Participation in the city’s cycling community will grow with added investment in Calgary’s 5A network, say advocates, with improved pathways benefitting people of all ages.
Calgary’s Always Available for All Ages and Abilities (5A) pathway network got a $40M kick in the 2023-2026 budget, and in the most recent adjustment, $16.4 million in additional capital was provided. That will mean an anticipated six to seven kilometres of pathway, including fixing gaps in the network and corridors that connect with schools, plus rectangular rapid flashing beacons An additional $118,000 in operating cash was sought for the annual maintenance.
The 5A network also got a $30 million boost for pavement rehabilitation, prioritizing corridors connecting schools and improving equity of access. The city also sought $100,000 for that maintenance.
“It’s good for the well-being and mental health to make a commitment to making our pathways and streets more accessible,” said Ward 5 Coun. Raj Dhaliwal, during the final budget deliberations.
For this recent budget adjustment, the majority of speakers were in favour of added investment in Calgary’s bike infrastructure. Local advocate Youth en Route executive director Laura Shutiak wanted even more put into safer alternative transportation routes – particularly around schools.
“As a council, you tell us what you value by how you spend funds,” said Shutiak.
“Please reconsider your investment in active routes to school, and I want to reiterate the paving pieces – that is a big part of this as well. Let’s invest in our children’s future and enable them to choose active modes to school.”
Bike riders take Calgary nights to ride together
Safety and accessibility investments in Calgary’s walking and wheeling network are crucial to continuing the growth of the city’s cycling community.
“(5A) [program] infrastructure is important for keeping people safe. It’s important to allow people to have access to mobility. It’s really great and very important,” said Molli Bennett organizer director of Alberta Environmental Network, bike rider and participant in the Critical Mass YYC Monthly bike rides.
Critical Mass is an initiative for Calgarians to come together on the last Friday of every month to ride through the streets of the city, celebrating emissions-free transportation in the community.
Bennett said she thinks that anytime the city makes a collective effort to improve access to cycling, she sees growth in participation on all kinds of levels.
“I’m excited to see the critical mass rides continue and ridership of everyday Calgarians all over the city increase as people choose to ride their bikes for joy and fun and community connection, but also for practical things like connecting to their errands, getting to work, getting to school,” she said.
“Bikes are efficient, wonderful machines for transportation and for joy,” she said.
Like her, with this kind of activity Calgarians want to engage with the community without the necessity of a private vehicle.
“The experience has been celebratory and joyful, and an opportunity for folks who use their bike as a mode of transportation in the city to get together ride and celebrate that and take some space up on the streets of Calgary. It’s been incredible,” she said.
