Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee of Council on City Services & Budgets

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

Partial Closure on Cypress Street at the Lane South of 4th Avenue

 

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the temporary partial closure on Cypress, at the lane south of 4th Avenue be made permanent.

COUNCIL POLICY

On May 27th, 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan that emphasizes the need to mitigate the effects of traffic in local neighbourhood areas.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval on making permanent the temporary traffic calming measure on Cypress Street Bikeway south of 4th Avenue.

BACKGROUND

In 1996 city staff working in consultation with Kitsilano residents and the City's Bicycle Advisory Committee prepared a traffic calming plan for the neighbourhood. Included in these discussions was the creation of the Cypress Street Bikeway. The plan for this proposal was presented to the community at an open house, followed by a neighbourhood survey. The plan was supported by a majority of residents within the neighbourhood and subsequently by City Council. As part of this initiative a partial closure was installed on a trial basis so its effect on traffic patterns could be monitored and adjustments made if necessary.

BACKGROUND CONT.

Bicycle permeable diverters are designed so that cyclists can ride directly through the closure to avoid oncoming traffic and parked vehicles. These diverters help reduce speed and volumes in order to ensure cyclists safety.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The public process involved the distribution of two neighbourhood surveys. The initial survey was distributed to the residents adjacent to the diverter. This survey ( Appendix A) sought a response wether to make the diverter a permanent measure and also presented two options for its design.( Appendix B)

A second survey was distributed to residents living within a three block radius of the diverter.
This survey asked whether the trial diverter should be made permanent and displayed the most popular design option from the initial survey. ( Appendix C)

Comments from both surveys can be found in Appendix D.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The costs for the partial closure is estimated at $10,000. The Dedicated Fire Protection System will be digging-up Cypress street in the near future and it is appropriate that the permanent diverter be installed when the street is repaired. The costs would be absorbed as part of the DFP's construction costs.

CONCLUSION

The partial closure on Cypress, at the lane south of 4th Ave. is an important component
of the Cypress Bikeway and the Cypress Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan. A strong majority of residents affected by the partial closure support the installation. Approval by City Council is recommended for a permanent measure at this location.

APPENDIX A
CYPRESS STREET
BICYCLE ROUTE SURVEY

Dear Resident, March 15, 2001

This survey seeks your opinion of an existing temporary traffic calming measures on the Cypress Bikeway at the lane, south of 4th Avenue. (See the map on reverse)

Background
In 1996 city staff working in consultation with Kitsilano residents and the City's B.A.C (Bicycle Advisory Committee) prepared a traffic calming plan for your neighborhood. Included in the discussions was the creation of the Cypress Street Bikeway. The plan for this proposal was presented to the community at an open house, followed by a neighborhood survey. The plan was supported by a majority of residents and subsequently by City Council. As part of this initiative a partial closure was installed on the west side of Cypress Street at the lane south of 4th Avenue. This diverter prohibits vehicles from traveling south on Cypress (south of the lane). The diverter has been installed on a trial basis so it's affect on traffic patterns could be monitored and adjustments made if necessary. It is proposed that this partial closure be made permanent in order to keep traffic volumes at an acceptable level for the bicycle route and the neighborhood.
A recent poll of the residents who live adjacent to the diverter are in support of design option B (on back) being made permanent.

Partial Closures (bicycle accessible).
Traffic calming measures are installed where needed in order to discourage motorists from taking advantage of bicycle routes. A permanent partial closure at this location would need to allow for the safe passage of bicycles. Two alternative design options have been developed for a permanent bicycle accessible diverter on Cypress Street at this location. These options are presented for your consideration on the back of this survey form. Please indicate which of these options appeals to you most by marking the appropriate box. The survey results will be reported to Vancouver City Council for a decision on wether the partial closure should be made permanent.
In order to be counted, your response must include your name and home address and be returned to Vancouver City Hall no later than Friday, March 9, 2001.
Please detach the reply card along the perforation and mail. If you wish to expand on your comments, please fax them to 871-6192,
E-mail geoff_rice@city.vancouver.bc.ca or mail to: Geoff Rice Engineering Services, City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1V4. All responses will remain confidential. If you have any questions, call Geoff Rice at 871-6279.

Please detach the reply card along the perforation and mail.

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Name:___________________ Address: __________________________PostalCode:_________________
Do you support the diverter on Cypress Street? Yes No
Would you like the diverter to be made permanent? Yes No
Which permanent option would you prefer? (See reverse) Option A. Option B.

Please check box if you would like to be advised when this issue goes before Council.
I offer the following comments:_______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX B

Diverter Design Options

Dear Resident, April 3, 2001

CYPRESS BIKEWAY
SURVEYAPPENDIX C

CITY OF VANCOUVER

This survey seeks your opinion of an existing temporary traffic calming measure on the Cypress Bikeway at the lane south of 4th Avenue. (See the map on reverse)

Background
In 1996 city staff working in consultation with Kitsilano residents and the City's Bicycle Advisory Committee prepared a traffic calming plan for your neighbourhood. Included in the discussions was the creation of the Cypress Street Bikeway. The plan for this proposal was presented to the community at an open house, followed by a neighborhood survey. The plan was supported by a majority of residents and subsequently by City Council. As part of this initiative a partial closure was installed on the west side of Cypress Street at the lane south of 4th Avenue. This diverter prohibits vehicles from traveling south on Cypress (south of the lane). The diverter was installed on a trial basis so its affect on traffic patterns could be monitored and adjustments made if necessary.
It is proposed that this partial closure be made permanent in order to keep traffic volumes at an acceptable level for the bicycle route and the neighborhood.

Partial Closures (bicycle accessible).
Traffic calming measures are installed where needed in order to discourage motorists from taking advantage of bicycle routes. A permanent partial closure at this location would need to allow for the safe passage of bicycles. A design for a permanent (bicycle accessible) diverter on Cypress Street at the lane south of 4th Avenue can be referred to on the back of this survey form. Please indicate if you would like this diverter to be made permanent by checking the appropriate box. The survey results will be reported to Vancouver City Council for a decision on wether the partial closure should be made permanent.

In order to be counted, your response must include your name and home address and be returned to Vancouver City Hall no later than Monday, April 23, 2001.
Please detach the reply card along the perforation and mail. If you wish to expand on your comments, please fax them to 871-6192,
E-mail geoff_rice@city.vancouver.bc.ca or mail to: Geoff Rice Engineering Services, City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1V4. All responses will remain confidential. If you have any questions, call Geoff Rice at 871-6279.

Please detach the reply card along the perforation and mail.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name:___________________ Address: __________________________Postal Code:_________________

Would you like the diverter to be made permanent? Yes No

Please check box if you would like to be advised when this issue goes before Council.

I offer the following comments:_______________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX D
RESIDENT SURVEY COMMENTS - APPROVAL

1. The diverter does not really assist me because I do not ride on that street. I think it is a great idea to give cyclists some efficient routes without allowing cars through. However the diverter has not stopped cars from going through. Cars drive through it illegally every five minutes. This is very dangerous to bikes and to cars. Please try to change that.

2. There are to many instances that I have noticed that drivers ignore the no entry warning sign and travel south up Cypress.

3. I am a local bike commuter and appreciate the bike routes.-Thanks! Another place that needs attention is 8th/West Point Grey Academy. Every morning there is a million SUV dropping their kids off and driving erratically.

4. Its great, keeps traffic from cutting through neighborhood

5. I would like to see a cross walk or lights on 4th at Maple. Traffic speeds up and down the hill making it very unsafe for pedestrians & cyclists. Just recently a woman was struck at this location.

6. Have more police patrols.

7. The way it works now is ok.

8. I notice 40-60% of the cars ignoring the signage. I hope the proposed system is enough.

9. Anything that encourages cycling is great. Please create more bike routes.

10. Traffic still passes through the opening. Perhaps other designs should be considered to eliminate south bound traffic.

11. Since the diverter went in the traffic in the lanes has increased dramatically. Perhaps speed bumps could be installed to make things safer. One in 4 disregard the signs.

12. More diverters and closures to automobile traffic should be carried out regularly to improve the safe travel of cyclists. Thank you for reducing the wait at west 4th.

13. The traffic calming measures are crucial on Cypress for cyclist safety. Further measures should be considered north of 4th Ave. A lot of cars go through the closure, why not make it full?

14. 20% of vehicles go south through the closure

15. I see many cars ignoring the one-way closure.

16. Excellent Planning ahead.

17. I like keeping bike routes for bikes. I would like to see the no-left between
7am-7pm at 4th and Burrard removed. The no-through at Cypress and the no left at Burrard restricts local traffic. Please put a left turn bay at 4th and Burrard.

18. The overall design of the intersection could be enhanced to assist in identifying vehicular traffic. The hump could be replaced by a flush metal triangle to indicate the direction of travel. And the curb cut to represent the wheels of a bike.

19. I generally appreciate the progress made by Bikeways in our City. As they are becoming safer I am seriously considering riding. Keep up the great work.

RESIDENT SURVEY COMMENTS - DISAPPROVAL

1. Look at Vancouver's west end. Its an impenetrable maze. A frustrating nightmare to negotiate in a vehicle this trend should not be allowed to take root in Kits. It is an inconvenience to the general public.
2. Please get rid of this entirely. It calms no traffic because everyone goes through it, and that creates very dangerous situations.
3. The diverter is a graffiti magnet and gathers debris. We see very little bicycle traffic and see no point in disrupting the neighborhood any further.
4. Cars ignore the one way sign. I have almost had 2 accidents due to cars traveling in the wrong direction. Cars also use the laneway as a street. There is a roundabout at 5th and cypress which helps to calm traffic
5. I am a taxpayer plus I am taxed again at the pump for driving the roads. With all the non-access streets. It forces me to go out of my way, lose precious time and gas to get to my destination so that the other 70% who don't pay taxes for cars can have the right of way.
6. The proposal is a waste of tax dollars, the existing blockade is adequate. Also fix traffic flow on Burrard if you want to reduce traffic on Cypress. Get rid of parking on Burrard. We are sick of traffic calming when are you going to improve traffic flow?
7. Too many cars are ignoring the one way. Also other cars are forced down the lane. These people usually speed through the lane. The permanent one won't work, get rid of it and save your money.
8. To many people disregard the diverter. Traffic is constantly going through. They should be allowed to go through to 5th Avenue. My apartment faces the alley just west of the diverter. I find the traffic diverted down the alley quite annoying. The extra traffic is an accident hazard. While exiting the my parkade I have come close to being hit by speeding cars in the alley.

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