CITY OF VANCOUVER

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

 

Report Date:

April 6, 2005

 

Author:

D. Wong/D. Louie

 

Phone No.:

6471/6655

 

RTS No.:

3528

 

CC File No.:

5560-1

 

Meeting Date:

April 26, 2005
 

TO:

Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of Current Planning

SUBJECT:

Homer Street Bike Lanes

RECOMMENDATION

COUNCIL POLICY

Council approved the Downtown Transportation Plan on July 9, 2002, to improve downtown accessibility and liveability by creating a balanced transportation system that included establishing a downtown bicycle network

Council approved the Downtown Transportation Plan Implementation Schedule on June 10, 2003, which recommended the implementation of a significant proportion of bike lane network within 3 years.

Council approved the 1997 Vancouver Transportation Plan that emphasizes the need for developing more bikeways.

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council’s approval for funding to proceed with the implementation of the Homer Street Bike Lane as detailed in this report.

BACKGROUND

The Downtown Transportation Plan identified a bike route network for the downtown as shown in Appendix A. As recommended by the Bicycle Advisory Committee, Council requested a report back on the implications of implementing a northbound bicycle connection along the Homer/Richards corridor. Installing a bike facility on Homer Street in the northbound direction would effectively form a couplet with the proposed southbound bike lane along Richards Street.

The Downtown Transportation Plan identified a number of potential changes for Homer Street. Firstly as part of the Road Network Plan component, Homer Street was identified to be converted from a 1-way street to a 2-way street to provide better accessibility to service the adjacent businesses and increasing number of residential developments. This change was approved by Council in 2004 and is planned to proceed in May 2005. Secondly, as part of the Pedestrian Plan component, Homer Street was designated as a pedestrian connector route where a variety of pedestrian improvements would be pursued to make the street more comfortable, direct, safe and accessible for pedestrians.

DISCUSSION

The installation of bicycle facilities on Homer Street is limited by the available road width. Currently, the majority of Homer Street is about 12.5 metres wide south of Georgia Street. North of Georgia Street, the road width narrows to 11.0 metres. The narrower road north of Georgia neither allows the road to be converted to two-way operation, nor accommodates the installation of a dedicated bicycle lane without significant changes to the street, such as a widening or removal of curbside parking. The existing bus terminus for West Vancouver buses on the east side of Homer Street between Georgia and Dunsmuir and the need for large trucks to gain access to the Canada Post building on the same block further limit the ability to make changes. As a result, only a northbound bike lane between Georgia Street and Pacific Street is proposed. Extension of the bike lane north of Georgia will be considered when opportunities arise to change the existing conditions of the street or when the demand for the bike lane increases.

Designated Northbound Bike Lane
A 1.5 metre wide northbound bike lane on Homer Street from Pacific Street to Georgia Street can be installed by slightly narrowing the width of existing lanes along the street. This is shown in Design Option 2 in Appendix B. The bike lane would provide several important connections for cyclists, including the False Creek Seawall, the future greenway/bikeway on Helmcken Street, potential bike facilities on Georgia and Robson streets currently under review, and Library Square. This option does not have significant impacts on other road users and can be economically ($13,000) and efficiently implemented in conjunction with the conversion of Homer Street to a 2-way street in May 2005. Southbound cyclists will need to share a narrower lane with motorists. However, this is mitigated by the proposed southbound bike lane one block west along Richards Street.

Two other options were developed for comparison, evaluation and public feedback:

Status Quo - Shared Moving Lanes
An option to leave the street as is without any special amenities provided to cyclists was presented to the public (See Appendix B – Design Option 1). As with any typical street, cyclists are expected to share the moving lane with motor vehicles. There are no cost implications or impacts to current traffic operations with this option, but it also does not promote cycling within the downtown.

Widened Sidewalks – Shared Moving Lanes
A third option was developed in recognition of the desire to further promote Homer Street as a pedestrian friendly street by widening the sidewalk on the east side of Homer Street, instead of providing a bike lane. The existing sidewalk on the west side is fairly generous because the sidewalk space of 3.65 metres is supplemented by a building setback of 3.7 metres. This results in an effective width of about 5 metres after landscaping and other streetscape amenities are accounted for. The existing sidewalk on the east side is narrower at 4 metres wide and could be widened to about 4.5 – 4.8 metres to increase pedestrian capacity and comfort levels. See Appendix B – Design Option 3.

The cost of widening the sidewalk (and narrowing the street) is estimated to be $1,000,000. The high cost results from the need to rebuild the curb and relocate numerous utilities such as utility poles and lamp standards.

Evaluation and Recommendation
Of the three options presented for comparison, the option to implement a northbound bike lane on Homer Street is recommended because it provides a benefit to a sustainable transportation mode at a reasonable cost. The status quo provides no additional benefit. The option to widen the sidewalks provides benefit for the urban design/public realm of Homer Street, but at a cost that cannot be supported at this time. This coupled with the fact that the existing sidewalk width is currently providing a good level of service for pedestrians and the inability to proceed with the sidewalk widening in the short term because of its high cost further reinforces the recommendation for the northbound bike lane option.

A further public realm and pedestrian review of the Homer Street corridor will be conducted in the future to examine other opportunities to enhance the street for pedestrians. This can include the provision of weather protection from awnings, way-finding signage, corner bulges, curb ramps, landscaping and street furniture. This is consistent with the direction of the Downtown Transportation Plan.

Additionally, four parking spaces will be removed to provide sufficient queuing space to reduce the potential for conflicts between cyclists and motorists making a northbound right turn at Georgia Street.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Input from the community was gathered through a distributed letter and a public open house. 5500 letters were delivered to residents and businesses along Homer Street in February 2005 seeking their input into the bike lane design and inviting their attendance at the public open house. A copy of the notification letter is attached in Appendix C. Approximately 90 people attended the Open House and 40 people submitted comment forms. Of the 40 responses, 90% were in support of the bike lane option. A summary of the responses is included in Appendix D.

Various stakeholders were also contacted directly, including the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC), the Yaletown Business Improvement Association, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. All three organizations support the proposal. Recommendations of the Bicycle Advisory Committee are attached as Appendix E. A letter of support from the Yaletown BIA is included in Appendix F. The business community, as represented by the Yaletown BIA, believes that the northbound bike lane provides greater value than the widening of the east sidewalk of Homer Street.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The estimated cost of implementing the Homer Street northbound bike lane is $13,000. $6,500 is proposed to be funded from the 2005 Streets Basic Capital for Bicycle Network, subject to approval of the 2005 Basic Capital Budget, with the remaining $6,500 to be funded from the 2005 Translink Bicycle Program. The cost of the bike lane is relatively low because it is proposed to be installed in conjunction with the 2-way conversion of Homer Street in May 2005. The 2-way conversion already requires some adjustments to the existing pavement, markings and $13,000 represent the incremental cost of some further minor adjustments. Removal of four parking spaces will result in a reduction of parking meter revenue of approximately $12,000 per year, which will be covered by increases elsewhere in the system.

An increase of $1,700 to the annual Traffic Operating Budget for Signage for maintenance of the signs and pavement markings is also recommended, subject to a 2006 Budget Review.

IMPLEMENTATION

If approved, the implementation of the northbound bike lane will occur in May 2005 in conjunction with the 2-way conversion of Homer Street.

- - - - -

 

APPENDIX A
 

Proposed Bicycle Network, Downtown Vancouver as approved in the Downtown Transportation Plan


APPENDIX B
PAGE 1 OF 3

HOMER STREET BICYCLE FACILITY DESIGN OPTIONS

APPENDIX B
PAGE 2 OF 3

HOMER STREET BICYCLE FACILITY DESIGN OPTIONS – CONT’D

APPENDIX B
PAGE 3 OF 3

HOMER STREET BICYCLE FACILITY DESIGN OPTIONS – CONT’D

APPENDIX C
PAGE 1 OF 3

Copy of Notification Letter and Open House Advertisement

CITY OF VANCOUVER
DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Implementation Team

COME AND SEE THE DESIGNS FOR THE
BURRARD STREET BIKE AND TRANSIT LANES,
ROBSON STREET BIKE LANES,
&
HOMER STREET BIKE LANE.

In July of 2002 the Downtown Transportation Plan (DTP) was approved by City Council. In this plan there was a proposal for more cycling and transit facilities in Downtown Vancouver.
Additional information can be found in electronic form at http://vancouver.ca/dtp/.

OPEN HOUSE

BURRARD STREET Bike and Transit Lanes,
ROBSON STREET Bike Lanes,
HOMER STREET Bike Lane

Preliminary designs all three projects will be presented at the Open House for your comments. City Staff will be present to answer any questions you may have about the routes and obtain your feedback.

If you can’t make it to the Open House, please feel free to contact me by phone or email and I will be happy to answer your questions and receive your feedback.


APPENDIX D
PAGE 1 OF 4

Public Consultation Comments

COMMENTS ON Option 1 Shared Moving lanes

COMMENTS ON Option 2 Designated Northbound Bike Lanes

COMMENTS ON Option 3 Widening Sidewalk with Shard Moving lanes

PREFERENCE FOR ANY OF THE THRE OPTION PLEASE COMMENT AD EXPLAIN YOUR PREFERENCE

 

This option preferred but I am concerned that it does not go through to Dunsmuir St.

    

Isn’t every road already shared? How does this help cyclists any way?

Best Design – prefer dedicated bike lane it is safest – greatest clarity

    
     

I am pleased that busses will not be usin Homer @ Pacific for their turnarounds. Otherwise, there will be too much noise in a predominantly residential neighbourhood.

Two – way is much better than existing one way – much easier to get around downtown

Better than Option 1 – more attractive to nervous cyclists

Totally unattractive – too narrow for comfortable cycling.
Remove parking!

I would prefer a combination of 2 & 3 – with removed parking.
Of the provided options #2 is my choice.

     

For some reason I only use Homer between Dunsmuir and Georgia because of the one way situation. If it was 2 way I’ld probably use it more. I am a cyclist against parked cars. I guess option 3 is my fav.

 

I prefer this one. A designated lane will encourage new cyclists

  

I prefer Option 2 because a bike lane gives new cyclists a place to feel safe. A common reason people give for not cycling.

I prefer this option. I don’t see the benefit to cyclists of making it better one way & worse the other way unless it is for a “long distance” commuting cuplet, which I don’t think Homer is.

      

Preferred option since Homer St. bike lanes are not in the approved DTP

Not part of approved DTP

Not part of approved DTP. Exorbitant $$$ for what purpose? Should us $1m instead to repair sidewalks elsewhere.

Prefer option 1 because no additional cost will need to be incurred to do this.

 

Seem like best option to me. At least 1 bike lane & if paired with couplet along Richards. Cheaper than option 3.

Has no bike lanes (bad)

  
 

Bet this best

  

I just believe that the more designated lanes, the more it will encourage others to take up cycling.

 

Best of the options given as 10m accommodation to cyclists.

    
     

Keep 500 Block Homer the same. Parking is great for clients the best thing for business. Thanks. As you are leaving the same as I understand.

Dangerous – need good bike route options thru downtown

I prefer the bike lane option to the wider sidewalk option because: safer for cyclists, 3.7 – 4.0m sidewalks are sufficient for ped volumes on Homer, way cheaper

  

Bike lane – what I’ld really prefer is greade – separated bike lane (ie. Shared w/sidewalk rather than the road)

No bike option – not acceptable

Bike option – the best of the 3

No bike option – not acceptable

#2 – as stated

No – too dangerous for cyclists. Great need for North – South bike route through Downtown

Great idea! Will satisfy need for North – South bike route. As a cyclist, I would use Homer Street to travel Northbound.

No – no space for bike lane.

  
     

None of these options are very creative – there are innovative treatments to accommodate cyclists in other cities.
-grade separated bike lanes
-buffered

Apparently status quo, so into option #2

Much improved for cycling needs!! Please ensure lots of ‘cycle lane’ signage is posted along entire route for drivers reminders + strongly suggest different colour paving in cycle lane to differentiate

Nothing to accommodate cyclists safely

#2, with adequate side & on street signage + different colour

Shared moving lanes are at best uncomfortable and more usually, hazardous to cyclists. I’ve been clipped a few times by mirrors on cars whose owners are not too aware of the size of their vehicles

I like the Homer/Richards pairing. It gives straight access across the dt. Peninsula

How the heck would this help anything? If cars see a shared lane, they still expect the cyclist to crowd over to the parked cars. This effectively increases our chances of getting clipped on the left or doored on the right!

Option 2 please. It provides a division that is very clear to drivers & to cyclist and minimizes the need to crowd toward parked cars.

Whenever I ride by parked cars there is a hreat of car doors opening. This is my last preference b/c drivers are not yet in a place to share lanes with cyclists

Designated lanes are my preference in general but when there is parking on the curbside there remains the threat of the doors opening

Wider sidewalks only makes sense to cyclists if there is dedicated cycle lanes (i.e. European style)

None of these are very creative or innovative. Please do some research into other cyclist/pedestrian friendly cities. Presenting these 3 options the way you have significantly skews the responses you’ll get. ( e.g. $1 million for wider sidewalks vs $50 k for dedicated bike lane forces someone who walks and bikes to choose)

 

Best option for me.

    

Not much difference for cyclists – very dangerous

I prefer this option because the other two have no benefit to cyclists.

Nice but no benefit to cyclists

Option 2 – allows for safe bike travel

Best – but why not eliminate parking on northbound side

NO

    

Not an option!

Extend route to at least Dunsmuir/Pender

Thumbs down

Northbound bike lane essential

Terrible

Acceptable if Richards provides the other direction designated bike lane

Terrible

I am happy to cycle an extra street in order to get to a designated lane. If bike lanes are going to be paired (one way bike lane on a one way street). I think that better signage is critical. Signage that said “Eastbound bike lane 2 blocks” and “westbound bike lane 3 blocks” would be very helpful to cyclists. (Especially those that are travelling off of their usual route)

Not much of a change

Looks good. Twinning with Richards makes sense.

Are the pedestrians crowded now? I don’t see the motivation.

Option 2. It makes sense with the overall plan and it feels safe.

 

My preferred option

    

No – should not be considered

Yes, a must, coloured continue to Pender, on right turns, bike lane should be dotted through start at seaside path.

    

This is not a safe option for cyclists

This is the option I would choose. The only drawback I see is that the bike lane stops at Georgia, leaving the cyclist an “unsafe” block to get to the bike lane on Dunsmuir. Why not do the job right the first time?

Too expensive, no benefit to cyclists (ie. Unsafe) and the sidewalk is only increase by .5 - .8m.

  

This is unacceptable.

This is the only option that provides true priority. Please use coloured pavement.

This is expensive & unnecessary. Just put in corner bulges

Option 2 but where are the corner bulges?

   

Keeps bikes & pedestrians separated please. Mixing both is a deadly combination.

  

Moving lane looks too narrow, no accommodation for cyclists!

Looks okay, if people are made aware of southbound on Richards. It would be good to see coloured bike lanes

Widened sidewalk may just encourage cycling on the sidewalk

Option 2 as it seems to accommodate cyclists.

Difficult situation b/c motorist tend to drive quickly passed cyclists. I am more in favour of

Best option

Option 3 is quite frankly a terrifying proposal for cyclists. In order to safely cycle pass parked cars. One must allow for opening doors. This pushes cyclists into the motorist lanes, ending in slower moving vehicles

Option 2 is the best option in my mind. Cyclist only need one cycling lane as long as there is a coupling lane on another street. I will always favour separating bikes into their own lane for safety and convenience.

Can live with that but want bumpers every block slow the speeders leaping to Nelson

Not enough room. I find cars will go around to right to get past any obstruction or slower cars.

    
 

This is the best of the presented options

This is a total waste of money and would bring harm to the cyclists. The only people who would benefit from this option are the people living on the street. I wonder who in City Hall lives on this street?

  

Bikes need more safety

    

2

     

Homer: bike lane on homer from Pender to seaside – not a shared lane. Please dash the bike lane at all intersections where a right turn is necessary.

Robson: please fill-in the dead space between the bike lane & the curb with white “v” with stripes, tapering the bike lande or (ideal) building curb lane to meet the bike lane. Good luck & thanks for thinking of cyclists & daily commuters like me.

P.s. who is going to enforce the big tour buses parked in front of hotels (at morning peak hours) where no driveway is available.?

No good for cyclists, worse than current configuration

Best option. Will encourage more people to cycle. Continue lane northbound to Cordova. Remove parking to widen sidewalk

Remove parking to widen sidewalks

Option two, need northbound bike lane to compliment Richards.

 

Bike lane please. The more visibility the better. Safer

    
 

I vote for a designated bike lane

    

No benefit for cyclists – regular dog eat dog fight for road

Recognition of marking and awareness status for drivers to honour & respect cyclists. No lost to motorists Most gain for little

Is this worth a million to get an extra two feet? No benefit for cyclists

#2 is the low cost/highest benefit option!


APPENDIX E
 

Bicycle Advisory Committee Resolution

CITY OF VANCOUVER
CITY CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Public Access and Council Services

   

MEMORANDUM April 5, 2005

TO:

Donny Wong, Engineering Services

   

FROM:

Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator

   

SUBJECT:

Homer Street Bike Lane

   

The Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee, at its meeting on March 16, 2005, received a presentation from staff on the Homer Street Bike Lane and passed the following resolution:

RESOLVED

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

APPENDIX F
PAGE 1 OF 1

Letter of Support for Homer Street Bike Lane from Yaletown Business Improvement Association – exerpted from email

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Re: Homer Street Transportation Planning

Thank you once again for meeting with our Association to present and discuss the planning options for transportation and pedestrian improvements on Homer Street. We are pleased about the City’s decision to incorporate the new two-way traffic pattern.

We are prepared to support Option #2 of the presentation that includes the northbound cycling lane. At this time we feel the sidewalk widths on the east side of Homer Street are adequate and if there was one million dollars of budget funding available for widening them it would be better served in dealing with pedestrian access issues on Hamilton and Mainland Streets in the heritage core area which are in more serious need of review.

We are aware the City is in the process of developing a new pedestrian route through the Town Walks Project that would link Yaletown to Gastown through the north and south connections of Mainland and Hamilton Streets. We have communicated our concerns of narrow sidewalk access on the east sides of these streets due to the obstructions of the 18” diameter wooden hydro poles. In some instances the clearance only allows for single file pedestrian travel. At the same time we are concerned that the pedestrian lighting levels have not kept pace with the transition of use in this area. Widely spaced streetlights are provided for on only the east sides of these streets and are inadequate for current conditions and not sufficient for a Town Walking route that would encourage more pedestrians.

In considering traffic issues on Homer Street and the potential improvement to the retail atmosphere we ask you to evaluate the impact that will be transferred to the pressures on Hamilton Street. Hamilton Street is perceived as a back lane to Homer Street although it is a main street as well. Loading, garbage and congestion issues need to be resolved before any measurers are taken that may exacerbate this problematic condition.

Respectfully yours,

Stephanie Clarke
Executive Director
Yaletown Business Improvement Association
1230 Hamilton St. #102, Vancouver BC V6B 2S8
ph: 604 683-7473 fx: 604 683-7483

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