By Tim Schaefer, Sunnyside resident
Calgary’s pathways and bikeways offer an extensive network that many Hillhurst Sunnyside residents enjoy. However, the City’s 2020 Transportation Plan* describes the current network as one that only serves “recreational users as well as confident and dedicated cyclists”.
Photo of child pausing while on ride to school. Children are not well served by painted bicycle gutters. Credit: @tomflood1
This is an interesting description because it’s an acknowledgement that people seeking to ride for non-recreational purposes are not well served. Furthermore, the document is indicating that non-recreational users (commuters) are mostly those who are confident and dedicated riders.
In updating the pathway & bikeway plan for 2020, the City engaged residents and heard they are looking for something more inclusive, with broader use and fewer barriers. They also want better connections to destinations like schools, shops, recreation centres and workplaces.
From this feedback, the City created the 5A Network which stands for Always Available for All Ages and Abilities. The 5A Network has the following principles that are designed to create community connection and welcome a variety of users:
● Separate people by their speed
● Improve visibility
● Make it reliable
● Be accessible for everyone
● Make it easy to use
What does the 5A Network mean for Hillhurst Sunnyside? Today the pathways and bikeways in our neighbourhood are primarily recreational (Bow River pathway), or servicing commuters passing through our neighborhood to downtown (painted bicycle gutters on 5 Ave, 9A St and 10 St NW). We also have designated shared roads that are marked with signs or sharrows painted on the road. Unfortunately, these really only serve “the confident and the dedicated”; they don’t serve all ages and abilities.
Photo illustrating the relative safety investment made for people in vehicles vs. people in painted bicycle gutters. Credit: @tomflood1
Going forward with Calgary’s 5A Network plan, we can expect to see our bike/pathways evolve and new ones emerge. Our bike/pathways will become more welcoming to children, seniors and people with mobility challenges by providing safe separation from vehicle traffic. They will also provide year round connections to places within our neighbourhood such as our schools, stores, parks and the Sunnyside LRT station.
Photo of a separated bicycle lane; the gold standard in safe bicycle infrastructure. Credit: @tomflood1
Implementing these bike/pathways will mean some of our street infrastructure will change. Some of our excessively wide roads may have the vehicle lanes narrowed to match the standard width for a 40 km/h street. The place you park your vehicle on the street may also move to a different location. These changes will be a necessary adjustment in order to make safer, more inclusive bike/pathway infrastructure for people.
*To read the full details of the 5A Network, search on calgary.ca website, or use this QR code: