Bridgeland and Region Missing Links Cycling Proposal

August 8, 2011 Presented by: Dustin Jones Email: dustinjones77@hotmail.com Cell: (403) 921-3878

The Opportunity
High current active mode (pedestrian & cycling) rates
Bridgeland\Riverside and two neighboring communities (Renfrew & Crescent Heights) are among the top ten active mode communities in Calgary with a population over 5,000

Currently zero North\South & East\West cycling designated routes in Bridgeland. This has a negative impact on regional cycling connectivity and mobility as alternate routes are several kilometers longer. Designation of on street routes and infrastructure for Bridgeland is an excellent fit with recently adopted Calgary Cycling Strategy and would extend regional cycling network

Active Mode Areas in Calgary

25000

20000

Cycling routes would further support three of top 10 active mode communities (Renfrew, Bridgeland\Riverside, and Crescent Heights) with population over 5,000. Compelling opportunity is to create north\south and west\east cycling corridors to further expand these strengths for regional area.

Beltline

% Active Mode Commuters

15000

Varsity Acadia 10000

Renfrew 5000 Brentwood

West Hillhurst

Hillhurst

Downtown Commercial Core

Bridgeland\Riverside

Crescent Heights

0 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% % Active Mode Commuters 30% 35% 40% 45%

Current Bridgeland Regional Network

Issues: No complete North\South regional cycling connections No West\East collector cycling connections Little continuity to major activity centers or regional network

Route Design Consideration

Selected routes have lower traffic volumes
Cycling safety is most common concern with Calgarians No negative impact to traffic flow during rush hour as compared to installation of on street routes on high traffic volume streets Traffic calming generally desired in residential areas to reduce risk of accidents to pedestrians and children

Locate cycling routes near to mixed used retail and office development Tie-in regional cycling route to City Centre (major activity centre) Connect cycling routes to all schools in Bridgeland and LRT Choose less complex options that are capital efficient and enhance the utility of roads Prefer routes that do not have a steep incline On street bike inter-route spacing ~ 500 meters

Bridgeland Cycling Template

Sharrow lane marking Roundabout for traffic calming also reduce bike acceleration & deceleration Signage indicating distances to major destinations Speed bumps Roundabouts and speed bumps sizing to be engineered with respect to travelling speeds and traffic calming

Important to design key routes as cycling friendly and safe for all ages

Implementation Phases
Phase A
Approve on street bike routes Paint street bike markings at major intersections Install signage for bikeways at major intersections (improve legibility of network) Install traffic calming (speed bumps) Remove stop signs where appropriate and replace with yield signs Edmonton Trail\McDougall connections at grade Fix 10 ST NE & 4th Ave NE connection at grade Install roundabouts at key intersections for traffic calming and cycling route optimization Install at grade pass-thru at Edmonton Trail\Memorial and fix timing of lights Review bike parking at LRT station

Phase B

Phase Carra

Phase A -Approve onstreet bike route -Paint street bike markings at major intersections -Install Signage for bikeways at major intersections (improve legibility of network)

Legend Red Circles: Current stop signs Blue Line: Proposed onstreet cycling route

Phase B -Install traffic calming (speed bumps) -Remove stop signs where appropriate and replace with yield signs

Legend Red Circles: Stop signs Yellow Triangles: Yield signs Blue Line: Proposed onstreet cycling route Blue Waves: Speed bumps

Phase Carra -Edmonton Trail\McDougall connection at grade -Fix 10 ST NE & 4th Ave NE connection at grade -Install roundabouts at key intersections for traffic calming and cycling route optimization -Install at grade pass-thru at Edmonton Trail\Memorial and fix timing of lights

Legend Red Circles: Stop signs Yellow Triangles: Yield signs Blue Line: Proposed onstreet cycling route Blue Waves: Speed bumps Blue Wrenches: Grade changes and light opti Blue Circles: Roundabouts

Cycling Infrastructure Phasing

Infrastructure Plan
Bike signage for onstreet routes Cycling distance wayfinding signs Pavement Painting Tags "Sharrow" Remove Stop Signs where appropriate, and replace with yield signs (net) Speed Bumps Light Opti Grade Changes Roundabouts

Units Phase
47 5 47 -10 7 1 4 5 A A A B B C C C

Signage
Informative signage is important for way finding and legibility of network

Operational Considerations
Prioritize spring gravel removal for onstreet routes Evaluate prioritizing key arterial cycling routes for snow removal that are of regional importance (north\south routes on 6 St NE and 10 St NE)

The Future t0 2012 A complete regional cycling network

Signage

Edmonton\McDougall Grade

Edmonton\Memorial Drive & Light Opti

Remediate with a smooth cycling connection so that bikes and wheelchairs can cross Update timing for lights such that pedestrian crosswalk is illuminated and active mode users can cross automatically when no flow conditions exist on east side of intersection

McDougall Grade Change and Path Connectivity

Pathway Grade Change Continuity Remediation

Additional Comments
In consultation with BRCA president, concerns were raised about speeding at Langevin School on 1st Ave and 6 St NE, need for traffic calming here with appropriately designed speed bumps on 1st Ave NE BRCA president raised concerns about the speed of 10 St NE vehicular traffic and need for traffic calming on this north\south cycling route Also, evaluation of Centre Ave NE cycling route versus 1st Ave NE is recommended. Pro: 1st Ave NE fits with traffic calming and better connectivity to Edmonton trail. Con: concerns about cycling safety on 1st Ave NE due to higher traffic volumes, onstreet cycling route and risk of car door opening injuries Recommend key 4th Ave NE west\east route be extended to Crescent Heights on paved back alley between 3rd Ave NE and 4th Ave NE and designated as an onstreet cycling route Speed bumps and roundabouts sizing recommended to be engineered with consideration for travelling speeds with respect to traffic calming and safety

Summary and Recommendations

Opportunity for synergy with City of Calgary cycling plan to address missing connections in region where there is high active mode of transportation area Phasing of cycling plan was with consideration for capital efficiency Request to be considered as part of the approved Calgary Cycling Strategy budgeted priorities
Bicycle improvements coordinated with CTP/MDP-aligned work Activity Centers, Nodes and Corridors ($7.5 million) Bicycle route missing links ($1.5 million)

Incorporated feedback from the community association to amend cycling proposal and submit to the City of Calgary and Mr. Carra on behalf of the BRCA simultaneously Follow-up with City of Calgary to review and have further recommendations about implementation that is practical, safe and feasible