1st Street cycle track to be debated by city committee

A city committee will look at part of the new downtown cycle network Wednesday morning.

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A report says the two-way cycle track on First Street southeast is the first step inincreasing mobility through the downtown core.

However, Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he has a lot of questions about that particular route.He says even a little construction can backup the areasignificantly.

"That particular link is probably the most contentious for me. The rest of them Stephen Avenue, the Beltline I can see just trying. But First Street I really want to be convinced we should eventry that one," he said.

He says they should perhaps try a temporary setupto see how much use the bike-only lanes would reallyget.

"Build in temporary barriers and see how many people use it and see what the impact on motorists is and then make a decision to adjust it based on that," said Nenshi.

Chinatownconcerns

Members of Calgary's Chinese community are also raising concerns about the cycle track plans, which would run along the eastern border of Chinatown.

The recently formed Chinatown Cycle Tracks Concerned Citizens (CCTCC) group says the plan would reduce a lane of traffic and possibly narrow a portion of a sidewalk in the area.

The group says First Street is the main artery of Chinatown for east, south and westbound traffic.

"Reducing one vehicular lane and narrowing the sidewalk could negatively affect Chinatowns traffic, business activities, pedestrian safety and even future development," said the group in a statement.

The group plans to attend the city's meeting Wednesday to voice their concerns.If the committee approves the proposal it still needs to go before city council for a vote.

Check out the proposed First Street cycle track below. On mobile? Click here.