ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: September 10, 1996
Dept. File No.: 560 080 (5001)
TO: Vancouver Traffic Commission
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route Upgrade
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route be upgraded and
the portion north of Clark Drive and 6th Avenue be relocated
along 5th, 6th and 7th Avenues, at a total cost of $234,300;
the sources of funds are the $50,000 previously approved by
Council, $100,000 from the Provincial Government, $55,000 from
the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated (Bicycle Network)
Account #12/31/6903/999 and $29,300 from the Adanac Bikeway
Account #14/02/5573/999.
B. THAT the signal maintenance budget be increased by $6,000
without offset, for the maintenance of three new
cyclist/pedestrian signals proposed in this upgrade, starting
in 1997, subject to the normal budget review process.
COUNCIL POLICY
- The Vancouver Comprehensive Bicycle Plan (1988) and the Clouds of
Change Report (1990) established the City's policy of promoting and
encouraging cycling as a transportation alternative.
- On May 14, 1992, Council approved a Citywide bicycle route network
with priority given to local street integration.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for rerouting and
upgrading portions of the BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route, where it
exists on City streets. Also, approval is sought for the addition of 3
new cyclist actuated signals to aid in the crossing of arterial streets.
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BACKGROUND
The BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route was implemented in 1986 as part
of the ALRT construction for Expo 86. The Parkway route connects False
Creek in Vancouver with New Westminster Quay. The route is now
generally the responsibility of BC Transit, although portions of the
route are located on City streets and parks.
Many complaints about the route have been received since its
implementation in 1986. In Vancouver, the majority of the complaints
are related to inadequate signage and uncomfortable routing along Clark
Drive and Terminal Avenue. Due to the need to upgrade the existing
facility and the lack of funding from BC Transit, this report proposes
to undertake on-street and signage improvements with the assistance of
the Provincial Cycling Network Program.
The Cycling Network Program was created by the Province in 1995 as a
cost-sharing program designed to encourage local municipalities to build
commuter cycling facilities. Since then, the City of Vancouver has
applied for, and received, funding towards several cycling projects.
DISCUSSION
This proposal was developed in conjunction with the Bicycle Network
Subcommittee and informal support for this project has been received
from the Bicycle Advisory Committee.
The recommended realignment of the BC Parkway from Terminal Avenue to
5th, 6th and 7th Avenues increases the comfort and safety needs of
cyclists. Affected residents, businesses and schools have been notified
of the proposed changes and the majority of those who responded are in
support of the route as detailed herein.
(a) Route Realignment and Improvements
The general route realignment and details are proposed as
shown in Appendix A. The route will be direct and will become
more user friendly with the following details:
(i) The route will be realigned from Clark Drive and
Terminal Avenue to 5th, 6th and 7th Avenues, connecting
at the western end to the Off-Broadway, Ontario and
Seaside Bicycle Routes.
(ii) Crossing of arterial streets will be made easier with
cyclist/pedestrian activated signals. Four existing
signals will be upgraded with cyclist actuation and
three new cyclist/pedestrian signals are proposed. The
locations of these measures are shown in Appendix A.
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(iii) Miscellaneous pavement upgrades recommended along the
route include repairing uneven pavement, bumps and large
cracks.
(b) Neighbourhood Compatibility
Input from affected residents, schools and businesses was
gathered through notices in local papers and hand delivered
letters. The notification delivery area is shown in Appendix
B. Of those who responded, approximately 75% were in favour
of the proposed changes. Of those not in favour of the
project, the general comment was that there are too many hills
along 7th Avenue.
As with all bikeways, the route will be monitored and if
needed, residents and cyclists will again be surveyed as to
the effectiveness of the bike route and its impact on the
neighbourhood. Adjustments will be made if this route does
not meet either the needs of cyclists or the neighbourhood.
(c) Implementation
Route improvements would begin immediately and completion is
expected later this Fall with the installation of the new
cyclist/pedestrian signals.
(d) Maintenance
Elements of the proposed BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle Route
could be considered for maintenance levels above those of a
normal street. However, due to current budget constraints it
is recommended that the bicycle route receive the same level
of service as would a normal street, at no additional cost.
This may require refusing some public requests for
extraordinary maintenance levels.
Each of the three cyclist activated signals will incur an
additional annual maintenance cost of $2000 therefore, an
increase of $6000 is recommended in the signal maintenance
budget.
(e) Route Name
As the route is an existing facility, it is recommended that
it continue to be called the BC Parkway (7-Eleven) Bicycle
Route.
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(f) Route Signage
Many of the existing signs on-street, which are small and hard
to read, will be replaced with signs similar to those that
have been successful along the Adanac, Off-Broadway and
Ontario Bikeways.
Free brochures about this bike route will also be available at
City Hall and other public areas and will be distributed at
cycling related events. They will provide help to users,
promote the route and reinforce cyclist etiquette. These will
be of leaflet size similar to other Bikeway brochures.
Information and maps describing Vancouver's cycling program
are also available on the Internet through the City's home
page.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Estimated Costs:
Cyclist/Pedestrian Signals Rupert and Vanness $56,000
Earles and Vanness $56,000
Clark and 7th $75,000
Cyclist Actuation Joyce and Vanness $1,300
Slocan and 29th $10,000
Lakewood and 12th $7,500
Main and 5th $10,000
Pavement Repairs Misc. pavement repairs $5,000
Signage Standard bicycle route $10,000
signage
Public Consultation Advertisements, mail-outs, etc. $3,000
Total $234,300
Funding Sources:
Previously approved by Council $50,000
Provincial Cycling Network Program $100,000
Streets Basic Capital Account (Bicycle Network) $55,000
#12/31/6903/999
Adanac Bikeway Account #14/02/5573/999 $29,300
Total $234,300
Funds are available from the Adanac Bikeway Account because a number of
anticipated improvements were either under budget due to design changes,
or were not required in the final analysis.
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