CAMBRIDGE - The process for installing bike lanes in the City of Cambridge and Region of Waterloo could soon be changing.
The provincial government has announced its plans to introduce legislation that would require municipalities to seek approval for any bike lanes that would impact a lane of traffic. In addition, it would also require all projects within the last five years to be submitted for review.
Tom Strickland, a board member with the organization CycleWR, is against the idea of the province having a say on the matter.
In a letter sent to CambridgeToday, Strickland indicates the proposed legislation would make it "much more difficult, if not impossible" for cities to add bike lanes in the future under the restrictions.
"Some roads are good candidates for lane reductions to allow improved cycling facilities, and some are not" Strickland said.
"It depends on the traffic volume compared to the existing number of car lanes, the existence of reasonable alternative routes for cars and the desire of the local population for alternatives to car travel."
A CycleWR board of directors meeting is scheduled for tonight with the topic now being a priority for discussion.
Strickland believes decisions should be left up to local government, as its the most in tune with the needs of the community.
There are also several examples within the region where lanes of traffic have been reduced in favour of bike lanes that have had minimal impact on motorists, he said.
Erb Street between King Street and the Laurel Trail in Waterloo, Queens Boulevard between Belmont Avenue and Westheights Drive, and Belmont Avenue between Glasgow Street and Queens Boulevard in Kitchener are a few of the examples he gave.
"If a project is controversial, citizens can and do give their feedback and opinions to their local council," Strickland said.
"If the concerns are strong enough, cities can and do make major revisions or even remove bike lanes entirely. This is how the process should work. Local decisions based on local input and reviewed by local planning experts, not blanket prohibitions from the province."
Strickland recalls in 2020 when temporary bike lanes set up on Coronation Boulevard in Cambridge during the COVID-19 pandemic were causing issues for vehicle traffic.
Residents complained, and the issue was dealt with as the lanes were removed ahead of schedule.
"There was no need for an all-encompassing provincial law. A local authority made a decision based on local goals, local circumstances and local citizen input," he said.
Ted Drew-Smith, co-owner of Reids Chocolate Candy & Nut Shop on Ainslie Street, has been critical of the idea of bike lanes going along the street in Galt.
Despite his opposition to that project, he feels local government should be in on the decision making process.
"I'm not necessarily opposed to bike lanes, I’m opposed to them going on streets that can’t support driving, parking and biking," Drew-Smith said.
"I get the value of bike lanes and as time goes by and our population grows, they're going to become necessary but we need to be careful where we put them. I think if the provincial government comes up with standards for roads where they can go, then it can be decided by the municipalities."
When reached for comment on what this could mean for local planning, the city said it has no current plans to replace existing vehicle lanes with bike lanes.
The region said it will be waiting for communication from the province on the issue and that it will be supportive in whatever decision is made.
"Regional transportation staff are currently awaiting official communication from the province regarding any changes to the implementation of cycling infrastructure," Lynsey Slupeiks, manager of corporate communications for the region, said in an email.
"Regional staff will continue to advance projects that support our 'Growing with Care' strategic plan, which aims to meet community needs. The region relies on every element of our road, cycling, transit and trail network to keep the region moving. If a change to legislation is made, we will support the province in it’s implementation, but are unable to make any adjustments in approach at this time."
But Strickland is firm in his belief that each community has various needs and circumstances that require individual consideration.
"We need cities to have the flexibility to build them as quickly as possible, while respecting the needs and wishes of their local citizens," he said.
"The province should stay out of issues that are far better handled at the local level."