of protected bike lanes or shared-use paths that are comfortable and attract new riders. Councillor Burton noted the importance of connecting the new Mews Centre at Mundy Pond, as well as other centres, to the bike network and existing pathways. The Staff recommendation is to maintain the bike lanes along Mundy Pond and Cashin Avenue. Staff are further recommending removal of the lanes on Canada Drive as construction of a new active transportation facility is scheduled to start in 2023. Councillor Burton requested that this be reconsidered as funding for the project is not guaranteed and it would be important for the existing infrastructure to remain. Councillor Korab advised that as public engagement had recently completed on Canada Drive Active Transportation and Road Safety Improvements, it would be best to provide Staff an opportunity to make a recommendation on the issue before moving forward. Staff further informed Council that the transitions between sections of Canada Drive from two unidirectional lanes to one lane, to nothing, increase the level of risk for cyclists using the lanes.
Members of Council voiced their support of the Staff recommendations and noted the importance of giving residents advance notice of the work being undertaken. Deputy Mayor O'Leary inquired if the lanes on Newtown Road would remain. Staff informed Council that the lanes on Newtown Road were signed only, with no pavement markings, and would be on the list for new facilities once there was funding available. Councillor Hickman asked when the work would occur, and Staff responded that the work would take place in sections, starting with Canada Drive, and road rehab would have to take place first, with the remainder subject to funding approval. Councillor Hickman then questioned the priority and timing of lane painting. The Deputy City Manager of Public Works advised that the work would either be contracted out or completed by City Staff who would disperse during busy times when regular road painting would not be possible.
Councillor Froude expressed his concern over the removal of the lanes on Canada Drive, as the timeline was uncertain as to when the new facilities would be complete. If funding were not available, it could take years for the network to be complete, leaving the route without lanes. It was decided to leave Canada Drive as is for the time being to permit Staff an opportunity to review the information collected via the engagement project and make a recommendation. The Deputy City Manager of Public Works advised that bike lanes were not included in the 2022 budget, and that Staff would provide additional information on cost in advance of next year's budget discussions. Councillor Burton further informed Council that Staff would distribute letters to residents along affected streets to communicate the maintenance or removal of painted bike lanes, and there would be a 30-day grace period after pavement markings are completed where Staff would leave notices and warnings on vehicles parking in bike lanes instead of issuing tickets.