Killarney's $15.2M bike lane project moves ahead as residents question need for changes

Construction is underway on a $15.2 million safety improvement project along 26th Avenue SW in the southwest neighbourhood of Killarney, despite concerns from some residents and cyclists about the approach.

The project will add protected bike lanes and multi-use pathways on either side of the road, improved intersection accessibility, and new streetlights. On-street parking will be removed from 17 blocks of 26th Avenue SW.

Nathan Stayer, the project manager for the improvements, said the city conducted a proper consultation process with the community from 2022 to 2023, with design completed in 2025. "We've heard from a lot of residents both in favour and opposed to the project," Stayer said. "And we're trying to work with them where we can. So small adjustments, possibly could be made, especially when it comes to safety and accessibility. Overall, the design has been finalized."

Resident Bob Berry, an avid cyclist, doesn't agree with the need for the improvements. "I see no statistics, nothing that says this stuff should be done," Berry said. "And I think there's a group down there (at city hall) that's just going street to street and doing it because they want to do it." Berry cycles 26th Avenue SW three to four times a week and said he struggles to understand why these changes are needed now, as there were no previous community calls for bolstered safety measures.

Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen has been vocal about bike lanes, stating in 2025 that Calgary and Edmonton city councils need to understand that bike lanes should not take over driving lanes. In 2026, Dreeshen has repeatedly mentioned he is interested in introducing new legislation in the fall to remove existing bike lanes and prevent new ones from being built.