FAQ: Bikeways and your neighbourhood

• Why has our neighbourhood been chosen for a bikeway?
• Will I lose my street parking?
• Will I still be able to drive on the street?
• How will a bicycle route affect my street or neighbourhood? Will crime increase? Will property values decrease?
• Will a median decrease traffic on the bike route by encouraging traffic to use adjoining streets?
• Why install traffic circles instead of stop signs?
• There are schools adjoining the proposed bike route. What about the safety of school children?
• Why are stop signs installed at other intersections not on the bike route?
• How do we pay for bike routes? Will my taxes go up?
• How is a bikeway different from a Greenway?

Why has our neighbourhood been chosen for a bikeway?

Quiet side streets that run parallel to major streets are generally chosen for bikeways because they provide a much safer cycling experience than riding on major streets. Bikeways give everyone in the community safe and comfortable access to schools, parks, shopping and work.

Will I lose my street parking?

When planning bicycle facilities, consideration is given to balancing the needs of all road users including on-street parking and loading. 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.

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Will I still be able to drive on the street?

Yes. Cars and bikes share the street. Bikeways generally bring fewer cars and lower speeds which make the route more comfortable for all users.

How will a bicycle route affect my street or neighbourhood? Will crime increase? Will property values decrease?

You probably won’t notice much change on your street. For example, bike counts have shown that about 60 cyclists per hour are on many existing bike routes during rush hour in Vancouver. In comparison, a typical local street that’s not a bike route may have 100 automobiles during that same time. Traffic calming measures (such as medians, diverters and traffic circles) can reduce non-local car traffic on the bikeway and are often viewed by residents as positive additions to a neighbourhood.

Previous studies indicate that property values and crime rates are not affected by bike routes. Cyclists on bike routes, like commuters in cars, are generally headed to a specific destination and are not interested in lingering in neighbourhoods. Unlike automobile commuters, cyclists travel at slower speeds and may provide an "eyes on the street" presence in the neighbourhood.

Will a median decrease traffic on the bike route by encouraging traffic to use adjoining streets?

Medians are installed not only to help pedestrians and cyclists cross major streets but also to discourage unwanted through-traffic in neighbourhoods. Local traffic will be redistributed to adjoining streets, but by eliminating the connection, short-cutting traffic will find the major streets more convenient. The Engineering Department monitors traffic before and after changes are made.

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Why install traffic circles instead of stop signs?

Traffic circles are a very effective method of slowing traffic and reducing accidents. Studies in Vancouver indicate that traffic circles can reduce the accident frequency at intersections by up to 82 per cent.

• Vehicles should keep to the right and travel around the traffic circle in a counter-clockwise direction.
• Vehicles entering the intersection should yield to the vehicle on the right and to vehicles already in the intersection as well as any crossing pedestrians.
  

Landscaping in the traffic circle can also provide an interesting neighbourhood feature. Residents have the opportunity to "sponsor" the traffic circle by maintaining the landscaping and choosing seasonal plantings.

There are schools adjoining the proposed bike route. What about the safety of school children?

Where possible, bicycle routes are located near schools as they are a major destination for many young cyclists. There is no evidence of increased bicycle/pedestrian accidents on existing routes in Vancouver. Schools adjoining proposed bike routes are given an opportunity to comment on the proposals. As well, Engineering Services meets regularly with Vancouver School Board staff and the Police School Safety Patrol Officers to maintain traffic safety around schools.

Why are stop signs installed at other intersections not on the bike route?

When we install a bicycle route, we also install stop signs at all the uncontrolled intersections in the neighbourhood. Studies in Vancouver indicate that collisions in neighbourhoods with courtesy or uncontrolled intersections are reduced by approximately 60 per cent after stop signs are installed. The City also has an ongoing program to install traffic controls at every intersection in Vancouver.

How do we pay for bike routes? Will my taxes go up?

The City's portion comes from capital funding approved by Vancouver voters during municipal elections. Your taxes will not be increased to pay for the improvements proposed for a bikeway.

How is a bikeway different from a Greenway?

The primary goal of a bikeway is to encourage cycling by creating a safe and convenient route. Greenways enhance the experience of walking and cycling through a wider range of improvements to the public realm, for example, by expanding parks, incorporating public art or installing drinking fountains.

Learn more about Greenways.

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