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Medicine Hat city council approved changes to the Public Roads Bylaw on Nov. 6, 2023. (CHAT News file photo)
CITY COUNCIL

City council gives pedestrians, cyclists right-of-way at some crossings in bylaw update

Nov 7, 2023 | 12:13 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Pedestrians, bicyclists and other active transportation users will soon have the right-of-way at certain locations where the City of Medicine Hat‘s trail system intersects with roadways following unanimous city council approval Monday.

The changes to the Public Roads Bylaw will enable the city manager to establish multi-use crossings where the Heritage Trail System intersects with a road in Medicine Hat.

An amendment to allow children under the age of 14 to ride their bicycles on sidewalks was also passed.

The new multi-use crossings are part of the city’s effort to address increasingly popular forms of active transportation such as cycling, skateboarding and roller blading, staff reported.

Road markings for these crossings have already been installed at locations along Carry Drive Southeast. That’s where the city will start implementing the new right-of-way rules and keep tabs on how it goes.

The city is also currently working on master transportation, active transportation and transportation safety plans that could mean they revisit Monday’s changes to the Public Roads Bylaw in the future.