The Halifax Regional Council, during a meeting on Tuesday, rejected a motion proposed by Mayor Andy Fillmore aiming to pause the construction of new bike lanes within the municipality. The council, after a lengthy debate, voted 12 to 5 against the motion, reflecting a division among council members over the implications of bike lanes on traffic congestion.
District 9 Councillor Shawn Cleary expressed his opposition to the motion, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to link the installation of bike lanes directly to increased traffic congestion. “I think because we built bike lanes and there is congestion, some people think that one leads to the other. There is no evidence to suggest that is the case,” he stated. His remarks highlighted the need for a more nuanced perspective when analyzing the factors contributing to traffic conditions in Halifax.
Similarly, District 13’s Nancy Hartling criticized the motion for lacking supporting data and context. “I see no facts here about why we would pause,” she said, stressing that a blanket pause on bike lane construction would not facilitate a productive discourse around the topic. Hartling called for a deeper understanding and evaluation of the implications bike lanes may have on urban infrastructure.
On the opposing side, District 4 Councillor Trish Purdy supported the motion, arguing that modifications to traffic lanes could have clear consequences for congestion levels. She stated, “When you repurpose an existing traffic lane to build a bike lane, that does impact traffic congestion. Or if you remove an existing right-turn slip lane to put in a bike lane, that does actually contribute negatively to traffic congestion.” Purdy's comments pointed to the potential challenges that may emerge from altering established traffic patterns in an already congested urban area.
District 5 Councillor Sam Austin rejected the notion that the expansion of the bike lane network was responsible for traffic backups. “Water is west, the sky is blue, the sun rises in the east, bike lanes do not cause congestion,” he asserted. Austin emphasized that the primary issue causing congestion was the municipality's rapid growth and failure to provide sufficient alternative transportation options.
Ultimately, the motion by Mayor Fillmore, which received support from councillors Billy Gillis, David Hendsbee, Purdy, and Paul Russell Young, was outnumbered by those who opposed it. The decision illustrates a significant divide in perspectives among the council regarding urban planning and traffic management in Halifax.
Following the defeat of the motion, the council did pass a separate motion instructing staff to conduct a review of plans for Morris Street. This review will include considerations for a proposed bike lane as well as options to maintain two-way traffic on the street. The council expects to receive the findings from this report in a future meeting scheduled for July 8, indicating ongoing deliberations on how to balance traffic flow with the city’s evolving transportation needs.
