Cyclists let down by 26th Street plan

Brandon cyclists aren’t happy about the city’s reconstruction plans for 26th Street, which doesn’t include previously proposed bike paths.

“It’s really disappointing,” said Grant Hamilton, a co-founder of Bike Brandon.

Reconstruction is set to begin next month on 26th Street, between Victoria and Park avenues. The road’s design is staying virtually the same as it is now, keeping two lanes in both directions, with one on each side of the street used for parking.

Hamilton said it’s a missed opportunity.

“It’s just unfortunate that after so much community consultation, so many promises, that once again we have a city that’s not willing to take the next obvious step in making things better for all kinds of transportation in Brandon,” said Hamilton.

“I really do think that adding a bike lane to the street would make things better for everybody.”

Last August, the city held a special meeting for people to voice their opinions on four proposed changes to the road’s layout. The options included a multi-use pathway, a raised cycle track, a buffered bike lane with no available on-street parking and a buffered bike lane with available on-street parking.

The Sun previously reported that “slightly less than half of residents providing feedback … wanted no active transportation elements added.”

Hamilton said all four options presented were better than what council chose.

“It was like, ‘Do you want (option) A, B, C or D?’ And unfortunately, the city came back with E, which was none of the above. Really disappointing,” he said.

Another cyclist in Brandon agreed with Hamilton, saying it’s really difficult for most people to use their bikes to go to work.

“There are some dedicated cycling commuters, and having that extra bike lane would have provided a lot safer way to ride those streets,” said Ethan English, one of the owners of Stream N Wood in Brandon. “So it is disappointing that they’re not investing more in that alternative transportation.”

English said the outer ring trails Brandon offers are a great example of how infrastructure for cyclists and joggers should be, but they don’t help to get to work.

The layout of the street now, he said, isn’t safe for cyclists.

“The tricky part with the parking lane is that if cyclists are supposed to ride in the furthest right lane available, sometimes with a parking lane, vehicles don’t realize that,” said English. “It’s not a great feeling when you get buzzed by a car. I’ve certainly had some pretty close calls, where cars can get, you know, within a couple of inches of your handlebar.

“They had an opportunity to cater to more than just vehicles, like to cars and trucks,” he said. “Unfortunately, I mean, if they’re going to redo this now, it won’t get redone (with bike lanes) for a long time.”

The city in a statement stood by its decision, but said options are still open for future change.

“While the comprehensive plan is under development, the current design of 26th Street allows for future integration of cycling infrastructure,” the statement said. “In the absence of a thorough and adopted active transportation network study, varying thoughts and opinions exist within members of council, administration, and the public.”

It said the city is going through the process of undertaking a larger look with a “comprehensive study on active transportation.”

“This study will address the need, connectivity, and safe design features to reduce the risk of serious accident or fatality,” it said. “The study will also allow for public input, education, and feedback opportunities.”

Hamilton said decisions like these dissuade people from using their bikes.

“If there were good facilities for biking, (34th Street) would be a great connector. Right now, people would have to detour over to 34th Street, which doesn’t sound like very much when you’re in a car, but it’s half a mile in each direction. When you’re on a bike, it’s not as convenient.”

He said council had an easy decision, but still missed.

“It just makes traffic better for everybody — it’s win, win, win,” said Hamilton. “We don’t have enough of those, and I’m surprised that the city hasn’t decided to embrace this win, win, win.”

» alambert@brandonsun.com with files from Colin Slark