BLOG (John Lindsay): Getting Serious About Cycling in Sudbury

Citizens are concerned that expensive traffic calming curb extension measures such as those on Attlee Street in New Sudbury and elsewhere are intrusive and potentially dangerous for motorists and cyclists and bike lanes alone with lower speed limits would accomplish the same purpose at much lower cost, an important consideration with the current projected deficit in road construction and maintenance. (Photo provided by John Lindsay)

Getting Serious About Cycling in Sudbury: Gathering suggests money saving traffic calming measures and cycling accessibility

Besides need for improved public transit in Greater Sudbury, there was general concern from those in attendance at a recent Rainbow Routes meeting and Panel Discussion on Transportation issues, of the inherent danger for bicycle riders in the city due to a number of factors, not the least of which was an apparent negative attitude of motorists with respect to cyclists attempting to share the road. It was felt that this could be overcome with public education and more cycling infrastructure both on and off road.

Those new to the community at the meeting expressed surprise that the city is so far behind other municipalities in establishing bike lanes on streets and roadways to encourage more awareness and cycling activity. It was thought that the hundreds of thousands of dollars being devoted to expensive physically intrusive and potentially dangerous traffic calming measures might be much better spent in creating bikes lanes at a fraction of the price, possibly together with lower speed limits. The city has indicated they want Sudbury to be bicycle friendly but continues to plan for new roads with little regard for bike accommodation. The planned widening of Second Ave with no provision for proper bike lanes is a recent example.

It was mentioned that our traffic department seems to have ignored many studies that show that a simple white line is quite effective in channelizing both motorists and bicyclists and that both feel more comfortable with the line in place. A case in point is the Howey, Bellevue, Bancroft corridor in the Minnow Lake area which has accommodated motorists and cyclists with bike lanes in place for almost 10 years with traffic calming effects. Unfortunately, since being implemented, no others have been created on our city streets, although comprehensive plans over the years by various groups including several bicycle advisory committees have been submitted to the city but never acted upon.

With major concerns with respect to the serious shortfall in road development and maintenance costs it was recommended that all new road construction be put on hold, except for those involving safety issues, and that the expensive physical traffic calming initiatives planned for our streets be also curtailed in favour of painting bike lanes and lowering speed limits on selected city corridors to facilitate traffic calming and create a more bicycle friendly community a long stated but never realized goal.

John Lindsay
Founding and past member
Sudbury Bicycle Advisory Committee