Cyclists asked to slow down on Halifax bridge bikeway

Halifax Harbour Bridges is asking cyclists to slow down on the MacDonald Bridge.

Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) is asking cyclists to slow down on the Macdonald Bridge in light of what they call an “increase in incidents and near misses.”

HHB says while most cyclists respect the posted 25 km/h speed limit on the bridge, they have seen some riders, particularly on the way to Dartmouth, going well above that speed.

They note the growing popularity of e-bikes and high-powered scooters could be contributing to this trend.

“The bridge is a shared space, and everyone’s safety depends on users following the rules and remaining aware of their surroundings,” said Tony Wright, CEO of HHB, in a news release.

The Macdonald Bridge’s Halifax tower is still undergoing preservation and repair work as past of Project LifeSpan, which involves blasting and coating work. HHB notes crews have installed an overhead platform to do that work without disrupting traffic, but they say it reduces the available width on the walkway and bikeway.

“We’ve installed additional signage and mirrors to improve visibility through the area,” said safety manager Lori Jardine. “However, riders still need to approach the construction zone with caution and be prepared to slow down when conditions require it.”

HHB says its reviewing possible additional safety measures, including enhanced signage and infrastructure improvements to keep pedestrians and cyclists in their designated lanes.

According to HHB’s website, more than 19,000 cyclists used the bridge in June.

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