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City bike lanes in 'terrible state'

It's an earlier than usual start for Kim Foster's day as she gets ready to take the city bus to work. Until at least the end of next week, bike lanes are now non existent due to construction in the Hart down Foothills Boulevard. "It's ridiculous.
closed to cyclists
This sign is at Highland Drive warning cyclists not to bike down Foothills Blvd. due to the water main construction that sees a traffic pattern change that does not allow for a bike lane. The same sign can be found at the bottom of the hill at North Nechako and Foothills Blvd.

It's an earlier than usual start for Kim Foster's day as she gets ready to take the city bus to work.

Until at least the end of next week, bike lanes are now non existent due to construction in the Hart down Foothills Boulevard.

"It's ridiculous. I have to leave have an hour earlier and I bet the construction will go on until November," she says.

In an effort to ease the situation, free city bus service is being offered in the area until construction is completed.

But for Foster, this isn't the only issue.

"Bike lanes remain in a terrible state. There's gravel especially on North Nechako Road near the gravel pit," Foster said.

"These roads just aren't maintained and are not efficient."

Prince George Coun. Jillian Merrick says that issues such as this are a constant problem.

"But it's just a matter of reporting the issue," Merrick said.

"And especially if it becomes a constant problem. The city needs to know about it."

Foster has contacted the city on many occasions but has received no feedback.

"The city is not maintaining and not upholding cyclist's interests. I want to call the city every week but I feel like I'm getting no where," she said.

Parking in biking lanes still remains a big issue for cyclists as well, according to Foster.

Merrick has made cycling issues her priority since being elected to city council three years ago.

"Drivers still need to know that parking in bike lanes is not okay. It forces cyclists into moving traffic and it makes it more dangerous for everyone."

Last year, the city added white cyclist symbols on many city streets in an effort to make it clearer for cars and cyclists to know where they should be.

"This has been a slow process. But here in Prince George, the culture of the lanes will take time," Merrick said.

"I think too, a lot of people were surprised when it happened. They didn't feel they had a right to ask about bike lanes so there was much surprise."

What were once dual purpose lanes are now not but it still seems unclear to some motorists even with bicycle lanes clearly painted.

"I know there are still problems in areas such as 10th Avenue and Ospika. Parking is a problem," Merrick said.

"But bylaw has been issuing warnings. The bottom line is if someone sees a repeat offender, they need to report this to bylaw services. Otherwise, they won't know about it."

Reports can now be filed on-line also at the Prince George City website at www.princegeorge.ca.