There are good ideas, and there are bad. The City of Yorkton has sadly embarked on one that when in the discussion phase sounded like a good idea, but now that the implementation of that idea has begun, we get to see the idea is not that good.
The idea here is the new bike lanes we now have to deal with on Darlington Street and Gladstone Avenue.
In 2009 Council approved the City of Yorkton Cycling Network, which was an initiative of the Yorkton Active Transportation Collaborative. Included in the Cycling Network was the establishment of on street bikeways for Darlington Street and Gladstone Avenue.
"These bikeways were approved as part of the 2010 Capital Budget process and as a result Associated Engineering, who was the engineering firm of record in the development of the Cycling Network, were engaged to complete the design of these on street bikeways," explained Darcy McLeod, Director of Community Development of Parks& Recreation with the City at the June 16, 2010 meeting of Council. "A steering committee, which was utilized to provide direction to the consultant, consisted of members from the Yorkton Active Transportation Collaborative, staff from the Planning and Engineering Department, the Public Works Department as well as Community Development, Parks and Recreation."There was even public consultation regarding cycling in the City, and in general people were supportive.
When asked if cycling is an activity the City should be supportive of, it's a question most are going to say yes to. Of course cycling is a healthy alternative to gas burning options.
It would be great if we all rode our bikes to work.
The question is does a strange bunch of lines and worded reminders on two usually busy streets suddenly get us all biking to work? Don't hold your breath folks. The lanes on Gladstone are far more likely to slow your car trip to work once students head back to the two high schools than they are to suddenly be busy with bicycles.
The idea of dedicated bike lanes is to create a safer environment for riders. The problem with the Yorkton lanes is they are two-fold.
On one hand it's a blended lane, meaning sections are jointly used for both bikes and cars. In other words it's like any other street in the city. It changes nothing in those sections except for the occasional reminder painted on the street.
In the areas where the lane is dedicated to bikes only, you then only have to face the reality of Yorkton drivers.
Drive down Broadway Street any day and you will see drivers improperly using the two-way turn lanes on the west end of the street.
How to use the slick operating round-about near the hospital still remains a mystery to many drivers.
If you bike in a dedicated lane, you still need to be as vigilante as ever given the record of riders in the city.
Sorry but the idea should have been left as an idea. It is a 'feel good' undertaking which Yorkton simply doesn't need at this point, especially on two major streets in the city.
