Edmonton's $100 Million Bike Plan

"A new report proposes the City of Edmonton spend $100 million to create a network of multi-use trails and bicycle lanes. The plan would be rolled out, in three phases, over the next 10 years.

The first phase involves building wide curb lanes, and painting lines marking a bike lane on arterial roads as they come up on the maintenance schedule for resurfacing. The cost for phase one is $35.4 million. The second phase places more emphasis on new path construction, and expanding the network of multi-use trails that already exist, at a cost of $39 million. The third phase focuses on building new trails to create links to neighbouring communities, at a cost of $26.3 million.

Coun. Tony Catarina said he wouldn't support the plan when it comes before the city's transportation and public works committee on March 3. 'I'm really sort of stunned to say the least that we're considering $100 million on a project like this,' Catarina said. '...if we just open our eyes and see where the economy is today, we're almost in a recession,' he said."