Safety can’t wait

The Burrard Bridge is a busy bridge with only 2.6 metres of sidewalk width for cyclists and pedestrians to share on either side of the bridge – where incidents are happening quite frequently. While this distance falls just within guidelines* for a combination of uni-directional pedestrians and cyclists when a recommended barrier from traffic is added, it does not meet minimum recommended widths.

Between June and October 2008, eight cyclists were injured on the Burrard Bridge, seriously enough to need emergency care. These are the only statistics which have been tracked so far, but the actual extent of injuries may be even worse. Many cyclists have hesitated in crossing the bridge because of safety concerns.

Widening the sidewalk would cost over $30 million, but an affordable solution with protected cycling and walking pathways will help make this bridge safer for everyone and quickly. A little bit of room can make a big difference. There are more people crossing, less space and higher rates of injury than Granville and Cambie Bridges combined on the Burrard Bridge.

* Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, CAN/CSA-S6-00

Follow an actual bicycle ride over the Burrard Bridge before the trial.

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