City of Brandon to Pilot On-Street Bike Lane along Pacific Avenue

Cyclists in Brandon are encouraged to check out a pop-up bike lane coming soon to Pacific Avenue as part of a larger City of Brandon project looking at how to improve the biking and walking connectivity and amenities along this particular downtown corridor.

Beginning Monday, August 10^th, the parking lane on the north side of Pacific Avenue from First Street to 18^th Street will be turned into a temporary two-way bike lane, complete with traffic delineator posts and signage. This bicycle lane will be a dedicated part of the road for exclusive use by cyclists until early fall.

Two-way vehicle traffic along Pacific Avenue will remain during this bike-lane pilot project and, as such, the City of Brandon would encourage all motorists and cyclists to use care and caution when travelling in the area. For businesses and patrons of the downtown, a reminder that the parking lane along the south side of Pacific Avenue will remain available for use, and the City of Brandon also provides access to FREE public parking on the north side of the street in the City-owned lot located at 1201 Pacific Avenue.

Upon completion of the bike lane pilot project, it will be assessed as part of a larger Conceptual Design and Streetscape strategy for Pacific Avenue between First Street and 18^th Street. This larger strategy will look at how to preserve the initiatives fostered within the City of Brandon’s Downtown Secondary Plan, while exploring ways to accommodate vehicle and active transportation as the City extends Pacific Avenue connecting First Street with 34^th Street. Possible outcomes include potentially making the Pacific Avenue bike lane permanent, or implementing such bike lanes in other areas of the City.

Once the Pacific Avenue pop-up bike lane is in use next month, public feedback on it will be welcomed through an online survey, which will remain open for comments until September 30^th. Additional opportunities for the public to provide input into the larger Conceptual Design and Streetscape strategy for Pacific Avenue made available at www.brandon.ca in the weeks and months ahead. Specific questions or comments on the Pacific Avenue Pop-Up Bicycle Lane can be directed to the City of Brandon Development Services Division by calling 204-729-2214.

(City of Brandon Media release)