North End and West End 'AAA' Bikeways
North End and West End ‘AAA’ Bikeway Connections
The municipality is planning for the implementation of two new 'all ages and abilities' (AAA) bikeway connections on the Halifax peninsula:
- North-end bikeway between Africville Lookoff Park and Cogswell Street
- West-end bikeway between Windsor Street and West End Mall/Mumford Transit Terminal
UPDATE MARCH 2025
Pending council approval, the municipality will be upgrading the Young-Kaye-Isleville intersection from tactical to permanent infrastructure. This is based on traffic data showing increased safety and positive public feedback. Before seeking council's approval for permanent infrastructure, residents will get a chance to review the information and provide feedback on design improvements.
Surrounding residents will receive mail-outs with information, and three informal information sessions will take place at the intersection. Details soon to come. A survey will be available for neighbours and intersection users to fill out about how they interact with the intersection and any design changes they would like to see.
The term ‘AAA’ refers to bicycle facilities that are more comfortable, convenient and safe for people of ‘all ages and abilities’ (for example, for people who currently are uncomfortable bicycling on Halifax streets). ‘AAA’ bicycle facilities are crucial to attracting new riders to our cycling network.
For the most part, the connections are envisioned to be made by ‘local street bikeways’ where bikes and cars share the road on streets with low traffic volumes and speeds. Treatments to make the bikeways safer may include traffic calming, traffic diversion and treatments to facilitate the crossing of major streets. However, some parts of the proposed route may require protected bike lanes or multi-use pathways to make the connection. Some of the options being considered impact the amount of on-street parking and some of them do not.
The project will also apply a ‘complete streets’ approach to consider design features that benefit all road users, including people walking and taking transit.
The 'all ages and abilities' (AAA) North End-West End Bikeways project is aligned with recommendations from the Integrated Mobility Plan and the 2014-2019 Active Transportation Priorities Plan. Incorporation of ‘AAA’ bikeway facilities in the north end and west end of Halifax presents an opportunity to improve the core cycling network on the Halifax Peninsula for all users.
Project updates from 2018-2022 can be found in the 'Documents' tab to the right.
If you have any questions about this project or would like more information, please contact 311 by phone or at 311@halifax.ca [link email]
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HRM is seeking public opinion on existing tactical infrastructure in three locations and on upgrading this infrastructure to permanent. The three locations are: Young/Kaye St and Isleville St intersection, Almon St and Isleville St intersection, and the Duffus St bike lane from Isleville St to Novalea Dr. See below for details about each upgrade.
Pending council approval, the municipality will be upgrading this tactical designs to have permanent infrastructure and signage. This is based on traffic data showing increased safety and positive public feedback. Before seeking council's approval for permanent infrastructure, residents will get a chance to receive information of the coming changes and provide feedback on design improvements, including through this survey.
Map of North End Halifax with the three potential upgrade locationsYoung/Kaye and Isleville St Intersection: In July 2020, a tactical intersection improvement was installed at the intersection of Young, Kaye, and Isleville. We installed:
- bicycle refuge when crossing Young Street
- traffic filter allowing bicycles to continue on Isleville while cars must turn right
- back-in angle parking on Kaye Street
- curb extensions using concrete curbs and bollards
Traffic filter at Young-Kaye-Isleville intersectionMaking this intersection permanent would include larger concrete islands, more signage, and increased pedestrian space. This will provide more space for cyclists to wait, increase infrastructure visibility, and reduce the number of vehicles disobeying the traffic laws here. Permanent traffic filters are used around the world to increase safety and encourage cycling.At the same time as these changes, the bump-outs surrounding the Young-Kaye-Isleville intersection may also be made permanent, depending on funding. This would provide space for a sidewalk and more park space, and the potential for extended patio or seating space.
Almon St and Isleville St Intersection:
In September 2024, a traffic filter was installed on Isleville Street at the Almon Street intersection. Bikes can pass through the intersection while cars cannot turn North onto Isleville Street. This decreases traffic on a local, pedestrian-oriented road and increases safety for cyclists.
Traffic filter at the Almon St - Isleville intersectionMaking this traffic filter permanent would include built-in concrete islands and bollards that stop cars from driving and parking in the bike lane. It would also include improved signage and ground markings.
The priorities for both these permanent intersection designs are:
- Keep the intersection constrained for vehicles to reduce speed and increase safety
- improve sightlines for all road users
- facilitate safer and more comfortable crossings for people walking, rolling and cycling
- allow emergency vehicles to safely and easily pass through the intersection
Duffus St Bike Lanes:
Uni-directional tactical bike lanes made from pre-cast curbs and flexible bollards were installed on Duffus Street between Isleville St and Novalea Drive in 2022. This segment connects the North End Local Street Bikeway network to the Devonshire tactical bike lanes. The goal of these bike lanes is to increase safety for cyclists and drivers on a wide and busy road. Making this bike lane permanent would increase visibility, improve pavement conditions, and beautify the street.
Tactical bike lane at on Duffus StPlease take a moment to detail your feedback about how these tactical intersection improvements and the tactical bike lanes have been working for you.
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