Metro Vancouver Bike & Pedestrian Discussion - Page 240

madog222 · #**4781** Posted **May 12, 2021, 12:59 AM**

The Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway has seen a small section improved in New Westminster between Cumberland Street (Sapperton Landing Park) and Spruce Street (Sapperton Skytrain Stn.) along the East bank of the Brunette River.

Photos by myself.

officedweller · #**4782** Posted **May 18, 2021, 4:09 AM**

Smithe Street Upgrades
https://syc.vancouver.ca/projects/smithe...06822110.1621311191-723815622.1610416846

Note that they are proposing a 2-way bike lane west of Richards - presumably cyclists would use Richards to dodge over to Nelson to get to Cambie Bridge
- but I'll bet there'll be a lot of people riding counterflow.

https://shapeyourcity.ca/smithe-street-upgrades/survey_tools/smithe-street-upgrades-survey

https://syc.vancouver.ca/projects/smithe...06822110.1621311191-723815622.1610416846

Klazu · #**4783** Posted **May 18, 2021, 4:47 AM**

Just how many bike lanes can Downtown support? Now they are also taking a busy road lanes away to accommodate taxi stands.

idunno · #**4784** Posted **May 18, 2021, 1:58 PM**

So so glad they are moving forward with this. We desperately need more than just Dunsmuir as the only protected bike lane connecting east/west downtown. It will increase the utility of the existing lanes on Nelson/Smithe dramatically.

GenWhy? · #**4785** Posted **May 18, 2021, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by idunno

So so glad they are moving forward with this. We desperately need more than just Dunsmuir as the only protected bike lane connecting east/west downtown. It will increase the utility of the existing lanes on Nelson/Smithe dramatically.

Living and driving downtown, agreed for this to finally get moving and connect to Haro, which is undergoing a major bike infrastructure upgrade in tandem with the utility dig-up. Will definitely help biking into the heart of downtown.

The back-up here with cars at rush hour is usually due to timing of the lights and people changing lanes / not knowing the road configuration from Hornby to Burrard. Completing the network is going to stabilize modal use / ease.

GenWhy? · #**4786** Posted **May 18, 2021, 4:44 PM**

That means Nelson's upgrade connecting with Comox might be pushed to releasing plans in 2022-2023, maybe. Thought Nelson would be 1st, or them finishing Helmcken.

WarrenC12 · #**4787** Posted **May 18, 2021, 5:46 PM**

This and the final completion of the Richards lane are huge. Cambie and Burrard are the only real bridges to bike over. With the viaducts coming down this E-W route is essential.

I think that will largely be it for downtown though, I don't think we need any more, other than perhaps spot improvements.

whatnext · #**4788** Posted **May 18, 2021, 6:50 PM**

What a colossal waste of money.

WarrenC12 · #**4789** Posted **May 18, 2021, 8:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

What a colossal waste of money.

How many bikes need to use them to make it worthwhile?

whatnext · #**4790** Posted **May 18, 2021, 8:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

How many bikes need to use them to make it worthwhile?

Good question. The city seemed happy to throw millions at a new Richards St bike lane when the old one wasn't well used.

The Smithe plan is asking for trouble as most motorists coming into downtown off one of the cities major vehicle routes (Cambie Bridge) are looking to make right turns across the current and proposed bike lane. It's either going to be dangerous or extremely backed up (creating more emissions).

GenWhy? · #**4791** Posted **May 18, 2021, 8:59 PM**

Seymour & Hornby would definitely need a turn signal for cars.

Changing City · #**4792** Posted **May 18, 2021, 9:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Good question. The city seemed happy to throw millions at a new Richards St bike lane when the old one wasn't well used.

The Smithe plan is asking for trouble as most motorists coming into downtown off one of the cities major vehicle routes (Cambie Bridge) are looking to make right turns across the current and proposed bike lane. It's either going to be dangerous or extremely backed up (creating more emissions).

Are there frequently cars waiting to turn right backed up on Smithe from Cambie Bridge to Richards? The bike lane has been in for quite a while.

For every extra cyclist on a safe bike lane there's one less potential motorist creating emissions for the entire journey, not just the few seconds stopped at a junction. As more EVs are bought, it becomes even less of an issue.

logicbomb · #**4793** Posted **May 18, 2021, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

How many bikes need to use them to make it worthwhile?

Let's be real. This is more about traffic calming and reducing motor vehicle lanes in Downtown than it is about building for cyclists. If the City of Vancouver really cared about bike transportation than they would allocate funds into restoring the awful roads and safety issues with the existing bike routes downtown.

For instance, there's a bike "intersection" between Commercial Dr and Victoria that's a literal death trap. Across 6 travel lanes.

https://goo.gl/maps/5gWKXBDcyrahxMqPA

Changing City · #**4794** Posted **May 18, 2021, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Seymour & Hornby would definitely need a turn signal for cars.

It looks like they both get a dedicated turn phase.

Changing City · #**4795** Posted **May 18, 2021, 9:18 PM**

Vancouver City Council are considering a motion from Councillors Fry and DeGenova for Commercial Drive at today's Council meeting.

"THAT Council supports the vision for prioritizing Commercial Drive as Pedestrian First Commercial High Street, specifically:
a. A slow street, shared by all users that supports a stop and shop model instead of a connector role;
b. Widened sidewalks and enhanced crosswalks;
c. Space for physical distancing while walking, cycling and shopping that also supports outside dining and vending;
d. Support for community-led public art and placemaking;
e. Enhanced bike locking infrastructure, and enhanced east-west bike route connections, with bike share docking stations on side streets;
f. Reducing the number of travel lanes south of 1st Avenue to create a consistent road geometry; and
g. Maintaining and improving on-street parking to support local businesses.

It's based on the design proposed by the Drive's Business Improvement Association, so it may not meet much opposition.

GenWhy? · #**4796** Posted **May 18, 2021, 9:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Changing City

It looks like they both get a dedicated turn phase.

Well as a driver of this route and as someone who avoids it to cycle because it's effing dangerous - this is great news.

officedweller · #**4797** Posted **May 18, 2021, 9:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Changing City

Vancouver City Council are considering a motion from Councillors Fry and DeGenova for Commercial Drive at today's Council meeting.

I don't know anyone who uses Commercial Drive as an arterial anyways, since Clark Drive is close-by.

Migrant_Coconut · #**4798** Posted **May 18, 2021, 10:21 PM**

Commercial still sees a fair deal of traffic. And two lanes total means no RapidBus.

whatnext · #**4799** Posted **May 18, 2021, 10:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Well as a driver of this route and as someone who avoids it to cycle because it's effing dangerous - this is great news.

Just turn off at Beatty to Dunsmuir and use that bike lane.

I notice there is an unloading zone at the Orpheum which is absolutely needed, but what does that mean, bikes have to veer out into traffic there? Mind you, it's not like any of the bike lanes are heavily used after 6pm anyway. Its pretty much just DoorDash couriers.

GenWhy? · #**4800** Posted **May 18, 2021, 10:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Just turn off at Beatty to Dunsmuir and use that bike lane.

Safe Dunsmuir pretty much ends at Hornby too. I'd probably have to use Burrard to get back on track.

I typically use Helmecken for E-W but I get a little tied up at Burrard because of Comox, and then access Cambie from underneath.