City council may take the first steps towards banning vehicles from parking in bike lanes Monday night.
On Aug. 31, the group will discuss Coun. Jillian Merrick's motion looking for support to direct staff to "consider and report back on options for the removal of on-street parking on arterial roadways" as prescribed in the city's active transportation plan.
Approved in 2011, the plan recommends removing on-street parking where cycling lanes are necessary.
"The removal of parking conflicts on arterial roads also improves traffic flow and safety on main routes," the plan says.
Merrick's idea has received the support of the Prince George Cycling Club, which submitted to a letter to mayor and council touting the benefits of safe cycling spaces.
"Opposition to Coun. Merrick's motion sometimes reflects a view that cyclists are freeloaders on the transportation system and the economy," said the letter signed by club president Heather Sapergia and director of urban cycling Kyrke Gaudreau.
The letter cites research from Copenhagen demonstrating cycling saves money when factoring in things such as transport time, road maintenance and health care.
The letter writers also acknowledge that there are legitimate concerns about cyclists who don't follow the rules of the road, and said the club would be willing to work with the city on improving both cyclist and driver etiquette.
"One important step in improving is by providing cyclists their own safe lane to travel. When you force cyclists into uncomfortable situations, they are more likely to break rules," said the letter.
"The opposite is also true; when you provide cyclists safe and consistent means of travel, they are more likely to follow the rules."
At the end of July, the provincial government announced it was contributing $250,000 towards improving the city's roughly 36 kilometres of bike lanes by upgrading street markings and signs.
The city will match the province's contribution, for a total of $500,000 worth of work.
Freshly painted bike symbols have already been added to city cycling lanes.
