Bike lanes were the topic of discussion again at Regional Council when they passed motions to break down ballooning costs of upcoming capital projects.
The AAA Bikeway Network is already getting closer to $100 million, quadrupling from its original estimated cost.
Deputy Mayor Tony Mancini tabled the motion Tuesday, for city staff to take a look at proposed bike lanes from 2026-29 to see if prices can be lowered and if can they get additional funding.
“How can we do it a little bit cheaper? Can we look at a design that will bring the cost down? And we can we look at the feds and province and say, ‘Hey costs have gone up. Can you help us again?” said Mancini.
Bike lanes have been a hot topic lately after Mayor Andy Fillmore tabled a motion a couple of weeks ago to pause bike lane projects that would jam traffic.
Mancini says this motion is different.
“My interpretation of the mayor’s motion …he brought it forward and he led with bike lanes cause congestion. And he also wanted to pause bike lanes until we had further investigation. This has nothing to do with congestion,” says Mancini.
Backing Mancini’s motion was Councillor Becky Kent.
“I want us to have the detail and this to me, provides the detail. I like that we’re sticking with the AAA bike network because that is the network, that is the connectivity that is being developed. I also really want to see the cost,” said Kent.
Councillor Sam Austin was also in favor.
“We are better to have this report, so we are all on the same page, so we have good information and then we can go from there. And you know, my bias, I am pretty confident the report will still say this is a good idea,” said Austin.
