Read on Twitter
So there was a post going around Vancouver Twitter the other day about the lack of use of the bike lanes on Beach Ave, and how they should be removed.
Here is the view from my apartment a few minutes ago. Thread incoming.
Here is the view from my apartment a few minutes ago. Thread incoming.
This is at the corner of Beatty and Dunsmuir. One of the best areas for segregated bike lanes in the city. There is a bike lane coming off the Dunsmuir Viaduct that carries a good ways down Dunsmuir, as well as one on Beatty St.
As a biker you should feel pretty safe here!
As a biker you should feel pretty safe here!
But if we count, we see all of 2 cyclists. One turning off Dunsmuir onto Beatty, another kind of hidden under the traffic light.
A lot of people (and we know who they are) will see this as a lack of use, a waste of resources, an opportunity for more car space, or a "fad"
A lot of people (and we know who they are) will see this as a lack of use, a waste of resources, an opportunity for more car space, or a "fad"
The issue isnt the bike lanes. Its the streets "around" these particular well designed streets. Most roads have no bike lane. Like what if I come up the viaduct and need to get to Robson (two blocks south) or Hastings (two blocks north)? Then I need to cycle with traffic.
I dont cycle in the city. The idea terrifies me. Every cyclist I know has at least one horror story of being doored or of a car cutting them off, etc. So unless there are enough of these bike lanes, on most of the streets, I personally wont begin to cycle.
Now, look at the sidewalks in that picture. I count 4 pedestrians in the entire picture, covering 2 city blocks. We never hear "oh pedestrians arent walking enough, let's tear up that sidewalk for more cars".
Why? Because we respect that some people need to get around by foot.
Why? Because we respect that some people need to get around by foot.
Furthermore, we respect that those people are vulnerable to cars. So we let pedestrians walk in a fairly safe environment where except for intersections, they're fairly segregated from vehicles (unless that driver really wants to damage their vehicle)
Yet this same courtesy isnt extended to cyclists, who are mostly looked upon with disdain. They dare compete with drivers for space, and therefore they are the enemy! Do some cyclists make dumb, aggressive moves while riding? They sure do. And they put their own lives in danger.
For some people, bicycles, ebikes and scooters are the best way to get around. If Vancouver wants to be a true multi-modal city, then it needs to have these segregated bike lanes on nearly every main street. A coat of paint isnt enough. Nobody feels protected by a coat of paint.
Once theres enough safe bike lanes, you'll see more people use them. They'll feel safe coming in from Kitsilano or East Van, and make that 3-5 km trek to work without worry of competing with cars. Less exhaust in the air, less noise, more exercise, healthier population!
Drivers will complain that their "space" is being taken away but guess what.. every cyclist might be one less car off the road! More room for you! And now you dont have to fear dooring a cyclist or plowing one over in a momentary lapse or getting angry when one cuts you off.
Now why do I care? I walk, bus, train, or occasionally EVO everywhere. More bikes means less cars nearly hitting me or my son. It means more quiet streets. Better air.
And maybe, one day, I wont be so scared to ride a bike to get to work.
And maybe, one day, I wont be so scared to ride a bike to get to work.
