Saskatoon installing more protected bike lanes downtown

Over the next couple of weeks the cycling network in downtown Saskatoon is expanding to include more protected bike lanes.

• Saskatoon's protected bike lane test rolls into high gear
• City of Saskatoon posts instructional video on protected bike lanes

Beginning May 16, the City of Saskatoon plans to have phase two of the protected bike lane demonstration project operational,putting new protected bike lanes on FourthAvenue from 20th to 24thstreets, and connecting them to the Broadway Bridge.

The city currently has protected bike lanes along 23rdStreet from Spadina Crescent to Idylwyld Drive, excluding the Saskatoon transit hub.

The new protected bike lanes on FourthAvenuemeans traffic must be reconfigured to make room for the new separated bike lanes.

Currently FourthAvenue has two lanes of traffic in each direction.

But the reconfiguration will take away one driving lane in each direction.

The centre lane will act as a left turning lane for traffic in both directions, similar to what the city has in place on First Avenue between 20th and 25thstreets.

The city said they're installing temporary lane signage at each block as soon as the new configuration is complete.