Halifax’s debate over its cycling infrastructure remains in the spotlight as the council prepares for a Tuesday vote on a new motion.
Deputy Mayor Tony Mancini, who represents Dartmouth East-Burnside, is tabling a motion that calls for a detailed staff report on bike lane projects scheduled from 2026 to 2029.
If approved, the report will break down estimated project costs, explore potential external funding sources, and assess alternative design options that might help curb rising expenses.
City officials say that the deeper review is aimed at creating a safer, more efficient cycling network while balancing fiscal challenges and transportation needs.
This new proposal follows an earlier council decision that rejected a motion to pause new bike lane contracts.
That vote, which came amid concerns over mounting costs and traffic congestion, highlighted mounting public interest in the way Halifax’s cycling projects are managed.
Since its launch in 2017, Halifax’s ambitious 53-kilometre cycling network was expected to be completed by 2022.
However, with only about 60 per cent of the project finished and initial cost estimates of $25 million now having soared to an estimated $90 million or more, understanding the financial and operational hurdles has become increasingly urgent.
Council members’ vote on Tuesday will determine whether the motion moves forward.
The outcome is seen as pivotal for shaping the city’s cycling future, directly affecting residents who rely on safe and efficient transportation options
