Metro Vancouver Bike/Pedestrian Discussion

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I agree, and I think the issue is volume. I will say that the "physically" separated bike and pedestrian sections of the upgraded Seawall seem to work. But where there is one paved stretch with a "share the path" sign... good luck everyone!

I'm a lapsed cyclist and when I regularly rode the BC Parkway in Burnaby between about 2000 - 2010 I constantly had to play obstacle course with pedestrians. Go figure I had some rude mantras I used to think when I rode.

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

That's why I have a loud bell on my bike. Although it's true that sometimes I wish it was an air horn...

I wanted an air horn to see if I could cause people to literally shit bricks.

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I agree, and I think the issue is volume. I will say that the "physically" separated bike and pedestrian sections of the upgraded Seawall seem to work. But where there is one paved stretch with a "share the path" sign... good luck everyone!

Ultimately, I think identifying low traffic streets and configuring these corridors for bikes and slow vehicle traffic is better in the long run (Ontario, 29th Avenue, Windsor). Pedestrian etiquette continues to decrease with the increased population - and many simply do not understand that bike lanes are for bikes.

This is why I was partially against dedicating the Arbutus Corridor as a pedestrian/cycling corridor because too many people feel entitled to use it as an off-leash dog park. I was run off the path by a German Sheppard last summer and had a giant gash on my right elbow...Wish they had spent the money to build a connected network of local traffic streets along this corridor with sidewalks instead.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Works both ways - if we fined every biker on the greenways/seawall who's used the pedestrian side as a passing lane or blazed through a crossing, we could probably afford the streetcar right now. People are just dicks.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Works both ways - if we fined every biker on the greenways/seawall who's used the pedestrian side as a passing lane or blazed through a crossing, we could probably afford the streetcar right now. People are just dicks.

Or jaywalkers in Kits. Or drivers who roll through reds anywhere.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

Ultimately, I think identifying low traffic streets and configuring these corridors for bikes and slow vehicle traffic is better in the long run (Ontario, 29th Avenue, Windsor). Pedestrian etiquette continues to decrease with the increased population - and many simply do not understand that bike lanes are for bikes.

This makes drivers freak out though. "Anti car!!! Bike lanes everywhere that are empty!!!"

Remember point grey road?

[officedweller]

Pedestrians who wander tend to be oblivious. The others tend to be entitled.

[WestCoastEcho]

Global News has a story out about the crumbling state of sidewalks in Vancouver:

https://globalnews.ca/news/6557025/v...bling-sidewalk

I would agree that the city has done a piss poor job of keeping up with repairs to the sidewalks around the city, to the detriment of those who use and depend on them.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by officedweller

______ who wander tend to be oblivious. The others tend to be entitled.

You can copy-paste basically every type of commuter in Metro Vancouver into that space.

[Lexus]

Originally Posted by scottN

As a fast but usually not rule breaking cyclist, I gotta say I just can't stand roundabouts. Half of the time drivers stop half way through the roundabout when they have the right of way. The other half of the time is an awkward seesaw between a cyclist riding at a steady speed and a car decelerating at each roundabout and speeding up in between, making it impossible for anyone to pass safely. And don't get me started on blind roundabouts located at the bottom of hills.

Diverters and short street closures are vastly better as they reduce vehicle volumes and don't induce the unsafe seesaw effect. The new diverter at 10th and Prince Edward has largely cleared up all the cyclist-vehicle conflicts on the narrow stretch of 10th between there and Fraser street.

I really like what they did on 10th between Vine St, Yew St, Arbutus St and Maple St. They used to have 4-way stops and now they go through 10th without stops and only other 2 stop sign left to whom want to cross 10th. I really like a removal of 4 way stop as I never stop, the best I can do is to slow down a bit. Also not a big fan of rounds.

[Lexus]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

Did the Central Valley Greenway and Arbutus Greenway.

My impressions are shared pathways no longer work in this region. People do not bother to move over or have any spatial awareness. 4 pedestrians abreast. Women with large SUV sized stollers and dog walkers taking up the entire pathway.

The dedicated bike paths with bike logos painted on the ground are taken up by idiots as well.

Very noticable this time around that a cyclist is best to stay on the roads and the "shared" greenways are for pedestrians.

Such a shame because it used to be much better 7-8 years ago along the Central Valley Greenway.

I am taking Central Valley Greenway portion from Commercial Dr to Douglas Rd in Burnaby as part of my commute. I try to ride a bike at least 2-3 times per week winter months and 4 times per week on a nice days. Although I agree to curtain extend with all above I still find it much better and safer to ride a bike on Central Valley compared been on broadway/ lougheed hwy. Also important to mention that I’ve been riding this route for the last 2 years so I know this route really really well.

[s211]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Pedestrians who wander tend to be oblivious. The others tend to be entitled.

Which is why I never ride the Stanley Park seawall any more. It sucks the joy out of bike riding.

[s211]

Originally Posted by WestCoastEcho

Global News has a story out about the crumbling state of sidewalks in Vancouver:

https://globalnews.ca/news/6557025/v...bling-sidewalk

I would agree that the city has done a piss poor job of keeping up with repairs to the sidewalks around the city, to the detriment of those who use and depend on them.

Who cares about sidewalks when we can spend more time celebrating that the city is nuclear-free?

[officedweller]

New Westminster 6th St. Overpass

By City of Rain Feb 16th:

Originally Posted by City Of Rain, post: 1536022, member: 70034

IMG_8601 by Hung Lam, on Flickr
IMG_8602 by Hung Lam, on Flickr
IMG_8603 by Hung Lam, on Flickr
IMG_8609 by Hung Lam, on Flickr
IMG_8610 by Hung Lam, on Flickr
IMG_8611 by Hung Lam, on Flickr

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by officedweller

New Westminster 6th St. Overpass

By City of Rain Feb 16th:

The city had an open house last night to get feedback on proposed elements for the park area around and under this overpass. One of the things they're looking to bring in is a small skate park. Another element they're looking at is incorporating this ramp into the park so you'll be able to climb up something to the ramp and jump off it into the park. I don't know where or how high it'd be but it's cool to see cities incorporating recreation and transportation like that.

[aberdeen5698]

Looks like Barnston Island is closed to cyclists now due to COVID-19. I waited for 3 sailings (while over a dozen cars crossed over) before being refused passage after cyclists ahead of me had crossed (they had only been allowing 3 cyclists per crossing). I respect islanders' wishes, but I sure wish this could have been done in a way that didn't make me waste so much of my day.

I've heard on the news that Bowen Island residents have also asked that people stay away from their island. I understand and respect the sentiment, but to them, to the Barnston Islanders and to other isolated communities I'd like to point out: your greatest threat isn't from recreational hikers and cyclists out in the open air, but from your own neighbors who are making trips to the city and returning. They're the ones who walk right into your homes.

[Jalapeño Chips]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Looks like Barnston Island is closed to cyclists now due to COVID-19. I waited for 3 sailings (while over a dozen cars crossed over) before being refused passage after cyclists ahead of me had crossed (they had only been allowing 3 cyclists per crossing). I respect islanders' wishes, but I sure wish this could have been done in a way that didn't make me waste so much of my day.

I've heard on the news that Bowen Island residents have also asked that people stay away from their island. I understand and respect the sentiment, but to them, to the Barnston Islanders and to other isolated communities I'd like to point out: your greatest threat isn't from recreational hikers and cyclists out in the open air, but from your own neighbors who are making trips to the city and returning. They're the ones who walk right into your homes.

I agree. Being out in the fresh air is probably better than going into shops and running errands and then bringing it home.

I was talking to a nurse that has started riding a Mobi bike to St. Paul's everyday, because, according to her, you're more likely to get the virus from inside surfaces in transit, cars and taxis, than a bike that sits out in the elements all day with lots of opportunity for the viruses to die out.

[officedweller]

Noticed a bunch of lampposts on the Cambie Bridge have been removed (see orange cones in pic below).
Anyone know if they'll be replaced?
They were the ones that held only pedestrian lamps (3 heads?)

Pic by me yesterday:

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Noticed a bunch of lampposts on the Cambie Bridge have been removed (see orange cones in pic below).
Anyone know if they'll be replaced?
They were the ones that held only pedestrian lamps (3 heads?)

Yeah, you can see the old lamps on Google Street View.

I have no actual knowledge of why they've been removed, but it wouldn't surprise me if they were in the process of replacing them with LED fixtures of some sort.

[officedweller]

Thanks for the link.
Could be to reduce the number of lights.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

they have been doing that awhile now. they've been changing the posts out. if you walk up and down the bridge you'll see the new ones. you can also see the attachments for the new fixtures are different as well. they are using the original light (ball) part, non-led, though.