A mock up of the now cancelled bike lane in Lunenburg, NS. Photo: Bicycle NS.

Bicycle Nova Scotia have indicated they will no longer be pursuing a pilot project in Lunenburg that would have seen a pedestrian mall installed on the town’s waterfront.

At the latest Town of Lunenburg Council meeting, a letter from Bicycle NS was presented and outlined their reasons for abandoning the project.

The letter noted that after consulting with the relevant stakeholders extras costs revealed themselves making the project unfeasible at this time.

After concerns raised during consultation with the business community including the Lunenburg Board of Trade and business owners within the project area, and the discovery of logistical requirements and additional costs arising from consultation with the Lunenburg Department of Public Works, Bicycle Nova Scotia has made a difficult decision to cancel the pop-up project scheduled for October 2022.

-Bicycle NS letter to Town of Lunenburg

It also cited a lack of appetite to support the pedestrian mall by the Lunenburg Board of Trade and the businesses they represent.

 Without support and participation from the business community, the programming of a pedestrian mall became significantly limited. Not having a pedestrian mall – serviced by adjoining, robust active transportation infrastructure – as a key destination supported by adjacent businesses has ultimately led to our decision to cancel.

-Bicycle NS letter to Town of Lunenburg

Jamie Myra, President of the Lunenburg Board of Trade says the business community is not opposed to bike lanes altogether but says that in this case, the plans did not meet the needs of businesses.

“Council approved the plan first and then asked Bicycle NS, to go and speak with the local businesses and to get our feedback as well, when that began showing up in the media many of our members were immediately concerned as the plans would see the loss of over 40 parking spaces.”

Myra says the Board of Trade then sent out a survey to their members asking for feedback on the project. They received 25 responses and Myra says 24 were opposed for a myriad of reasons, with parking being the most common and only one business was in favour of the proposed plan.

A map showing where the now-canceled bike lane and pedestrian mall would go. Photo: Bicycle NS.

Both Bicycle NS and the Board of Trade have indicated they are interested in pursuing bike infrastructure in the future however Myra suggests businesses and local stakeholders should be a part of the discussions from the beginning of the process so the plans will work well for the entire community.