July 31, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen, met at city hall Wednesday to discuss the future of the city’s bike lanes, against the backdrop of potential changes to cycling infrastructure.
Following the meeting, Mayor Gondek described the conversation as productive and constructive, emphasizing the need for flexibility and thoughtful planning as Calgary continues to grow by more than 250 people per day.
“When you’re planning for a rapidly growing city like ours, it’s important to understand how people move today—and how they’ll move in the future,” said Gondek. She noted that bike lanes currently make up less than one per cent of Calgary’s road surface and stressed they are not permanent fixtures, saying they can be adjusted or removed if they create congestion or parking challenges.
The provincial government has expressed concern over the conversion of vehicle lanes into bike lanes, particularly on major traffic routes. Dreeshen reiterated the province’s position that prioritizing vehicle flow is key to supporting Alberta’s economic and transportation goals.
“It’s not ideological—it’s common sense,” said Dreeshen. “If a road is built to carry a certain volume of traffic and you reduce that capacity, you’re going to cause congestion.”
In April, Dreeshen publicly urged Calgary and Edmonton to remove bike lanes from key corridors, suggesting they interfere with the province’s investments in expanding road networks.
Despite the differing perspectives, both sides acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue. Calgary has maintained a long-term commitment to cycling infrastructure, with more than $50 million allocated to bike lane development over the coming decades.
The conversation reflects a broader debate about how to balance car traffic with alternative modes of transportation in a rapidly growing urban environment.
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