Local cyclists endorse bike path plan

Story by Alisa Howlett

Brian Ferguson has covered every inch of Belleville on his bike.

“This summer and spring, I actually spent like $500 on mobile internet charges and countless hours out on my bike, laying down Google Map bike routes,” Ferguson said. “Anyone can edit Google Maps now, it’s subject to peer review. I went in and changed all the biking directions. So now if you ask for directions it takes you on all these side streets. You hardly see like three cars your entire trip. It’s great.”

Ferguson was among those who attended the second of three open houses yesterday evening at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre. The city encouraged the public to provide feedback on the new transportation master plan. The plan is revisited every 20 years and focuses on city transportation, such as roadways, bicycle paths, and sidewalks.

He even takes into account changes in elevation, blind spots on corners, traffic density, and the general attitude and safety of a neighborhood before he contributes to the bike route maps, he said.

Bike enthusiasts at the open house said the city needs better bike routes, primarily that run east-west.

“Dundas, the extreme west and the extreme east end, it’s a death trap. And you have to take those routes if you work at Stream or HGS,” Ferguson said. “Hundreds of people do work there and there’s no other way to get there. Especially Stream, you literally have to take Dundas to get there and people treat it like a highway. I mean, it is a highway, and people treat it that way.”

More cyclist-motorist education was also a topic of concern.

Robert Jakes, a member of Belleville on Bikes, an activist group geared towards promoting cycling in the city, sits on the stakeholders committee for the master plan. The committee is made up of nine individuals that represent a cross-section of the city that discuss ideas related to transportation. Once the project is underway, Jakes would like the public to be educated on matters of alternative transportation.

“There are a lot of times when I’m riding along and a car will just squeeze right by. Apparently their schedule is more important than my life,” he said. “Part of the whole process will be education for everyone.”

Ferguson has also had close calls with vehicle traffic.

“While most drivers respect you, it only takes one idiot to clip you. They only have to hit your elbow and that can be fatal. Spin around, fly up in the air, and then get hit by the next car. I have seen some accidents like that and cars are unyielding,” he said.

The cost of the project is estimated around $20 million. Some citizens were concerned about the increase in tax dollars and said the city could make minor changes that would be cost effective and benefit transportation.

Joanne Jenkins is a local who started cycling for many different reasons.

“At first it was for exercise, and then it became spiritual, emotional, physical well being. And then I saved money on gas and insurance and got ride of my car,” she said.

Jenkins is one of many concerned about the safety of cyclists and the cost of the project. She suggested a low-cost three-foot painted laneway for cyclists.

While a lot of people rely on cycling for economic and health reasons, there are still many that enjoy it recreationally. With the new proposed bike lanes, some recreational cyclists have even considered converting.

Seventy-one year old Ann Crabb and her cycling partner, 78-year-old Bruce McHugh, do not ride on the road because they say it is unsafe. However, they are still interested in cycling lanes and may give them a try when they are in place.

“We cycle three to four times a week. It’s not just occasional, it’s part of our lifestyle. Just to keep healthy and fun,” Crabb said. “We tend not to cycle very much in the city because the cycling trails are short and maybe not as safe. So it’s interesting that they’re thinking of adding cycling lanes. That would be nice.”

Lack of bicycle lanes throughout the city is not just a problem specific to Belleville. Ray Ford, manager of engineering with the city of Belleville,  said it is an issue that many cities have to adapt to or have recently already done so.

Ford welcomes the public input.

“This is to identify and prioritize the needs for the road network for that 20 years. For instance, if developing doesn’t proceed as quickly as we might have thought, maybe some of the projects identified don’t need to be done as soon,” he said. “Or if development proceeds quicker than we thought, then maybe we bring some of those projects forward quicker.”

It wasn’t all negative feedback. Many people said they were pleased with the destination bike trails and roads already in place.

“We’ve been living in this area for over 30 years and it’s a great area. We really like Belleville. I love the waterfront path. I use it all the time and bring visitors there. It’s just a great place. So if we can make it better then why not?” said Jenkins.

Ferguson also agrees that in-town is beautiful. He would just like to see more alternative routes that are safer.

The city has partnered with Morrison Hershfield, a firm based in Toronto that assists cities in regards to transportation. Jennifer Armstrong, transportation planner with Morrison Hershfield, was available at the open house to answer questions.

“There is a lot of interest in building a cycling network in Belleville,” she said. “A lot of people I have been talking to tonight have had suggestions for how to make it easier to cycle in Belleville. Most of the people I have been speaking to have been keen on improving the cycling conditions.”

Surveys were available for open house attendees to fill out. Based on the feedback the city will tweak the existing plan. There will be another open house scheduled for this fall followed by a final recommendation.