C A S E S T U D Y

VANCOUVER

Cyclists participating in the June 2007 Critical Mass bike ride in Vancouver to promote safe urban bike use and push for more bike lanes.

Simon Vincent is a content strategist at editorial consultancy Tuber Productions.

Cycling as a Way of Life

O n its route to achieving bike-friendly status, Vancouver has successfully dealt with challenges such as bikelash and climate

change. Its secret? An inclusive design blueprint catering to all ages and abilities, known as “Triple A”.

The Challenge

In 1996, the Vancouver City Council proposed to convert one of the car lanes along Burrard Bridge into a bike lane. What was intended as a six-month trial lasted only a week.

Marked by just traffic cones and police tape, the lane did not inspire confidence as a safety barrier. Traffic clogged the roads upon the lane’s opening, providing additional fodder for bikelash—hostility towards cyclists due to the increased presence of bicycles on streets.

The increasing popularity of cycling meant that the safety of both cyclists and motorists had become a crucial issue for the city. In 2005, another proposal for a separated bike lane along Burrard Bridge

made its way to the city council and was rejected for fear of a repeat of the negative public reaction of 1996.

At the same time, reducing car emissions was becoming a bigger issue because of the increasing awareness of climate change. For policymakers, this posed a challenge and an opportunity: accounting for the health of residents as well as the environment.

Vancouver | Cycling Infrastructure

The increasing popularity of cycling meant that the

safety of both cyclists and motorists had become a crucial issue for the city.

ISSUE

16

• JA

N 2

02

079

case stud

y

01 On Burrard Bridge, a barricaded bike lane was installed to separate traffic and protect the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Instead of closing an inbound car lane or two like in previous proposals, the new plan converted a single outbound car lane into a bike lane. Mayor Robertson’s plan also turned one of the two pedestrian lanes on each side of the bridge into a bike lane, meaning that remaining foot traffic converged into one lane. A sturdy barricade, instead of cones, separated cyclists from motorists and pedestrians.

Nevertheless, the city had to deal with unforeseen issues, such as cars getting

in the way of cyclists at an intersection connecting to the downtown core. In 2017, the city reworked the intersection as part of a C$35 million (S$36.5 million) upgrade.

These infrastructure changes have proceeded in tandem with the city’s “all ages and abilities” design principle, also known as “Triple A”. This means making cycling safe and convenient for everyone, from children to seniors.

01

The Solution

In 2008, Burrard Bridge became the focus of attention again, when then-Mayor Gregor Robertson proposed replacing a car lane with a protected bike lane. Critics predicted this would lead to traffic congestion and public unhappiness.

These fears did not materialise when the bike lane officially opened in 2009. There was smooth traffic flow and no significant incidents of bikelash. Tracing the evolution of the bridge, urban media outlet CityLab attributed its success to a “smarter bike lane plan”.

Traditional cycling facilities, like shared use lanes on major streets, tend to appeal to people who are comfortable travelling in traffic. However, as noted in the city’s official design guidelines from 2017, “bikeways on quiet streets, protected bike lanes and off-street pathways appeal to people who are interested in cycling but concerned for their safety”.

ISSUE

16

• JA

N 2

02

081

case stud

y

Mobi StationZone

Mobi StationZone

W 2ND AVE

W 4TH AVE

W 6TH AVE

CHANCELLOR BOULEVARD

SIMPSON AVEBELMONT AVE

W 3RD AVE

W 5TH AVE

W 7TH AVE

W 8TH AVE

NW MARINE DR

W 1ST AVE

W 11TH AVE

UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD

W 13TH AVE

BLA

NC

A S

T

W 14TH AVE

W 15TH AVE

W 16TH AVE

W 12TH AVE

TS

TA

MA

SA

S

W 9TH AVE

W 10TH AVE

TS

ELB

MIR

T CA

MO

SU

N S

T

CO

UR

TE

NA

Y S

T

W 19TH AVE

W 10TH AVE

W 12TH AVE

W 11TH AVE

W 23RD AVE

W 24TH AVE

W 22ND AVE

W 20TH AVE

W 21ST AVE

W 13TH AVE

W 14TH AVE

W 15TH AVE

W 16TH AVEW 17TH AVE

SW MARINE DR

YUCULTA CRMUSQUEAM DR

W 40TH AVE

W 35TH AVE

W 36TH AVE

TS

YR

UB

HGI

H

TS

EC

ALLA

W

HO

LLA

ND

ST

W 46TH AVE

W 41ST AVE

TS

CIP

MYL

O

TS

EC

ALLA

W

W 38TH AVE

W 39TH AVE

W 37TH AVE

WA

LLA

CE

ST

TS

AML

A

W 48TH AVE

W 47TH AVE

TS

YR

UB

HGI

H

W 33RD AVE

W 34TH AVETS

NU

SO

MA

C

TS

MIE

HN

ELB

W 31ST AVE

W 32ND AVE

W 30TH AVE

W KING EDWARD AVE

W 27TH AVE

W 28TH AVE

W KING EDWARD AVE

TS

DO

OW

GNILL

OC

TS

EC

ALLA

W

TS

RA

BN

UD

TS

AML

A

TS

DO

OW

GNILL

OC

POINT GREY RD

TS

OOL

RE

TA

W

TS

MIE

HN

ELB

TS

HCT

UR

T

W 49TH AVE

DEERING ISLAND PL

TS

DO

OW

GNILL

OC

TS

AV

ALC

ALA

B

W 51ST AVE

W 55TH AVE

TS

AV

ALC

ALA

B

TS

DLA

NO

DC

AM

W 49TH AVE

TS

NO

VR

AN

RA

C

W 53RD AVE

TS

YR

EEL

CC

M

TS

HC

RAL

TS

MLE

TS

DLA

NO

DC

AM

TS

SN

EH

PE

TS

TS

HC

RAL

TS

ENI

V

TS

MA

SLA

B

W 12TH AVE

W 13TH AVE

W BROADWAY

CORNWALL AVE

W 11TH AVE

TS

WE

Y

TS

ELP

AM

W 7TH AVE

TS

WE

Y

TS

SU

TU

BR

A

W 32ND AVE

MA

PLE CR

W 21ST AVE

W 22ND AVEVALLEY

DR

W 23RD AVE

W 19TH AVE

TS

MA

SLA

B

TS

ENI

V

TS

WE

Y W 18TH AVE

TS

HC

RAL

W 16TH AVE

W 15TH AVE

W 14TH AVE

TS

MA

SLA

B

TS

ENI

V

W 44TH AVE

TS

ETI

RE

UG

RA

M

TS

ERI

HS

TLIW

W 41ST AVE

TS

SS

ER

PY

C

W 42ND AVE

W 43RD AVE

EVI

RD

SU

GN

A

TS

DLA

NO

DC

AM

TS

MLE

TS

RA

GLAF

AR

T

W 60TH AVE

W 61ST AVE

W 62ND AVEYEW

ST

W 59TH AVE

WE

ST BLV

D

TS

SU

TU

BR

A

W 53RD AVE

TS

SS

ER

PY

C

W 48TH AVE

TS LLI

HC

RU

HC

TS

AR

ED

A

TS

WE

Y

W 46TH AVE

W 47TH AVE

W 63RD AVE

CAPTAIN'S COVE

EA

ST BLV

D

TS

ERI

HS

TLIW

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AR

ED

A

TS

ELLIV

NA

RG

TS

HC

NE

RF

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AC

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NA

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HC

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GILFORD S

T

DENMAN ST

BIDW

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ROBSON ST

PIP

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D

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W GEORGIA ST

ALBERNI ST

W PENDER ST

W HASTINGS STMELVILLE ST

W CORDOVA ST

TS

SU

TU

BR

A

WHYTE AVE

CREELMAN AVE

W 4TH AVE

W 5TH AVE

W 6TH AVE

W 1ST AVE

W 2ND AVE

W 3RD AVE

CH

ES

TN

UT

ST

TS

ENI

P

LAMEY'S MILL RD

BEACH AVE

W 17TH AVE

TS

DR

AR

RU

B

ALEXA

NDRA

ST

TS

RIF

TS

ENI

P

TS

AR

DN

AX

ELA

LAURIER AVE

BALFOUR AVE

TS

ELLIV

NA

RG

TS

KC

OLM

EH

W 39TH AVE

W 33RD AVE W 33RD AVE

W 33RD AVEW 32ND AVE

TS

REL

SO

W 32ND AVE

TS

REI

TR

AC

TS

ELLIV

NA

RG

W 27TH AVE

OA

K S

TTS

REL

SO

TS

NO

SD

UH

TS

KRI

KLE

S

TS L

ER

UAL

BEACH AVE

NICOLA

ST

HARWOOD ST

BROUGHTON S

T

BURRARD

BRIDGE

PACIFIC ST

DAVIE ST

JERVIS

ST

NELSON ST

DRAKE ST

THURLOW

ST

HOWE S

T

DAVIE ST

HELMCKEN ST

GRANVILLE

ST

SMITHE ST

SEYMOUR ST

CAMBIE S

T

HAMILTON S

T

W 54TH AVE

TS

EIB

MA

C

TS L

ER

UAL

TS

NILM

ER

F

W 55TH AVE

W 53RD AVE

TS

REL

SO

TS

YR

EM

OGT

NO

M

W 49TH AVE

W 50TH AVE

W 48TH AVE

W 47TH AVE

TIS

DA

LL S

T

TS

EN

OLH

TA

TS

REI

TR

AC

W 45TH AVE

W 46TH AVE

TS

KA

O

TS

KRI

KLE

S

TS

NO

SD

UH

W 43RD AVE

W 41ST AVE

TS

KRI

KLE

S

TS

NO

SD

UH

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REL

SO

OA

K S

T

PARK DR

SHA

UG

HN

ESSY ST

W KENT AVE SOUTH

W 71ST AVE

W 70TH AVE

W 69TH AVE

W 68TH AVE

W 58TH AVE

W 57TH AVE

W 63RD AVE

W 62ND AVE

SW MARINE DR

WO

LFE AV

E

MATTHEWS AVE

TS

HC

RIB

TS

RE

DLA

W 23RD AVE

W KING EDWARD AVE

W 16TH AVEW 15TH AVE

W 12TH AVE

W 13TH AVE

W 21ST AVE

W 22ND AVE

W 17TH AVE

W 18TH AVE

W 19TH AVE

W 20TH AVE

W 24TH AVE

TS

WOLLI

WT

S W

OLLIW

TS

HS

A

TS

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MA

CT

S EI

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AC

W 6TH AVE

TS

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TS

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HT

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H

TS

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AC

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DIR

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LP

SS

ALG

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S

TS

NO

KU

Y

TS

ATR

EBL

A

W 28TH AVE

MID

LOTHIA

N AVE

TS

NE

DLA

W

E 33RD AVE

TS

AIH

PO

S

E KING EDWARD AVE

E 34TH AVE

TS

NA

KLA

B

E 28TH AVE

E 30TH AVE

TS

NH

OJ

TS

AIB

MUL

OC

TS

AB

OTIN

AM

W 70TH AVE

TS

NO

KU

Y

TS

AIB

MUL

OC

TS

AB

OTIN

AM

W 71ST AVE

E 69TH AVE

E KENT AVE SOUTH

E KENT AVE NORTH

SE MARINE DR

TS

OIR

ATN

O

TS

AIH

PO

S

TS

NIA

M

TS

HS

A E 46TH AVE

E 47TH AVE

TS

NO

KU

Y

TS

ATR

EBL

A

W 44TH AVE

E 44TH AVE

E 40TH AVE

CANADA PL

AB

BO

TT

ST

DUNSMUIR VIADUCT

GEORGIA VIADUCT

E WATERFRONT RD

TS

AIB

MUL

OC

E 23RD AVE

E 22ND AVE

TS

AIB

MUL

OC

TS

NIA

M

TS

AB

OTIN

AM

TS

CE

BE

UQ E 21ST AVE

E 20TH AVE

E 19TH AVETS

AIH

PO

S

E 16TH AVE

E 17TH AVE

E 18TH AVE

E 15TH AVE

E 13TH AVE

W 11TH AVE

KINGSWAY

TS

AB

OTIN

AM

TS

AIB

MUL

OC

E 2ND AVE

W 6TH AVE

W 7TH AVE

W 8TH AVEW BROADWAY

TS

OIR

ATN

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TS

CE

BE

UQ

TS

NIA

M

E 2ND AVEE 4TH AVE

TS

NOI

TAT

S

TS

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C S

T

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OC

S

SCO

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ST

E 5TH AVE

TS

KCI

WSN

UR

B

TS

EG

RO

EG .T

S

TS

HPL

EU

G

INDUSTRIAL AVE

E 35TH AVE

E 36TH AVE

E 29TH AVE

TS

RE

SA

RF

E 32ND AVE

TS

TEI

RR

AH T

S S

SO

R

TS

NIGL

E

TS

RO

SD

NIW

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SS

EN

RE

VNI

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YR

NE

H

TS

NE

DOLL

UC

TS

SS

EN

RE

VNI

E 28TH AVE

E 27TH AVE

TS

KR

AN

AL

TS

TH

GIN

K

TS

YR

RE

P

E 33RD AVE

E 34TH AVE

E 35TH AVEE 36TH AVE

E HASTINGS ST

E CORDOVA ST

MILROSS AVE

E GEORGIA ST

GO

RE

AV

E

TS

NIA

M

E PENDER ST

EV

A Y

VEL

NU

D

PRIOR ST

EV

A N

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KC

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RP

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AE

H EV

A LLE

BP

MA

C

TS

DR

AW

DE

EC

NIR

P

TS

RE

SA

RF

E 64TH AVE

E KENT AV NORTH

E 58TH AVE

E 52ND AVE

E 53RD AVE

E 54TH AVE

E 56TH AVE

E 62ND AVE

E 63RD AVE

E 61ST AVE

E 57TH AVE

E 55TH AVE

TS

EG

RO

EG .T

S

E 41ST AVE

TS

RE

SA

RF

E 43RD AVE

E 39TH AVE

E 38TH AVE

E 48TH AVE

E 49TH AVE

E 50TH AVE

E 51ST AVE

E 41ST AVE

TS

KR

AN

AL

TS

NE

DOLL

UC

TS

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GIN

KT

S T

HGI

NK

E 37TH AVE

E 12TH AVE

TS

TR

EBL

A E

CNI

RP

RD

KR

ALC

E 11TH AVE

TS

RO

SD

NIW

TS

SE

NIR

EH

TA

C .TS

RD

KR

ALC

TS

RE

SA

RF

TS

ANIL

OR

AC

RD

NA

ELC

M

EVI

RD

NEL

G

EVANS AVETERMINAL AVE

EV

A R

UM

YA

R

ATLANTIC ST

NATIONAL AVE CH

ESS

ST

EV

A S

KW

AH

MALKIN AVE

TS

RE

SA

RF

E 26TH AVE

E 27TH AVE

TS

TR

EBL

A E

CNI

RP

TS

SE

NIR

EH

TA

C .TS

TS

RO

SD

NIW

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RD

KR

ALC

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TS

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GIN

K

RD

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A R

UM

YA

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FRANKLIN ST

RD

NO

NR

EV

RD

KR

ALC

RD

DN

ALD

OO

W

RD

NA

ELC

M

VENABLES ST

SE MARINE DR

TS

ELY

GR

A

TS

TH

GIN

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RD

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V

TS

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HS

TS

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RF

MU

D

TS

ELY

GR

A

TS

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MEL

F

KA

MLO

OP

S S

T

E 5TH AVE

RD

NILM

ES

E 4TH AVE

E 2ND AVE

E 3RD AVEE 3RD AVE

E 2ND AVE

E 1ST AVE E 1ST AVE

KITCHENER ST

GRANT ST

GRAVELEY ST

RD

MUL

DO

RD

NE

DR

AG

RD

NOT

ELP

ME

TWILLIAM ST

CHARLES ST

TS

OMI

AN

AN

GRANDVIEW HWY SOUTH

E 11TH AVE

E 12TH AVE

RD

AIR

OTCI

V

E 10TH AVEGRANDVIEW HWY NORTH

E BROADWAY

E 6TH AVE

E 7TH AVE

E 8TH AVE

TS

OMI

AN

AN

RD L

AIC

RE

MM

OC

TS

SEI

RF

MU

D

TS

GNI

MEL

F

TS

NY

WLE

WT

S N

YWL

EW

KINGSWAY

TS

ECI

RT

AE

BPO

RTE

R S

T

STAINSBURY AVE

TS L

AIC

RE

MM

OC

SID

NEY

ST

TS

ECI

RT

AE

B

RD

AIR

OTCI

VT

S E

CILA

E 30TH AVE

TS

YE

NDI

S

GALT ST

RD

NE

DR

AG

E 49TH AVE

E 51ST AVE

E 50TH AVE

E 48TH AVE

TS

ECI

RT

AE

B

E 46TH AVE

TS

TT

OILLE

RD

AIR

OTCI

V

TS

GNIL

RIT

S

TS

YEL

EK

RE

B

TS

ELY

GR

A

TS

EN

OTS

DAL

G

E 39TH AVE

TS

OMI

AN

AN

TS L

AIC

RE

MM

OC

TS

ELY

GR

AR

D LAI

CR

EM

MO

C

RD

YR

UB

SLA

S

NAPIER ST

PARKER ST

RD

AIR

OTCI

V

E GEORGIA ST

RD

NILM

ES

E HASTINGS ST

E PENDER ST

TURNER ST

TRIUMPH ST

PANDORA ST

FRANKLIN ST

SOUTHSIDE DR

HARRISON DR

QUALICUM DR

FRASERVIEW DR

MU

IRFI

ELD

DR

SCARBORO AVE

NEWPORT AVE

E 61ST AVE

BONNYVALE AVEBRIGADOON AVE

E 55TH AVE

E 52ND AVE

E 53RD AVE

E 54TH AVE

ETON ST

MCGILL ST

TS

OMI

AN

AN

OXFORD ST

CAMBRIDGE ST

TRINITY ST

KA

MLO

OP

S S

T

PE

NT

ICTO

N S

T

TS

NA

COL

S

TS

NOT

CIT

NE

PTS

SP

OOL

MA

K

BROCK ST

GO

THA

RD S

T

SLO

CAN

ST

VANNESS AVE

TS

OLS

AK

TS

NILT

A

RE

NF

RE

W S

T

E KENT AVE NORTH

DR

YR

AD

NU

OB

E 63RD AVE

ELL

IOTT

ST

E 58TH AVE

ROSEMONT DR

E 62ND AVE

E 42ND AVE

E 41ST AVE

E 43RD AVE

E 40TH AVE

WA

LES

ST

RH

OD

ES

ST

EARL

ES S

T

DU

CHES

S ST

DU

ND

EE

ST

KINGSWAY

FAIR

MO

NT

ST

E 44TH AVE

KIL

LAR

NE

Y S

T

TS

TR

EP

URC

OLL

EG

E S

T

EUCLID AV

HORLEY ST

KE

RR

ST

LAN

CA

ST

ER

ST

RUPE

RT S

T

E 53RD AVE

E 54TH AVE

E 50TH AVE

E 51ST AVE

E 52ND AVE

TS

NOT

GNIL

RA

TS

EN

YT

TS

REL

TU

B

TS

SK

OO

RB

COLERIDGE AVE

E 48TH AVE

E 49TH AVE

TS

NO

SIT

TA

B

E 46TH AVE

E 47TH AVE

WAVERLEY AVE

TS

SEL

AW

TS

NOT

CIT

NE

P

TS

OLS

AK

RE

NF

RE

W S

T

WILLIAM ST

E 4TH AVE

E 5TH AVE

E 6TH AVE

E 7TH AVE

E 1ST AVE

E 2ND AVE

E 3RD AVE

CHARLES ST

KITCHENER ST

GRANT ST

GRAVELEY ST

WILLIAM ST

TS

ER

EM

RE

DNI

W

TS

RAI

SS

AC

TS

AN

EE

KS BO

UN

DA

RY

RO

AD

HEBB AV

E 15TH AVE

E 14TH AVE

TS

AK

TO

ON E 16TH AVE

E 17TH AVE

E 18TH AVE

E 19TH AVE

E BROADWAY

RU

PE

RT

ST

E 8TH AVE

WIN

DE

RM

ER

E S

T

GRANDVIEW HWY

TS LL

ATN

EB

TS L

ATA

N SK

EE

NA

ST

CORNETT RD

LOUGHEED H

WY

PARKER ST

RE

NF

RE

W S

T

TS

AK

TO

ON

NEW BRIGHTON RD

WIN

DE

RM

ER

E S

T

LILL

OO

ET

ST

VENABLES ST

PARKER ST

NAPIER ST

TRA

NS C

AN

AD

A H

WY

RU

PE

RT

ST

TRA

NS

CA

NA

DA

HW

YT

S A

NE

EK

S

DR

YR

AD

NU

OBK

OO

TE

NA

Y S

T

E 20TH AVE

E 21ST AVE

E 22ND AVE

E 23RD AVE

CA

SS

IAR

ST

E 26TH AVE

E 27TH AVE

E 24TH AVE

E 25TH AVE

E 28TH AVE

E 29TH AVE

BO

UN

DA

RY

RD

KO

OT

EN

AY

ST

TS

EC

YOJMC

KIN

NO

N S

T

SCHOOL AVE

KINGSWAY

WELLINGTON AVE

BO

UN

DA

RY

RD

PENDRELL ST

TS

DN

ALK

RIK

TS

HGI

ELA

R

TS

EC

UR

B

BONACCORD DR

JASP

ER

CR

PR

INC

E A

LBE

RT

ST

TS

AIH

PO

S

AS

H S

T

CO

NN

AU

GHT

MA

RG

UER

ITE

DEVONSHIRE CRCONNAUGHT

SK

EE

NA

ST

E HASTINGS ST

SK

EE

NA

ST

W WATERFRONT RD

W 12TH AVE

WESTB

RO

OK

MA

LL

EAST M

ALL

LOW

ER M

ALL

W 16TH AV

MA

IN M

ALL

WEST M

ALL

RAILWAY ST

W 10th Ave

W PENDER ST

STAN

LEY PARK CAUSEWAY

Chilco

St

Carder

o St

Haro StCom

ox St

Burra

rd S

t

Hornby S

t

Beatty

StRich

ards S

t

Homer

St

Dunsmuir St tS llarra

C

Pacific Blvd

Keefer St

Union St Adanac St

Kas

lo S

t

Powell St

Wall St

Central Valley Greenway

tS nacolS

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Great Northern WayE 6th Ave

W 10th Ave

W 5th Ave

tS trepu

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E 45th Ave

tS selraE

tS o

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E 38th Ave

E 37th Ave

tS dra

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tS ssenrevnIE 59th Ave

E Kent Ave South

E Kent Ave North

Vanness Ave

tS seirfmu

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tS oiratn

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tS eib

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tS wolli

WtS rehtae

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W 63rd Ave

W 64th Ave

W 59th Ave

SW M

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rD su

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W 37th Ave

SW Marine Dr

tS novranra

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tS rabnu

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W 29th Ave

W 18th Ave

W 8th Ave

tS avalcalaB

W 4th Ave

W 8th Ave

York Ave

W 7th Ave

Cyp

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W 14th Ave

tS enots

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tS nokuY

tS oiratn

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tS rehtaeH

Upland Drive

tS rreK

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Cas

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W 1st AveW 3rd Ave

W 45th Ave

rD su

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tS yrevocsiD

tS yrubh

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W 29th Ave

E 45th Ave

W 67th Ave

W 42nd Ave

W 47th Ave

E 31st Ave

tS raglafarT

Burnaby St

Expo

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Nanton Ave

tS drarru

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Bute S

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Alexander St

tS dra

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BeaverLake

Lost Lagoon

TroutLake

STANLEYPARK

DevonianHarbour

Park

BarclayHeritageSquare

Alexandra Park

NelsonPark

CoalHarbour

Park

EmeryBarnes

Park

Deadman’sIsland

StrathconaPark

WoodlandPark

TempletonPark

Burrard View Park

NewBrighton

Park

Hastings Park

Empire Field

HastingsCommunity Park

CallisterPark

AdanacPark

Charles Park

Rupert Park

Thunderbird Park

SunrisePark

FalaisePark

ClintonPark

CharlesonPark

HingePark

TrilliumPark

GuelphPark

CedarCottage Park

McSpaddenPark

GrandviewPark

VictoriaPark

GRANVILLEISLAND

VANIERPARK

HaddenPark

KitsilainoBeach Park

Granville Loop Park

Connaught Park

GranvillePark

TatlowPark

McBridePark

HastingsMill Park

Jericho BeachPark

LocarnoPark

TrimblePark

Camosun Park

AlmondPark

Spanish BanksBeach Park

CarnarvonPark

ChaldecottPark

TrafalgarPark

BalaclavaPark

MemorialWest Park

Prince ofWales Park Quilchena

Park

VanDusenBotanicalGardens Oak

MeadowsPark

MontgomeryPark

KerrisdalePark

KerrisdaleCentennial

Park

ElmPark

MalkinPark

MusqueamPark

DeeringIslandPark

McCleeryGolf Course

MapleGrove Park

ArbutusPark

RiverviewPark

ShannonPark

OakPark

WinonaPark

LangaraGolf Course

LangaraPark

RossPark

GeorgePark

GordonPark

MemorialSouth Park

QUEENELIZABETH

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HillcrestPark

KensingtonPark

TecumsehPark

NanaimoPark

KillarneyPark

FraserviewPark Bobolink

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FraserviewGolf Course

EverettCrowley

Park

ChamplainHeights

Park

Captain CookPark

SparwoodPark

EarlesPark

CollingwoodPark

GastonPark

AberdeenPark

NorquayPark

SlocanPark

CarletonPark

CaribooPark

RenfrewRavinePark

GeneralBrockPark

Brewer’s Park

KingcrestPark

GlenPark

SunnysidePark

PrinceEdward

Park

GraysPark

MacDonaldPark

CartierPark

RobsonPark

ColumbiaPark

TisdallPark

BraemarPark

DouglasPark

HeatherPark

ShaughnessyPark

AngusPark

John HendryPark

ClarkPark

BeaconsfieldPark

RenfrewCommunity

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FraserRiverPark

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SunsetBeachPark

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DavidLam Park

Coopers’Park

AndyLivingstone

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McLeanPark

Sun Yat-SenGardens

SunsetPark

BURRARDINLET

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PacificSpirit Park

T

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Kootenay Bus Loop

Rupert

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Commercial-Broadway

VCC-Clark

Main Street-Science World

OlympicVillage

Yaletown-Roundhouse

Vancouver City Centre

Granville

Waterfront

Burrard

Broadway-City Hall

Nanaimo

29th Avenue

Joyce-Collingwood

Stadium-Chinatown

T

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Oakridge-41st Avenue

Langara-49th Avenue

Marine Drive

MarpoleBus Loop

Dunbar Bus Loop

UBC Bus Loop

0 1 km

St. Paul’s Hospital

VancouverGeneralHospital

MountSt. JosephHospital

Holy Family Hospital

Children’s& Women’sHealth Centreof BC

Disclaimer of responsibility:This map is produced as a guide to cycling routes in the City of Vancouver. The City, its employees, o¤cers, directors and representatives do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained therein nor warrant the safety of any route, highway, road, street, designated cycling route or other shown in the map or information.

© 2019 City of Vancouver

The most comfortable parts of the network are designated as All-Ages-and-Abilities (AAA) which are emphasized by the yellow highlighted routes. The AAA Network is a connected series of mostly protected bike lanes and some local street bikeways with lower tra¤c volumes.

Pavement Markings

BicycleIndicates a bicycle route or lane

Special Reserved LaneIndicates a reserved lane for the devices noted on associated signs or pavement markings. When combined with a bicycle this symbol indicates a dedicated bicycle lane. People cycling in the City of Vancouver are allowed to ride in these lanes.

Sharrow (Shared Roadway)Indicates a roadway shared with motor vehicles. The arrow shows where a people cycling should generally position themselves

Bicycle with ArrowIndicates the bike route direction is changing

Bicycle PathwayIndicates an o©-street cycling pathway

Shared PathwayIndicates an o©-street pathway shared by people walking and cycling

Crossbike (Elephants Feet)Identifies the area where people biking may be crossing to provide wayfinding along protected bike lanes at intersections.

Green PaintHighlights potential conflict areas with motor vehicles. Commonly used along protected bike lanes at intersections and driveways.

Bicycle BoxIndicates where people cycling should position themselves at a red signal, allowing them to turn left, right, or go straight in advance of other vehicles.

Pavement Markings (cont.)

Turning Left Using a Bike Box1) Go straight through the intersectionwhen the signal is green and wait in theturn box2) Proceed left across the intersectionwhen the signal changes

Bicycle SignalDedicated signal for people cycling

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AAA NetworkProtected Bike Lane

People cycling are protected from motorvehicles by physical barriers such as planters, curbs, or bollards; also includes o©-street paths

Shared Use LaneA relatively busy street with painted markings that indicate where people cycling should position themselves

30k m / hLocal Street Bikeway

People cycling share the roadway with with motor vehicles on a relatively quiet neighbourhood street

Map Symbols

Moderate Uphill Route

Steep Uphill Route

One Way Bike Route

Hospital

Community Centre

School

Skytrain Station / Bus Loop

SeaBus

Passenger Ferry

Train Station

Bus Station

A portion of the roadway is designated for people cycling, typically located between a curb/parking lane and a driving lane

Painted Bike LaneMobi Station Zone(boundary contains all public bike share stations, including Downtown & Stanley Park)

Main Map

0201

The guidelines also note the usefulness of landscaping and urban design elements as “traffic calming measures”. This connects with the other aspect of Vancouver’s cycling plan: sustainability.

In 2011, Vancouver launched its Greenest City Action Plan to create “compact neighborhoods with higher density to provide easy access to work, shopping and recreation”, making it easier to do away with cars. The city introduced natural elements along the streets to create a pleasant and inviting cycling experience for cyclists. For instance, streets were built with

The city introduced natural elements along the streets

to create a pleasant and inviting cycling

experience for cyclists.

01 The City of Vancouver provides an annual cycling and guiding map that details all bikeways and greenways for people of all ages and abilities.

02 Cyclists riding on the dedicated bike lanes, which help to reduce road danger in Vancouver.

integrated rainwater management systems for growing trees. Rain gardens were constructed to collect run-off from surrounding streets along 63rd Avenue and Yukon Street Plaza.

Explaining the thinking behind this, the city’s green infrastructure planner Cameron Owen told the Sightline Institute: “We want to make it so that every time we build a street [or] add a bike lane...we look for the opportunity to put in a rain garden, tree trench or structural soils that collect water and support tree growth.”

Together with these policy changes, non-government actors have also done their part to promote cycling as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation. In 2007, Mia Kohout, the editor of cycling publication Momentum Mag, launched Bike to Work Week.

The event, advocating for residents to cycle to work, attracted over 1,000 new cyclists in its inaugural year, according to community newspaper Vancouver Courier. It has since become a popular annual event for businesses to show their support for cycling culture and infrastructure.

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01 The scenic Stanley Park offers cyclists an enjoyable cycling experience in downtown Vancouver.

02 The separated bike lanes along Dunsmuir Street allow riders to commute safely during rush hour.

The Outcome

Today, Burrard Bridge sees more than one million bike crossings a year, and is one of the busiest bike lanes in North America.

Business leader and critic-turned-supporter of cycling Charles Gauthier told CBC News in 2019: “We couldn’t have predicted how popular cycling would become if you made it safer for people.”

Cycling initiatives have received added impetus since the city published the Climate Emergency Report in early 2019 to tackle climate change. The report builds

on the city’s ongoing transportation goals. One of Vancouver’s goals is for two-thirds of trips to be completed by active transportation by 2030. It is an ambitious but fitting aim considering that in 2017, three years ahead of a previous goal, 50% of trips in Vancouver were from active transportation.

For cities worried about bikelash when implementing transportation and sustainability initiatives, Vancouver has shown that designing for safety and inclusivity can make all the difference.

01

One of Vancouver’s goals is for two-thirds of trips

to be completed by active transportation by 2030.

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