The wheels are once again in motion for the city’s segregated bike lane project. City staff held the first of its four planned public consultation meetings Monday night to get feedback on the preferred options for an east-west bike-only lane from Preston Street to Elgin Street.
About 30 people showed up at the Dalhousie Community Centre to advise city transportation staff which of the 12 options would best accommodate cyclists, business owners, and Centretown residents.
The 12 options came in two categories. Five of the proposed routes could include two lanes going in opposite directions, on either side of the street. Those streets would be Wellington, Queen, Laurier, Somerset, and Gladstone. The alternative would be building an east-bound lane on one street and a west-bound lane on another street nearby.
City staff also sought input as to whether the route should run along commercial streets such as Albert and Somerset or more residential streets such as Lisgar and Gilmour.
While city officials say they have not yet identified a preferred route, their own studies indicate that Somerset Street is a likely front-runner. It excelled in criteria such as low-impact on transit, number of destinations, and continuity with existing routes.
However, if the city does decide to run the route along Somerset Street, there will be an impact on parking. If the city goes with a two-lane model on Somerset, then all of the parking between Bank and Bronson streets would have to be eliminated and one lane of parking through Chinatown would have to go.
Business owners at the meeting expressed concern over the Somerset Street proposal’s potential to exacerbate the street’s current parking problems. But most others agreed that if the city must choose only one route then Somerset Street would be the best option.
“It needs to go on a commercial street, because I already feel comfortable on the residential streets,” said Annick Montambault. “We should be building these lanes where there is a need.”
Others expressed concern that limiting the project to one route is sending the wrong message to residents.
“One route continues the mentality of cycling as a leisure activity, not a mode of transportation,” said Veronique McKinnon.
Transportation planner Colin Simpson said the project’s main challenge is that it is the first of its kind in the city and that often people don’t like change. However, he said he hopes that this round of consultation will warm residents to the idea.
In response to concerns that the project is taking too long, Simpson pointed to a similar pilot project initiated on Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver. Vancouver city council approved the pilot project design May 20 and the bike route is expected be open by the end of June.
The Vancouver project cost $800,000 and Simpson expects Ottawa’s bill to be about the same.
The latest string of public consultations came as a result of Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes’ concern that the project lacked transparency and community input. City staff responded by meeting with separately with all seven downtown Business Improvement Areas and community associations.
The city will also be holding several extra open houses throughout the week.