A4
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 4, 1995
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Provincial Cycling Network Program
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the City make applications to the Ministry of Transportation
and Highways for cost-sharing under the new Cycling Network Program
for the following prioritized cycling infrastructure projects:
1. Arbutus Bike Corridor
2. Beach Avenue Bike Route (Stanley Park to Burrard Bridge)
3. Commuter connections and upgrades for the 7-Eleven Bike Path
4. Installation of Bicycle Actuation on Existing Signals
5. S.W. Marine Drive Bike Corridor
6. Seaside Bike Route Improvements along W. 1st Ave. (Cambie
Street to Ontario Street)
7. 37th Avenue Bike Corridor
COUNCIL POLICY
The Vancouver Comprehensive Bicycle Plan (1988), the Clouds of Change
Report (1990), the City-wide Bicycle Network (1992) and the recent
Greenways Program establish the City's policy of promoting and
encouraging cycling as a transportation alternative.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to inform Council about the new Provincial
Cycling Network Program and to obtain approval for making cost-share
applications for several cycling infrastructure projects.
BACKGROUND
On June 15, 1995, the Honourable Jackie Pement, Minister of
Transportation and Highways, announced several bicycling initiatives.
First, there is the Safe Cycling Program which includes a "Bike Smarts"
cycling education program and a public awareness campaign. The Bike
Smarts program is geared for children in grades 3 to 7. It will be
developed this summer and fall and will be introduced province-wide by
Spring 1996. The public awareness campaign will be ongoing with bicycle
helmet usage being the focus of the initial campaign.
Second, bicycle helmet legislation was introduced in the legislature
along with other changes to the Motor Vehicle Act pertaining to cycling.
The helmet legislation will come into effect in September 1996 and will
apply to all persons operating or riding a bicycle on any road or
highway. The maximum penalty will be a $100 fine. It will also make it
an offence for parents or guardians to knowingly permit a person under
the age of 16 to operate or ride a bicycle without a helmet.
Municipalities will be permitted to make bylaws requiring the wearing of
bicycle helmets on pathways not covered under the definition of a
highway in the Motor Vehicle Act.
Finally, a Cycling Network Program was introduced. The Cycling Network
Program provides funding for the construction of cycling infrastructure
on provincial and local roads, the latter being 50% cost-shared with
local municipalities up to a maximum of $200,000 per project. The
intent of the program is to encourage additional cycling infrastructure,
not to replace existing municipal funding. For the fiscal year 1995/96,
$2 million was allocated by the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority.
Municipalities will be required to have a comprehensive cycling network
plan in place to qualify, but this requirement has been suspended for
the current fiscal year. Applications for the 1995/96 fiscal year must
be submitted to the Ministry by July 31, 1995, and all construction must
be completed by March 31, 1996.
DISCUSSION
The City already has approved bicycle plans in place, including the
Comprehensive Bicycle Plan, the Bicycle Network Plan, and pending
Greenways Plan. From these a number of bicycle projects were reviewed
and prioritized for the Cycling Network Program funding. A brief
description of each project is listed below.
1. Arbutus Bike Corridor - This is the last of the first four
priority bike routes, following the Ontario Bikeway, for local
street integration. Ideally this bike route would be located along
the CP Rail Corridor, but in the interim, it will likely be located
along portions of Cypress Street, Angus Street and East Boulevard.
2. Beach Avenue Bike Route - This project will improve the section of
the existing Seaside Bike Route between Stanley Park and Burrard
Bridge. The current route is highly congested with cyclists and
pedestrians on the seawall, and cyclists and motorists on Beach
Avenue. A better segregated facility either on the street or off
the street will be developed in conjunction with the Park Board.
3. Commuter Connections and Upgrades for the 7-Eleven Bike Path -The
7-Eleven Bike Path was developed in conjunction with Skytrain in
1986. Many deficiencies along this path have been identified.
Although B.C. Transit is ultimately responsible for the route, a
number of improved bicycle commuter connections are proposed on
City streets. This would involve providing an alternate route
along Great Northern Way, some road improvements and several
bicycle/pedestrian signal installations.
4. Installation of Bicycle Actuation on Existing Signals - Many
existing semi-actuated and pedestrian signals in the City would
benefit cyclists with the addition of bicycle-actuated push
buttons. This project would install approximately 40 bicycle-
actuated push buttons along future bicycle routes and popular
destinations. It would advance our bicycle network plans and
improve cycling access and safety for all cyclists in Vancouver.
5. S.W. Marine Drive Bike Corridor - S.W. Marine Drive is a popular
cycling route for many U.B.C. students. Because of the existing
paved shoulders, there are opportunities to improve the route with
signage, parking regulations, and some street and signal works.
6. Seaside Bike Route Improvements along West 1st Avenue between
Cambie Street and Ontario Street - This section of the Seaside
route is a wide industrial road with an adjacent City-owned rail
right-of-way on the north side. This project will improve the
bicycle route by making use of the existing rail right-of-way where
feasible and practical.
7. 37th Avenue Bike Corridor - 37th Avenue has been identified as a
popular bicycle route and a potential Greenways project. It will
likely be one of the next priority routes to develop after the
Arbutus Corridor. Improvements along this route would be similar
to existing local street bikeways.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
There is a positive environmental impact because a non-polluting form of
transportation (bicycles) would be promoted as an alternative to the
automobile.
PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS
Personnel implications would be dependent on the number of projects
approved for cost-sharing. If there are more than two projects
approved, staff resources will need to be reassigned to meet the project
completion date of March 31, 1996. This could be accomplished within
established budgets.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Details of the above seven projects have not been finalized yet;
however, based on past bicycle projects the total cost is estimated to
be $2,030,000. If all seven projects are approved for the Provincial
Cycling Network Program funding, the City's share would be $1,145,000.
In the approved 1994 to 1996 Capital Budget, approximately $370,000
remains available for bicycle projects. The outstanding amount of
$775,000 will most likely not be required in its entirety as approval of
all projects is unlikely. However, additional funding of $239,000 can
be provided from the Mount Pleasant Walkway Account #14/02/1870. This
project was completed under budget. The Park Board has also indicated
that it may contribute up to $250,000 for the Beach Avenue Project. The
balance of funding required can be reallocated from existing Streets
Basic Capital if necessary.
The cost breakdown per project is as follows:
1. Arbutus Corridor .......................$ 510,000
2. Beach Avenue (Stanley Park to Denman) ..$ 400,000
3. 7-11 Trail Commuter Connections ........$ 200,000
4. Bicycle Actuation of Existing Signals ..$ 150,000
5. S.W. Marine Drive Bike Corridor ........$ 120,000
6. West 1st Avenue (Cambie to Ontario) ....$ 100,000
7. 37th Avenue Corridor ...................$ 550,000
TOTAL ..................................$2,030,000
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMENTS
The Vice-Chairman of the Bicycle Advisory Committee has reviewed the
report and finds it generally consistent with the objectives of the
committee.
CONCLUSION
The new Provincial Cycling Network Program provides an opportunity for
additional funding for our bicycle infrastructure projects. Seven
projects totalling $2,030,000 have been identified for submission for
the cost shared funding program.
* * * * *