Expanding the downtown bike network

In 2013, we converted sections of Richards Street to a protected bike lane that improved cycling connections.

We have heard feedback that the narrow width and painted separation created uncomfortable interactions with people parking.

There is also an opportunity to improve it to provide a protected northbound cycling connection to connect to the northern part of downtown.
 
Staff engaged with businesses and the public on an initial improved design in 2016. Based on what we heard, we are proposing the following changes:

• Retain sufficient road space for current motor vehicle volumes
• Retain most parking spaces (approximately 85%) and other curb-side uses while physically separating them from the bike lane
• Install a protected two-way bike lane on the east side of Richards Street
• Improve north-south connections by extending the Richards Street protected bike lane facility from Cordova Street to Pacific Street
• Protected intersections for cycling to connect various east-west cycling routes and to reduce conflicts with vehicles
• Where possible, add a row of trees and a raised cycling route to provide an improved streetscape
• Relocate four existing Mobi bike share stations to accommodate the new cycling route and install two new Mobi stations to plan for future demand on the network