Westworld Alberta

analyze this Lane Change Even in the midst of debate, bike lanes are pushing ahead. Here's how to navigate Alberta's new cycling infrastructure, whichever side of the road you're on by Shauna Rudd T his spring, new bicycle lanes will be sprouting up across the province as municipal cycling plans come to fruition. The City of Edmonton plans to install 23 kilometres of bike lanes this year, while Calgary's first bicycle track is scheduled to open in July. Red Deer recently won a 2013 Sustainable Communities Award from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for its two-year bike-lane pilot project, and even Lethbridge and Grande Prairie have plans to create a network of commuter bike lanes. Some 70 per cent of participants in a recent AMA member opinion survey voiced support for this new infrastructure, due to one overriding factor: bike lanes make roads safer. That's as long as cyclists and drivers use them correctly, cautions Don Szarko of AMA Advocacy and Community Services: "We're asking motorists and cyclists to adhere to a new set of protocols. Education is absolutely paramount." Here are a few of the bike-lane types you'll encounter in Alberta, along with some tips on how to interact with them, whether you're horsepowered or muscle-powered. Bicycle Track bicycle track This type of bike lane is physically separated from moving and parked vehicles by a concrete barrier. Come July, the only two-way cycle track in Alberta will run along 7th Street in downtown Calgary — but it's the first of several being planned. Dedicated Lane dedicated bicycle lane The most common type of bike lane, these are marked with a solid white line and a bicycle symbol. They're usually found on city streets with high traffic volumes. Tip Turning with bike lanes in the mix can be tricky for cyclists and drivers. When cyclists want to turn left, they have to cross traffic to wait with turning motor vehicles. Before doing so, cyclists should check for traffic behind them, then hand-signal, shoulder-check again and position the bicycle to just right of the centre line. If 62 W e s t w o r l d p62-63_Analyze This.indd 62 >> May 2013 Tip Bike tracks involve little interaction with motorized traffic, so cyclists should simply observe the usual protocols (see p. 65 for some cycling safety tips) and be alert at intersections. you're not comfortable with this manoeuvre, says Christopher Chan, instructor with Can-Bike, a national cycling safety program, just stay in the bike lane until you reach the intersection, then dismount and walk, don't ride, your bike across as a pedestrian. For drivers, right turns can be nerve-racking because one has to cross the bike lane. Drivers should check their side mirrors and blind spots carefully for cyclists before moving to the right, remembering that straight-flowing traffic always has the right of way. (top) iStock, The National Association of City Transportation Officials 13-04-12 1:25 PM

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