I
REPORT TO COUNCIL
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
December 4, 1996
INFORMATION
1. Term Report 1994-1996 Activities
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the last 3 years there have been significant improvements in
facilities for cyclists, primarily centering around the implementation
of a backbone of bikeways. This program has had particular success in
its popularity with cyclists, neighbourhoods and other interests. It is
now being accelerated because of cost sharing available from the
Provincial Cycling Network Program.
After 4 years of preparation Bicycle Parking Standards were adopted
in 1994 which will have significant long term benefits for cyclists, and
at little cost to the City. The Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) feels a
review of implementation of the standards is required in addition to
further encouragement to provide parking facilities in existing
buildings.
Most recently, the Local Integrated Bikeway Standards Subcommittee
(LIBS) developed a formula to measure traffic volumes and road widths in
order to gauge the comfort level for cyclists. This will be a
significant tool to review required improvements for proposed and
existing bikeways. We recommend that the LIBS continue and further
review other traffic calming barriers, for example traffic circles and
bicycle-permeable barriers.
Considerable time was spent on considering improvements to the
Burrard Bridge, in particular the bicycle lane trial in June 1996.
Unfortunately this issue is still unresolved and is a continuing source
of frustration for cyclists and pedestrians. At this time the most
promising opportunities centre around improvements relating to access to
the Bridge. The BAC is concerned about the lack of action on this issue
since the trials.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Bicycle Parking Requirements (1994)
Off-Broadway Bikeway (1994)
Ontario Bikeway (1995)
Cypress Bikeway (1996)
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REVIEW AND IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF
THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
The current BAC supports the strategy and action plans of the Draft
Transportation Plan (see Appendix B). Once approved by City Council the
new BAC should bring forward implementation suggestions and review
progress.
REVIEW AND UPDATE THE 1988 COMPREHENSIVE BICYCLE PLAN
In particular the education recommendations need further work. The
recent introduction of the Bike Smarts program in elementary schools is
a good start though teenagers, adults and motorists also need to be
targeted.
CONTINUE REVIEWING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BURRARD BRIDGE
In particular emphasis should be on improvements for access to the
Bridge including: Burrard Street, 4th Avenue to Davie Street; access to
the Seaside Bicycle route from both ends and improvements to
Cornwall Street.
BEGIN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING DOWNTOWN BIKEWAYS
Implementing bikeways Downtown will be more challenging and will require
longer lead times with a more extensive public consultation process.
Suggested pilot projects include Burrard St, from the Bridge to Canada
Place and Pender St, from Stanley Park to the Adanac Bikeway.
ENCOURAGE THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO
TIGHTEN REGULATIONS OF DRIVERS LICENSES
In particular the drivers test needs to specifically include knowledge
of cycling regulations. Additionally, stronger penalties need to be
directed to high risk drivers and repeat offenders.
REAPPOINT A NEW BAC SIMILAR TO THE PRESENT STRUCTURE
(4 representatives appointed by Council, 3 by Park Board, 3 by School
Board, and 1 from Cycling BC). It is recommended that in future the
Committee continue to meet following an election, until Council is ready
to select the new committee, to avoid the committee being inactive over
period of months awaiting reconstitution. Additionally it is recommended
that the Committee have the ability to directly appoint interim School
Board and Park Board appointed members because of resignations that may
occur during the term, to promptly fill vacancies. In order to balance
out work loads it is suggested that new committee members be expected to
take on specific roles and projects.
"John Whistler"
John Whistler, Chair
Bicycle Advisory Committee
CITY MANAGER S COMMENTS:
The City Manager submits the foregoing for INFORMATION.
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OTHER ISSUES REVIEWED AT MONTHLY MEETINGS
Stanley Park Transportation management
Review of Major Development and Planning Projects including:
North False Creek - Concord
Oakridge/Langara Planning Study
CP Rail Corridor between Cambie & Granville
International Village
Trade & Convention Centre Options
Review of Transportation Planning Projects including:
Boundary/Vanness Traffic Signal
Strathcona Local Area Traffic Plan
Traffic Control Measures on Jervis St.
38th & Granville Traffic Signal
Pt Grey Rd & MacDonald Left Hand Turn Bay
LRT to Coquitlam
South West Marine Dr
UBC Transportation Study
Beach Ave
Review of Bridge Safety Improvement projects including:
Granville St Bridge
Burrard St Bridge
Second Narrows Bridge
Lion's Gate Bridge
Arthur Laing Bridge
Management of Special Events including:
Indy Race
Adanac Bikeway Review
Pedestrian and Cyclist Conflicts
Managing In-Line Skaters
Ridgeway Greeneway
7-Eleven Bikeway
Comprehensive Bicycle Network Plan
Motorized Bicycles
Share the Road Publicity Campaign
Bike To Work Week Promotion Campaign
Volunteer Seawall Bike Patrol
Bicycle Parking in Parking Corporation of Vancouver facilities
Transportation Plan
Provincial Cycling Network Program
Helmet Legislation
Bike Lockers
Bike Racks on Public Property
Changes to the Motor Vehicle Act
Bicycle Courier Licensing
Transit Priority Program
1997-99 Capital Program
Downtown bikeways
Speed limits, on and off road
Public Participation at Committee Meetings
COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES
Burnaby Bicycle Advisory Committee
Ministry of Transportation & Highways
BC Transit
BC Parkway Improvement Committee
GVRD Bicycle Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Tiffany Burns
Emma Dal Santo
Elizabeth Earle
Brian Larson
Dolores MacDonald
Craig Navin
Matthew Nuttall
Kam Padam
Derek Sankey
Karen Smith
Helen Warn
John Whistler - Chair
John Wright - Vice Chair
BICYCLE NETWORK SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS
Barry Bogart
Elizabeth Godley
Dick Loomer
Mathew Nuttall
Sally Smith
Doug Todd
Ian Wasson
Lorne Whitehead
John Wright
LOCAL INTEGRATED BIKEWAY STANDARDS SUBCOMMITTEE
Barry Bogart
Doug Todd
Lorne Whitehead
John Wright
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
December 4, 1996
PRESENT John Whistler, Chair
Emma Dal Santo
Elizabeth Earle
Mather Nuttall
Helen Warn
John Wright
ALSO PRESENT Peter Stary, Engineering Services
Forrest Klotzbach, Engineering Services
COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT TRANSPORTATION PLAN
The Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) in general supports the strategy and action plans of the Draft
Transportation Plan and feels implementation will significantly encourage cycling.
The BAC noted the 2021 targets for cyclists were very modest and could be easily exceeded in both
absolute numbers and as percentage of the modal split. It was further noted that implementation is quite
achievable in an economic manner.
The BAC felt that 'walking' and 'cycling' targets should be completely separate for both planning and
monitoring. The BAC does not usually review pedestrian enhancements, as this is a subject beyond our
mandate, and as pedestrians have different needs and priorities. Council may wish to consider a different
mandate or forming a separate committee to deal with pedestrian issues.
The BAC found the specific sections relating to cycling to be very comprehensive. It was noted cycling
enhancements also need to be considered and planned for in all other sections in an integrated fashion
with other modes.
The BAC supports continued expansion of Bikeways which have been both economical to implement and widely
supported in neighbourhoods. Important tasks of the next BAC will be to review the priority of
development of future bikeways and to monitor their implementation.
In particular the BAC liked the action plan to paint pavement bike logos on bikeways. The BAC supports
painting bike lanes as part of the design of arterial bikeways. As this
will be new to Vancouver it was noted that the initial routes would require a longer planning process
with greater public consultation. This would be a strategic project for the next BAC to review.
The recent implementation of Bicycle Parking Standards will provide significant long term benefits as
redevelopment occurs. Encouragement is still needed for existing buildings and the BAC felt monitoring of
this indicator is important. In particular it was felt the Broadway Corridor is deficient in secure
parking.
Proposed transit improvements should also benefit cyclists and the BAC felt future LRT and transit lines
could be opportunities for bikeways. The proposed LRT from Coquitlam will provide challenges and the BAC
felt it to be important that this project enhance cycling options on Broadway. Intermodal options with
bikes on transit also needs to be pursued.
The BAC felt it to be important to accommodate cyclists on arterials and truck routes unless there are
compelling reasons not to. Though priority should be given to develop alternative bikeways many cyclists
still need the option to chose the arterial. It was noted that the proposed Port Roadway will be a
strategic arterial that many cyclists will desire to use, and would suggest a shoulder bikeway for this
project.
Historically cyclist education programs have been difficult to implement though recently the Bike Smarts
program has been a start in elementary schools. Expansion of this and other education and promotion
programs designed for teenagers and adults will be important to implement the Transportation Plan.
In summary the BAC sees many opportunities with the Draft Transportation Plan with the potential to
significantly increase the numbers of cyclists. The BAC would encourage speedy approval and
implementation.
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