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Frequently
Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Greenway?
- How did the idea of Greenways originate?
- What is a City Greenway?
- What is a Neighbourhood Greenway?
- How is a Greenway different from a Bikeway?
- Will I lose on-street parking?
- Will emergency vehicles be affected?
- Will crime increase as a result of Greenway construction?
- Who pays for Greenways?
- Why are right-out diverters installed at some arterial streets?
- Will I be informed of Greenway plans in my neighbourhood?
- How can I get more information about Greenways?
1. What is a Greenway?
Greenways are “green” paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
They can be waterfront promenades, urban walks, environmental demonstration
trails, heritage walks, and nature trails. Their purpose is to expand
the opportunities for urban recreation, to provide alternate ways to
move through the city, and to enhance the experience of nature and
city
life.
2. How did the idea of Greenways originate?
The inspiration for Greenways in Vancouver came from the work of the
Mayor's Urban Landscape Task Force, appointed by Council in 1991, and
chaired by Landscape Architect Moura Quayle. Their final report, Greenways-Public
Ways, extended the traditional definition of greenways to include streets
in the downtown - the Public Ways - and streets in our residential
neighborhoods. (A copy of this report can be purchased at City Hall
- 453 West 12th
Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1V4). After city-wide public consultation,
the Vancouver Greenways Plan was approved by Council in July 1995.
The plan and program are comprised of two important components: City-wide
Greenways and more local Neighbourhood Greenways.
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3. What is a City Greenway?
The proposed City Greenway network of fourteen routes through the city
is approximately 140km long. Public Ways are a subset of the City Greenways
network that represent urban streets with commercial or retail opportunities.
Greenways are paths, roadways, and corridors that expand the opportunity
for urban recreation and alternative pedestrian transportation. Street
rights-of-way will comprise approximately 50% of the network. As a
result of the legacy of the Seawall development over the decades and
greenways development since 1994, about 30% of the network is already
in place. While Greenways are distributed throughout the city, routes
are concentrated in areas with greater population density and a higher
number of destinations, such as the downtown peninsula. When the network
is complete, a City Greenway will be no more than a 25-minute walk
or a 10-minute bicycle ride from any residence in Vancouver.
4. What is a Neighbourhood Greenway?
Neighbourhood Greenways differ from City Greenways in that they are initiated
by community groups and are generally smaller. Communities take the
lead in creating or improving local connections in partnership with
the City. City staff provide assistance in the design, development,
and construction where and when support is most needed.
5. How is a Greenway different from a Bikeway?
The primary goal of Bikeways is to make cycling a safe and convenient
mode of transportation, largely through traffic calming measures. Greenways
enhance the experience of walking and cycling through a wider range
of improvements to the public realm, for example, by expanding parks,
increasing landscaping, incorporating public art or installing drinking
fountains. While bicycle commuters will also use Greenways, and many
sections of the Greenways and Bikeways networks will overlap, recreational
or less confident cyclists may feel more comfortable cycling along
Greenways.
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6. Will I lose on-street parking?
Every Greenway will have a distinctive character with different adjacent land uses, community needs and on-street uses such as short term parking for loading and passengers. While the focus is to improve walking and cycling for people of all abilities between the ages of 8 to 80, consideration is given to balancing the needs of all road users. While many residents are fortunate to have on-street parking available near their homes, the City is not able or obligated to provide on-street parking.
7. Will emergency vehicles be affected?
Greenways staff work closely with the police, fire, and ambulance services
to ensure that any Greenway changes do not hinder the ability to respond
to emergencies.
8. Will crime increase as a result of Greenway construction?
Every situation is different. However, we anticipate that the traffic
calming measures that limit traffic cutting through a neighbourhood
will serve to discourage incidents of break and entry crimes. More
people, including your neighbours, walking and cycling along the street
also provide a higher level of surveillance of adjacent properties.
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9. Who pays for Greenways?
City Greenways are normally paid for from the City's capital budget,
the funds approved by Vancouver voters at municipal election time.
Other funds may come available through other levels of government programs,
donations, non-profit agencies or business associations. The construction
and maintenance of some Greenways will be negotiated through development
approval processes at no cost to the City. Neighborhood Greenways are
partially funded by the City with the community providing funds or
in-kind contributions to their planning, construction and maintenance.
10. Why are right-out diverters installed at some arterial streets?
Pedestrian and cyclist activated traffic signals will typically be installed
wherever Greenways cross major arterials. These new signals can also
be used by drivers and thus increase traffic along the Greenway. Various
types of diverters are often used in conjunction with the new signals
to prevent any increase in this unwanted traffic.
11. Will I be informed of Greenway plans in my neighbourhood?
Whenever Greenway development is proposed, there will be significant
consultation with residents along and adjacent to the routes prior
to design development.
12. How can I get more information about Greenways?
For more information about Greenways, visit our
feedback section.
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