To the editor:
Re: "We're not Portland, but cycling is wellintegrated in Vancouver," April 13.
I agree with Kay Cahill that the intersection of Burrard and Pacific badly needs improving, but busy streets like Broadway also need to be made safe for cyclists. Decades ago, Copenhagen encouraged cyclists to use quiet streets. As in Vancouver, this was not entirely successful as there are many popular destinations- shops, offices, restaurants-along busy streets. So, they built separated bike lanes along main streets and now they are one of the best cities for cycling in the world. Especially while running errands and shopping, it is much quicker to stay on a main street rather than detour to a bicycle route. It could even be safer as getting to a bikeway may require cycling on busy roads and crossing dangerous intersections. As drivers are allowed on bikeways such as Eighth Avenue to access homes and other destinations, cyclists are also allowed on streets like Broadway. They are not blocking traffic since there are other lanes that, with just a little patience, drivers can easily use to safely pass cyclists.
The obvious solution is separated bike lanes along streets like Broadway, Main and Commercial so that pedestrians, drivers and cyclists each have their own safe space and don't get in each other's way.
Richard Campbell, president B.C. Cycling Coalition
