Explainer: How the city plans to ease transition to new parking, bike lanes downtown Windsor

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The City of Windsor is anticipating some initial confusion as drivers and cyclists adjust to parking and bikes lane changes in the downtown area.

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The new parking spaces and protected bike lane along a section of Victoria Avenue — part of the city’s broader plan to make the road safer and more connected for cyclists — has left some residents puzzled.

In an effort to smooth the transition, the city has announced a 30-day grace period in which only warnings will be issued for parking violations.

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Starting in 2025, the city will begin issuing tickets to enforce compliance.

“City administration recognizes that there will be a learning transition period as the public adjusts to the new bike lane configurations on Victoria Avenue,” city engineer David Simpson said in an emailed statement to the Star.

This new parking system on Victoria Avenue, stretching between Park Street and Wyandotte Street West, places the bike lane directly next to the curb, creating a safe, designated space for cyclists.

Meanwhile, parking spaces are shifted outward away from the curb. This forms a buffer zone that separates cyclists from moving traffic. It also reduces the risk of car doors opening into the bike lane.

The changes are part of the Victoria Bikeway Project, which includes shared travel lanes, a buffer zone for cyclists, speed humps and other improvements between University Avenue and Elliot Street.

Local cyclists have been advocating for these changes for years.

The buzzer zone, though common in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, is “still quite new to many residents and businesses,” said Simpson.

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Some drivers continue to park along the curb, which is now designated a bike lane.

Anticipating the learning curve, Simpson said the city it is working on a series of educational videos to help explain the changes.

Simpson added that the city may also consider additional measures to ease the transition, such as marking parking spots with painted numbers of symbols.

“All residents and commuters are encouraged to practise patience and vigilance as everyone adapts to the updated roadway features,” Friday’s media statement from the city read.

Any parking violations issued in the area have been cancelled by the city, he said.

“We are still in the process of retroactively communicating the same to those vehicle owners who were affected,” Simpson said.

The city said that drivers must maintain at least one meter of clearance when passing cyclists, adding that parking or stopping in a bike lane is prohibited.

New parking signage has now been fully installed.

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A wide painted buffer lane has been added to one side of Victoria Avenue. Areas near intersections are painted green to increase visibility.

Conflict zones, such as turn lanes and parking access points where vehicles make cross biking paths, are marked by dashed lines. According to the city, drivers must yield to cyclists in these areas.

The roadway also has new shared travel lanes that accommodate both cyclists and vehicles.

Adjustments on Victoria Avenue are part of the city’s plan to create a safer, more connected downtown for Windsor’s cycling community.

These changes are accompanied by updates to the adjacent Pelissier Street, which has been reduced to one traffic lane to accommodate a new bike lane.

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