Stanley Park Seawall safety and accessibility upgrades

Changes to the Stanley Park Seawall

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• Speed gate removal locations

  Speed gates will be removed from all 3 locations and replaced with:

  • Lumberman’s  Arch: Marked bike path with single pedestrian crossing
    • Planters and leaning rails will create a separate, clearly marked bike path through the area.
    • The path will narrow people rolling to single file ahead of the pedestrian crossing to encourage slow rolling and yielding. 
  • Prospect Point: Signage and fencing changes
    • Low-cost visual cues, signage, and pavement markings will encourage slow rolling through a shared space.
    • A railing will be added to the outer edge of the seawall encouraging spectators to lean and enjoy the view, creating a wider shared space for those passing through.
  • Third Beach: Focused crossing area and relocated bike parking
    • The bike racks will be relocated between the bike path and the pedestrian path creating a chicane, or s-shaped curve, encouraging cyclists to slow down before the pedestrian crosswalk.
    • A single, marked pedestrian crossing point will be created for safety using benches and leaning rails to encourage cyclists to ride in single file and reduce conflicts.

• Why we are removing the speed gates

  Most of the seawall features separate pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. However, at Lumberman’s Arch, Prospect Point, and Third Beach, paths are shared among different users. These areas experience high pedestrian traffic, particularly among seniors, children, and people with disabilities or mobility challenges.  

  Speed gates were initially installed as a safety measure to require cyclists to dismount and walk their bikes through high pedestrian traffic zones. These gates can create accessibility barriers for people who use adaptive bikes, such as hand-cycles, trailers, or longer bicycles.

  On May 6, 2024, the Park Board unanimously approved the motion Removal of Cyclist Barriers and Implementation of Signage for Seawall Safety PDF file (116 KB) directing staff to develop safer, more accessible options.