Regina’s Bike Network
In the fall term of 2023, The REM partnered with the University of Regina’s Urban Geography class 246. The REM came into the classroom to teach the students the benefits of using source documents in the form of archives and interviews for research. We will highlight the fourth student report “Regina’s Bike Network” by Riley Smith.
In Regina, the topic of bike routes has been discussed for many years. Bikes can be used for exercise and recreation, and they also provide an alternate form of transportation than cars. However, for cyclists to thrive in a city, they need designated space for riding. As cycling culture has grown, so has the need for bike lanes and pathways. There have been several developments made in Regina, which mark the evolution of the city’s bike network. Archives from the Regina Leader-Post provide insight on how the bike network has evolved. One of the first and most important improvements made to facilitate cycling was the Devonian Pathway, which opened in 1981. It was made possible through a charitable donation, and has since grown and connected to other pathways. These pathways are great for recreation and make use of the natural beauty of Wascana lake. Cyclists have also pushed for on street bike lanes, which make transportation by bike more practical. Biking improves the sustainability of individuals through exercise, and the sustainability of the city as a transportation option. Improving biking infrastructures not only provides for the present cycling community, but also encourages other people to incorporate biking into their lives.
According to an article in the Leader-Post from 1977, cycling increased in popularity across Canada in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s: “the number of bicycles has probably tripled in the last six years” (Graham). However, there was no riding space designated for cycling. Before the bike path, Tom Fuzesy (qtd. in Vanstone) recalls that “a bike ride consisted of a trip to Wascana Park, either riding on the walking path or, if it was too crowded, on the street” (B5). Biking on the roads surrounded by cars can be dangerous, and it is unfair to pedestrians to bike on sidewalks. In the 1980 Leader-Post article “Regina unfair to bikes,” it is suggested that potholes in Regina are frequent due to the soil that the city is built on. Not only does this make for a bumpy ride, but it also commonly lead to costly repairs to bicycles (“Regina unfair to bikes”). With no biking infrastructure, what should be fun exercise can instead become stressful and unenjoyable. In 1977, the assistant director of Red Cross, Youth Dwight Mihaliez (qtd. in Graham) said that for increased safety, “separate bicycle paths should be provided to keep bicycles and cars apart.” This statement showcases the changes that needed to be made to match the increasing popularity of biking. Those changes were soon to come.
In February of 1980, the Devonian group of Charitable Foundations offered to make a donation for the construction of bike paths along Wascana Creek. The Devonian Foundation started with “Eric L. Harvey, an Ontario native who made a fortune in Alberta oil and founded the Devonian group in 1973. The group funds worthwhile projects in three areas–parks, historic preservation and applied science” (CALGARY, CP). Their offer of “$300,000 would only be given if the money (was) matched by the city” (“Bike paths possible”). This offer was accepted, and the Leader-Post reported that the city officially approved the plan in September of 1980: “The path will run along the banks of Wascana Creek, complete with seating areas, water fountains, road signs and lighting (“Bike path approved”). The development had support from the public: “Regina has one big advantage for cycling: no hills. So anything the city can do to champion the bicycle should be given plenty of support” (“Regina unfair to bikes”). Appendix A shows the growing enthusiasm for the recreational pathway as development continued. The $600,000 supported the development of the 7.3 kilometres of asphalt path with lighting, signs, rest areas and bike racks. As shown in Appendix B, the first section runs east of Albert St. between Wascana Park and A.E. Wilson Park, and was completed in 1982 (“Easy rider”).
Soon after the construction of the Devonian Pathway, a second city bicycle trail was “planned along the Pilot Butte Creek, in conjunction with the development of the southeast sector of the city. There (was) an understandable desire to connect these two bicycle routes through Wascana Centre” (Wascana Centre 36). As seen in Appendix C, in the 1982 Master Plan, the Wascana Centre explains that where the paths connect, “it is not intended that cyclists have an exclusive route, but that they should utilize designated scenic roads and pedestrian paths” (Wascana Centre 36). This extended, paved, multi-use route is referred to today as ‘the bike path’ (Vanstone B5). The Regina bike path has been well used and appreciated over the years as a safe space for exercise and leisure. Some of the biggest attractions are the multi-use aspect, and the connection to nature. A leader-Post page from 1987 promotes the pathway as a “successful and valuable recreational resource,” that “can accommodate 2-way bicycle traffic, or pedestrian alongside cyclists or cross-country skiers. Designed to enhance rather than disrupt existing landscape,.. (it) links 8 city parks and 2 golf courses in a continuous recreational system” (“Let Yourself Go”).
The existence of bicycle infrastructure is good for sustainability, “the bicycle is a machine that rewards efficiency. The energy used to propel it is renewable. It promotes good health and puts muscles where they weren’t” (“Regina unfair to bikes”). It also improves the quality and accessibility of the city centre, as “Wascana Parkway/Broad Street is a major entrance into downtown and has a more intimate relationship with the Centre than does the Trans–Canada Highway” (Wascana Centre 30). The path also connects to Albert Street, which is another important entry road to the city centre. The connected pathways started with the development of the Devonian Pathway, which was made possible with charitable and city funding, careful planning, and public support and engagement. O’Donnell (qtd. in Vanstone B6) describes how their proximity to the multi-use pathway allows them to observe the social interactions and community that are facilitated. The Pilot Butte Creek Pathway being built alongside a new, developing area allows for these benefits to be shared with more of the city.
Although the multi-use pathway system has been successful, its main purpose is for leisure and recreation. The recreation pathway is not very practical for commuting, as it only exists in certain areas of the city, and is purposefully winding for the enjoyment of the scenery. In 1998, the first on-street, specified lanes designated for bicycles were approved (Scott A6). The public reaction was not all supportive. A 1998 article in the Leader-Post cited affordability and worsening the experience of automobile users as concerns for a shared street (“Bike path plan raises questions”). As seen in Appendix D, the Regina Sun reported further developments made in 2007: “bike-only lanes from College Avenue to downtown (are) intended to provide safe and efficient travel for the steady flow of commuters riding through the area” (McMillan 34). Kelly Wyatt (qtd. in McMillan) said that “the core area was chosen because of its high commuter traffic and strong public demand to connect downtown with the south end of Regina” (34). Bike lanes that serve as a quality transportation option improves the efficiency of the city. More people commuting by bicycle would mean less cars on the road and less need for parking space. Biking is also a much cheaper option than owning and driving a car.
Unfortunately, the development of a quality commuter bike network in Regina has been slow. Ellen Mclaughlin (qtd. in Kurz) is a spokesperson for Bike Regina. In a 2023 article, she said “there has been improvement in the past few years, but the city still lacks a comprehensive network of bike friendly routes that would make commuting easier” (A1). The results of the inadequate network is that biking can often be overly time consuming. Also, sharing the road with automobiles can be treacherous, “big parts of the issue are narrow streets creating close quarters between bikes and cars and bottlenecks at busy intersections that are hard to cross, like Albert or Broad streets” (Kurz A4). These factors can discourage people from cycling as a form of transport. It is necessary to provide a safe, efficient, city-spanning bike network for it to become a desirable form of mobility.
The Devonian Pathway and the connections that followed answered the necessity for safe routes to ride a bicycle. The bike path is a successful multi-use recreational service which has enhanced the city. Many factors, including a large charitable donation, made the pathway possible. It has helped in cultivating bike culture in Regina. However, it cannot adequately provide transportation services to all of the city. Therefore, there have been a few bike lanes added on streets throughout the years, which attempt to improve cycling as a commuting option. The topic of Regina’s bike network is a contemporary issue, as the city requires further biking infrastructure to allow cyclists to be more mobile. A quality bike network makes the city more sustainable. Healthy lifestyles and communities are fostered, and it may also help to alleviate some of the negative outcomes of Regina’s reliance on auto-centric transportation.
Appendix
Devonian Pathway in Development.
“Ready for a ride” A3.
Devonian Pathway
Wascana Centre 36.
Designated Bicycle Routes
On street bike lanes opened in 2007.
McMillan 34.
Citations
“Bike path approved.” Regina Leader-Post, 17 September 1980, p. 2.
“Bike path plan raises questions.” Regina Leader-Post, 18 June 1998, p. A7.
“Bike paths possible.” Regina Leader-Post, 7 February 1980, p. 4.
CALGARY, Canadian Press. “Museum donation worth $20 million.” Regina Leader-Post, 22 January 1979, p. 40.
Chabun, Will. “Walk this way!” Regina Leader-Post, 9 June 1990, p. D2.
“Easy rider.” Regina Leader-Post, 6 August 1982, p. A3.
Graham, Clyde. “Bicycle accident injuries show marked increase.” Regina Leader–Post, 19 August 1977, p. 3.
Kurz, Larissa. “How safe do you feel when cycling?: Advocacy group quizzing residents in a bid to make city’s streets safer.” Regina Leader-Post, 23 May 2023, p. A1 & A4.
“Let Yourself Go.” Regina Leader–Post, 18 June 1987, p. B10.
McMillan, Tom. “City paves the way for downtown cyclists.” Regina Sun Community News, 26 August 2007, p. 34.
“Ready for a ride.” Regina Leader-Post, 29 May 1981, p. A3.
“Regina unfair to bikes.” Regina Leader-Post, 22 May 1980, p. 6.
Scott, Neil. “City officials to designate special lanes for bicycles.” Regina Leader-Post, 17 June 1998, p. A6.
Vanstone, Rob. “‘A Real Gem for the City’: Devonian Pathway was created in 1981 as part of a nationwide plan by an ‘aggressive private foundation.’” Regina Leader-Post, 20 June 2020, p. B5–B6.
Wascana Centre. “1982 Master Plan.” Wascana Centre Authority, 29 June 1983, p. 30-37. https://wascana.ca/pub/Wascana-Centre-Master-Plan---1982.pdf