REPORT TO COUNCIL

BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

October 26, 1999

RECOMMENDATION

1. Lions Gate Bridge Sidewalk SafetyCC File: 3062-1
RTS: 1102
Council:

The safety of sidewalk users on the Lions Gate Bridge is being compromised by unplanned closures to accommodate the revised bridge rehabilitation schedule by American Bridge Builders/Surespan Consortium.

As part of the Lions Gate Bridge Rehabilitation Project, the bridge sidewalks were to be open until January 2000, then closed for nine months starting January 2000. Due to changes to American Bridge Canada/Surespan's construction schedule, one sidewalk of the Lions Gate Bridge has been closed since August and is expected to remain closed through to January 2000 when both sidewalks will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists.

A shuttle service was to be provided as an alternative means of crossing the bridge during the full sidewalk closures. The shuttle service was part of the original “Request for Proposals” for the Lions Gate Bridge Project but was not part of the agreement between the BC Transportation Financing Authority and American Bridge/Surespan.

Due to the current width of the Lions Gate Bridge and Causeway sidewalks (1 to 1.4 metres), cyclists are encouraged to ride in the same direction as traffic. All parties recognize that these sidewalks were not designed for two way cycling and walking.

In Stanley Park, there are feasible alternative routes to direct bicycle traffic off the Causeway thus preventing two way bicycle traffic on the narrow sidewalk. However, over the Lions Gate Bridge, bicycle traffic has to travel in both directions on one sidewalk. Signage has been placed to warn cyclists to dismount. The narrow width makes it extremely difficult for bicyclists to travel this bridge safely. The safety concerns are increased with the shorter daylight hours and with inclement weather during fall and winter, resulting in a higher percentage of pedestrian and cyclist trips in the dark and in the rain. Pedestrians and cyclists travelling counter to traffic flow will be blinded by headlights, reducing the ability to see on-coming cyclists and pedestrians.

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For the safety of the sidewalk users, the Bicycle Advisory Committee, at its meeting on October 20, 1999, agreed on the need for immediate implementation of a frequent shuttle service for cyclists across the Lions Gate Bridge.

Therefore, the Bicycle Advisory Committee,

RECOMMEND

THAT Vancouver City Council send a letter to the Ministry of Transportation and Highways requesting the immediate implementation of a shuttle service for cyclists across the Lions Gate Bridge, with frequency of service to allow a maximum waiting time of 10 minutes during peak travel times and 15 minutes during non-peak travel times.

(Signed) "Robert Delahanty"

Robert Delahanty, Chair

Bicycle Advisory Committee

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

It is the City Manager's understanding that the Ministry of Transportation and Highways is examining options and working towards alternatives to transport individuals and bikes across the Lions Gate Bridge due to sidewalk closures during the bridge rehabilitation. A letter from City Council to the Ministry supporting transportation alternatives is appropriate.

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver