A group called Safe Biking for Prince George has started a change.org petition to urge the city to improve its bike lane infrastructure.
The petition says the current bike lane infrastructure is insufficient and can be incredibly dangerous.
“Have you ever felt that cycling around Prince George feels unsafe, or too daunting to attempt with all of the high-speed traffic? It feels like everyone that has lived in Prince George long enough has a story or knows someone with a story of a close call with traffic while on a bike or worse, a collision,” states the petition.
Citing several studies and articles the petition suggests the current painted line system offers some safety but notes that perceived safety can be improved with the addition of some physical separation between roads and bike lanes by utilizing something simple like flexible posts or planter boxes until a permanent solution can be found.
The petition also says the city should focus on connecting the bowl area to downtown on expected busy routes and should make sure that each route can be ridden without the unexpected disappearance of the bike lane.
“Biking can and should be done in Prince George to allow its citizens an easy and cost-effective method for getting around. As cycling has been experiencing a revolution Canada-wide and worldwide, Prince George feels like it is behind the curve on something that could be implemented relatively easily and cost-effectively.”
Safe Biking for Prince George states that cycling is an incredibly viable piece to improving many things from transportation and traffic to climate change and general health, adding that “Prince George is currently missing out,” urging those concerned to support the petition or write to city council.
