We have covered the Burrard Bridge flip-flopping here numerous times, and I am under no illusion that the flip-flopping will end anytime soon.
One would think that the pro and con voices must be hoarse by now, but they can have another go at it this Saturday:
Come out to an open house to discuss a trial re-allocation of one or two lanes on the Burrard Bridge to create improved cycling and walking facilities on the bridge: Saturday, January 31 from 2 – 5 pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre […]
This is clearly an issue that a lot of people feel passionate about, and it should be an interesting afternoon. Rob and I have decided that neither one of us will go, as our opinions would cancel each other out anyway 😉
Photo from the City of Vancouver
Last modified: January 27, 2009
I don’t get it. Aren’t there any problems to solve in Vancouver? Is everything else in this city running so smoothly that they need to devote time and money to break something that’s working perfectly? I just can’t understand the purpose of this, no matter how hard I try.
Like I said, this is potentially one of the most divisive issues in his part of the city. Heck it was probably the decisive issue in the 2005 elections.
And it is exactly the notion in the one camp that things are perfect the way they are (typically drivers) vs. that the current situation is dangerous and unacceptable (cyclists and pedestrians) that make this such a divisive issue.
Like you cannot understand what the purpose of this is, I have a hard time understanding how anyone could honestly believe that things are “working perfectly”. But my voice is getting hoarse, so that’s the last I’ll say on the issue.
Once again as a regular Burrard Bridge cyclist (for almost 30 years now) I say the status quo is fine and the idea of closing lanes is little short of idiocy.
Carbon fibre cages on the outside of the bridge as cycle only lanes is what we’ll need in the future.
I took a Halls, so here I go again…
I don\’t doubt that the situation is fine for you BB, it\’s fine for me too. Most experienced and dedicated cyclists are not deterred by the current situation. The real problem is that the current situation can be a big deterrent for new and less experienced cyclists. And what about families who would like to bike across the bridge to visit, say, Stanley Park?
And yes, carbon fibre cages may well be a much better and desirable solution, but that\’s years and years away. If the city is serious about its commitment to more sustainable means of transportation, it should explore all possibilities to get more people to walk or cycle. And that means making it safer and more attractive for everyone, and not just assume that people have been cycling for 30 years.