Counting cars and bikes: Unofficial survey of Halifax’s morning commute

CTV News Atlantic conducted an informal survey of bike lane usage in Halifax.

There is a debate underway in Halifax over bike lanes.

Mayor Andy Fillmore brought forward a motion which called for a pause on awarding any contracts for new bike lane designs or construction capital projects until a staff report on traffic capacity and congestion and “feasibility of alternative network solutions” was completed.

After hours of debate and a rally that drew hundreds of bikers to Halifax City Hall on June 10, council voted down the motion.

CTV News Atlantic decided to conduct an unscientific survey of just how many bikes and scooters use bike lanes in the city centre.

With cameras set up at spots on the peninsula during the morning commute – one at South Park St, near Spring Garden Road, the second on Rainnie Drive which leads past Citadel Hill – we counted the number of vehicles, bikes, e-bikes and scooters over a two-hour period.

On Rainnie Drive, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., 424 cars drove by and 113 bikes and e-bikes used the bike lane.

On South Park Street, 1,489 cars drove past and 90 bikes and e-devices used the bike lanes. CTV News observed there were periods when the bike lanes were empty, but other times when bike traffic was heavier.

Following the completion of the unofficial count, CTV News asked people what they think of the bike lane debate being waged at city hall.

Halifax resident Sheri Thomas says she doesn’t really care for bike lanes and feels there should be fewer in the region.

“Not a lot of people I’ve seen using them and for me, I am visually impaired, so it’s kinda a trip hazard,” said Thomas.

Adrienne Richy is an avid cyclist and says she wants to be separate from cars, explaining biking is her only mode of transportation.

“I want more. We tend to prioritize the convenience of drivers over the safety of cyclists and pedestrians,” she said.

Residents Sarah Fowler and David Blanchard both agree cyclists should have their own lane.

“I support them for the environment and people that enjoy biking it’s wonderful but at the same time I am nervous around them when I am driving,” said Fowler.

“I find them safe as long as we understand where they belong as cars and we belong on the bike,” says Blanchard.

Last week, in a statement to CTV News Atlantic, Fillmore said too much money is being spent and congestion isn’t getting better.

“I brought this motion forward because the cost of the bike lane project has quadrupled from its original estimate to nearly $100 million. I also had concerns that the current design and rollout could actually worsen congestion in parts of the municipality,” he said.

According to Fillmore, one area that residents and businesses have raised concerns about is Morris Street.

“I’m pleased that council did support an alternative motion I introduced, which directs staff to return with other options for Morris that would maintain two-way traffic and avoid making congestion worse; especially on Morris and Lower Water streets,” he said.

There are opposing views on this topic withing city council. Councillor Sam Austin says bike lanes aren’t the cause of traffic congestion. He explains the population is up to half a million people and growing, increasing the need for other transportation options.

“We are an old city with limited road space, we cannot accommodate everybody driving in a car. We need to move the needle on public transit. We need to move the needle of active transportation. We need to provide these alternatives to people,” he says.

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