3 cycle tracks planned for Calgary's East Village

The agency overseeing the redevelopment of the East Village is preparing to start work this year on three newcycle tracks.

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) says it's extending the existing cycle tracks on 9th Avenue and 12th Avenue S.E. towardthe Elbow River.

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As well, a new cycle track on 4th Street S.E. will link Stampede Park with the Bow River.

"We presented our business plan to the shareholder, which is the council members, inDecember," said president Michael Brown.

"Theywholeheartedlysupported the plan, and so obviously we collectively convinced them thatcycle tracksare a big part of what our success needs to be in eastCalgary."

Coun. Sean Chu to push for debate

Brown says no cost estimate is available for the cycle tracks as they have not yet been put out for bids, but the bill will be paid out of the community revitalization levy that it collects for its projects in the East Village.

Agustin Lauro, a spokesperson with Bike Calgary says the new cycle tracks will be welcomed by bike riders and encourage more people to cycle.

"We've heard from a lot of our members that this is a key link for them and so we're very,very happy that CMLC is proceeding."

But Coun. Sean Chu says the cycle tracks were one part of CMLC's business plan, which was approved by city council behind closed doors. He says he'll push for a public debate at city council, especially as the cost of maintaining the cycle tracks will fall back to the city.

"I'll be asking questions," he said."Ithink the public has the right to ask questions through councillors."

Late last year, city council voted to keep the downtown cycle track network, which features protected lanes for cyclists, permanent.

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