The painting of dedicated bike lanes and installation of signage along Glenbow Drive and Railway Street is now complete.
The lanes run along both sides of the Glenbow and merge into a shared lane closer to Fifth Avenue, according to line painting and symbols. Railway Street has a shared lane due to on street parking allowances.
“I think it’s positive in the sense that it might get more people out on the road on their bicycle because they’ll feel safer on their bicycle with some dedicated bike infrastructure,” said Dan Richter, owner of Café Roubaix Bicycle Studio in downtown Cochrane.
“What I like about it is when I’m riding with my kids under 10, they can still ride on the side walk and I can ride on the same side of the road,” Richter said.
However, Richter was more indifferent than outright supportive of the new bike lanes.
“I think it’s positive, but I don’t think twice about riding on the roads anyway. I’m more of just learn to ride your bike properly and not to run over cyclists when you drive.”
But not everyone is pleased. Haley Matheson said she doesn’t see lanes being used heavily.
“Just today, I counted five cyclists on the sidewalk. And to think about it, I have never noticed a large amount of bikes along that stretch.”
Matheson, who lives along Horse Creek Road, is perplexed at the decision to add lanes on Glenbow Drive since she feels the road sees higher vehicle traffic.
“Horse Creek Road is used for leisure, training, races, joggers and walkers. It is dangerous not having a shoulder, never mind a designated bike lane.”
The painting of the bike lanes was part of the town’s 2015 Street Improvement Project, which began in late June.
