City of Vancouver proposes separated bike lane on Cornwall Avenue and Point Grey Road

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      The City of Vancouver is seeking public input on a proposal to install a separated bike lane on Point Grey Road and Cornwall Avenue, as well as close parts of Point Grey Road to cars, in Kitsilano.

      The first open house on the Point Grey Road-Cornwall Avenue Corridor Active Transportation Project took place today (January 29) at the Maritime Museum. Two more open houses are scheduled, at Queen Mary Elementary School on January 31 and Kitsilano Community Centre on February 2.

      According to the city website, the project aims to create “a safe, convenient and comfortable connection for pedestrians and cyclists between Burrard Bridge and Jericho Beach”.

      Electronic copies of the display boards for the open house show one of the “ideas” being floated is the separation of cyclists from traffic on Point Grey Road and Cornwall Avenue.

      Another idea: “Close sections of Point Grey Road, extend park space across road, creating a local street.”

      Improvements for pedestrians and cyclists on the West 3rd Avenue local street bikeway and the introduction of a “cycling facility” on York Avenue are also being considered.

      The maps on the display boards allude to the possibility of extending the seawall along the Point Grey foreshore, west of Kitsilano Beach.

      City hall is suggesting the realignment of the Burrard Street and Cornwall Avenue intersection at the southwest end of the Burrard Bridge, so pedestrians and cyclists would have “shorter and fewer crossings”.

      The possible realignment would “maintain the same number of lanes on and off the bridge and maintain all motor vehicle movements”, a display board states.

      Comments

      21 Comments

      Richard Campbell

      Jan 29, 2013 at 8:57pm

      That would be a huge improvement for Burrard and Cornwall. They should let pedestrians cross on the north side of the intersection so they don't have wait for 2 signals.

      Separated bike lanes on Cornwall is the best option to encourage people of all ages to cycle. Bike routes should be obvious and direct. If not, many people will either miss the turn onto York or just decide take the shorter route and battle the traffic. Either way, a lot of people will still cycle along Cornwall. York is also much hillier increasing effort and increasing the risk of injury when riding downhill.

      skippy

      Jan 29, 2013 at 9:51pm

      I have lived in Kits for over 20 years. I do two hour walks every Saturday and Sunday and on days off. I have encountered no safety issues as a pedestrian. This is coded vision nonsense for bike lanes. And BTW, cycled in the area regularly and have similarly had no safety issues. I have however, been severely inconvenienced by traffic congestion along Cornwall as a bus/cab passenger and no doubt Vision's idiotic plans to further constrict Cornwall street will add to the inconvenience.

      eddieo

      Jan 29, 2013 at 10:04pm

      Yes!
      This is a terribly dangerous road for bikes, and the alternative for bikers is so hilly that most - not me - won't opt for it.

      Mark Bowen

      Jan 29, 2013 at 10:23pm

      Cornwall / Point Grey is really dangerous as it currently is. Traffic volume and speed is much to high considering the layout of the roads, on street parking and the fact that it's a residential area. Definitely a good place to consider some improvements.

      Lee L.

      Jan 30, 2013 at 8:59am

      Am I wrong or is there already a bike route a couple of blocks North of Cornwall?

      I see Vision is at it again with the war on cars. Anything at all to make it uncomfortable to drive a vehicle... manufacturing congestion.

      Lee L.

      Jan 30, 2013 at 9:00am

      I mean.. south of Cornwall.

      604commuter

      Jan 30, 2013 at 9:10am

      Another disastrous idea - more congestion, longer commutes and congestion charges on the horizon.

      But the main question is:
      "Is it acceptable to turn a public, arterial road into a private access road for local residents and fringe lobbyists?"

      Some might cringe at "fringe" but the facts are clear:
      3.2km - An average BC cylists rides 3.2km per trip (according to BC Cycling coalition) - that does not even get them to downtown from PGR and Blenheim.

      5% - percentage of cyclist commuters on Burrard Br - same as in mid-1990's

      1% - percentage of cyclist commuters to UBC - down from 3% in 1997

      Ah No to this Proposal

      Jan 30, 2013 at 12:22pm

      Folks who ride bikes do not deserve the "Special Status" Mayor Moonbeam wants to grant them. While I know bike lanes are needed they should be on the street south & parallel to Cornwall and Point Grey Road.

      70,000 folks a day commute to UBC and many folks in this area of the West Side drive to or thru downtown to work. Make vehicle traffic more efficient and reduce pollution.

      One more time, build a City for UBC students and staff on the Endowment Lands for 50 - 60,000 and this will reduce vehicle traffic. This way there will also be no need for a Billion Dollar Skytrain down West Broadway.

      ODB@

      Jan 30, 2013 at 2:23pm

      I would prefer riding on the proposed seawall extension through this area, but otherwise there should be a bike lane on Cornwall/Point Grey. At least get rid of the street parking - it's narrow and dangerous, as cars insist on doing 60km/h or more despite the 30km/h speed limit. Vancouver needs to be more bike-friendly!

      Vacheron

      Jan 30, 2013 at 2:35pm

      Bike lanes should be tolled.