Photograph of West Broadway and surrounding buildings

City Council approves “Great Street” design for Broadway with option for future active transportation lanes

March 31 2023 –

Vancouver City Council has approved a staff recommendation (529 KB) to advance a “Great Street” design for Broadway. This allows for full-time parking and loading in the interim and a gradual reallocation of curb space along Broadway for a better public realm including wider sidewalks, public seating, patios, and trees, in addition to ongoing space for parking and loading where needed. 

Council’s decision leaves open the option to shift more traffic lanes to create protected active transportation lanes in the future for cycling, scooters, and other devices. This option will give the City time to better understand traffic flow to the area and other transportation needs once Broadway Subway is operational and to potentially deliver active travel lanes at a later date.

The decision stems from Council’s June 2022 approval of the 30-year Broadway Plan, which included direction for staff to study and report back on the feasibility of active transportation lanes along Broadway. 

The staff report to Council today noted a number of challenges in delivering active transportation lane infrastructure on Broadway, an important part of the region’s Major Road Network. 

About Vancouver’s cycling network

  • Currently, the City has 333 kilometers of bike lanes, 31% of this is considered all ages and abilities (mix of protected plus some low-traffic streets). The City also has three east-west bike routes near Broadway: Off-Broadway (5th and 7th Avenues), 10th Avenue, and 14th Avenue. 
  • The Broadway Plan outlines significant improvements in the Broadway Plan area to support active transportation, including a future greenway on 8th Avenue east of Cambie Street.