Halifax mayor’s proposed pause on new bike lanes ‘scapegoating’: cycling activist

Some cyclists in Halifax are shifting into high gear in anticipation of a motion coming to Halifax Regional Council this week. 

Some cyclists in Halifax are shifting into high gear in anticipation of a motion coming to Halifax Regional Council this week.

Mayor Andy Fillmore has indicated in a memo to council that he’s looking to put a pause on future bike lane development until a staff report on road congestion can be completed.

He is expected to bring forward a motion at Tuesday’s meeting to request the pause across the municipality.

But cycling activists say Fillmore is going back on election promises he made on the campaign trail last October.

“It’s such a turnaround for Andy Fillmore,” said David Trueman, the chair of the Halifax Cycling Coalition. “During the election campaign, he said, and I quote, ‘A fully connected bicycle network should be the priority for HRM.’ So, for him to turn around like this is just crazy.”

Trueman used the words “amazed,” “disgusted” and “astounded” to describe his reaction to Fillmore’s comments

For his part, the mayor said the motion is just to re-evaluate the design and cost of the all-ages and abilities (AAA) bikeway network project, which he said has ballooned to almost $100 million.

“So this is what I’m asking council to do, to take a pause on rolling out further bike lanes until we can figure out which ones, which of the individual bike lane projects, are going to make congestion worse and then redesign them so that they don’t,” Fillmore said.