SUPPORTS
ITEM NO. 5
T&T COMMITTEE AGENDA
FEBRUARY 5, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: February 5, 1997
Dept. File No.: 163 640/259 577/717 148
C.C. File No.: 5553-1
TO: Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Proposed Heather Street, Lakewood Drive and Nanton Avenue Bicycle Routes
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the Heather Street and Lakewood Drive Bicycle Routes be constructed as detailed in this report.
B. That $164,000 from the Provincial Government funding and $136,500 from a reallocation of the Georgia
Street Improvement project 12/01/4838/999 (to be reimbursed upon approval of the 1997 Streets Basic
Capital Budget) be allocated for the above work.
C. THAT the Nanton Avenue Bicycle Route not be constructed at this time, due to neighbourhood opposition.
D. THAT the annual signal maintenance budget be increased by $4,000, the annual streets maintenance budget
be increased by $3,000, and the sign maintenance budget be increased by $1,100, all without offset, for
the maintenance of two new cyclist/pedestrian signals, six new traffic circles and approximately 50 new
bicycle route signs proposed along the new bike routes, starting in 1998.
CONSIDERATION
E. THAT the Nanton Avenue bicycle route be marked with signage only, at a cost of $7,000 funded from a
reallocation of the Georgia Street Improvement project 12/01/4838/999 (to be reimbursed upon approval of
the 1997 Streets Basic Capital Budget).
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 City-wide bicycle route network with priority given to local street
integration.
SUMMARY
In consultation with the Bicycle Network Subcommittee of the Bicycle Advisory Committee to Council, proposals for the
Heather Street, Lakewood Drive and Nanton Avenue bike routes were developed. The Heather route follows Heather Street
from 7th Avenue to 37th Avenue, connecting the Off-Broadway Bikeway to the new Ridgeway Greenway. The Lakewood route
follows Lakewood Drive from Adanac Street and Adanac Bikeway to 8th Avenue and the BC parkway. The Nanton Avenue route
generally follows Nanton, 28th and 27th Avenues, connecting the Cypress Bikeway with the Ontario Bikeway.
It is proposed that some intersections be modified for additional comfort and safety for cyclists and that cyclists be
given appropriate priority along the route. Traffic calming devices such as traffic circles are recommended to
discourage vehicle short-cutting and speeding. Pavement improvements are also recommended to improve the riding surface.
Measures are proposed at arterial street crossings to enhance safe bike crossings and a signage system similar to the
existing bikeways will be adopted.
Neighbourhood residents were surveyed for their opinion of the proposed bicycle route improvements. Both Heather Street
and Lakewood Drive residents were 85% in favour of the bike routes proposed along their street. However, only 45% of the
residents surveyed were in favour of the Nanton Avenue route. In fact, when just those living along Nanton Avenue are
analysed, only 20% of them were in favour of the proposed changes.
Based on feedback from the Bicycle Advisory Committee and resident surveys, staff recommend that the proposed Heather and
Lakewood bicycle routes detailed in this report be approved. Staff also recommend that the Nanton Avenue bicycle route
not proceed at this time.
The total cost for the Heather and Lakewood routes is estimated at $328,000. As $27,500 was previously approved for
preliminary work and $164,000 will be provided by the Province, additional funding of $136,500 is required at this time.
It is proposed this funding be reallocated with the Georgia Street Improvement capital project which will be reimbursed
upon approval of the 1997 Streets Basic Capital Budget.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for the implementation of the Heather Street and Lakewood Drive bicycle
routes and to recommend that the Nanton Avenue bicycle route not proceed at this time.
BACKGROUND
In consultation with the Bicycle Network Subcommittee of the Bicycle Advisory Committee to Council, proposals for the
Heather Street, Lakewood Drive and Nanton Avenue bike routes were developed. The proposed routes connect with the
existing Off-Broadway, BC Parkway and Adanac Bikeways as well as the new Ridgeway Greenway. These links will improve
cycling conditions for both commuter and recreational cyclists alike.
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, including the Heather Street, Lakewood Drive and Nanton Avenue routes.
DISCUSSION
HEATHER STREET AND LAKEWOOD DRIVE PROPOSED ROUTES
Route Alignment and Improvements
Heather Street Bicycle Route
The general route alignment and details are proposed as shown in Appendix A. The route will be direct and user
friendly with the following details:
(i) The route will be aligned along Heather Street from 7th to 37th Avenues, connecting the Off-Broadway
Bikeway at the northern end to the Ridgeway Greenway at the southern end.
(ii) The crossing of 16th Avenue will be made easier with a new cyclist/pedestrian activated signal and three
existing signals will be upgraded with cyclist actuation. The locations of these measures are shown in
Appendix A.
(iii) Traffic circles are proposed for the intersections of Heather and 13th Avenue and Heather and 18th
Avenue. In the original design sent to residents, it was proposed to switch the stop signs at Heather
and 24th Avenue from north/south to east/west stops. However, after further discussions with residents,
it is now proposed to install a traffic circle; residents within a block of the circle are currently
being surveyed again. Conversely, it was originally intended to install a traffic circle at Heather and
28th Avenue; however, due to residents concerns, it is now proposed to install four way stop signs.
(iv) Miscellaneous pavement upgrades are recommended along the route and include repairing uneven pavement,
bumps and large cracks.
Lakewood Drive Bicycle Route
The general route alignment and details are proposed as shown in Appendix A. The route will be direct and user
friendly with the following details:
(i) The route will be aligned along Lakewood Drive from Adanac Street to 8th Avenue, connecting the Adanac
Bikeway at the northern end to the BC Parkway and John Hendry Park (Trout Lake) at the southern end.
(ii) The crossing of 1st Avenue will be made easier with a new cyclist/pedestrian activated signal and an
existing signal at Lakewood and Broadway will be upgraded with cyclist actuation. The locations of
these measures are shown in Appendix A.
(iii) Traffic circles will be located at the intersections of Lakewood and Grant Street, and Lakewood and 3rd
Avenue. Originally, it was intended to construct a traffic circle at 6th Avenue; however, after further
discussions with residents, it is proposed to install a traffic circle at 7th Avenue instead. Residents
within a block of the changes are currently being surveyed again for their opinion. In addition to the
above measures, all currently uncontrolled intersections along the route will be controlled by stop
signs.
(iv) 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 surveys, letters, phone calls, and
E-mail. The survey delivery areas for the routes are shown in Appendix B. Of those who responded, approximately
85% of residents adjacent to Heather Street and Lakewood Drive were in favour of their street becoming a bicycle
route. A summary of survey results is found in Appendix C.
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 Spring.
(d) Maintenance
Elements of the proposed Heather Street and Lakewood Drive Bicycle Routes 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 two new cyclist activated signals will incur an additional annual maintenance cost of $2,000;
therefore, an increase of $4,000 is recommended to the annual signal maintenance budget. Similarly, each of the
six new traffic circles will incur an additional annual maintenance cost of $500 and a corresponding increase of
$3,000 is recommended to the annual streets maintenance budget. In addition, each of the approximately 50 new
bicycle route signs will incur an additional annual maintenance cost of $10 and signs on each of the six new
traffic circles will incur an annual maintenance cost of $100. Therefore, a corresponding increase of $1,100 is
recommended to the annual sign maintenance budget.
(e) Route Names
The Heather route was generally called the Heather Bicycle Corridor during the planning stages. Other alternate
route names suggested are as follows:
- Heather Bikeway
- Heather Bikeway Link
The Lakewood route was generally called the Lakewood Bicycle Corridor during the planning stages. Other alternate route
names suggested are as follows:
- Lakewood Bikeway
- Lakewood Bikeway Link
After discussions with the public and the Bicycle Network Subcommittee, it is recommended that the routes be
named the Heather Bikeway and the Lakewood Bikeway respectively.
(f) Route Signage
The signage, including route markers, destination signs and brochures, will be similar to those that have been
successful along the Adanac, Off-Broadway and Ontario Bikeways. All are based on the use of clear,
internationally recognised standard symbols with a minimum of wording. The route markers will be placed at one
block intervals alternating directionally.
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.
NANTON AVENUE BICYCLE ROUTE
Residents within several blocks of the proposed Nanton Avenue bike route were surveyed and the results are attached in
Appendix C. Although the overall response was 45% in favour and 44% opposed, an analysis of the responses of residents
living directly along the route indicate that only 20% were in favour of the route.
The most common reasons given for opposing the route include the existing high volume of traffic generated by the nearby
schools and churches, the narrowness of the street, and the increase in strangers to the neighbourhood.
Although it is believed that a bike route is compatible along Nanton Avenue without negatively affecting residents, it is
recommended that the Nanton Avenue bicycle corridor not proceed at this time due to the negative response received from
residents. As an alternative, Council could mark the route using signage only. This step is not recommended because it
is not supported by residents, and because there are other options available to cyclists (e.g. 37th Avenue Greenway).
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Estimated Costs:
Cyclist/Pedestrian Signals Heather and 16th Avenue $86,000
Lakewood and 1st Avenue $80,000
Cyclist Actuation Heather and Broadway $6,000
Heather and 12th Avenue $9,000
Heather and 33rd Avenue $10,000
Lakewood and Broadway $10,000
Traffic Circles Heather and 13th Avenue $6,000
Heather and 18th Avenue $6,000
Heather and 24th Avenue $6,000
Lakewood and Grant Street $10,000
Lakewood and 3rd Avenue $10,000
Lakewood and 7th Avenue $10,000
Corner Bulges Lakewood and 10th Avenue $18,000
Pavement Repairs Miscellaneous pavement repairs $30,000
Signage Standard bicycle route signage $25,000
Public Consultation Advertisements, mail-outs, etc. $6,000
Total $328,000
Funding Sources:
Previously approved by Council:
Heather St. Bike Route push button upgrades 12/31/5071/999 $15,000
Heather St. Bike Route public consultation 12/31/5072/999 $2,500
Lakewood Dr. Bike Route push button upgrades 12/31/5091/999 $5,000
Lakewood Dr. Bike Route public consultation 12/31/5092/999 $2,500
Nanton Avenue Bike Route public consultation 12/31/5082/999 $2,500
Georgia Street Improvements 12/01/4838/999* 136,500
Provincial Cycling Network Program 164,000
* to be reimbursed upon approval of 1997 Streets Basic Capital Budget
Total 328,000
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