The Town of Lincoln recently took the initiative to improve road safety by permanently reducing speed limits in designated areas from 50km/h to 40km/h.
As advocates for e-bikes and sustainable transportation, we at Lincolnmain.ca applaud this proactive step to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
However, we believe the town can leverage this opportunity further by developing a comprehensive e-bike strategy.
The press release announced speed limits will be lowered on key major roads including Fly, Lakeview, Mountain, Victoria, and Weiland. Additional residential streets will also see 40km/h limits. The move aims to enhance safety near schools, parks, trails and other busy areas with more pedestrians and cyclists.
According to Mayor Sandra Easton, “Reducing speed limits improves safety for all road users, especially vulnerable groups like school children and seniors.” The town undertook extensive consultation with residents who overwhelmingly supported reduced speeds.
This aligns perfectly with the rise of e-bikes locally and across Canada. E-bikes open up cycling to more residents by assisting riders with electric motors. They allow longer commutes and riding with less physical exertion. We foresee e-bikes soon becoming integral to Lincoln’s transportation mix.
Integrating e-bikes safely requires proactive policies and infrastructure. Lower speed limits address a key concern – the speed differential between cars and e-bikes. With more bikes on multi-use paths, slower traffic speeds also prevent serious collisions.
We encourage the Town of Lincoln and other communities to take further steps like:
– Expanding bike lanes and trails to accommodate rising e-bike use. Wider, protected lanes provide safety from cars.
– Installing bike parking, charging stations and storage facilities. Secure parking prevents clutter while charging enables longer rides.
– Allowing e-bikes to use public transit bike racks. This enables multi-modal trips combining cycling and transit.
– Running safety campaigns educating motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on new rules. Enforcement of slower speed limits is also key.
– Updating municipal code to integrate e-bikes into bylaws and urban planning. Policies should treat e-bikes differently than gas-powered vehicles.
– Incentivizing e-bikes for delivery services, municipal fleets and bike-share programs. Leading by example accelerates mainstream adoption.
With lower speed limits now in place, Lincoln has a foundation to become one of Canada’s most e-bike-friendly communities. We look forward to collaborating with the town on this initiative. Let’s make Lincoln a model for the future of sustainable transportation.
Here is the release from the Town of Lincoln: https://www.lincoln.ca/council-and-administration/news-updates/media-release-town-lincoln-enacts-permanent-40kmh-area
