Two-way protected bicycle lanes on Cannon Street
Two-way protected bike lanes (also referred to as a cycle track) run on the south side of Cannon Street from Sherman Avenue to Hess Street. This project is a three-year pilot that was approved by the Hamilton City Council.
The bi-directional cycle track occupies the south curb lane and includes black planter boxes, flexible bollards and rubber curbing that act as a buffer; separating auto traffic from cyclists. Access to residential driveways and businesses will be maintained.
Pedestrians:
The cycle track acts as a buffer between auto traffic and pedestrians using the sidewalk on the south side of Cannon Street. When crossing the street, pedestrians are reminded to be aware of cyclists riding in both directions.
Motorists:
Motorists should always stop behind the stop bar on a red signal, as required by law. If turns are permitted on red at the intersection, cars may advance into the bike box to make a turn if it is not occupied by a cyclist. Please watch for cyclists travelling in the opposite direction when turning or accessing driveways. Remember:
- Cannon Street is no longer a one-way street so “left turns on red” are no longer permitted from Cannon Street, nor onto Cannon Street.
- At bike boxes, remember to stop at the stop bar behind the bike box when the signal is red.
- When crossing the cycle track remember that there is two-way bicycle traffic. Left-turning auto traffic must yield to this bicycle traffic (look over your left shoulder).
Cyclists:
The two-way cycle track creates a safer route for cycling across downtown Hamilton. There are two types of bike boxes along the cycle track to make it easier to navigate through intersections.
What is a bike box?
A bike box is used at intersections to designate a space in front of cars for turning cyclists to queue at a red traffic signal. There are two types of bike boxes on the Cannon Cycle Track:
One-stage bike box:
Cyclists use the bike box to move across multiple traffic lanes to get to the other side of the street to make their right turn from the lane closest to the curb (see image above).
Two-stage bike box:
Cyclists use a smaller bike box as an interim location to wait before making a turn at an intersection. The bike box positions cyclists to wait for a green signal on the cross street before crossing Cannon Street.
What you should know about the new cycle track
Vehicle Access to properties along Cannon Street
Access to residential driveways and businesses will be maintained. Please be aware of cyclists when turning into driveways as the bike lanes are two-way.
Parking and taxi service
Parking will continue to be available in the north curb lane of Cannon Street, however west of Victoria Avenue there will be no parking during morning and afternoon rush hour periods (7- 9am and 4 – 6pm). Taxis are also permitted to use the north curb lane and may continue to access driveways.
Snow clearing and street sweeping
The City will continue to clean the street and salt and plow the road in the winter as usual. The cycle track will also be swept, salted and plowed as part of this three-year pilot project. This pilot will give City crews an opportunity to learn more about how best to clear and remove snow in these physically separated bike lanes. We have also been trying this out on the separated bike lanes on King Street over Highway 403.
New Planter Boxes
A series of planter boxes are placed along a significant length of the cycle track to act as a physical barrier between auto traffic and cyclists. Planter boxes are not placed west of Victoria Avenue but rubber curbing and flexible bollards act as a buffer. The planters will remain in place all year long and will not block access to driveways. The plantings will enhance the aesthetics of the street and will be maintained by the City’s Horticulture staff.
Sidewalk Access
The cycle track acts as a buffer between auto traffic and pedestrians using the sidewalk on the south side of Cannon Street. When crossing the street, pedestrians are reminded to be aware of cyclists riding in both directions.
Will the bike lanes ever be blocked?
There may be times when City crews or utilities (cable, telephone, gas) need to temporarily access or close portions of the cycle track to complete repairs or maintenance activities. Every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience to cyclists.
Will the City be counting cyclists who use the new bike lanes?
Yes. Counters will be installed to track usage of the new bike lanes so staff can report back to Council throughout the pilot. Staff will also evaluate how the cycle track affects snow clearing operations, street and planter maintenance, underground utility work, emergency services and waste collection service to the nearby residents and businesses.
How will the Cannon Cycle Track connect with other bike routes?
The Cannon Cycle Track will connect to bike lanes on York Boulevard all the way to the Hamilton/Burlington border at Plains Road. Bike lanes are being installed on York Blvd. from Hess Street to Dundurn Street to connect with the existing bike lanes along York Blvd. These bike lanes will be installed in coordination with the Cannon Cycle Track.
New bike lanes are also being installed on Cannon Street by Tim Hortons Field this year.
Are there any Hamilton Bike Share hubs on Cannon Street?
There will be bikeshare hubs located along the Cannon Street-York Boulevard corridor from Dundurn Castle through to Tim Hortons Field near Gage Avenue. Bikeshare hubs in the corridor include:
- Dundurn Castle
- Mustard Seed Food Coop (York at Locke)
- Oxford Street at York
- Queen Street at Peter
- Central Park (Bay St at Mulberry)
- James Street North at Mulberry
- Seedworks (Catherine at Cannon)
- Cannon at West
- Cannon at Tisdale
- Cannon at Wentworth
- Powell Park (Harvey at Birch)
- Sherman at Cannon
- Tim Hortons Field (Cannon at Melrose)