Regional councillors approve new bike lane plans for Waterloo

Most regional councillors seemed impressed by a new report that detailed design plans for new or improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure on some key Waterloo streets.

The plan would see bike lanes moved from the road and placed onto the center median, creating a separation from traffic.

That would be on King Street (between University Avenue and Columbia Street), University Avenue (from Albert Street to the University of Waterloo) and Erb Street (between Caroline Street and Peppler Street).

The plans also call for lanes to be redesigned on King (University to Hickory Street and Columbia to Weber Street North), Erb (from Peppler to Goldbeck Lane), Bridgeport Road and Caroline Street which will require the current excess of road space to be converted into separated bike lanes.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe said she’s excited for these improvements.

“This project is really important in the city,” said McCabe. “Along the routes we’re talking about, particularly Bridgeport and Erb, there are also daycares there as well. And just for people who maybe aren’t quite as aware of that area, it’s also primarily a residential area.”

Portions of King Street would be reduced from four lanes to three. Vehicle traffic on Erb and Caroline would be reduced to two lanes in each direction and the section of Bridgeport would lose a lane as well.

Kornel Musci, manager of transportation and planning for the Region of Waterloo told councillors at a committee meeting Tuesday, when it comes to the Erb and Caroline intersection specifically, the impact to travel times would be minimal.

“We tried to find the best balance between impacting traffic and what is required for cycling facility. At that location, we actually are not losing vehicle capacity at all.”

Because some of those plans would require the removal of a lane of traffic, the region could draw the ire of the province.

Premier Doug Ford has been very vocal in his opposition to bike lanes, especially when motor vehicle traffic is impacted.

New legislation would allow the province to remove bike lanes at their discretion.

But councillors seemed undeterred and the plan passed with one dissenting vote, Councillor Michael Harris.

The plan will now go to Regional Council for final approval.