Pride Saturday

Riding around the city, I had taken a long time to realise that new bike lanes are springing up all over. A mention in a newspaper column drew my attention to the fact that the Cycling Committee has taken its funding, long unused under the previous chairman, and started to make a difference.

By bringing the decision-making to a city level, rather than ward by ward, local prejudices can be balanced off against regional benefits. Long-planned routes are now in action.

But where are the headlines? Where is the public information?

Where is the news about the 3,000 bicycles and 4,500 parking stations that will form a free bicycle scheme starting Spring 2010?

What is the 'bicycle plus two chevrons' signage? It indicates a 'sharrow' lane for cyclists, who follow the line of the arrows, and cars, who must share the space.

Did you know that the minor intersections, where the lights are controlled by car traffic and pedestrian push buttons, also have three white dots in the bike lane where the weight of a bicycle will trigger the change?

We are becoming a cycle-friendly city, with streets striped with new bike lanes with more planned on major routes like University, and pleasure routes along the hydro allotments.

But why the maidenly modesty, people? This is one of the few unalloyed successes the Council can boast of, and I've seen nothing in the press.