The city’s active transportation route for the Bay Street area is like putting a bullet in an unloaded gun.
That’s how Robert Brown described the plan Monday night at city hall during council’s regular scheduled meeting. The corridor, which was passed after a marathon session, will see new sidewalks on Bay Street from High Street to Marlborough Street as well as Windsor Street from Rockwood Avenue to Algonquin Avenue.
The plan also includes a multi-use trail on Hillcrest Park and across Carrick Park and additional stop signs and sign relocation in the area.
The plan is expected to be brought up for ratification on July 22.
Brown, who lives in the Bay Street area, opposes the plan. He says the changes will result in more collisions with cyclists. He also called the initiative premature because issues with High Street should be addressed first.
“This sudden change to remove the sign at designated spots along Bay Street before looking at the High Street corridor and coming up with a sound, safe plan is putting the people using these corridors in danger,” he said prior to the vote.
The city chose Bay Street for the active living corridor because it’s part of a natural corridor for people to walk, bike or skateboard.
It starts with the Bay and Algoma area and then continues up Hillcrest Park. Then Bay Street connects people to Carrick Park located right by École Gron Morgon and Corpus Christi School.
On the other side of the park is Windsor Street, which ends with the Boys and Girls Club.
Brown wasn’t alone in his opposition to the plan.
Jane Chapman and her husband, Harry, also voiced concerns. She called the plan a nightmare.
“This entire project is shrouded in smoke and mirrors,” she said.
“Bay Street has been safe. Why would you change a situation that is perfect the way it is? We’re not against being green, bike lanes or paths. However, these lanes must be routes and lanes should be safe for everyone.”
She added that she couldn’t recall any collisions being reported in the area since she’s lived there, which added to her confusion regarding the city’s initiative.
But not every deputation made to council Monday was made against the active living corridor.
Liane Boyer McLean said the majority of the community supports the plan, even though they may not be as vocal as residents who oppose it.
“I’m a stay at home mom currently and I spent a lot of time in my neighbourhood talking with other parents,” she said.
“All the conversations I’ve had with people and especially parents with younger children but not exclusively with young children really support this plan. It’s nice not to bob in and out of parked cars. We would much rather push our strollers and walk with our children on the sidewalk.”
Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon, who voted against the plan, said the neighbourhood had become polarized over the issue. McKinnon attempted to pass two amendments to the plan with one possibly causing some delays to the project but both were defeated.
He said he was trying to get the best of both worlds.
At-Large Coun. Rebecca Johnson said the city had done its due diligence when it came up with the plan.
“I’m at the point now and I appreciate the concerns but we have continue on,” she said. “We need to be able to say that bike lanes are acceptable.”
