Reading — Test 29

Reading passage

The City of Riverbend Expands Its Cycling Network Starting this month, cyclists in Riverbend will notice a change along Elm Street and Danforth Avenue: freshly painted bike lanes separated from car traffic by low concrete curbs. The project, funded jointly by the city and a provincial infrastructure grant, adds 14 kilometres of protected lanes to the city's existing network, bringing the total to just over 40 kilometres. City planners say the expansion responds to a steady rise in cycling commuters, which the transportation department estimates has grown by nearly a third over the past five years. "We used to see cyclists sharing painted lines with fast-moving traffic, which many riders found intimidating," said transportation planner Dana Okafor. "A physical barrier changes that experience completely." The new lanes were not built without debate. Several business owners along Elm Street raised concerns during public consultations last year, worried that removing some curbside parking spots to make room for the lanes would hurt foot traffic to their shops. In response, the city agreed to keep metered parking on one side of the street while placing the bike lane along the other side, a compromise that reduced the number of parking spots lost from an original estimate of 40 down to 15. The construction, which began in early spring, caused temporary lane closures and rerouted several bus routes, prompting complaints from some commuters about longer travel times. City officials say those disruptions ended once paving crews finished each section, generally within a week per block. Riverbend joins a growing list of mid-sized Canadian cities investing in separated cycling infrastructure, following similar projects completed in recent years in nearby communities. The transportation department plans to review ridership data next spring to decide whether further extensions, particularly along the riverfront path connecting to the downtown core, will receive funding in the following budget cycle. Residents can view a full map of the new lanes on the city's website or pick up a printed copy at any public library branch.

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