A greenest city won’t pave over precious parkland

I am writing to express my complete discontent with the bike lanes that are planned through Kits Beach [“News for Youse: Idle No More rally, a new bike path for Kits, and Olympic jerseys unveiled”, web-only]. I’m a Kits Point resident and I am shocked that we knew nothing about the proposal.

While I approve of bike lanes, I can’t support tearing up of precious green space on a beach where families come to barbecue, and where kids throw footballs, Frisbees, play volleyball, or just run around and play.

The proposed location is dangerous to park users who are mostly pedestrians. The lane goes directly through popular picnic areas.

It is amazing to me that politicians who want Vancouver to be the “greenest city on Earth” would support such a ridiculous plan. My 13-year-old keeps asking how such a plan could be approved when it goes against all the things she has been learning at school. Even she can see the potential new danger for children playing.

> Jason A. John / Vancouver

Comments

8 Comments

ACMESalesRep

Oct 15, 2013 at 11:26pm

Have you ever been to Spanish Banks? Or through Stanley Park? Bike lanes, picnickers, and kids playing have co-existed for years. This is a non-issue. Separating bikes and pedestrians can only make things safer for everyone, not more dangerous.

The Park Board talked to almost 400 people about this before bringing the proposal to a vote, the overwhelming majority of whom supported it. You find it “amazing” that politicians wanting to make Vancouver a green city would support such a plan. I find it amazing, and more than a little arrogant, that a small group that has consulted with no-one would insist that they know better while offering no credible alternative of their own.

Save Vancouver

Oct 16, 2013 at 8:10am

That's because Vision Vancouver doesn't care about neighbourhood concerns, as has been shown time and time again. What's important is that Gregor gets a new bike route near his new home.

Helen Hunter

Oct 16, 2013 at 8:32am

I think these politicians had better start remembering that they are elected officials not royalty

Wayne Doyle

Oct 16, 2013 at 10:38am

The Mayor only cares about making more money by selling people his Happy Planet products at Costco and the his new home on Stephens near kits pool. His campaign against honest hardworking Vancouverites is about to go the other way. We enjoyed our city the way it is. Stop making Vancouver the most awful place to live and work by 2020.

Mark

Oct 16, 2013 at 3:29pm

I'm guessing the writer of this letter has never actually been to Kits Beach on a warm summer day. The current path is packed with pedestrians while bikes zoom through and weave in and out dangerously, and it's only getting busier.

Separating bikes and pedestrians onto different paths is long overdue and will go a long way to reducing conflicts and improving safety.

This is a total non-issue and just basic common sense.

G

Oct 17, 2013 at 11:06am

The loss of green space with the Kits bike path is nothing compared to what we will lose when Vision announce their plans for Langara Golf Course after the next civic election. The golf course land within 500 meters of Cambie will be turned over to developers and condos will sprout up profiting Vision donors and the party itself.

separate me

Oct 17, 2013 at 9:32pm

The proposal to complete the seawall through Hadden and Kitsilano Beach Parks is nothing new and is one of the last sections of the seawall to be upgraded to provide more space for walkers, joggers, dogs and their walkers, people with strollers, roller bladers and yes bikes. The Seawall is the most popular tourist attraction and public space in the city. No one can refute that the busy strip along Kits will be improved with the proposal as it will make for a more enjoyable and comfortable experience for everyone - whatever you choose to do in the space.

your child...

Nov 14, 2013 at 11:04am

is ignorant of the real world then isn't he? well educate him then on how it works if you want to save his innocent and fragile views. but we all know this is just a load of crap argument technique which disgusts me in its manipulative, underhanded tone. and I don't want to by any cookies or raffle tickets either.