Should Council have funded the bike lane project in this Capital Budget? Why haven’t we spent more money on pedways? Are bike lanes just symbolic or do they reflect the changing desires of Edmontonians? What’s so great about Uber? Could it be part of the transportation mix in Edmonton? What about late night bus service? Instead of the “bitumen bubble” we’re now in the “oil trough” – will Edmonton be impacted? We discuss those questions and more.

Since we recorded this episode, Uber has now launched in Edmonton and the City of Edmonton says they’ll treat them as bandit taxis.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• 102 Avenue bike lane green-lit for funding from Edmonton city council
• Uber flirts with Edmonton expansion, but city bylaw could stall progress
• ‘Trough’ in oil prices will hurt Alberta finances, premier says
• Edmonton housing boom to continue into 2015 despite oil skid

Thanks for listening!

Edmonton is well on its way to achieving the goal of having 90% of our waste diverted from landfill with the new facility. Can we do more, such as licensing the technology to other cities? City Council has approved the Blatchford redevelopment plan, but many criticized their decision for “watering down” the original design. Did Council make the right call? On the topic of bike lanes, has Council found a happy middle ground to keep things moving forward? And finally on Telus Field, is the building at risk? Should it be torn down to make way for condos? We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• World’s first municipal waste-to-biofuels facility opens in Edmonton
• Another tentative step forward for Edmonton’s Blatchford community
• City Council Approves Blatchford Plan
• City committee gives public consultation plan for Edmonton bike lanes green light
• Telus Field thrown a curve ball as city considers demolition

Thanks for listening!

The City is planning to install 23 km of on-street bike routes this summer and has been conducting some open houses and other events to make people aware and to get feedback. Some people are really upset with the proposed routes, while supporters point to the fact that a very tiny percentage of the budget is spent on making Edmonton a friendlier city for cyclists.

Have the plans to add more on-street bike infrastructure really become “a nightmare” as Mayor Mandel put it? Can you really cycle in the winter? We chat about those questions and more in this episode.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• On-Street Bike Routes
• Edmonton Bicycle Commuters: 2013 On-street Bike Routes
• Bike lanes ‘nightmare’ for mayor
• Rough ride
• What good are (bike) plans without implementation?
• Adequate Funding Needed to Realize Edmonton’s Cycling Dreams

Bike lanes will be in the news again in a couple weeks when Administration returns to City Council’s Transportation Committee with an update on the consultation process. Stay tuned!