Downtown protected cycle track connection to Bow River pathway axed under Terry Wong

City of Calgary 2016 Cycle Track Network Map

Poor connection to the Bow River Pathway has hindered safety on the downtown cycle track network

Right from the opening of the City’s downtown protected cycle track network 10 years ago in 2015 there were obvious missing links to the surrounding river pathway system for people to safely ride in and out of the Downtown Core. In Ward 7, one of the most obvious missing links was and still remains the north-most two blocks on 5 St SW from 3rd Ave South to the Bow River Pathway. To this day, people wheeling are left unprotected from speeding cars and trucks as they scramble two blocks to the Bow River Pathway.

Overhead view of the 5 St SW protected cycle track ending at 3rd Ave SW, two blocks south of Bow River Pathway connection.

Missing link on 5 St SW was to be built as part of 3rd Ave Walking and Wheeling Upgrades project

Plans for finally building the 5th Street SW missing link from the Bow River Pathway to 3rd Ave South began as part of the 3rd Ave Walking and Wheeling Upgrades project announced in 2020. However, soon after Terry Wong became Ward 7 councillor in October 2021, the 3rd Ave South cycle track was abruptly downgraded from permanent infrastructure to a “temporary detour” without any public consultation. Meanwhile, the 5 Street SW protected cycle track expansion to the Bow River Pathway was quietly removed from the project’s scope entirely.

Public engagement slide showing final design of 3rd Ave South and 5th Street SW cycle tracks.
(City of Calgary - March 2021)

Detailed design drawings obtained through FOI request reveal advanced design for 5th St SW cycle track expansion

The detailed design drawings below dated March 2021 were never released to the public by the City but were obtained recently through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. They reveal that the City was in fact undertaking detailed design for permanent protected cycling connection for the remaining missing link of 5 St SW that would have finally connected the Downtown Cycle Track Network to the Bow River - just months prior to the start of Terry Wong’s term as Ward 7 city councillor in October 2021.

Unfortunately, the plans below were mysteriously axed soon after Terry Wong became Ward 7 councillor.

City of Calgary detailed design drawing for protected cycle track on 5 St SW from Eau Claire Ave to 2 Ave SW - dated March 2021. (Obtained under FOI request)

City of Calgary detailed design drawing for protected cycle track on 5 St SW from 2 Ave SW to 3 Ave SW - dated March 2021 (Obtained under FOI request).

Safe cycling infrastructure key to Downtown Strategy and bringing vibrancy to the Downtown Core

The 3rd Avenue Walking and Wheeling Upgrades project, which originally included a permanent safe separated 5th Street SW connection to the Bow River Pathway, was cited in the City’s Downtown Strategy as a “strategic investment” and was part of the City’s efforts to “create resilience” in the area and “future-proof” the pathway and bikeway network.

As this example shows, the success of the Downtown Strategy hinges significantly on the willingness of the Ward 7 councillor to support the greater vision for the downtown and Ward 7 neighbourhoods.

Myke Atkinson’s 10-Year Plan to build out Ward 7’s safe cycling network

Myke Atkinson is working for Ward 7 as an independent candidate to be the area’s next city councillor. Read about his 10-year plan to accelerate the build out of Ward 7’s complete safe cycling network for Ward 7 residents.

Ward 7 neighbourhoods can have this protected cycling network in 10 years with the right councillor for Ward 7.