A downtown bike lane that was reconfigured to make room for construction is creating a dangerous situation for cyclists.

The sidewalk on the south side of Adelaide St. W., between Simcoe and Duncan Sts., was closed to make way for the project, while the adjacent cycling lane was temporarily pushed out into a traffic lane.

Signs at Simcoe and Duncan direct pedestrians to walk on the north side, but many ignore them and stroll along the reconfigured cycling lane, forcing bike riders to swerve around them.

Worse, a streetcar rail runs down the middle of the temporary bike lane; any cyclist who has ever had their bike slide out from under them when crossing a rain-slicked streetcar track knows how dangerous they are.

The situation typifies everything we’ve said recently about how people are expected to give up public space to make way for construction of condos and other development.

It also has us wondering if the city has any real interest in prioritizing public interests over those of developers.

Jeff Murchison emailed to say that as a cyclist, he gambles every time he rides along the block-long, reconfigured cycling lane created to make room to build a 58-storey, mixed-use tower that will include rental housing.

“The cycle track was realigned such that streetcar tracks run right down the middle of it, which is a big hazard for cyclists,” he said, noting that the gaps around the rail were filled with asphalt, but “it was kind of a half measure as it still requires cyclists to cross the tracks” several times.

“I am an experienced cyclist and am not put off by streetcar tracks but I have seen others struggle and even wipe out on the tracks since the realignment was put in place.”

But that’s not the worst of it.

Murchison went on to say “pedestrians are blatantly ignoring signs which tell them the sidewalk is closed and to cross the street and many are simply walking in the bike lane.

“There have already been a number of close calls because of pedestrians walking in the road. Personally, I’ve experienced pedestrians swatting at me or in one case grabbing my bag in an attempt to push me off my bike when ringing my bell through this section.

“I’ve had a woman yell at me for ‘biking on the sidewalk.’ I’ve had people force me to cross the streetcar track on wet, slippery days, and I know of a person who has been forced off their bike when a pedestrian walked around a blind corner into the lane, forcing them to bail.”

We went there last Saturday and saw many pedestrians walking along the bike lane, some three abreast, and watched as cyclists weaved between them and large flower planters that act as a barrier between the bike and traffic lanes.

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STATUS: Transportation services spokesperson Cheryl San Juan sent us an email saying “appropriate signage has been placed at the intersections of Adelaide St. at Duncan St. and Simcoe St. to advise pedestrians of the sidewalk closure and to direct them to use the north sidewalk. There is also a traffic control person present at the intersection of Adelaide St. and Duncan St., directing pedestrians to the north sidewalk. Some pedestrians continue to choose the bike lane as a thru fare. We advise all road users to use extra caution when using the streets near a construction closure and to be courteous to other users.” OK, but does the city really believe it’s enough to eliminate the danger? Jill Killeen, a Vancouver public relations specialist acting for the developer, said in an email that a flag person is at Adelaide and Duncan between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday to direct pedestrians to the sidewalk on the north side. That may reduce the problem during the day, but what happens after 4 p.m., when it’s getting dark, or on weekends? And what if pedestrians simply ignore the flag person? Killeen also said the developer is working with the city to come up with a way to deal with the slippery streetcar rail. Please hurry, before someone is hurt.

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