Metro Vancouver Bike & Pedestrian Discussion - Page 184

CanSpice · #**3661** Posted **Jun 29, 2015, 4:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetMapel

Checked the route I mentioned earlier out today. That chained road at Maitland or whatever is really BS. What the heck, is that all about ?

That parking lot is private property and the owner doesn't want it to be a thoroughfare for anybody, including pedestrians.

NetMapel · #**3662** Posted **Jun 30, 2015, 5:44 PM**

Tried biking down Helmcken this morning during the commute. Hit every possible red light along the way at every intersection even though I was going downhill as fast as I can haha...

Now I say we should just take out the parking lane on Smithe starting from Hornby to the Cambie bridge. The parking lane often doesn't have cars driving on it anyways because of the occasional cars parked there.

tybuilding · #**3663** Posted **Jul 1, 2015, 12:36 AM**

New Port Mann bike and pedestrian path opens July 1
Starting Wednesday, July 1, 2015 cyclists and pedestrians will be able to cross the Fraser River using the
new Port Mann Bridge multi-use path. The 3-metre wide barrier-separated path is the first-ever crossing for
riders and walkers at the Port Mann Bridge.
The path connects a network of cycling improvements built as part of the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement
Project and provides safe and convenient access for commuter and recreational cyclists travelling between
Surrey and Coquitlam.
In Coquitlam, the new path will connect to United Boulevard and Lougheed Highway, and to 112 Avenue in
Surrey via a new path along the top of the Johnston Hill on the north side of Highway 1. The path
continues through to 112 Avenue, crossing over Highway 1 to connect to Robin Park.
Cyclists and pedestrians are advised that final finishing work will continue on or adjacent to the path during
the month of July. Please use caution and obey all signs, flaggers and construction workers.

Construction Update

Of course expect poor cycling in Coquitlam as the project missed the boat on improving cycling there. Cyclists can either use a shared lane on United Boulevard, or use the bike lanes on Lougheed and Mary Hill Bypass. I also wouldn't expect much of any directional signage. However the Surrey side is quite good. There is a brand new bike route that will take you to Gateway Skytrain that goes through the side streets with lots of directional signs or go east and bike to the Golden Ears greenway though Fraser Heights crossing Highway 1 at 168 Street.

Klazu · #**3664** Posted **Jul 1, 2015, 12:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetMapel

Tried biking down Helmcken this morning during the commute. Hit every possible red light along the way at every intersection even though I was going downhill as fast as I can haha...

Those traffic lights are timed for cars and not bikes. It's a smooth green wave on car, but with a bike you indeed hit every single red light. It's annoying on a street considered as a bike way.

aberdeen5698 · #**3665** Posted **Jul 1, 2015, 4:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tybuilding

New Port Mann bike and pedestrian path opens July 1
Starting Wednesday, July 1, 2015 cyclists and pedestrians will be able to cross the Fraser River using the new Port Mann Bridge multi-use path.

I've been wondering when this was going to happen - thanks for posting!

204 · #**3666** Posted **Jul 3, 2015, 6:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetMapel

Tried biking down Helmcken this morning during the commute. Hit every possible red light along the way at every intersection even though I was going downhill as fast as I can haha...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

Those traffic lights are timed for cars and not bikes. It's a smooth green wave on car, but with a bike you indeed hit every single red light. It's annoying on a street considered as a bike way.

The lights on Helmcken are a joke. It's also impossible to walk the length of it without having to wait for the light at EVERY single intersection no matter what your pace is.

NetMapel · #**3667** Posted **Jul 4, 2015, 2:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

Those traffic lights are timed for cars and not bikes. It's a smooth green wave on car, but with a bike you indeed hit every single red light. It's annoying on a street considered as a bike way.

I've seen cars that have had to wait at almost every intersection if they aren't trying to speed through it. Those traffic lights are abysmal...

Klazu · #**3668** Posted **Jul 5, 2015, 11:02 PM**

When have they built a new separate bikelane in front of Edgewater Casino? It's great.

WarrenC12 · #**3669** Posted **Jul 5, 2015, 11:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

When have they built a new separate bikelane in front of Edgewater Casino? It's great.

A few months ago. Pretty ghetto if you ask me. Definitely temporary until that whole area is re-done.

Klazu · #**3670** Posted **Jul 6, 2015, 2:47 AM**

Yeah, it's temporary but a pretty good solution as such. I wonder how much such a small project cost?

urbancanadian · #**3671** Posted **Jul 6, 2015, 5:20 AM**

Yeah it's temporary. But a much better interim bikeway than before. They are going to be doing the same between the casino and the current end to the permanent section north of Science World:

http://former.vancouver.ca/devapps/falsecreekseawalln/index.htm

They say "Carrall to Quebec", but it's actually a bit more than that.

WarrenC12 · #**3672** Posted **Jul 6, 2015, 2:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancanadian

Yeah it's temporary. But a much better interim bikeway than before. They are going to be doing the same between the casino and the current end to the permanent section north of Science World:

http://former.vancouver.ca/devapps/falsecreekseawalln/index.htm

They say "Carrall to Quebec", but it's actually a bit more than that.

Perfect. That area gets a bit "messy".

aberdeen5698 · #**3673** Posted **Jul 6, 2015, 4:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancanadian

Yeah it's temporary. But a much better interim bikeway than before. They are going to be doing the same between the casino and the current end to the permanent section north of Science World

I hope that vegetation they're putting in where the Carrall Street path intersects isn't going to be very high. They had a real problem with sight lines at the north end of Trout lake at a similar intersection with Lakewood Drive, but fortunately they've just recently removed all the bushes so that it's possible to see conflicting traffic, both pedestrian and cyclist.

TransitJack · #**3674** Posted **Jul 7, 2015, 4:32 PM**

Spotted this on COV website, changes to 7th Ave bike route for one block at Arbutus. I live not far away and will appreciate the larger median for crossing Arbutus.
Since the new school will have a drop off driveway, it's nice to see the City planned for safety to accommodate the cycling community.

http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/spot-improvements-design-and-proposed-change-Arbutus-and-7th.pdf

s211 · #**3675** Posted **Jul 7, 2015, 4:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TransitJack

Spotted this on COV website, changes to 7th Ave bike route for one block at Arbutus. I live not far away and will appreciate the larger median for crossing Arbutus.
Since the new school will have a drop off driveway, it's nice to see the City planned for safety to accommodate the cycling community.

http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/spot-improvements-design-and-proposed-change-Arbutus-and-7th.pdf

I bike that route several times a month, and while I welcome a larger median for crossing Arbutus, I find the separated lane for bikes west of Arbutus to be a bit of overkill.

Porfiry · #**3676** Posted **Jul 7, 2015, 6:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

I bike that route several times a month, and while I welcome a larger median for crossing Arbutus, I find the separated lane for bikes west of Arbutus to be a bit of overkill.

That 1/2 block of separation is not about correcting the current situation, it's about the accommodating the future vehicle exit for the elementary school that's under construction.

s211 · #**3677** Posted **Jul 7, 2015, 6:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porfiry

That 1/2 block of separation is not about correcting the current situation, it's about the accommodating the future vehicle exit for the elementary school that's under construction.

In other words, overkill. What makes this school so special, versus all other ones in the city that are adjacent to bike-designated streets, that demands a bike-separated lane for one-half a block?

Porfiry · #**3678** Posted **Jul 7, 2015, 6:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

In other words, overkill. What makes this school so special, versus all other ones in the city that are adjacent to bike-designated streets, that demands a bike-separated lane for one-half a block?

7th is an incredibly narrow street with poor sight lines for turning cars.

TransitJack · #**3679** Posted **Jul 7, 2015, 7:46 PM**

Though I'm not a huge fan of the 2-way bike lanes I welcome a separation for this 1/2 block. So many parents drive their kids to school and they really don't pay attention when doing this.
Without the change there would be a real hazard going EB on 7th as a cyclist where the cars pull out, and also a real challenge trying to cross Arbutus as one would have to queue up with the cars turning right or face a head on with SB Arbutus traffic turning WB on 7th. Now, the later isn't allowed, and the former is addressed with the separated bike lane.

CanSpice · #**3680** Posted **Jul 8, 2015, 4:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TransitJack

Though I'm not a huge fan of the 2-way bike lanes I welcome a separation for this 1/2 block. So many parents drive their kids to school and they really don't pay attention when doing this.
Without the change there would be a real hazard going EB on 7th as a cyclist where the cars pull out, and also a real challenge trying to cross Arbutus as one would have to queue up with the cars turning right or face a head on with SB Arbutus traffic turning WB on 7th. Now, the later isn't allowed, and the former is addressed with the separated bike lane.

Maybe Vancouver should ban cars around schools during drop-off / pick-up times...