Do Whitehorse’s Easy Ride Routes (ERRs) work?

WATAG conducted a survey in late 2023 to check if they do.

A detailed report prepared from an analysis of survey answers, reveals a low awareness of Easy Ride Routes among cyclists and drivers in Whitehorse. Read the report here.

The survey evaluates Easy Ride Routes (ERRs) in the City of Whitehorse and unveils concerning findings about both cyclists’ and drivers’ understanding of these cycling-focused streets.

(As background information, click here and also here for Whitehorse Council information about Easy Ride Routes. )

Despite being primarily cyclists themselves, only 28% of respondents comprehend the special status of ERRs when driving cars on them. While 60% claim to watch out for cyclists on ERRs, comments suggest this vigilance extends to any road. Most cyclists use ERRs recreationally, with women cycling less frequently and exhibiting lower confidence. Only 37% of all participants are willing to cycle on arterials, raising connectivity concerns. Though only 45% utilize ERRs, 75% of those who do feel safer on them. This emphasises the need for safer, separate lanes on connecting roads – lanes that are not designated and used for car parking – and increased public awareness of ERRs, particularly among drivers.

Click here to read the report

Or scroll the Executive Summary and Full Report in the pane below.

Here are examples of situations reported by cyclists in the survey, which make them afraid to use connecting roads marked with so-called cycling lanes:

• Marked cycle lanes that are used as car parking spaces
• Marked cycle lanes that disappear

Here’s your chance to have another say about ERRs. Use Comments section below.

• What are your thoughts about ERRs?
• What should Council be doing now?