12th Avenue cycle track's early opening thrills cyclists
Cyclists say they feel much safer as they breeze through the Beltline in their own lane
The 12th Avenue portion of Calgary's cycle track network pilot project opened Tuesday morning, and many cyclists are thrilled that they are now able to safely breeze through the Beltline in their own dedicated lanes.
"I loved it," cyclist Todd Crowther enthused. "It cut some time off my commute. It also made me feel just more relaxed. I'm not always looking over my shoulder for cars, that was the biggest thing."
Marsha vandenEnden regularly rides her bike down 12th Avenue. She agrees the cycle track made her morning commute safer, believing it's about time Calgary invested in such infrastructure.
"I think this is something that all cities should have and it's about time that Calgary's actually catching up," she said.
'I've felt a lot of resentment from the drivers'
Not all feedback from this morning's launch was positive, though.
A bike courier reported being honked at a few times because he wasn't using the bike lanes, and he worries about animosity from drivers.
"I don't like the idea of segregation and I don't think it was really necessary," Declan Keogh said. "I never felt unsafe riding on the street, I think there probably could have been a better use of the money and I'm feeling even since it just opened today, already since it's been built, I've felt a lot of resentment from the drivers."
Ward 8 Coun. Evan Woolley concedes that the cycle track network may not appeal to experienced riders, but he is still convinced the lanes will be embraced.
"You still, as a cyclist, can use any lane you'd like in the city, this is going to be a more efficient lane for you to use," he said. "If you don't want to, you can still use regular streets, but we're encouraged that most cyclists will because it's going to be a wonderful piece of infrastructure for them."
Confused by all the new signs? Here is a look at what they all mean.