This week marks the 10th anniversary of Calgary’s Downtown Cycle Track Network, which opened on time and under budget on June 18, 2015. Over ten years ago, a groundswell movement of local communities and businesses came together to overcome the politicization of community safety on our streets brought about by a handful of cranky columnists and opportunistic Manning Centre political activists - and Calgary hasn’t looked back since.
Today, the Beltline, home to much of the network, is thriving with an abundance of great local businesses and vibrant streets. Cranes dot the neighbourhood building more new housing than ever. E-scooters, e-bikes, and other new futuristic mobility devices have further broadened the appeal for more Calgarians to live a less car-dependent (and more affordable!) lifestyle downtown and for an increasing number of visitors to the city to explore the area by protected cycle track.
🐌 Network expansion has been slower than a snail’s pace
Unfortunately, despite the real success of the cycle track network over the last 10 years, successive city councils have failed to expand the network at anything more than a snail's pace to reach more neighbourhoods and make more of Calgary’s streets safer. Even worse, the current Ward 7 city councillor, Terry Wong, actively undermined and cancelled new sections of the downtown network on 3rd Ave SW.
Now, detailed design drawings newly released by Myke Atkinson, independent Ward 7 city council candidate, obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) request, reveal the extent of the City’s plans for safe, protected cycle tracks to connect the 5 St SW cycle track to the Bow River Pathway that were hastily cancelled shortly after Terry Wong became Ward 7 city councillor in 2021.
Calgarians would be able to safely bike on protected cycle track for the full length of 5 St SW downtown to the Bow River River pathway today if it weren’t for Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong hastily cancelling this street safety improvement after taking office in 2021.
💫 The vision for safe streets is still possible today
10 years ago Calgarians came together to support a vision for a city where kids could safely bike to school and where people of all-ages could have more safe options for getting around and visiting local businesses. That vision is still possible today with continued vigilance and advocacy at City Hall. Here’s how you can continue to help:
- Join your local community association and planning committee.
- 3-1-1 street safety concerns to the City.
- Write to and/or address City Council in person every fall during budget public hearings.
- Support principled candidates with clear and consistent values for City Council in the upcoming 2025 municipal elections this October.
