That new bike lane bill is gonna burn you up
Alright, y’all, gather round. This one’s got my chinook-induced headache flaring up, for real though. I’m talking about Minister Devin Dreeshen, who just dropped a bombshell that’s gonna make anyone who’s ever tried to bike from Bridgeland across the Bow into downtown just about spit out their espresso. The province is apparently gearing up to introduce legislation this fall that takes direct aim at bike lanes. Yeah, you heard that right. More roads, fewer bike lanes.
The Minister's take is that with all our population growth, Alberta cities need to prioritize more roads. He says that's what's gonna keep us moving. Now, I get it, Calgary's spread out, and we love our trucks, but come on. We've got folks trying to get around Kensington, trying to hit up the pathways along the Bow River — which, let's be honest, is Calgary's *real* downtown. And for a lot of people, those bike lanes aren't just for recreation, they're how they commute. This city has invested in a pretty decent network.
* **The Province's Stance:** More roads are needed for growing cities. * **Cycling Advocates' View:** Bike lanes are crucial for transportation, safety, and a greener city. * **The Impact:** Potential halt or reversal of bike lane expansion across Alberta.
This is Calgary — we've seen the boom, we've seen the bust, and we showed up anyway. But this feels like a step backwards. We're trying to build a city that's livable, that's got options. You can't just cap the conversation on sustainable transit and expect us all to just drive, especially with gas prices. This move feels like it’s going to spark a genuine battle of the lanes right here on our streets, and it'll impact how you get around.
Cassidy Redcloud, MiTL Sports Desk, Calgary.
You know Keith and the crew are gonna have a field day with this one on the show — check 'em out live at mornings.live.