Edmonton councillor questions bike lane program

Bike lanes are controversial. They cost tens of millions of dollars and at least one councillor and mayoral candidate thinks the city should be spending that money somewhere else.

“I supported that motion but ultimately, the council didn’t,” said Tim Cartmell, the councillor of Ward pihêsiwin.

On Wednesday, Councillor Cartmell posted a video supporting the motion by Councillor Karen Principe to remove the remaining $65 million fund in the bike lane program. He says the funds can be used in other ways such as debt financing.

“We had a very robust debate about 4.7 million supportive dollars to Explore Edmonton and yet 65 million just seems to go by without any real questions at all … could that be money be put into better utility, could it be used for different things, could it be saved and return to the taxpayers.”

And one Edmontonian we spoke to, voicing his displeasure of bike lanes.

“It’s straight up stupid, it’s straight up stupid and ridiculous and it’s a horrendous waste of money,” said Joseph, who is opposed to the bike lane program.

Adding that it added more inconveniences for cars and emergency services.

“The fire department and emergency services can’t turn these corners anymore because of the … bullshit.”

But, one advocacy group expressed its disappointment with Cartmell’s comment, adding that the funding has a lot of benefits in the city.

“I’m not sure if he fully understands the value that the money is providing to our city for people to move around safely … that’s for people for pedestrians, for cyclists, people with mobility devices to get around,” said Terry Skidnuk, a board member of Paths for People.

And some Edmontonians, CityNews spoke to seem very supportive of the project.

“My friend one time almost got doored biking to campus from her house because there are no bike lanes on a lot of the roads, so huge proponent of bike lanes,” said one Edmontonian.

Another adding, “I think they’re great, I think it’s a good way to get around that’s not driving and safer for people who are biking.”

One person says, there’s a need to have more support in the program.

“I don’t think there’s enough, I used to bike to work in the summer and I find it extremely difficult to get around.”

While Cartmell is not completely opposed to the bike lane as he supported the Terwillegar Drive project — he raises concerns about the mismanagement of funding.

“Each one of those things is less expensive because we’re doing them all together, if we were doing them one at a time or separately, the collective cost would be so much greater,” said Cartmell.

Since the motion was defeated, Paths for People says that the city should continue to fill in the missing links and help to connect the city.

“So more people can be connected and utilize it safely,” said Skidnuk.