Metro Vancouver Bike/Pedestrian Discussion

[memememe76]

I've been running along Point Grey more this summer during long seawall runs, and I don't mind the interruption from my waterfront view. The houses are nice to look at, I suppose. But I would still love me a floating seawall. I've never been to the one in Portland, I guess.

[tybuilding]

Originally Posted by memememe76

The number of people walking will fall too when it rains. Sidewalks are still a good thing.

And come on, do you really think our weather is only good three months of the year? May, June, July, August, and September are consistently great months, weather wise. The other months will have their bad days, but there will be enough nice days in those months too.

Last winter was a record year for myself biking to work, it was so dry. I rode most days to work 20 km each way. I used to get monthly transit 2 zone passes in the winter but I didn't bother last year, and I didn't need to either in the end. Our weather is pretty good from mid April to mid October. Outside from that one can bike on many dry days, you just have to keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan accordingly or be able to dress for the rain and have lots of lights for the darkness. I sometimes would ride only one way by leaving my bike at work and taking transit for that afternoon and the next morning.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by tybuilding

Outside from that one can bike on many dry days, you just have to keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan accordingly or be able to dress for the rain and have lots of lights for the darkness. I sometimes would ride only one way by leaving my bike at work and taking transit for that afternoon and the next morning.

A couple of years ago I decided to go all in and bought myself a cape and rain overpants to use while biking in inclement weather. They're very effective, but a bit of a pain to put on and take off.

What's interesting is that in the "wet" months I only find myself having to resort to using them about 10% of the time. My observation is that it's not quite as wet in Vancouver as a lot of people seem to think. Yes, we get a lot of rain. But most of the time I find that the rain isn't really that bad. It's more of a psychological problem than an actual real issue.

And I'd also like to point out that those bike racks on the buses are a real boon too. I know that you don't see bikes on them all that often, but there have to be a lot of riders like me who take their bikes out because they know they can make the return trip on transit if they really need to. I've done a lot of rides based on that capability, but have never actually had to use it. In fact the only time I had to resort to using a bus bike rack was an unplanned occasion when I suffered a flat tire.

So don't judge the value of those racks based solely their actual usage - they make many bike trips possible that people might otherwise not take, even if they don't actually use them.

[b5baxter]

New bike lanes painted on the Ontario bike route alongside Langara U.

It seems many people are still unfimilar with the conecpt of a bike lane.




These images were take a few weeks ago. The lanes do seem to be mostly clear now.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by b5baxter

These images were take a few weeks ago. The lanes do seem to be mostly clear now.

There is now a barrier up, so they are effectively separated lanes.

[Jimbo604]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

There is now a barrier up, so they are effectively separated lanes.

Call 311 and get illegally parked cars towed. Is probably more effective than posting pictures of such here and having the readership voice disdain for the drivers.

[b5baxter]

Originally Posted by Jimbo604

Call 311 and get illegally parked cars towed. Is probably more effective than posting pictures of such here and having the readership voice disdain for the drivers.

I have certianly called 311 in the past.

My understanding was that this was a discussion board about urban infrastrucutre. And discussing how road users adapt to that infrastrucutre certianly seems like legitimate topic. I am not sure what you mean by "effective."

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

A couple of years ago I decided to go all in and bought myself a cape and rain overpants to use while biking in inclement weather. They're very effective, but a bit of a pain to put on and take off.

What's interesting is that in the "wet" months I only find myself having to resort to using them about 10% of the time. My observation is that it's not quite as wet in Vancouver as a lot of people seem to think. Yes, we get a lot of rain. But most of the time I find that the rain isn't really that bad. It's more of a psychological problem than an actual real issue.

And I'd also like to point out that those bike racks on the buses are a real boon too. I know that you don't see bikes on them all that often, but there have to be a lot of riders like me who take their bikes out because they know they can make the return trip on transit if they really need to. I've done a lot of rides based on that capability, but have never actually had to use it. In fact the only time I had to resort to using a bus bike rack was an unplanned occasion when I suffered a flat tire.

So don't judge the value of those racks based solely their actual usage - they make many bike trips possible that people might otherwise not take, even if they don't actually use them.

It's mostly about the grey skies. They forbode rain. Also... weather forecasts are notoriously rain-biased in any weather room.

You tell people it won't rain, they'll be mad at you if it does. Tell 'em there's a chance of showers and they'll happy the forecast was wrong.

Next time you see a raincloud icon on a weather report, check out the POP (Percent of Precipitation). Remember, 40% POP means 60% chance of being DRY. It probably won't rain and if it does, probably just a short burst in North Vancouver.

As for the bike racks, they do offer a consistent product. You don't have to worry as much if you get a flat. It's helped me once or twice... or when it started to really rain... I used the racks for my bike as I am a fair-weather bicyclist, mostly.

[tybuilding]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

It's mostly about the grey skies. They forbode rain. Also... weather forecasts are notoriously rain-biased in any weather room.

You tell people it won't rain, they'll be mad at you if it does. Tell 'em there's a chance of showers and they'll happy the forecast was wrong.

Next time you see a raincloud icon on a weather report, check out the POP (Percent of Precipitation). Remember, 40% POP means 60% chance of being DRY. It probably won't rain and if it does, probably just a short burst in North Vancouver.

As for the bike racks, they do offer a consistent product. You don't have to worry as much if you get a flat. It's helped me once or twice... or when it started to really rain... I used the racks for my bike as I am a fair-weather bicyclist, mostly.

POP means the probability of precipitation in the forecast area. It doesn't mean it will rain everywhere, just somewhere in the forecast area. I usually don't even worry about anything less than 60%.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by tybuilding

POP means the probability of precipitation in the forecast area. It doesn't mean it will rain everywhere, just somewhere in the forecast area.

You have to pay attention to the language used in the forecast. "Rain" means generally widespread precipitation, while "showers" means more localized cells where precipitation can occur, typically for shorter periods. It's also useful to look at the amount of rain forecast. 1-2mm is generally not enough to worry about too much while 5mm or more, especially if it's forecast to all fall within a few hours, needs to be taken more seriously (i.e., bring your rain gear).

[theKB]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

There is now a barrier up, so they are effectively separated lanes.

So let me get this straight, they went to the expense of putting up barriers on an already traffic calmed street???? So will they be removing the calming measures now so that people can get to their destinations in those areas more efficiently?

---

Is there still a plan to put in a bridge over marine drive on cambie for the handful of cyclists that use that route daily? I would guess a separated lane up cambie will be on the agenda?

---

The other thing I noticed was a feeder on the north end of the cambie street bridge off the road portion of the bridge to the new separated connector, I was under the impression that bikes were supposed to be using the sidewalk/shared pedestrian area and not the bridge deck?

---

Sorry just things I noticed around the city over the weekend. I am not anti bike infrastructure at all. I am just not thrilled with visions execution of the bike infrastructure!

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by theKB

So let me get this straight, they went to the expense of putting up barriers on an already traffic calmed street???? So will they be removing the calming measures now so that people can get to their destinations in those areas more efficiently?

Barriers were put up for the few blocks along the Langara campus. I imagine there might have been some "interactions" between drivers and cyclists during the busy school times to warrant this.

Along the stretch where the barriers have been placed, there are no traffic calming measures.

---

Originally Posted by theKB

Is there still a plan to put in a bridge over marine drive on cambie for the handful of cyclists that use that route daily? I would guess a separated lane up cambie will be on the agenda?

No, there is now a separated lane along one side of Cambie between Kent and Marine. The whole area is a mess with the construction, and the constant pickup/dropoff of transit passengers in well marked no stopping zones.

There is also a section of Kent that has barricades between Cambie and the unmarked side road that leads to the bridge.

Kent street is a mess. It needs lines and speed limits to start. People drive like maniacs down there.

Originally Posted by theKB

The other thing I noticed was a feeder on the north end of the cambie street bridge off the road portion of the bridge to the new separated connector, I was under the impression that bikes were supposed to be using the sidewalk/shared pedestrian area and not the bridge deck?

Not sure what you mean. The Canada Line bridge has a place for the trains, and a place for bikes and pedestrians...

Originally Posted by theKB

Sorry just things I noticed around the city over the weekend. I am not anti bike infrastructure at all. I am just not thrilled with visions execution of the bike infrastructure!

The Cambie/Marine area was a missed opportunity. Surely with all of the development, the city could have managed a pedestrian/cycling path that goes over the river beside the Canada Line, ie: starts when the Canada Line comes out of the ground and goes all the way to Richmond.

I ride this every day and it's probably the most dangerous part of my commute, particularly the randomly stopped cars for the transit hub, and the uncontrolled nature of Kent St.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by theKB

So let me get this straight, they went to the expense of putting up barriers on an already traffic calmed street????

In this particular case the barriers were necessitated by drivers parking in the bike lane. If you can think of a better way to prevent that, please chime in.

[theKB]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Not sure what you mean. The Canada Line bridge has a place for the trains, and a place for bikes and pedestrians...

I am actually referring to the cambie bridge downtown, not the sky train bridge.

And with regards to the barriers they could have just put a no stopping zone there if it was necessary which I am assuming they would have done with the barriers there anyway OR they could have allowed parking since the area is calmed as it is or limited it to residential parking only.

And with regards to marine, I am actually surprised that they have all three of those developments going at once.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by theKB

And with regards to the barriers they could have just put a no stopping zone there if it was necessary which I am assuming they would have done with the barriers there anyway OR they could have allowed parking since the area is calmed as it is or limited it to residential parking only.

It's beside Langara, so lots of students park there. The issue isn't parking, it's parking in the wrong place. The barriers are there to keep the bike lane clear, not to stop parking.

[memememe76]

Anyone who has biked from Surrey to Vancouver (or vice versa) be able to comment on this?

http://www.news1130.com/2014/10/01/s...gin-this-week/

The path linking Surrey to Vancouver used by cyclists and pedestrians will soon see improvements. Construction on the 26 kilometre path known as the BC Parkway which runs along most of the region’s SkyTrain line will begin this week. The upgrades include better lighting in some sections as well as the widening, realigning and repaving of parts in Vancouver.

[red-paladin]

That's going to be great for the Metrotown area.

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by memememe76

Anyone who has biked from Surrey to Vancouver (or vice versa) be able to comment on this?

http://www.news1130.com/2014/10/01/s...gin-this-week/

I've biked from New West to Vancouver once. The area could definitely use some improvements. There are areas where I'm not sure where to go and some oddly-placed bollards and disjointedness. The route west of metrotown is pretty nice, though. The real challenge for this route are the hills, imo. The CVG is a nicer route because it's flat.

[tybuilding]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

I've biked from New West to Vancouver once. The area could definitely use some improvements. There are areas where I'm not sure where to go and some oddly-placed bollards and disjointedness. The route west of metrotown is pretty nice, though. The real challenge for this route are the hills, imo. The CVG is a nicer route because it's flat.

The BC Parkway from 22nd Street to Edmonds was improved last winter and spring. It was in pretty rough shape with asphalt issues, poor road crossings and narrow sections and there was no signs around 22nd Street station making it very confusing to figure out how the route continues into New West. Most of this was addressed. Lighting should be added to this section of greenway as there are still users at night (myself commuting in the winter) and others.

The New West portion has uneven road and driveway crossings with let downs that are narrow and poorly placed with abrupt vertical changes, asphalt cracking and tree roots, a rail crossing with 2-90 degree turns with poor sight lines, vegetation growth issues and there is a lack of signage around the 3rd Street Overpass where the trail ends with a lot of users not knowing to do and ending up riding on Stewardson Way eastbound until Columbia. Also there is a very narrow section along Stewardson Way which is only really a sidewalk which makes it very daunting to ride, especially against traffic where passing trucks are coming at you with a 60-70km/h speed difference.

In Surrey there is a missing section of Greenway from the Patullo Bridge to Scott Road station which unfortunately will be missing until the bridge is replaced and 110 Ave which is the bike route is awful and cyclists can't activate the light at King George. The guidway is close to the trail which blocks the light from King George and there is a section off street which is getting lighting. There is a corner on the hill which is a blind corner that can use some work. The asphalt is in good shape. The intersection with 132nd street can use a reconfiguration as drivers often whip around the corner turning off King George at 50km/hr right over the trail crossing.

[SFUVancouver]

I just rode the route last weekend and it definitely needs work. Some areas are in good shape, others are Expo 86 original. The truly dodgy area is the connection from the 22nd Avenue Station area to the New Westminster waterfront boardwalk.