Metro Vancouver Bike/Pedestrian Discussion

[racc]

Originally Posted by duener

What's going on with Maple Tree square?

I thought they were going to redevelop it as part of this Carrall greenway. But it seems to have turned into a separate project. It would be great if they blocked off the traffic and turned it into a proper pedestrianised square; a place filled with tables and chairs where you can while away the afternoon watching people go by... but I know that's not likely.

It is far more likely with the new council. They seem much more willing to show leadership than the last council. Andrea Reimer seems keen on car-free streets. It would be a good idea to send her an e-mail on this, andrea@andreareimer.ca

[jlousa]

It's far more likely that nothing will happen with the current council, the Maple leaf square renos have been dropped off the current capital plan to save money, so you'll have to wait till after the 2009-2011 capital plan, we'll have another election by then. So no point sending those emails quite yet.

[racc]

Originally Posted by jlousa

It's far more likely that nothing will happen with the current council, the Maple leaf square renos have been dropped off the current capital plan to save money, so you'll have to wait till after the 2009-2011 capital plan, we'll have another election by then. So no point sending those emails quite yet.

Actually there is. It is during the next three years that the planning will be done for items in the next capital plan so now is the ideal time.

[duener]

Also, in the same area, I remember hearing rumours that Blood Alley was possibly going to be redeveloped into a Montreal-style square with lots of outdoor seating. Is that happening as part of the Salient redevelopment?

What happened to all the talk about expanding the sidewalk patio program?

I thought the city was going to do a study and report back to council. Then mayor Sullivan commented that he'd seen colder cities with more expansive patio seating... everyone was on board. But it seems like it all faded away.

[mattropolis]

Took a ride along the Central Valley Greenway from False Creek to Gilmore Station in Burnaby this afternoon. Was pleased to see that 99% of the paving is done already all the way to Boundary Road. Still have to put up fences, signs, landscaping but it is usable now. A traffic light where 1st Ave crosses Main St and also Quebec street would be helpful, hopefully those will be ready by the spring.

new paving just west of Renfrew Station


at Boundary Road

Looking west at Boundary Road towards Vancouver

Boundary Road


Pleasant ambiance on the section in Burnaby between Boundary and Gilmore. (poor pavement, razor wire, graffiti vandalism, fences on both sides, wouldn't want to be in this area late at night. The columns are really poor for visibility)


Overall it seems like it will be a good cycling route, but some of the areas don't seem very friendly.

[paradigm4]

Well it's great to hear it's almost done. So what sections are left to be completed now?

[worldwide]

theres a gap in the paving between rupert and boundary, but other than that, i guess east 1st could use some work.

in burnaby its still being pieced together. theres a weird section between gilmore and willingdon where you really have to know where youre going or else you will get lost. and its still on street between costco and douglas rd. the overpass at sperling is still u/c and east of there the trail is choppy at best.

overall though, its a rideable route. you can get from boundary road to main street in under 15 minutes now

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by mattropolis

Boundary Road

Any sign of a new traffic light here? Otherwise it would be tough to cross.

[SpongeG]

i drive that area a lot its never really that bad crossing shouldn't be much of a problem

[deasine]

I hope they are planning to install more lighting between Boundary and HWY1... otherwise... it wouldn't really be "safe"

[jlousa]

There is still a bit of work to do, lighting, and greenery are still to come. This path will be pretty popular come spring.

[racc]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Any sign of a new traffic light here? Otherwise it would be tough to cross.

There will be a traffic light at Boundary. The upgrading of the section between Gilmore and Boundary is up for tender I think. Wayfinding will also be added sooner or later to help people find the way through the tricky parts.

They still need a signal at Naniamo. The traffic gets backed up from Grandview forcing people to pick there way through the stopped cars.

The City of Vancouver needs to get a move on on the Bridge across the tracks from Grandview Hwy North and Clark to by Home Depot so cyclists do not have to deal with the busy corner of 6th and Clark and the 13% grade leading up to this corner. This was the original plan until costs escalated.

Letters to Mayor and Council are always a good idea:
mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca

[officedweller]

Thanks for the info.

[Jared]

Nice pics mattropolis. It should look pretty good once the landscaping is done.

Is the pavement on the left pic in that last photo old pavement that will be torn up and landscaped?

Either way, it's already a massive improvement on what was there before. I've biked that route a couple times over the last few years, and it was pretty terrible, especially the Renfew to Boundary section.

racc,
do you have any images of that plan? I'm curious to see it...

[zivan56]

Any info on when the Canada Line North Arm Bridge bike/pedestrian path will open?

[mattropolis]

I didn't see any evidence of a traffic light at Boundary. It wouldn't be too hard to cross because of the proximity of lights nearby.

It looks really weird with the lamp-posts in the middle of the path on the section between Boundary and Gilmore. I guess the razor wire fence came later. Perhaps to keep cyclists out of the film studio lot.

I'm curious on this idea to build a bridge from Grandview and Clark to Terminal Ave. Was that an actual plan? I can't visualize it.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by zivan56

Any info on when the Canada Line North Arm Bridge bike/pedestrian path will open?

No idea, but there's no question that there's going to be a ton of graffiti once it opens.

[mattropolis]

Create a sting operation to catch the vandals at night using night-vision cameras and dogs!

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by jlousa

There is still a bit of work to do, lighting, and greenery are still to come. This path will be pretty popular come spring.

I'll be riding it within a week or so, once this current batch of snow melts... i'll take some pics if I remember to bring my camera and my hands arent TOO cold.

[deasine]

Thanks in advance!