Ken Shields has finally seen his hard work pay off.
After nearly eight years, the cycling advocate has a separate way to get across town after a culvert was installed at an old railway bed near Winnipeg Avenue by the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
This creates an isolated pathway way from traffic that was opened on Friday, much to the delight of cyclists.
“This is a great way to get across town,” Shields said. “It’s a perfect thing for bikers to get away from the sidewalks and busy Memorial Avenue.”
Shields put the ball in motion earlier this fall by starting a petition at local cycling shops to create pressure for the project to be completed.
He rides a bicycle to work as often as possible. Getting from the north core to the south end of town early in the morning is usually hassle free, but traffic in the evenings can be problematic.
He said he has heard from other cyclists applauding the new path, which creates a safer and more efficient route.
“This is a real connector to get people from the north to the south safely,” Shields explained.
“At night it is really intimidating for a lot of people. I would never bring a child along Memorial Avenue at rush hour.”
Along with the established Active Transportation Routes, the initiative is just one more example of ways the city is working to become more cyclist friendly.
