City of Vancouver invites public participaton on plan for more bike lanes, transit service and walkability
The City of Vancouver is inviting public input on an ambitious draft transportation plan for 2040 until July 13, which includes plans for expanding bicycle routes, expanding pedestrian corridors and prioritizing better transit service in high commuter density areas such as the Broadway corridor.
Putting the draft policy together itself cost $1 million to 1.5 million, according to City transportation director Jerry Dobrovolny. The budget for impementing the directives will be determined once the plan passes through a City Council vote in the fall.
"Right now the plan provides high level policy directions, it will guide our work plans," he said. "[The cost to implement] will come about in the next capital plan."
"We're looking for some quick wins and initiatives to implement right away funded from our existing capital plan," he added.
One of the quick wins is the majority Vision Vancouver City Council's plan to make Vancouver more bike friendly. Last week Council voted in favour of launching a public bike share system by spring 2013, and permanent separated bike lanes downtown. The bikes will cost an estimated $1.9 million a year over the next 10 years. The city envisions 1,500 bicycles at 125 rental stations in the downtown and metro core with an integrated helmet rental system. There would be 200 bikes at every rental station, located every two to three blocks.
The city's most recent capital plan (2012-2014) allocated a total of $25 million (out of a total $702 million) to maintaining and expanding walking and cycling assets throughout the city.
The Transportation 2040 draft policy and feedback is available at TalkVancouver.com
A key part of the draft policy is increasing public transportation and walking/biking to two-thirds of all modes of transportation in the city of Vancouver.
Another key aspect is improving transit service in the Broadway corridor, particularly in the area near Commercial-Broadway skytrain station.
The 187 policy directions in the Transportation 2040 plan are a result of to stakeholder groups who participated in roundtables. Stakeholders included cyclists, transit commuters, downtown Vancouver business owners and associations, pedestrians, and motorists.
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(2) Comments
I fully support the bike share system and continuous improvement of the city's cycling infrastructure. However, the bike sharing program is DOA with any sort of "integrated helmet rental system." Show me the statistics that prove cities with helmet laws have lower fatality or head injury rates compared to cities that don't. There is zero evidence to support mandatory helmet laws, and the best way to get people on bikes (besides building bike lanes) is to scrap it. I'll still wear mine, as will many others. But forcing every tourist, commuter, and casual rider to wear a used helmet is ridiculous.
I think it would be a good idea to make some electric bikes available at each of the stations. For people who are working themselves back into shape or who suffer from back or hip problems, having electric bike options would make the bike share system more accessible to them.