City Implements Bike Lanes Along Queen Street East
Thursday, November 6, 2014
The City of Sault Ste. Marie will be implementing bike lanes along Queen Street East between Pim Street and Gravelle Street. The inclusion of bike lanes is part of the conversion of Queen Street from 4 to 3 lanes, with a dedicated centre turn lane.
The bike lanes will make it easier for both cyclists and motorists to share the road, reducing roadway conflicts. The bike lanes (1.5m-1.8m in width) will be marked by a solid white line, with an image of a bicycle and white diamond between the white line and the curb. It is anticipated that the painting of bike lanes will be completed in the next week or so, weather permitting.
Bike lanes are reserved for bicycles, including e-bikes. Motorcycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and pedestrians are not allowed in the lane. To provide the public with guidance on the proper use of bike lanes, the City, in conjunction with the Sault Trails Advocacy Committee (STAC), has developed a 'Share the Road' poster that provides direction for both motorists and cyclists on how to use the road with bike lanes.
General guidelines for vehicular traffic:
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Motor vehicles, with the exception of buses at designated stops and refuse/recycling collection vehicles, are not permitted to drive, park, or stop in a bike lane.
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Motorists may cross a bike lane to turn right at an intersection or access a driveway.
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Motorists should not use the left turn lane as a passing lane to pass a moving vehicle.
To celebrate the opening of the new bike lanes, STAC will be host an inaugural ride Saturday, November 15 at 12 noon. The ride will begin at Algoma University and head west to Church Street and back. All riders of different ages and abilities are welcome - rain, shine or snow. For more information on the inaugural Queen Street Bike Lane Ride, please contact Andre Riopel at
ariopel@shaw.ca.
Donna Hilsinger, chair of STAC stated, "Queen Street has been a long time issue for cyclists with the former four lane design. The new design will make it safer for cyclists."
Andre Riopel, committee member and long-time cycling advocate added, "Sault Ste. Marie is finally getting its first bike lanes. These lanes will allow residents from the east end to cycle safely to the downtown core and connect to the Hub Trail. It will be particularly useful for Algoma University students who live downtown and ride their bikes to school."
The implementation of bike lanes is the most recent effort on the part of the City to make Sault Ste. Marie a more bike-friendly community, and builds off of the 25km John Rowswell Hub Trail network.