ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: March 16, 1999
Author/Local: F. Klotzbach/7916
RTS No. 00605

CC File No. 5553

Council: April 13, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Public Meeting to Discuss Preliminary Results of "1999 Bicycle Plan: Reviewing the Past, Planning the Future"

RECOMMENDATION

THAT a public meeting be held to discuss study results and planning for future bicycle facilities, as detailed in this report.

COUNCIL POLICY

On May 27, 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan that recommended a network of bicycle lanes in the downtown core and a comprehensive review of the existing bicycle network.

On June 1, 1992, Council approved the Bicycle Network Study that recommended a network of locally integrated bicycle routes, with priority given to the construction of four corridors: the Adanac/Union, the Off-Broadway, the Ontario and the Arbutus corridors.

On July 28, 1988, Council approved the Vancouver Comprehensive Bicycle Plan that explored the four fundamental areas of cycling (Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Encouragement) to promote and encourage the responsible use of the bicycle as a safe and convenient mode of transportation in Vancouver.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of results to date in the review of the bicycle network and to propose a public meeting in April to discuss the results of the cycling survey conducted last fall. The meeting will help guide the recommendations of the "1999 Bicycle Plan: Reviewing the Past, Planning the Future," a comprehensive cycling report that will be presented to Council later this Spring.

BACKGROUND

Council has requested Engineering Services to review the existing bikeways to determine the effectiveness in attracting new cyclists and ultimately, the success of the bicycle network to date. On July 10, 1997, Council approved $30,000 to conduct a comprehensive review.

DISCUSSION

In addition to gathering bicycle count and accident data for the comprehensive report, two surveys were delivered last fall to cyclists and residents. Cyclists were questioned on items such as bicycle route use, frequency of bicycle use, desired new routes, opinion of the existing network and helmet use. Residents living along existing bikeways were asked about the impression of living along a bikeway, perceived effects on property value, the effect on liveability, and bicycle use.

The information gathered to date has been used to begin preparation of the "1999 Bicycle Plan: Reviewing the Past, Planning the Future" report. This report will examine the effectiveness of the current bicycle network and suggests options for future bicycle development. The results to date indicate that the existing bikeways are well received by cyclists and residents alike. Bicycle usage has increased markedly in corridors where routes have been installed. For example, cyclists along the Adanac bikeway have increased from approximately 150 per day in 1992 to over 900 per day in 1998. In addition, bicycle use into the downtown has increased from 1.1% to 2% since 1992.

Over 1700 surveys were received by cyclists who generally appreciate the bikeways, but are concerned with the traffic on the routes and the lack of bicycle facilities downtown. Over 1800 residents responded to the survey, with traffic, bad weather and a lack of time cited as the biggest deterrents to cycling. However, before recommendations are finalized and the report presented to Council, further consultation with the public is suggested.

To gather feedback on proposed recommendations, an open house and presentation is planned for April. A similar approach was followed in developing the 1992 Bicycle Network Plan, and was successful in building community consensus in support of the network.

Appendix A lists some of the items for public discussion.

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APPENDIX A

PROPOSED TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

What direction should the City take with regard to cycling initiatives?

Education
Enforcement
Encouragement
Awareness
Transit access
Bikeways (bikes on local streets)
Bicycle paths (such as the Seawall)
Bike Lanes

Given limited resources, where and what type of bicycle facilites should be provided in the next five years?

What type of facility is preferable, bike lanes or bikeways?

Where are the priority areas for bicycle facilities, downtown or the rest of Vancouver?
How fine of a network of bikeways should the City develop, or is the current network adequate? Is it serving the needs of all cyclists?

What do you like/dislike about existing bikeways? Are there specific traffic measures that we should use more/less of?

What are the major impediments to cycling into the downtown? What are the priority corridors for bicycle facilities in the downtown?

Should the City implement a bike rack program? How would this program be implemented (cost-shared, in commercial districts only, etc.)

Do you have a copy of the "Cycling in Vancouver" bike map? Can you suggest any improvements? To offset the costs of production, would you be opposed to some form of sponsorship for the map? If not, would you be willing to pay for the map?

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver