Protected bike lanes are being installed in Dauphin.

The 4 kilometres of bike lanes will increase safety for children on bikes.

The project is being called the Safe Schools Route. The purpose is to connect all the schools in the city within a few blocks by bike lanes.

Steve Sobering, community energy manager for the City of Dauphin, says the first phase of the project should be completed in a few weeks. The rest of the project will be completed next year.

According to Sobering, one of the biggest criticisms for bike infrastructure is, we don’t see cyclists so why should we build infrastructure for them.

“The reason you don’t see cyclists is that cyclists don’t feel safe. If you have children or you’ve ever been in my scenario where you’re teaching your kid how to ride a bike, you’ve got a couple of kids behind you ‘ducky’ style and you’re travelling anywhere, there’s a high level of anxiety when you’re interacting with traffic and cars. The issue becomes it’s very obvious that sidewalks are for pedestrians, roads are for motorists and cyclists aren’t welcome in either of the spaces.”

The bike lanes can also be utilized by seniors on mobility scooters.

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