City of Vancouver considering Kitsilano bike lane

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The City of Vancouver’s plan to make it better for cyclists has set its sights on Kitsilano for a potential separated bike lane.

The focus is Cornwall Avenue and Point Grey Road, and the connection for cyclists and pedestrians would link the Burrard Bridge and Jericho Beach.

Transportation Director Jerry Dobrovolny says they’re looking to make it safer to walk or bike.

“We’re looking at building infrastructure that works for all ages of people and all abilities, all skill levels, for both pedestrians and cyclists.”

He also says the plan would tackle the speed and amount of car traffic. “Many are driving too fast and there’s an awful lot of them, and so we’re looking at how to improve safety along that corridor.”

The City has launched public consultations and is hoping to get a more detailed plan to council by summer.

More than 150 gathered at an open house at the Maritime Museum in Kits to discuss the bike lane proposal.

Robert believes separated bike lanes are long overdue. “I’ve almost been hit several times on the sidewalk by bicyclists,” he says.

Donna believes bike lanes would have a calming effect.”I’d like more of a neighbourhood feel not a commuter street that people are racing though,” she says.

Angie says Cornwall frightens her. “I’m afraid to bike on the road so I frequently bike on the sidewalk and that too is dangerous,” she says.

Joannie is a pedestrian. “My biggest issue is cyclists getting crowded off the road onto the sidewalk and running into me,”she says. 

But some fear it’ll make things more difficult for drivers.

Susan says Cornwall Avenue needs slight alterations. “They have to address some of the complications for some of the people who live in the area as well as being able to come home somewhere so they can’t block everything off,” she says.

The project’s aim is to also slow down drivers and reduce car traffic but former Vancouver City Councillor George Puil beileves it’ll be a burden.

“I think that it’s a bunch of nonsense. I think that’s it’s ridiculous that they’re going to do this. The idea of blocking off Point Grey Road so that it is not a through road, I think is silly. There are a number of cars that come from West Van, North Van that use it going to the university and I think it’s a mistake,” Puil says.

Next Open Houses:

2 February 2013
Kitsilano Community Centre (Snowy’s Lounge), 10am-2pm
2690 Larch Street

31 January 2013
Queen Mary Elementary School (Gym), 7-9pm
2000 Trimble Street