SUPPORTS
ITEM NO. 6
T & T COMMITTEE AGENDA
FEBRAURY 5, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: January 8, 1997
Dept. File No. 4051
CC File: 5553-1
TO: Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: South West Marine Drive Bike Route
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the shoulders on SW Marine Drive between Granville and Camosun be improved for cyclists, as
detailed in this report.
B. THAT $60,000 from approved Provincial funding and $15,000 from the Streets Basic Capital
Unappropriated Account #12/31/6903/999, Bicycle Network, be allocated for the above work.
C. THAT the signing maintenance budget be increased by $500 without offset, for the maintenance of the
signs and stencils proposed in this design, starting in 1998.
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.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for stencils, signs and pavement improvements along the shoulders
of SW Marine Drive, between Granville and Camosun streets.
BACKGROUND
In 1996 the City of Vancouver applied to the Provincial Government for cost sharing on four cycling projects.
Shoulder improvement to SW Marine Drive was one of the projects approved.
SW Marine Drive has been used by cyclists commuting to UBC for years, but the narrow shoulders, poor pavement and
pinch points (where the painted shoulders end) make it unacceptable as a modern cycling facility.
If approved, this project will create the first marked bike lanes in Vancouver and will be a first step in improving
non-local streets for cyclists.
RECOMMENDED SW MARINE DRIVE BIKE ROUTE DESIGN
Approximately eighty percent of the shoulders along SW Marine Drive have pot holes, sunken catch basins, rough edges
and drainage problems and these would be repaired under this proposal. At some locations the painted shoulder ends
and cyclists are forced to share the narrow lane with traffic. Additional lanes or paths for cyclists are proposed
at these locations.
(a) Neighbourhood Compatibility
After the preliminary design was prepared by Engineering Services and the Bicycle Advisory Committee to
Council, Engineering met with the SW Marine Drive Ratepayers Association to discuss the proposal. The
association s input was incorporated into the proposal that was then distributed to residents along SW
Marine Drive in the form of a survey (see Appendix A).
Total number of surveys sent out: 400
Total number of responses: 86 (22% response rate)
In favour of Marked Bike Lanes: 55 (64%)
Not in favour of Marked Bike Lanes: 19 (22%)
Other 11 ( 13%)
No response 1 ( 1%)
The comments included a few negative remarks regarding the bike route and the high speeds and volumes of
traffic along SW Marine, but the majority were in favour of the proposal.
If approved, little impact on the neighbourhood is anticipated. The painted and repaired shoulders will not
affect existing driving and parking conditions.
(b) Implementation
If approved, pavement improvements and painting will begin as soon as possible and completion is expected
this spring.
(c) Maintenance
Elements of the SW Marine Drive bike 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.
FUNDING
The cost to implement the SW Marine Drive bike route is as follows:
49th/Marine refuge path $ 22,000
Cyclist actuation at 41st/Marine $ 8,000
Pavement improvements on shoulder $ 75,000
Pavement markings and signs $ 15,000
Total $120,000
Provincial Share $ 60,000
City Share $ 60,000
minus
Previously allocated in 1996 $ 45,000
Amount Required Now $ 15,000
$45,000 has already been allocated for preliminary work and another $75,000 is now required to complete this
project. $60,000 is to be provided by approved Provincial cost share, with the remaining amount of $15,000 to be
funded from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account #12/31/6903/999, Bicycle Network.
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND NETWORK SUBCOMMITTEE
The Bicycle Advisory Committee to Council was involved in the design
of this route but was unable to review this report as it was not in
session during its writing. The ex-Chair of the Committee, John
Whistler, has reviewed this report and he supports its
recommendations.
* * * * *
APPENDIX A
SURVEY AND RESULTS