Expanding the downtown bike network

We are improving the downtown bike network to make cycling safer and more enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.

What's happening

We are planning to upgrade and extend the Richards Street bike lane to provide better cycling access in the downtown area, and a safer and more comfortable cycling route for people of all ages and abilities.

Thank you to everyone who attended the open house and provided feedback.

In the coming weeks, stay tuned for a summary of what we heard along with an opportunity to sign up for email updates.

Contact the project team

downtown
bikenetwork@
vancouver.ca

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In depth

Learn where we propose to work and how these upgrades link to Transportation 2040.

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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

Previous improvements

2018

Smithe Street westbound (upgrade)

Through repaving coordination, physical protection on the bike lane was extended up to the intersections of Cambie, Hamilton, and Homer streets.

2016

Beatty Street (upgrade)
Cambie Street northbound (new)
Smithe Street westbound and Nelson Street eastbound (new)

Improvements made in 2016 supported the launch of a public bike share system in summer 2016. These routes are part of a larger 2016-2017 Active Transportation network improvement plan, which was reviewed by Council in December 2015.

View Council report and presentation

Upgrades to the Richards Street bike lane were identified in 2016 but deferred based on public feedback and constructability. A revised proposal is the subject of consultation in late 2018.

Project goals

As part of this project, we’re proposing to:

Expand connectivity in the downtown bike network
Provide a cycling environment that feels safer and more comfortable for people of all ages and abilities
Reduce conflicts between buses and people cycling, and improve transit operations where possible
Accommodate the loading and access needs of adjacent businesses, institutions and residences
Minimize costs and disruptions by coordinating with repaving or development where possible, using primarily inexpensive measures such as paint and signs
Maintain on-street parking where possible

Why we are expanding the network

The downtown bike network links many key destinations, including shopping streets, cultural institutions, and major transit centres.

Bicycle ridership is growing on downtown routes, but there are:

Gaps in the network
Important destinations that are not connected to protected bike lanes