Pop Up Bike Lane

Colborne Road Pop Up Protected Bike Lane

In the summer of 2022, a group of residents got together to discuss the safety of the bike lanes along Colborne Road.

While families welcomed the bike lanes when they were implemented, many felt they were unsafe due to increased traffic speeds, the narrow width of the lane, and the notion that a painted white line won’t keep their young children protected against motorists.

Using a tactical urbanism approach based off infrastructure used in many, many other cities, this group of volunteers came together and created a temporary pop-up protected bike lane. They painted the lane bright blue to increase visibility, and added blue traffic delineators to create a physical barrier between the motorists and cyclists. While the project was in place, they monitored data such as traffic speeds, cycling lane usage, and gathering feedback from residents, cyclists, and all those affected by the project.

Project Goals

Goal 1

Reduced traffic speed and awareness.

Goal 2

Increased confidence and protection for bicyclists.

Goal 3

A more connected neighbourhood.

“That’s fabulous! They have the pylons in Hamilton and my son and wife who bike to work, and absolutely everywhere possible, have found they do protect the bike lanes a lot more! now, onto obtaining more bike lanes i.e. all of East Street to name one.”

“Drivers don’t care about bike lanes. These polls are the 1st thing that has provided safety.”

“Nice to see thanks to all involved, great work.”

“I think it’s wonderful that the City, and individual groups, are encouraging safe relationships between bikers and vehicles.”

Reduced traffic speed by an average of 7km per hour.
Two print media interviews generating hundreds of comments on social media - increasing the dialogue, awareness and education on this topic within our city.
94% of people surveyed said they felt safer riding in our protected bike lane.
86% of people said they'd ride their bike more if we had more protected bike lanes.