West End Residents Association
seeking to improve and maintain quality of life for West End residentsArchive
Category: Cycling Issues
CHRIS CARLSSON IS COMING TO VANCOUVER!
Chris is director of the multimedia history project Shaping San Francisco and was one of the founders and editors of the San Francisco magazine Processed World
He also co-founded the monthly bike-ins known as Critical Mass that have spread to five continents and over 300 cities. Carlsson has edited four books, published a novel, After the Deluge, (Full Enjoyment Books: 2004) and his most recent work is Nowtopia (AK Press: 2008).
He will be in Vancouver from June 16th – 20th as part of Car Free Vancouver Day!
Chris will be speaking about Critical Mass, pirate radio, guerrilla gardeners and the invisible revolution of everyday life that is setting the foundation to address for profound global challenges of the era, from climate change to social decay.
Car Free Vancouver Day is hosting three events with Chris:
Wednesday, June 16th : 7:00
Gordon House, 1019 Broughton St.
Co-sponsored by West End Residents Association
Thursday, June 17th : 7:00
Riddim and Spice, 1945 Commercial Drive
Co – sponsored by the Work Less Party and Gateway Sux
Saturday, June 19th : 1:00
Mt. Pleasant Community Centre, #1 Kingsway
Co-sponsored by Our Community Bikes and Momentum Magazine
Protected pathways for cyclists and pedestrians are scheduled to be in place on the Burrard Bridge starting Monday, July 13. This trial addresses three key issues: safety, sustainability and affordability, and involves the following changes:
the west curb lane of the Burrard Bridge towards Kitsilano will become a bicycle lane
the west sidewalk on the English Bay side of the bridge will be for pedestrians only
the east sidewalk becomes an exclusive bicycle path into downtown
the west sidewalk on the English Bay side of the bridge will be for pedestrians only
the east sidewalk becomes an exclusive bicycle path into downtown
Other changes will include protective barriers to separate the bike lanes from vehicles; traffic signal modifications; and measures to provide priority access for buses. The bridge will maintain three lanes northbound into downtown.
Preparations will commence on Monday, July 6. Previously scheduled paving on Pacific is being incorporated into the reconfiguration of the bridge entry/exit points. Repaving of Pacific Street will include new lane markings, signals, signs and protective barriers to allow a cycling lane between Thurlow and Hornby Streets.
Work will continue until the configuration is complete early in the morning of July 13 (weather dependent).
A monitoring program will be in place during the trial to assess the impact of the lane changes and will collect data on pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle volumes, and travel times. Staff will report back to Council in 3 months.
A communications program will provide public information on the changes on the bridge and alternative vehicle routes. The program will feature print and radio advertising, updated website information and the use of social media.
For more information: Corporate Communications – 604.871.6336
Media materials are available online at: ftp://ftp.vancouver.ca
Account name: GVTV-Media – Account password: COVmedia09
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In an unexpected disappointing moment Councilor Jang moved for a one lane option trial on Burrard Street Bridge. He stated that this option was best because it balanced the needs of cars heading downtown with the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Councilor Jang, a psychologist, said that the one lane allocation was best because it would give SOVs more time to change their behavour. The exact wording contained in the staff report is:
“THAT staff implement a trial re-allocation of the west curb lane of the Burrard Bridge between Cornwall Avenue and Pacific Street to provide a southbound bicycle lane on the bridge, convert the east sidewalk to an exclusive northbound bicycle path and direct all pedestrians to use the west sidewalk, and that staff implement a number of modifications to the configuration and operation of the road network downtown and south of False Creek to accommodate these changes on the Burrard Bridge and to facilitate use of the Granville and Cambie Bridges, as described in this report.”
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Burrard Bridge
Come out to an open house to discuss a trial re-allocation of one or two lanes on the Burrard Bridge to create improved cycling and walking facilities on the bridge:
Saturday, January 31 from 2 – 5 pm at the
Roundhouse Community Centre,
Great Hall Pacific Boulevard and Davie Street.
