And here’s a good example of why our bike networks shouldn’t rely so heavily on pedestrian-filled park spaces like the Hfx/Dartmouth Commons:
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The mindset of municipal decision makers is that trails like this one and the RailTrail along the Valley are recreational, not that they’re part of the transportation network. So decision makers can ignore them and pretend they don’t have to think policy and rules for them. They’re not essential
aug 30, 2025, 11:43 pm • 7 0 • view
This is also why they can close down the COLT at a moment’s notice without consideration that it’s just as essential for some folks’ transportation as our many highways through wooded areas. Similarly with the Commons when it’s used for large events.
aug 30, 2025, 11:50 pm • 11 0 • view
HCC published a position paper on MUPs in an urban setting. cyclehalifax.ca/hcc-policy-s...
aug 31, 2025, 1:14 am • 2 0 • view
Vancouver built some waterfront MUPs, but soon discovered that everyone is happier with separate bike & roll and walking paths. Bike & roll paths through park spaces work well, especially if there are other good bike & roll routes for people who are in a hurry.
aug 31, 2025, 12:33 am • 4 0 • view
It’s just the second part that’s lacking. No way to go around unless one is comfortable biking in the road. Whenever there’s an event at the Halifax Commons it leaves all the bike infrastructure disconnected since it’s sort of a hub in the centre of the peninsula.
aug 31, 2025, 12:39 am • 2 0 • view
Sounds like Halifax needs both separated bike & roll paths through the Commons and good parallel bike & roll routes?
aug 31, 2025, 3:23 am • 1 0 • view
Oh brother! While I’m glad for our MUPs because they’re better than nothing, it very frequently puts me and my large bike in a position to startle or alarm pedestrians (even riding carefully) or I get stuck for long stretches unable to pass folks who are traveling at very reasonable walking paces.
aug 30, 2025, 11:33 pm • 15 0 • view
At least on many other MUPs people are generally moving too & they understand bikes are allowed to be there. Park spaces where people gather and not necessarily just walk or run can be trickier in my experience, especially once you throw in dogs and toddlers.
aug 30, 2025, 11:36 pm • 7 0 • view
That’s true! I sometimes get very serious stares on the Bayer’s Rd MUP, or people linger on the path at the bus stop, but no one has shouted at me. I don’t want to hit anyone (especially dogs or toddlers!), and it’s not a good space to share. Most of the park paths are very narrow, too.
aug 30, 2025, 11:39 pm • 2 0 • view
Yes, exactly. Dogs and toddlers absolutely should get to enjoy public spaces! I just want a bike network that connects us to the commons but doesn’t necessarily force us to go through the commons every time.
aug 30, 2025, 11:42 pm • 3 0 • view
Agreed! And transitions from road to Commons (both Hfx and Dartmouth) are pretty clunky. I often avoid the Halifax Commons paths if I’m trying to get somewhere (Cunard & North Park aren’t too bad on my bike). The sharp turns to get through the Dartmouth Commons gate are rough with my cargo bike.
aug 30, 2025, 11:47 pm • 4 0 • view
They very clearly don’t test any of our “AAA” infrastructure to see if it’s usable on a cargo bike with kids on board
aug 30, 2025, 11:50 pm • 3 0 • view
Ugh, it’s so true! There are so many big and small parts of our network that make it clear people designing/making it don’t have experience riding. I avoid routes with beg buttons because they’re often straight up dangerous for me to try to reach! And don’t get me started on bumpy curb cuts.
aug 30, 2025, 11:53 pm • 4 0 • view
There's very little understanding about mups I find: recently a truck driver was shouting that the mup on nantucket is a sidewalk, got blocked on Farrell St Park Mup once, shouted at on Banook mup around the highway, many boomers (always male boomers) in shubie say bikes are not allowed there,....
aug 31, 2025, 12:15 am • 5 0 • view
Can confirm. There's been plenty of times that I was yelled at while in Shubie. Often by people who have their heads in the clouds who didn't hear my bell.
aug 31, 2025, 1:36 am • 1 0 • view
and that was the only time i ever did the Farrell St Park Mup and i used it to check out HRM's plans to include it in the bike network :-)
aug 31, 2025, 12:19 am • 3 0 • view
Ah , you’ve met Colin May
aug 30, 2025, 11:47 pm • 9 0 • view
It’s not my post! Is Colin the person who regularly shows up to speak to council about the Dartmouth Commons?
aug 30, 2025, 11:48 pm • 1 0 • view
Yes. Former City of Dartmouth councillor
aug 30, 2025, 11:49 pm • 4 0 • view
He seems like a real treat
aug 30, 2025, 11:50 pm • 4 0 • view
is this on one member Friend of the Commons? 😉
aug 31, 2025, 12:27 am • 1 0 • view
Ha! Frankly, he'd hope to never meet me. I cycle thru there most days. If that ever happens to me, they'll need to extract my cycling shoes from his ass. Honestly, I'm always in favour of separation of modes, but honestly from the bridge to DT Dartmouth, there's very little choice for route.
aug 31, 2025, 1:00 am • 5 0 • view
It's either travel down to Alderney and then up (a nightmare to navigate and adds about a km of distance) or our climb up Thistle in traffic which could be a challenge for people who don't have the fitness.
aug 31, 2025, 1:00 am • 2 0 • view
This is who I assumed it was as well, since this is his entire personality
aug 31, 2025, 12:26 am • 2 0 • view