De-mazed: Coquitlam removes maze gates from trails

For cyclists, Coquitlam’s paths look a little smoother a bit less labyrinthine.

The city is doing away with maze gates – sometimes called baffle gates – which tend to consist of two staggered metal barriers that generally force a cyclist to dismount.

The news was celebrated by cycling advocacy organization HUB Cycling.

“Maze gates are officially out of the city’s design guidelines! No more new maze gate installations, and existing ones will be removed,” the group posted on social media.

There are at least 150 maze gates in the city, according to Tri-Cities HUB, which worked with the city on the initiative.

Removing the gates should make life easier for people who stroll or roll on Coquitlam trails, according to city staff.

“Removing maze/baffle gates improves accessibility for all users as they can be challenging to navigate for individuals with mobility aids, strollers, and bikes,” wrote Douglas McLeod, Coquitlam transportation director in an email to the Dispatch.

The city has so far removed 17 maze gates with plans to take away another 15. The cost of the work – which includes removal as well as installing either a replacement gate or a single vertical post – ranges from about $500 to $1,500 per gate, according to McLeod.

Staff are prioritizing gates “along walkways in areas that have high cycling and pedestrian-generating land uses such as schools, parks, and transit connections,” McLeod added.