A Banff couple wants to operate pedicabs this summer as a shuttle system to help deal with traffic congestion expected with an onslaught of visitors.
On Monday (March 27), Mariana and David Shackleton told Banff council of their proposal to have two routes, one from the Fenlands to IGA and the other between Banff Springs Hotel and Banff Avenue Square, avoiding the busy downtown core and Bow River Bridge.
Council directed administration to investigate what changes would need to be made to Banff’s traffic bylaw in order to permit pedicabs.
“With the record number of visitors we’re expecting this summer, this proposal might go some way to easing traffic congestion around the bridge and the downtown district,” said David Shackleton.
“It offers an alternative for transportation to pollution and congestion-causing engine-powered transportation, and we think it will generally improve the visitor experience.”
The first of two routes would be from the Fenlands recreation centre along Norquay Road, Railway Avenue and Elk Street to IGA. The second is from the Banff Springs Hotel, along Glen Avenue, across the pedestrian bridge, along Muskrat and Beaver streets to the rear of Banff Avenue Square.
David said there would be no stops along the way.
“It’s an A to B shuttle,” he said.
Previously, the traffic bylaw allowed pedicab operations up until December 2015, and limited to certain routes, after a Calgary company wanted to run a pedicab business. It only lasted one summer.
Mayor Karen Sorensen said council needs to know what traffic bylaw amendments would be needed before they could consider the Shackleton’s proposal any further.
“I certainly like the idea of working with you,” she said, noting the proposed routes would need to be considered to make sure they don’t add to congestion.
“When we look at this, we also need to take into consideration that anybody could be applying, because other people could come along.”
