It is about time.

The City is planning to upgrade the existing bicycle lane on Birmingham St., between Kipling and Dwight Aves., to protected bicycle lanes or cycle tracks.

Councillor Mark Grimes said work includes upgrading the pavement markings to add a painted buffer area between the existing bike lane and the motor vehicle travel lane and installing concrete curbs to provide separation between people driving or parking and people cycling.

These proposed bike lanes are part of my commitment to provide more safe and dedicated spaces for cycling, and opportunities for more people to leave their cars at home,” Grimes said in a recent newsletter.

“These added layers of protection for cyclists along Birmingham will hopefully instill more confidence in would-be cyclists who may be uncomfortable riding on this street,” he said.

Public feedback on the proposal expired on February 19.

Social media was busy with chatter as residents voiced off on the proposed bike lanes.

“I think it’s a no brainer for Birmingham,” wrote David Pritchard. “It would be nice if they could do something about Kipling, north of there for bikes. Going under the tracks is scary.”

“I feel safer knowing the cyclist is safer in a lane for themselves,” agreed Rene Orr. “I don’t ride either because I was hit a long time ago when lanes didn’t exist.”

Barbara Zylski said the bike lane seems to be salted and cleaned.

“I really don’t understand why the bike lanes were plowed and salted this morning and the roads were not,” Zylski asked.

Rosa Stranart described someone as ‘whining’ about ‘reinforcing an already existing bike lane.’

No decision has been made as to when the work will go ahead.