Every Nova Scotian could tell you about roads badly in need of repair. Let’s hope the ‘extra mile’ going into the upgrade in Lyons Brook becomes par for the course on the province’s byways.
Highway 376, which stretches from the Pictou Rotary to the old Highway 4 in West River, is up for repairs that will include extra width for bicycle lanes.
The upcoming work will see the width of paving expanded by four feet on each side to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians.
Those already out on the secondary roads on two wheels are, not surprisingly, applauding the move. It can be hazardous in spots using the same relatively narrow lanes also used by cars and trucks.
They’d like to see more: a network throughout the province on the more scenic routes would certainly get lots of use. Nova Scotia has excellent potential as a bicycle tourism hotspot.
We’re slowly seeing the same philosophy make its way into town and city planning. Provide bike paths where possible and lanes on the bigger arteries and there will be increasing numbers take advantage of them. Many just need a little push, and you couldn’t do better than added safety.
We often see cyclists out, exercising, simply getting recreation or doing commutes and many will think, man, there’s dedication.
But with that extra space, that margin of safety these lanes will add, expect a lot more cyclists to dust off their seats and lube their chains. There will be plenty more thinking of a bike as the perfect alternative to driving a car – and that tendency will only increase as fuel prices rise.
In the long term, the extra construction cost going into these lanes is a sound investment. They have the potential to reduce motor vehicle traffic on our roads, making them last longer. Add that to the improvement in people’s health and this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
