Bike lanes appreciated by some
By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 10, 2024.
Herald photo by Alexandra Noad
A cyclist rides along the bike lanes on 7 Street South downtown.While bicycle lanes have gotten some pushback from local businesses, for others they have made the downtown more accessible.
The Boaderline Skate Shop has been around since 1989, but nearly lost their business back in February due to an unseasonally warm winter and construction which closed the road to their shop for three months.
Braden Hood, manager at Boarderline, says it was the community’s effort that kept the store alive during the difficult times.
“Everybody in the community kind of came together. I mean, the shop’s been around for 35 years so we have a large community base and I think people recognize that and it was just about keeping this place around,” said Hood.
Boarderline promotes an active lifestyle and Hood believes the bicycle lanes are helping make it more accessible for people who choose to bike around town.
“For people that shop at Boarderline, because we’re an active a shop that promotes active living, it definitely makes our shop more accessible to our customers,” said Hood.
Hood is also an avid cyclist and appreciates how he now has a designated lane to ride in to make it more safe for him as well as other pedestrians.
“As someone who rides a bike myself, I like having the bike lanes because it seems like no matter what, if there isn’t a bike lane, you’re making somebody mad. Like if you’re on the road, drivers are mad at you for on the sidewalk, pedestrians are mad at you. So, I think the bike lanes are good at having that designated place where bikers can ride,” said Hood.
According to the CAA website an average of 74 Canadians die in cycling accidents every year with 73 per cent of those accidents being with motor vehicles.
While the lanes may seem like a hassle to get used to, they may be encouraging people to enjoy downtown safely and economically.
11-10
No more money on bike lanes. If the City has money to throw around, which they don’t, please use it for increased policing in the downtown core and/or affordable housing and addiction services. Cut the fluff.