Cyclists who regularly cycle through Stanley Park along the causeway and over the Lions Gate Bridge know how bad this route is to ride.
Along the causeway, which also accommodates three lanes of traffic, cyclists are not only permitted but required to use the sidewalks, which are shared with pedestrians.
Foot traffic can proceed in either direction while people on bikes must go northbound on the east sidewalk and southbound on the west, meaning cyclists often find themselves approaching pedestrians who are walking in the same direction and not able to see them coming from behind.
Traffic noise makes it hard for anyone to hear voices or bells. The sidewalks are narrow and there are no barriers to protect cyclists or pedestrians from falling into the roadway.
In 2013, this irresponsible design led to tragedy when a cyclist died for this very reason. She was heading downtown to work from North Vancouver, clipped a pedestrian, fell from the sidewalk and into the path of an oncoming bus. Her death highlighted the significant safety problems with the current infrastructure and led to immediate calls for improvements.
The Ministry of Transportation, which has jurisdiction for the causeway, hired an engineering firm to review cycling and pedestrian safety on the route. As a result, a plan was put forward in December.
On March 23, the news came as a huge relief to both cyclists and pedestrians: the park board unanimously approved the plan.
The new causeway sidewalks are almost unrecognizable from the current version.
The eastern sidewalk will be widened to 3.6 metres, which will allow room for two cycle lanes — both dedicated to northbound traffic — and one lane for pedestrians that can be used by people going in either direction. The western sidewalk will be widened to 2.1 metres and will be reserved for southbound cyclists with wider passing lanes at regular intervals.
Most importantly, both sidewalks will have a metal railing installed that will protect both cyclists and pedestrians from vehicle traffic in the roadway.
One of the biggest challenges in putting together the recommendations was the need to balance the safety considerations with the ecology of the park. The recommendations mean roughly 14 trees will be cut down. But with the focus for widening on the east sidewalk, which has a grassy area adjacent to it and fewer bordering trees, efforts have clearly been made to minimize the ecological impact of these improvements.
The plan also includes improved access routes to the causeway from the park itself and better signage both on the causeway and as way-finding aids from downtown. No exact timeline is available, but these improvements are expected by the end of the year.
It’s great to see these much-needed changes to such a popular route.
Kay Cahill is a cyclist and librarian who believes bikes are for life, not just for commuting.
