Wheels turn on new bike route on Sutherland Avenue

Photo: City of Kelowna

Wheels are turning on Kelowna's newest bike route.

The new bike route is now open on Sutherland Avenue, marking a significant connection in Kelowna’s bike network, the city says.

Following a partial opening in September, the stretch of two-way bike lanes between Pandosy and Ethel streets has already become a popular bike route. They had remained partially closed in some areas during construction of a pedestrian and bike bridge at Mill Creek.

“Now that the bridge crossing at Mill Creek is complete, and the bike signals fully operational at the Richter and Pandosy intersections, we’re excited to formally invite the community to start using the new Sutherland bike route,” says transportation engineering manager Gordon Foy.

The protected bike lanes have a concrete barrier separating bikes from vehicles.

Motorists and cyclists are urged to pay attention to traffic pattern changes in the area. Drivers must yield to bikes when turning onto or along Sutherland Avenue, and use caution when turning in and out of driveways and lanes. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians, and use the green bike turn box when turning onto Richter.

The project includes traffic signal and utility upgrades, improved street lighting, sidewalk replacement, and a new multi-use pedestrian/bike bridge at Mill Creek.

Meanwhile, the Sutherland Avenue crossing at Ethel Street remains in an interim-use state, and cyclists are asked to dismount when advancing through the Ethel/Sutherland intersection.