Put bike lane plan on hold, says Edmonton councillor

An Edmonton city councillor wants plans to build new bike routes this year put on hold.

"It's a contentious issue," said Coun. Kerry Diotte. "I've probably had 300 contacts from the public about this whether it's emails, phone calls, blog comments, texts.

"That shows you it's a big issue, it's up there with the arena."

His comments follow more criticism of the routes expressed at a public meeting at Crestwood School Wednesday night.

"I think it's insane," said west-end resident Bill Lawless pointing to a bike lane built last year in the middle of 189th Street.

Even Lawless's neighbour Rick Newcombe, a long-time bicycle commuter isn't happy with the plans.

"I love what the city's trying to do," he said. "I just get the feelng that the input was somewhat one sided from the engineers only."

But city officials said changes in the bike routes can be incorporated into the plans in time to be made public at pre-construction meetings in April.

"We wouldn't be doing this process if we didn't have time to make changes," said Tyler Golly, with Edmonton's transportation department.