One Pager 2 - Bike Lanes Opinion Piece

Expansion Advisory

Nutchey

January 30, 2020

I am usually in favour of expanding Victoria’s bike lane system. Bike lanes are a great alternative to car travel. They reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and the demand for parking in the downtown core. As Victoria’s population grows, more cars crowd the road, causing headaches for commuters. Bike lanes offer a sustainable alternative that is accessible for new cyclists and cheaper than owning a car. The proposed developments also connect existing bike lane infrastructure and create a comprehensive downtown network for commuters

There’s also a demand for alternative options to driving. Recent studies by the Capital Regional District (CRD) and Statistics Canada show notable increases in people choosing walking, cycling and transit in Victoria. Cycling is a popular option, with numbers from the City of Victoria showing that the bike lanes on Pandora Street have surpassed one million trips since opening.

The new expansion proposes to have protected bike lanes on both sides of Government Street North and Kimta Road. These bike lanes physically divide cyclists and drivers and protect them from accidents. They are one of the better options for accessibility for all ages and abilities (AAA) according to the City of Vancouver’s Transportation Design Guidelines. However, the other two routes on Haultain and Richardson Street will be shared-section bike ways that see both cars and bikes use the same road.

The route on Richardson Street is particularly concerning. The proposed design, called an advisory bike lane, means that vehicles share one centre lane with bike lanes on either side. When drivers travelling in the opposite direction converge, vehicles must move into the bike lanes.

Both drivers and cyclists are concerned about the design. Corey Burger, the policy and infrastructure chair of Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, wrote that advisory lanes do not meet standards for accessibility for people of all ages and abilities (AAA). Chris Foord, vice chair of CRD Traffic Safety Commission, also voiced concern that car traffic will have to take alternate routes that will take longer to get where they need to go.

I support the other routes proposed, but due to the safety concerns on Richardson Street I am against the bike lane expansion on that route. The proposed bike lane does not meet AAA standards, which the City of Victoria claims their 2020 projects adhere to on their website. It would also make the road narrow for drivers, posing a safety hazard and potential for traffic congestion. The city needs to consider alternative designs, such as protected bike lanes or road widening so vehicles can pass cyclists with enough space. This will ensure safety of drivers and cyclists and incentivize people of all ages and abilities to use the bike lanes.

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