Article content

A safety audit of the High Level Bridge pathways has come back recommending one-way cycling paths, at least for the east side of the bridge.

“The existing widths provided on the east and west pathways are clearly substandard,” says the Urban Systems audit released Thursday.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Safety audit calls for one-way cycle path on Edmonton's High Level Bridge Back to video

The company was contracted to study the bridge after new suicide prevention barriers narrowed each side by 30 centimetres. The safety audit also highlighted longstanding safety concerns such as poor lighting, tripping hazards and narrow, unprotected approaches for one of Edmonton’s most-used cycling connections. It says the intersections at both ends also need improvements.

But the one-way recommendation doesn’t sit well with some cyclists.

“Don’t trade off one problem for another,” said Varina Crisfield, a biologist who bikes from the north side to shop or visit across the river.

Despite a pro-cycling mayor, “we just keep going backward,” Crisfield said. “If they’re going to limit the directionality, I really think they should fix the intersections first.”