Bicycle improvements connecting to all six stations of the new West LRT line are planned. Installation will start in 2012 and end the next year. Planning for these improvements began in 2009 and is supported by the Calgary Transportation Plan and the Cycling Strategy.
Planning for Phase 1 started in the spring of 2011 and includes bicycle routes to the 45 Street, Westbrook, and Shaganappi Point LRT Stations. The City of Calgary called together a stakeholder group of people from the area communities and people from the cycling community to provide input about the routes. The stakeholder group met twice in 2011: once to provide comments and concerns about cycling in the area and a second time to provide feedback on bicycle route concept plans.
Planning for Phase 2 will begin in early 2012 and includes the 69 Street, Sirocco, and Sunalta LRT Stations. The City will again bring together a stakeholder group of people from the area communities and people from the cycling community.
Phase 1 Improvements
Spruce Drive S.W. (Bow Trail to Edworthy Park)
Bicycle lanes are planned on Spruce Drive to take cyclists from the bicycle connections at Bow Trail to Edworthy Park. Curb extensions at selected crosswalks will increase comfort for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
45 Street S.W. Alternative Routes (Spruce Drive to 26 Avenue S.W.)
Instead of changing 45 Street S.W., The City and the community and cyclist stakeholder group have developed two alternative, low-stress “family friendly” bicycle routes on quiet streets from Spruce Drive to 26 Avenue S.W.
- Westwood Drive S.W./Gateway Drive S.W. (west of 45 Street)
- 40 Street S.W./42 Street S.W./ Kelwood Drive S.W. (east of 45 Street)
People will enjoy biking on quiet, low-traffic streets with a minimum of stopping thanks to reoriented stop signs, new traffic circles, speed reduction measures, improved bicycle short-cuts and pathway junctions. Pedestrian/cyclist crossing lights will make it easier to cross busy streets like Bow Trail S.W. and 17 Avenue S.W. New “West LRT” bike route wayfinding signage will show the direction, distance and bike travel time to the nearest LRT station and other key destinations.
13 Avenue S.W. (45 Street S.W. to 37 Street S.W.)
13 Avenue S.W. provides a convenient route for cyclists travelling through the communities of Westgate and Rosscarrock. At the west end, a bicycle connection to the alley will be added. A new traffic circle at 42 Street S.W. will allow cyclists to travel through without stopping. Speed reduction measures will control traffic speeds. At the east end, the traffic light at 37 Street S.W. provides an easy connection to Westbrook Mall and Westbrook Station.
12 Avenue S.W. (33 Street S.W. to 26 Street S.W.)
The 12 Avenue S.W. bicycle route will connect to Shaganappi Point Station and Westbrook Station. Once the LRT construction is complete, 12 Avenue S.W. will be a one-way eastbound low-traffic road. A contra-flow bicycle lane is proposed for the westbound direction. Shared-lane bicycle markings will indicate the eastbound route.
14 Avenue S.W. (33 Street W to 22 Street W)
The 14 Avenue S.W. bicycle route will connect Westbrook Station to the pedestrian overpass crossing Crowchild Trail. Shared-lane bicycle stencils will mark the route while speed reduction measures and a traffic circle will slow traffic and provide a bicycle-friendly environment. At the west end, cyclists will access Westbrook Station. At the east end, cyclists will access one pedestrian overpass to cross Bow Trail and another to cross Crowchild Trail.
29 Street S.W. and 26 Street S.W. (12 Avenue S.W. to 26 Avenue S.W.)
A two-way bicycle route will be created with a combination of bike lanes and shared-lane bicycle stencils on 29 Street S.W. and 26 Street S.W. Together these routes will connect the 26 Avenue S.W. on-street bicycle route to Shaganappi Point Station.
24 Street S.W. (north of Bow Trail)
24 Street S.W. will connect the new pedestrian overpass over Bow Trail to the Bow River regional pathway. Two options for bicycle access are possible on the west side of the street: a two-way bike lane or a two-way pedestrian and bicycle link.
26 Street S.W. and Sovereign Crescent S.W. (Bow Trail to 24 Street S.W.)
Shared-lane bicycle stencils will mark the route along 26 Street S.W. north of Bow Trail, continue along Sovereign Crescent S.W. and connect to 24 Street S.W. This route will connect Shaganappi Point Station to the Bow River regional pathway.
Bicycle Parking
Convenient, secure and easy-to-access bicycle parking is planned at all six West LRT stations.
Key features will include:
- Locations as close as possible to the station entrances
- Sheltered bicycle racks where possible
- Secure bicycle parking options: lockers and cages
- More bicycle parking phased in over time to match demand.
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