Bridge Renewed as Calgary Cycling Groups Push to Make Active Transportation an Election Issue – Calgary | The Canadian News

The 8th Avenue Bridge over Deerfoot Trail is now so much brighter thanks to a group of community volunteers who are pushing for better active transportation infrastructure in Calgary.

The separate pedestrian lane has gone from muted gray to bright colors with geometric patterns.

“I think it provides a lot of security, it beautifies you and it’s a great way to give back,” said artist and Calgary school teacher Alisha Ingbritson.

A group of around 100 volunteers painted the bridge over several weekends. The efforts are part of a movement called United the Heights.

Community members hope to create better bicycle and pedestrian connections between Crescent Heights, Renfrew, Mayland Heights, and Radisson Heights.

Ingbritson said community members are pushing for the separate pedestrian path to be widened. She said that with hills on either side, the vehicles speed up a lot on Eighth Avenue.

“It can be terrifying, absolutely,” Ingbritson said.

“I’ve been biking this road with my kids in a bike trailer, I go down the road and get carried away by traffic or you get to the footbridge and then it’s very narrow and uncomfortable.”

Bike Calgary, in partnership with Youth En Route, distributed a survey this month regarding active transportation to all Calgary mayoral and ward candidates to help voters know where they stand.

Youth en Route is an advocacy and education group established this year with the goal of getting more students to bike to school.

“Just a hundred feet of pavement in one area could make a dramatic difference in the safety of students attending a school in one area,” said Youth en Route Executive Director Laura Shutiak.

Shutiak hopes this election will give voters an opportunity to dig into the candidates’ platforms to see which ones are looking for more active transportation options.

“Calgary is at a crossroads. We are a city that is changing very rapidly, ”said Shutiak.

“There is an opportunity for this city council to make our city much safer for pedestrians and cyclists and for people who use scooters or skateboards.”

Bike Calgary and Youth en Route have not endorsed any candidates.

Shutiak said that about a third of the candidates have responded to the survey.