Official celebration for the new Bay Street bike lanes

HAMILTON, ON - October 27, 2017 - Earlier today, His Worship Mayor Fred Eisenberger welcomed Ted McMeekin, Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale (on behalf of the Honourable StevenDel Duca, Minister of  Transportation), the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and Hamilton Ward Two Councillor Jason Farr to celebrate the official opening of Hamilton’s new Bay Street bike lanes.

“This is great news for the City of Hamilton. This new cycling route will provide residents with an important connection to the city centre, waterfront recreational areas and both GO and Hamilton transit services. Investing in our local cycling infrastructure will help keep our cyclists safe and encourage more people to ride a bike. Cycling is a healthy, sustainable way to get around.”- Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale

The new bike lanes have been installed between Aberdeen Avenue and Stuart Street, providing an efficient north-south connection between the Durand neighbourhood, the downtown core, the Central neighbourhood, the new West Harbour Go Station, Bayfront Park and the North End Neighbourhood, including the Waterfront Trail and the Hamilton loop of the Trans Canada Trail.

The bike lanes are funded in-part by the Government of Ontario (Ministry of Transportation) under the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program.

“This new cycling route in the City of Hamilton will add to Ontario’s extensive cycling network, while connecting the urban city core to recreational areas along the waterfront.  I look forward to seeing more municipalities take great steps toward improving commuter cycling and ensuring cyclists have a safe way of getting around local communities.” - The Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

“With the addition of the new Bay Street bike lanes, Hamilton now has more than 200 kilometres of on-street bike lanes in place across the city. This important north-south connection will make it safer for cyclists and drivers traveling on Bay Street and will make it easier for members of our community to ride their bikes through the heart of Hamilton.”  - Mayor Fred Eisenberger, City of Hamilton

Quick facts

• The City collected public feedback on the proposed design of the Bay Street bike lanes in November 2016 and has since been working with consultants to design the lanes.
• In addition to new pavement markings, signage, and traffic signal modifications, the project also includes the resurfacing of Bay Street between Stuart Street and Barton Street.
• In addition, there will also be new bicycle traffic signals (for bikes traveling southbound, south of Cannon Street), bike racks and permanent counters to determine how many cyclists use the lanes on a daily and weekly basis.
• Representatives from the Hamilton Cycling Committee, Bike for Mike, Smart Commute Hamilton, Public Health’s Helmet Initiative, Friendly Streets, SoBi Hamilton, Open Streets, New Hope Community Bikes, Green Venture, and Hamilton Burlington Trails Council joined in the celebration today with displays in the “Cycling mini fair”

“With our Provincial partners we meet long standing and important mandates related to connectivity, active living, environmental stewardship and sustainable growth. From our city’s most densely populated neighbourhood to the south, through the very heart of commerce and public buildings and higher order transit hubs, to the beautiful and rejuvenating harbour, this bike path is sure to be widely utilized and appreciated.”  Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr, City of Hamilton

Additional resources

• www.hamilton.ca/cyclingroutes