Vancouver is considering constructing separated cyclist lanes through its Downtown core — eliminating some parking or driving lanes — to connect existing bike routes over the Burrard Street Bridge and Dunsmuir Viaduct.
Coun. Geoff Meggs said the separated bike lanes and the sense of safety that they offer are essential if the city wants to attract more cyclists.
“We’ve been stuck for some time with a less than ideal number of people cycling downtown,” said Meggs yesterday.
Vancouver’s cycle mode share has stalled at five to six per cent.
“To get past where we are now, all the evidence points to safety issues,” he said. “Not only is it not too safe to ride in traffic like that, but they realize it’s not safe.
“There is a perception of risk that is deterring people from riding.”
The first of the two separated routes, if approved, would be built along Dunsmuir Street this summer.
It would be separated from traffic using posts, planters and concrete barriers and would mean decreasing parking spaces and loading zones, relocating bus stops, and introducing turn restrictions at some intersections.
Consultation on the separated routes will continue until the end of April and city staff will report its findings to council in June.
A north-south connection linking the Dunsmuir route with the Burrard Street Bridge and the seawall near the Vancouver Convention Centre, would be constructed along either Thurlow, Burrard or Hornby streets.
