Metro Vancouver Bike/Pedestrian Discussion

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by racc

Lots of skateboarders and Inline-skaters use the separated bike lanes on Dunsmuir.

A side benefit of the lanes, if you ask me. I don't know many rollerbladers that would do that on the street proper (not to mention the illegality of it)

[tybuilding]

Rollerblading in the bike lanes (and separated paths) makes a lot more sense than on sidewalks as they are more level that sidewalks (less tripping hazards), others are travelling a similar speed, and vehicles leaving parking garages or driveways have time to see you and vice versa.

I was thinking next time I go out to Vancouver for rollerblading I will get off the train at Main St and take the new Dunsmuir lane over towards Canada Place. Usually I go from Main St along the seawall, around Stanley Park, cross over Lost Lagoon area for the second time and end at Waterfront Stn.

Is it illegal? I wouldn't think it is. I rollerblade the bike lanes in Surrey every so often, but usually I just stick to the multi use paths. But to get there you have to blade on the side streets. It doesn't seem like that would be illegal.

[DKaz]

The worst is rollerblading over driveways with those little gutters spaced 10cm apart longitudinal to your direction of travel!

[officedweller]

At the open house for the Burrard Bridge bike lanes, City staff said that the lanes had to be wide to accommodate roller bladers, so I think that roller bladers are supposed to use the bike lane.

[itinerant]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Good question, I haven't seen the model or design. If that's the case, it's just crazy Skalbania...

If the they are talking about putting a two-way bike lane similar to Dunsmuir on the East side of the street it would potentially wreak havoc on the already congested right-turn lane from Hornby turning East onto Georgia, and lining up for the right-turn onto Howe street from Georgia. The existing one-way bike lane in same direction as traffic is very manageable, though.

I think the Wedgewood Hotel s concerned about losing parking across the street that is used by the restaurant/bar patrons.

[racc]

Originally Posted by tybuilding

Rollerblading in the bike lanes (and separated paths) makes a lot more sense than on sidewalks as they are more level that sidewalks (less tripping hazards), others are travelling a similar speed, and vehicles leaving parking garages or driveways have time to see you and vice versa.

I was thinking next time I go out to Vancouver for rollerblading I will get off the train at Main St and take the new Dunsmuir lane over towards Canada Place. Usually I go from Main St along the seawall, around Stanley Park, cross over Lost Lagoon area for the second time and end at Waterfront Stn.

Is it illegal? I wouldn't think it is. I rollerblade the bike lanes in Surrey every so often, but usually I just stick to the multi use paths. But to get there you have to blade on the side streets. It doesn't seem like that would be illegal.

http://vancouver.ca/bylaws/2849c.PDF
p 43

Looks like minor streets are fine but like pretty much body armour is required though.

Not actually positive about separated bike lanes. I kinda assume it is fine but I'm not sure about the legal status of the lanes with respect to skating and boarding. Either way, I would expect the chances of getting a ticket would be very low.

RIDING, COASTING AND SLIDING ON STREETS

77. Except as permitted by section 77A, No person shall coast or slide with sleds, skis,
skates, skateboard or other apparatus on any street, lane, or other public place;
provided, however that the Council may declare any street, lane or other public
place closed to all other traffic for the purpose of permitting coasting with sleds,
skis, skates, skateboard or other apparatus thereon; and the Chief Constable may
make such provision for prohibiting such other traffic and with the assistance of
the City Engineer may make such provision for protecting such persons using such
streets, lanes, or public places as aforesaid for the purpose of enabling such
coasting and sledding to be carried on with safety.

77A. (1) Despite section 77 but subject to the requirements of this section 77A, a
person may ride or coast on non-motorized skates, skateboard, or push
scooter on any minor street.

(2) A person riding or coasting on non-motorized skates, skateboard, or push-
scooter must, at the request of a police officer, state his or her correct
name, address, and date of birth.

(3) A person must not ride or coast on non-motorized skates, skateboard, or

push scooter on any minor street while wearing headphones, or any other
manufactured device capable of transmitting sound, over or in close
proximity to both ears, except that this prohibition will not apply to the
wearing of a device designed and worn for the purpose of improving the
wearer=s ability to hear sounds emanating from outside of the device.

(4) A person must not ride or coast on non-motorized skates, skateboard, or
push-scooter on any minor street unless:

(a) that person wears a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads,
and front and rear reflective equipment, and, in the case of skates
or a skateboard, wrist guards; and

(b) the skates, skateboard, or push-scooter has a braking mechanism.

(5) A person must not ride or coast on non-motorized skates, skateboard, or
push-scooter on any minor street:

(a) unless that person travels in the direction of vehicular traffic and as
closely as possible to the curb that separates the roadway from the
sidewalk; or

(b) in a reckless manner or in a manner that will obstruct traffic or
endanger the safety or property of any person.

(6) A police officer may arrest without warrant any person riding or coasting
on skates, skateboard, or push-scooter whom the officer finds committing
a breach of any provision of this By-law if such person fails to stop and
state his or her correct name, address, and date of birth.

[s211]

Some interesting revisionism going on in this thread.

[crazyjoeda]

rollerblading in a bike lane could be dangerous for both cyclists and rollerbladers since bikes travel much faster than rollerblades.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by crazyjoeda

rollerblading in a bike lane could be dangerous for both cyclists and rollerbladers since bikes travel much faster than rollerblades.

As a cyclist who's never rollerbladed in his life I don't have a problem with rollerbladers in a bike lane. They're certainly a lot more speed-compatible with cyclists than they are with cars or pedestrians. And even among cyclists there are some significant speed variations.

As long as both cyclists and bladers act sensibly there shouldn't be any problems. Of course there are exceptions in both camps, but IMHO that's a more an issue about human nature than it is about bikers or bladers.

I'd much rather see bladers in my bike lane than motorcycles (yes, I really have seen them...)

[officedweller]

Of interest - a post-tensioned cable bike!

Designer plans to thwart thieves with bendable bike


Industrial design graduate Kevin Scott demonstrates his bendable bike.
With the tension released on the central cables, the bike can be bent around a pole for easy locking.
Tony Kyriacou/Rex Features

http://www.thestar.com/living/articl...able-bike?bn=1

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Of interest - a post-tensioned cable bike!



http://www.thestar.com/living/articl...able-bike?bn=1

Thief comes along with cut off saw. Cuts pole and removes pole. Voila thief now has bike.

Also the bike doesn't seem well sturdy. Although maybe it is.

[tybuilding]

Pattullo Bridge sidewalk finally installed for the replaced fire destroyed bridge section.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Patt...527/story.html

The sidewalk at the South end of the Pattullo Bridge has been replaced. After more than a year having to endure a fairly dangerous quick drop, narrowing and a quick rise of the sidewalk (complete with No Bicycle signs, on a bike route no less, as some sort of erroneous warning) a new sidewalk has been installed to the same standards as the rest of the sidewalk on the bridge.

This section of course was the replacement bridge section that was installed in record time following the bridge fire on the wooden bridge section at the south abutment. http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/s...a-8865d5e187e1

Edit**

It seems the no biking/dismount signs were left up. Oops.

Why it took more than a year to replace this section seems kind of stupid. I seems that this could of been done a long time ago.

[whatnext]

Calling the City's consultation on the Hornby Street bike lane a sham, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has launched their own consultation of area businesses and residents:
http://www.theprovince.com/travel/Fr...751/story.html

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Calling the City's consultation on the Hornby Street bike lane a sham, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has launched their own consultation of area businesses and residents:
http://www.theprovince.com/travel/Fr...751/story.html

Two shams don't make a fact.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by cabotp

Thief comes along with cut off saw. Cuts pole and removes pole. Voila thief now has bike.

Also the bike doesn't seem well sturdy. Although maybe it is.

Also depends whether the cable in the tubing is exposed at the joints - if it is, cable cutters will do.

[go_leafs_go02]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Calling the City's consultation on the Hornby Street bike lane a sham, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has launched their own consultation of area businesses and residents:
http://www.theprovince.com/travel/Fr...751/story.html

Good!

I seen the Dunsmuir Bike Lane today. That's a trial? Yeah right. Raised asphalt, concrete curbs. The City has it in no matter how much a study would say a bike lane isn't feasible.

[twoNeurons]

I don't ride a bike, but seriously, is it that surprising that the mayor who ran with "more bike lanes" as part of his platform is actually following through with his plan?

And anyway, does it REALLY hurt that much to add another layer of transportation to downtown on two streets?

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

I don't ride a bike, but seriously, is it that surprising that the mayor who ran with "more bike lanes" as part of his platform is actually following through with his plan?

And anyway, does it REALLY hurt that much to add another layer of transportation to downtown on two streets?

If you owned a business on those streets it might.

[Porfiry]

Originally Posted by whatnext

If you owned a business on those streets it might.

Or it might not. Change creates opportunity. Smart businesses know that.

[racc]

Originally Posted by whatnext

If you owned a business on those streets it might.

Chances are the Hornby lanes will have little or no impact on the businesses. Notice how all the complaining on Dunsmuir was done before the lanes were installed. There hasn't been a peep out of the businesses since it has been installed I suspect because there has been no negative impact. Also notice how Canadian Federation of Independent Business did not report any negative impacts from Dunsmuir either. It sure would have helped make their point.

As far as the curbs along Dunsmuir, this was done because the businesses didn't want the ugly temporary barriers.