Page 3
Cycling lanes off to good start
Amanda Stephenson Maureen Mudry, Manager of Parks Planning and System Development Plan, which will include a strategy
astephenson@medicinehatnews.com Development for the City of Medicine Hat, said that it for improving connections and access to the trail system

was at the prompting of people like Sauvé that the city
from some of the city’s newer neighbourhoods.
Medicine Hat residents who want people to park the
decided to take a closer look at the potential for bike lane
While fewer respondents identified bike lanes as their
car and get more active can feel encouraged by a recent
development.
main concern, Bruce Thurber of the Municipal Works
public consultation project conducted by the city. “We knew we had this group of residents who really
Department at the City of Medicine Hat said the bike
The project explored both the future of the city’s
favoured bike lanes, but we wanted to know what the
lanes on 12th Street N.E./N.W. that were created as a
community’s goals and values and needs were,” Mudry
leisure trails system as well as the future of alternative pilot project last spring were strongly supported by some
said.
transportation through the development of on/off street residents.
cycling lanes. It’s something people like Michelle Sauvé
At the same time the city was holding open houses and
“For the people who use it, absolutely they would like
— a member of Medicine Hat’s Coalition for Active
conducting telephone surveys about bike lanes, they
and Alternative Transportation (CAAT) — have been
were asking people about the leisure trails system. While
to see more,” Thurber said. “A lot of times when you try
wanting the city to take a close look at for a long time.
there are close to 100 km of trails within Medicine Hat
something like this the first time, you may not get a lot of
Made up of a variety of community stakeholders, CAAT’s
— and they are highly praised by visitors and residents
use simply because it’s new.”
goal is to make alternative forms of transportation more
alike — the trails system hasn’t kept up with the growth
The City plans to try to increase awareness about cycling
accessible by enhancing walking trails and bike paths,
of the city and the development of new subdivisions.
and the use of bike lanes, as well as increase connections
making city streets and sidewalks more wheelchair and
“We wanted to go out to the community and say, ‘OK, between bike lanes and leisure trails to improve access for
scooter-friendly, and educating community members
what do you like about the leisure trails system, what are people who use both. Municipal Works will also be putting
about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. the problems,’ ” Mudry explained.
forth a proposal for the 2010 capital budget that would
“It’s a wonderful beginning,” Sauvé said, after city The results of the public consultation revealed that most
see the development of an Alternative Transportation
staff presented their findings in a report to council in Medicine Hat residents see the leisure trails system as a
Master Plan. Thurber says his department already has
February. “There is so much work to do regarding active more important priority than the development of bike
plans to repaint the bike lanes on 12th Street as well as
and alternative transportation but we know that this is a lanes, so that is what the city will be tackling first. The to look at the possibility of bike lanes near Medicine Hat
resounding starting point.” 2009 city budget will contain funds for a Leisure Trail College and in the South Ridge subdivision.
Custom Cabinetry & Lighting
40267627•03/24/09
Professional
Interior Designer
on Staff
Designed especially for you.
We are now offering full kitchen & bath renovations
40260592•03/24/09
Let us help you create the
kitchen or bathroom of your dreams!
Stop in & View our Beautiful Showroom Today!
1177 Factory Street SE
(left at Bottom of Scholten Hill)
Medicine Hat, AB
(403) 526-3179
www.kitchenandlight.ca
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71