Bike lanes coming soon at Lesperance Road

Reem Kodmany
By Reem Kodmany March 3, 2019 17:53

Bike lanes coming soon at Lesperance Road

Tecumseh council voted unanimously to construct bicycle lanes on Lesperance Road.

“It is really important for residents to have better access to healthy living and there’s no easier way to get around a community than by bike,” said Councillor Brian Houston.

The town held a public meeting Tuesday, Feb 12, and heard from a consultant and cycling enthusiasts, including the co-founder of Tecumseh Slow Ride, which attracts about 50 riders every month.

“I’m an avid proponent of active transportation,” said Lisa Lavack in a letter. “We frequently use Lesperance Road to get to our planned routes on the Ganatchio Trail.”

Lori Newton of Bike Windsor Essex said thousands of more people would bicycle if there were more dedicated bike lanes as part of an expanding trail network.

Lori Newton attended the Tecumseh council meeting to support the vulnerable users of Lesperance Road.

“We encourage residents to choose active transportation — walking and cycling — for short trips under five kilometres  as part of a healthier, more active and environmentally responsible lifestyle,” said Newton.

Ideally, said Newtown, dedicated bike lanes would be painted to increase visibility and safe use.

“When you paint something green, you call attention to everybody who’s on the road,” she said. “We have to do more education.”

Newtown said the plan to narrow Lesperance Road and add bike lanes on both sides of the road will be a tremendous step forward for Tecumseh residents.

“Narrowing traffic lanes and adding bike lanes on either side of the road is a proven strategy for slowing vehicular traffic,” she said. “ It will be increasing the safety of everyone.”

Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara at the Tecumseh meeting on Feb 12.

The removal of the centre two-way left turn lane between McNorton Street and Riverside Drive will start this coming spring, said Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara.

McNamara said work will begin when the warm weather comes and that the bike lanes would promote healthy living and safe cycling for town residents of all ages.

“I would suspect that when the weather changes, the first phase of eliminating the centre lines, and setting up the bike lanes road.”

McNamara evaluated the cost depending on last road lanes experiments which comes from the Road Line Cycling Budget.

“The bike lanes will cost about $100,000,” McNamara said.

Councillor Brian Houston said enhanced active transportation corridors would attract more visitors to Tecumseh.

“We’ve got the slow ride in town and it brings people in from Windsor and Lakeshore so we can provide these active transportation routes,” he said.

Traffic engineering study showed the volume of motor vehicle traffic on Lesperance has significantly decreased over time and there is no longer a need for the centre turn lanes.

Tecumseh resident Alexa Sylvester said the new road lanes will be beneficial for many users.

“Having this bicycle route on Lesperance Road would mean we would establish a safe route directly to our town hall,  arena and future sports complex,” she said.

“That will increase the safety of vulnerable users.”

One of Tecumseh resident explain the importance of Bike lanes at Tecumseh council meeting

Sylvester said the bike lanes would be good for business and encourage more people to be active.

“The more people are going to be out to be active, it will bring more business from the trail into town,” she said.

Reem Kodmany
By Reem Kodmany March 3, 2019 17:53

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