The St. Paul City Council earlier this week approved new bike lanes on Western Avenue between Front and Como avenues, as well as new bike lanes on Forest Street between Maryland Avenue and Margaret Street.

The first resolution concerning Western Avenue was approved 6-0 on Wednesday, and the second resolution along Forest Street was approved 4-2 on Wednesday, with Council Member Dan Bostrom and Chris Tolbert opposed. Council Member Jane Prince was absent.

St. Paul Public Works will install the bike lanes at the same time as an upcoming mill and overlay project. The bike lanes, seen as an important north-south addition to the city’s cycling infrastructure, were recommended by the 2015 St. Paul Bicycle Plan.

Two residents spoke at a public hearing before the council Wednesday to express concern that longstanding churches in the area are already competing for parking on Sundays or during weddings and funerals.

Other residents — including some church members — said the inconvenience was secondary to public safety concerns for cyclists, and that includes families cycling to church. Bostrom, who represents part of the area, said seniors who lose parking have farther to walk in icy conditions, which is also a safety concern. Related Articles St. Paul City Council approves $600,000 charge for downtown improvement district

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Parking will be removed from the east side of Western Avenue from Front to Larch Street, and on the west side of Western Avenue for one block between Atwater Street and Larch Street. The city would also remove parking along the east side of Forest Street from Maryland Avenue to East Seventh Street, and on the west side of Forest Street north of East Seventh Street.

Public Works has proposed adding new parking along the south side of Case Avenue between Duchess Street and Russell Street.