K-W cyclists also struggle with navigating LRT construction

Warm weather means more people using bikes fortransportation. But just as autos struggle with LRT construction and road detours, cyclists also have to find a way to get around closures and rail track disruptions.

"The nice thing about a bike is that it can pretty much go anywhere," said Graham Roe, whose main source of transportation is cycling. He also runs the Berlin Bicycle Cafe.

"There's a lot more parking on the side of streets from construction workers and there are a lot more high speed drivers frustrated by our one way streets where we are."

As a result, Roe and many other cyclists,hasto be more aware of surroundings and compete for space with vehicles on narrowed roadways.

"The street that was opened the day before is closed and you have to turn around," he said. "You're coming to Uptown and you want to cross the street to get to a store and you have to walk an extra 500 meters to walk around the barricade to find where the pedestrian opening is."

City can't do much

However, the City of Kitchener hasn't been able to do much to accommodate cyclers during construction.

"Unfortunately there isn't a lot we are doing at this point," said Danny Pimentel, active transportation planning project manager for the City of Kitchener. "Cyclists are treated likean automobile. They are being detoured and have to go over the same gravel material, the same bumpy roads that automobiles have to use to get around construction."

Using trails and roads that aren't affected by construction is one way that Pimentel suggests cyclists could get around town. Though it will take longer, it is a safer alternative to cycling through roads with heavier traffic and closures.

Roe does suggestthat the city could bettercommunicate whatpedestrian walkways are open when roads are closed.