'Bicycle boxes' OK on paper
Province alters law to allow them; city isn't planning any yet
The provincial government has amended Highway Traffic Act regulations -- at the city's request -- to allow the creation of so-called bicycle boxes.
The painted-in boxes would allow bicycles to line up in front of motor vehicles at intersections on streets with designated bike lanes.
The painted-in boxes would give bicycles a clearly marked spot at the head of the queue at a red light, with motor vehicle traffic lining up behind them.
But don't expect another heated round in Winnipeg's active transportation debate -- just yet.
Michelle Bailey, a city spokeswoman, said the boxes are not being contemplated on any of the bike paths currently under construction.
"We are not in the process of installing any of them," she said late Monday.
The city asked the province in April to devise the necessary regulation so planners could consider the boxes as an option in developing future bike paths. But the province didn't pass the order until Sept. 16 -- after the city's current ambitious active transportation route expansion was well underway.
The new regulation sets out the dimensions of the bike boxes and the conditions under which they can be installed.
Bailey said the regulation was required just to consider such boxes as an option. "It could not be considered without application and (provincial) approval."
As well, the city must still develop proper guidelines for their use, she added.
Bailey said the city has not ruled out including bicycle boxes in the development of future bike routes.
larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 9, 2010 A3
Note: Bicycle boxes allow bikes to get from a bike lane across vehicle traffic lanes in order to make a left turn.