Put bike lanes where they will be used, Don Iveson says

Bike lanes should go in central parts of Edmonton where people will use them, Mayor Don Iveson said Wednesday.

"What we should be really doing is focusing our scarce resources where demand is highest and building some really good, high quality bike facilities that are going work for more than just the hardcore commuter — but are also potentially going to work for families,” Iveson said, adding that lanes had been built in the suburbs because it was cheaper. 

The city has decided to hold off on building new bike lanes this year while it rethinks where they should go and how it communicates with residents.

In a report to council this week, Coun. Michael Walters went as far as to suggest that some of the existing lanes should be moved.

He believes the city should start building lanes in the centre of the city.

The city is also looking at setting up lanes that would be separated from traffic.