Smooth Ride for West Enders Tomorrow

The extension of the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail is being paved today, and will make for a smooth ride for west end commuters tomorrow.

This significant and long-awaited cycling link is nearing completion, with lighting and landscaping and some fencing to follow the paving.

They city will maintain the trail all year, removing snow in winter, which will make this a popular trail for cyclists, hikers and joggers.

Built on an abandoned CP rail line, the trail extends from Studholme Road in the east, to the Main West Fortinos plaza and the Hamilton to Brantford trail head at Ewan Road to the west (Project #3 on TLC's Shifting Gears Cycling Master Plan map: click here to view) providing a safe, car-free crossing over highway 403.

A link to Glenside Avenue through the Chedoke Golf Course will further strengthen this connection linking South West Hamilton to neighbourhoods south of McMaster University, and into Dundas. 

Congratulations to the city staff and councillor Brian McHattie for seeing this through to its conclusion.

Bike Box in Ottawa (photo R.K.)

"The first bike-box in Hamilton is about to be installed on Studholme Road at Aberdeen Avenue. A bike box is used at intersections to designate a space for cyclists to wait in front of cars at a red traffic signal so cyclists are more visible to auto drivers. A bike box minimizes confussion between left-turning cyclists and right-turning cars as well. The City of Guelph has created an informative video to explain how both bicycles and automobiles are to operate at bike boxes.  Click here to get informed." (source: City of Hamilton)


The installation of the bike box accompanies the installation of a traffic light of course (pictured during installation), which will make this intersection safer by addressing poor sight-lines at the rail bridge.


This intersection will be significant for cyclists seeking to connect from Aberdeen and Studholme to use the new addition to the Hamilton to Brantford Rail trail.


These projects in the city's Ward One will be augmented by recently announced Bike Lanes for Dundurn Street North between King and York Blvd. 

What: Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan PIC #2
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011
Time: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (open house format) & presentation at 6 pm
Location: Central Library, Hamilton and Wentworth Rooms, 555 York Blvd, Hamilton

The purpose of this study is to undertake a comprehensive Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan for the City of Hamilton. This plan will establish a 20 year (2031) framework to improve the pedestrian environment and increase the opportunity for walking as a mode of transportation (active travel) and recreation that is efficient, comfortable, safe inclusive, accessible and improve health of communities and economic development.

The first round of PICs held earlier this year identified the opportunities and constraints to walking and mobility in the City. PIC #2 will present the alternative solutions based on public and agency input gathered from PIC #1.

More information about the Master Plan, including the Boards from PIC #1 can be viewed athttp://www.hamilton.ca/PedestrianMP.

A second meeting, which will present the same information, is scheduled for September 10, at Turner Park Library, Main Foyer & Program Room, 352 Rymal Rd. E., 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Open house/drop-in format, presentation at 2:00 p.m.