Downtown bike lane network set to open in July, city says

Construction of a 7.8-kilometre network of protected bike lanes in downtown Edmonton is expected to be completed in July, the city says.

Crews started installing the lanes in early April.

Some lanes have been painted and have curbs that block vehicles, but they're not yet ready for cyclists because the city still needs to make adjustments to the traffic signals.

Signals with traditional traffic signal colours of red, green, and yellow will also have bike symbols installed. Planners will then figure out the timing of the lights.

"In that case, we can be a little more adaptable to see where we can make changes to the system to flex the system," said Olga Messinis, the city's project manager of the downtown bike network.

Some sections of the lanes are expected to be completed before July, and those portions will be opened.

"There will be signing in place to alert motorists and cyclists," said Messinis. "We do still advise that you would use caution as we do open up those phases, and we will let you know what those phases will be."

The city will have a team of people on the streets tohelp cyclists and motorists understand how the new signals work.

"If feels like this is a major step in the right direction in trying to make it clear how everybody can safely use the downtown," said Coun. Ben Henderson. "We're following the footsteps of work being done in a lot of other Canadian cities."

The city will host an official launch party on Aug. 26.

@Travismcewancbc

Travis.mcewan@cbc.ca