Hot Spots
The Hot Spots page is a collection of specific locations throughout the North Shore where improvements are needed. If you would like to report additional problem areas for cyclists, please send an email to northshore@bikehub.ca. You can also come to one of our monthly Meetings and help advocate for improvements.
Current #Ungapthemap list 2016 http://wiki.bikehub.ca/northshore/images/b/b8/HUB_Cycling_Gap_List_2016.xls
District of North Vancouver
Upper Capilano Road
Location:
Issues:
HUB Objectives:
- Extend bike lanes from Highway 1 overpass north to Grouse Mountain base
Marine Drive: Lions Gate to Bewicke
Location:
description and google map?
Issue:
What is wrong?
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Lions Gate to Capilano Road construction is now completed
What else is required?
Responsible Bodies:
- DNV
- BC MOTI
Access from Pemberton Heights to Capilano Rd
Location:
Keith Rd and the Hwy 1 access ramp to Capilano Rd.
Issue: Residents of Pemberton Heights do not have a safe means to access Capilano Road. The steep escarpment on the south perimeter of the area prohibits direct access to Marine Dr and points beyond. The only reasonable cycling accesses for Pemberton Heights are Mackay Ave on the east and the Highway 1 ramp to Capilano Road on the west. Enhancing access here would also open up cycling routes utilizing the Phillip Ave tunnel, the Pemberton overpass and the path along the south side of the highway from Lloyd Ave to Mosquito Creek.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Continuation of the northbound cycling lane on Capilano Rd as a multi-use pathway to W Keith Rd and 23rd St
- Zebra at intersection of 23rd and Keith Rd to facilitate crossing from the proposed MUP to the trail to 23rd st
- Painted cycle lanes on W Keith Rd
- Cyclist accessible signal button and crossing at south side of intersection on Capilano Road for access to/from the southbound cycling lane on Capilano Road.
Discussion
- Jay MacDonald has had several conversations with Patrick Golier of DNV regarding access between Pemberton Heights and Capilano Rd.
- Curb drops have been added at both ends of the path
- The mid-point barricades have been shifted to allow safer passage of bicycles
- The trail has been widened on the east side
- Way finding signs have been installed
Responsible Bodies:
- District of North Vancouver
- BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Trail between Tatlow Ave and Capilano Rd
Location:
At the north end of Tatlow Ave is a convenient trail that connects to Capilano Road opposite Graveley St. The trail is rumoured to be off limits to bicycles (certainly the trail east of Tatlow is, and is signed as such). This is a perfect connector for bicycle traffic coming from Marine Drive to Capilano Road.
Issue:
- Need to confirm that this is not off limits to bicycles. If so this is just a short cut.
- Access to the trail from Graveley St requires crossing Capilano Rd at a busy spot. A signal or a tunnel would help.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Sign and maintain it as a bike route
- Safe crossing of Capilano Rd
Responsible Bodies:
- District of North Vancouver
Lillooet Road
- Lillooet Road bike path complete to Lillooet Place driveway, from there paved multi-use path to Cap U soccer field. Connection to Capilano U campus still missing (2013)
Location:
- Lillooet Road is the main access road for traffic headed for Capilano University, the residential neighbourhood next to the university, and the LSCR.
Issues:
- No bike lane or other facilities between Lillooet Place driveway and Purcell Way. Especially problematic at intersection with Purcell Way (north bound). On-road cyclists use the right turn lane to go straight (not legal) because they don't want to block the other lane while going uphill at slow speed. Many other cyclists use the sidewalk because the road is unsafe.
- When going south and downhill, it can be difficult for cyclists to find the correct position on the road because the number and width of the lanes varies between Purcell Way and Mt Seymour Parkway. Taking the lane near Purcell is necessary because the lane is too narrow with on-street parking, can be intimidating with heavy car and bus traffic from the university.
- When going south, the painted bike symbols between Inter River Road and Purcell Way are located in the door zone of the parked cars.
- Insufficient signage
HUB Objectives:
- For northbound (uphill) cyclists: Continue separate paved bike path along Lillooet Rd from Lilloet Place driveway to Purcell Way; more sharrows between Purcell Way and cemetery entrance.
- For southbound (downhill) cyclists: Sharrows on Lillooet Rd between Purcell Way and Mt Seymour Parkway; correct sharrow placement between cemetery and Purcell Way.
- Remove on-street parking (about 9 spots) on west side of Lillooet Rd, just south of Purcell Way to allow side-by-side sharing with cars.
- Signage to destinations and other bike routes
Responsible Bodies:
- District of North Vancouver
Old Lillooet Road
Location:
- Old Lillooet Road is the shortest route between Capilano University, the Lynnmour neighbourhood and shops & services on Main St, at Park & Tilford and west-bound bike routes.
Issues:
- No bike lane on steep uphill, which is also a bus route
- No signage
HUB Objectives:
- Uphill painted bike lane north of Holiday Inn where road is wide enough
- Signage to important destinations and other bike routes, especially to the bridge underpasses at Hwy 1 and Keith Rd.
Responsible Bodies:
- District of North Vancouver
Fern Street / Mountain Highway
Location:
- Fern St between Hwy 1 overpass and Mountain Highway; Mountain Highway between Fern St and East Keith Rd.
Issues:
- No safe bike routes available, sidewalk riding common
- Crosswalk push button on Fern St at Orwell ramp is not visible and hard to use when coming up from Orwell
- Roads may change with planned highrise development on Fern St and proposed Highway 1 interchange re-design
HUB Objectives:
- Infrastructure needed for safe and convenient north-south connection (Orwell St to E Keith Rd and bridge underpasses) and east-west connection (Mountain Highway to Mount Seymour Parkway/Superstore area)
- Relocate push button at Fern St crosswalk (at Orwell ramp) so it is not hidden, or add a sign
Responsible Bodies:
- District of North Vancouver
- BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Orwell Street
Location:
- Between the park & ride lot at Phibbs exchange to the south and Fern St to the north.
- Orwell St is a quiet off road alternative to Mountain Highway with almost no car traffic.
Issues:
- Curbs across path need to be removed
- Bad path surface
- Trail too narrow in places
- Cars park across path entrances
HUB Objectives:
- Paved multi-use path along Orwell St alignment
- Signage
Responsible Bodies:
- District of North Vancouver
Ironworkers Memorial (Second Narrows) Bridge
Location:
- Major connector route along Highway 1 between North Vancouver and Vancouver/Burnaby over Burrard Inlet.
Issues:
- Sidewalks are very narrow.
- Two cyclists going into the same direction cannot pass, which is a problem given the length and elevation gain of the bridge.
- Two way cycling is allowed where two cyclists or a cyclist and a pedestrian can't safely pass.
- Approaches and exits are dangerous and difficult.
- Way-finding signage to and from bridge is insufficient.
==> More details and background information are available on this page.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Wider riding path that allows cyclists to pass.
- Improved infrastructure to accommodate cyclists from all directions to safely reach objectives
- Better way-finding signage.
Responsible Bodies:
- BC MOTI
- District of North Vancouver (DNV)
- City of Vancouver (COV)
Aerial view of North End
Aerial view of South End
Looking up from North West end underneath IWMB
Overpass over Hwy 1 at Lynn Valley
Location:
- Lynn Valley Rd crosses under Hwy 1.
Issues:
- Getting from Lynn Valley to south of the Upper Levels Highway is difficult and dangerous.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- A safe and easy route is needed, preferably an overpass.
Responsible Bodies:
- DNV
- CNV
- BC MOTI
City of North Vancouver
Low Level Road Project
Check also the Low Level Road Project page.
Location:
- Low Level Road runs along the railway tracks and the waterfront escarpment, between Cotton Drive in the east and Esplanade in the west.
- Low Level Road is a key section of the essentially flat east-west bike route through North Vancouver, which provides connections to Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and Lions Gate Bridge.
- Port Metro Vancouver plans to raise and move Low Level Road north (to where the escarpment currently is) to increase rail capacity. The public consultation guide is on the Port Metro Vancouver website.
Issues:
- While the project would eliminate water pooling and widen bike lanes, it does not provide cycling facilities that most people prefer or would use (UBC (2006), Cycling Motivators and Deterrents in Metro Vancouver).
- Cycling beside fast moving vehicles, especially semi-trailer trucks, can be very intimidating. Especially when traveling west, cycling on a painted bike lane between fast moving traffic and a high retaining wall would be frightening to most people.
- The Spirit Trail above Low Level Road is a nice recreational trail for some trips by bike, but it is a much steeper and less direct route. It does not connect well with Cotton Drive and Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. It is secluded and unlit, which is deters use for a significant part of the year.
- The project plan does not provide for pedestrian facilities on Low Level Road, except at the eastern end between Neptune Terminal and Cotton Drive.
HUB-NS Objectives:
The HUB North Shore Committee strongly recommends a separated 4.5 metre path on the south side of the new Low Level Road. Westbound cyclists who prefer using the road instead of the path would still be able to use the paved wide shoulder on the north side. This recommendation is supported by the BC Cycling Coalition and is similar to designs of other new and proposed major infrastructure projects in Metro Vancouver.
Please see the pdf files below for a full documentation of our response to the public consultation hosted by Port Metro Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver.
Feedback to the Low Level Road Project
Presentation to Council April 18, 2011
Responsible Bodies:
- City of North Vancouver
- Port Metro Vancouver
Signal at Lonsdale and 27th
Location:
Intersection of Lonsdale Ave and 27th St
Issue:
- 27th St is a designated bicycle route but the signal is only accessible to pedestrians on the north side of 27th St. If you are east bound on a bicycle then you must either chance a crossing on a notoriously busy street or cross 27th and ride up on the sidewalk to access the signal. This is dangerous and inconvenient.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Need a bike accessible signal button or sweet spot on the south side of 27th
Discussion
- This was introduced and briefly discussed at the March 2010 JBAC meeting. Response was "...that the City cannot afford this as a Capital item, but it could be done if there is re-development in the vicinity or when the lights need refurbishment."
Responsible Bodies:
- CNV
Two-way Cycling on 25th St
Location:
25th St next to the Upper Levels between Ridgeway Ave and Westview Dr
Issue:
- 25th St is a perfect connector between Westview Dr and the trail between Tempe Glen and 25th. Current designated bike route diverts to 27th which takes the rider several blocks out of his way and introduces hills.
- Creating a proper 2-way bike lane along 25th St makes the most sense for a connector route between Lynn Valley and Westview centres, which is one of the objectives of the Official Community Plan.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Lobby to get 2-way bike lanes along 25th St
Discussion
- This was discussed at the March 2010 JBAC meeting. The response was "...the City staff have been looking at this already and some designs are being drafted up."
- Jay MacDonald contact Daniel Watson at the City regarding the plans. Response was "We’re still in the conceptual design phase for west 25th Street and haven’t yet secured any capital funds allocated towards the project. I would like to hear your ideas though, if you have time please pass them on and we can add them to the mix."
Responsible Bodies:
- CNV
- BC MOTI
Trail Connecting Tempe Glen Dr and 25th St (aka Bark Mulch Trail)
Location:
Between Tempe Glen Dr and 25th St next to the Upper Levels
Issue:
- The trail can get really muddy, overgrown and dangerous.
- Is part of a dedicated cycling route on the 2006 Bicycle Master Plan
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Needs to be improved, preferably with a gravel road grade or paved.
- Regular pruning back of vegetation is needed.
- Access at west end requires sidewalk riding - advocate for curb drops to enhance access.
Responsible Bodies:
- BC MOTI
East Keith Road
Location:
- East Keith Road between Grand Boulevard and Mountain Highway (west of Keith bridge across Lynn Creek)
- Repaving is underway as of 14 Sept 2011 between Sutherland and Brooksbank (joint CNV/DNV project)
Issues:
- No direct bike route exists between Lynnmour, Keith-Lynn and Central Lonsdale
- Cars speeding going up Keith hill (westbound), eastbound lane too narrow for cars to pass cyclists
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Bike lanes on East Keith Rd between Lynn Creek and Grand Boulevard (westbound will be a dedicated lane, eastbound will be a wide shared lane according to summer 2011 plan)
- Bike lanes and bike boxes at the following intersections:
- Keith Rd and Mountain Highway
- Keith Rd and Brooksbank Ave
- Continuation of bike route west to Marine Drive
Responsible Bodies:
- CNV
- DNV
Brooksbank Ave
Location:
- Brooksbank Ave between East Keith Rd and Cotton Dr
- The Park & Tilford shopping centre and many other stores and services are located on Brooksbank Ave
Issues:
- No infrastructure for cyclists on this fairly busy four-lane street
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Bike boxes at intersections with Keith Rd and Cotton Dr
- Bike lanes on Brooksbank Ave
- These facilities would connect with existing bike routes on Keith Rd and Cotton Dr
Responsible Bodies:
- CNV
3rd & Forbes
Location:
Between TBC
Google map REQD
Issue:
- The CNV plans to address pedestrian and cycling facility issues. Proposed improvements are discussed in the material presented at an open house forum http://www.cnv.org//server.aspx?c=3&i=694
HUB-NS Objectives:
- Needs to be improved ideally providing cycling routes that do not share with pedestrians
Responsible Bodies:
- City of North Vancouver
West Vancouver
Park Royal - Proposed Cycling Infrastructure Plans
Cycling Route Drawings:
Pavement Markings
File:Park Royal North detailed traffic planL1r2Bike.pdf
File:Park Royal Village east 13-812. PAVEMENT MARKING-02.pdf
File:Park Royal Village west 13-812. PAVEMENT MARKING-01.pdf
Example from MacKay Avenue of a green sharrow that could be used on Park Royal's middle of road bike lanes:
Location:
Mostly through Park Royal South but some through Park Royal North
Issues:
Park Royal has prepared a plan, updated in June 2014, of planned bicycle routes through Park Royal South and North for both commuter and recreational cyclists
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Advocate for additional routes.
Responsible Bodies:
- Park Royal and the District of West Vancouver
Progress Updates
Photo of group ride participants [[File:
Report on Group ride on 17 July 2012[[File:
Marine Drive between Taylor Way, North Vancouver / Lions Gate Bridge
Location: Section of Marine Drive between Taylor Way in the District of West Vancouver and Capilano Road in the District of North Vancouver / Lions Gate Bridge.
Issue: This stretch of Marine Drive is one of the major conduits between West Vancouver and North Vancouver / Lions Gate Bridge. The current layout is dangerous. The new west bound Capilano river bridge is slated to include a 3.5m wide multi-use pedestrian/cycling pathway [1]. VACC-NS has initiated discussions with MOT to seek improvments to the bike plan. An email thread up to 19 August of discussions follows below.
- MoT report on planned improvements dated 23 September 2010: File:LGB improvments for cycling 23-09-10.pdf
- MoT construction drawing for ramp off the west end of the new Capilano bridge: File:Capilano Bridge ramp drawing 02-02-11.pdf
- Table of proposed improvements for cyclists on LGB - first drafted on 14 September 2010 and based on Group Ride on 9 September 2010
- Email thread with MOT about concerns 1-19 August 2010
---
Bayridge and Mathers
Location: description and google map?
Issue:
NS-VACC Objectives: Pave connector trail
Responsible Bodies:
- DWV
11th Street at Marine Drive
Location: 11th Street at Marine Drive in West Van has a pedestrian crossing signal.
Issue: This crossing light, which stops traffic for pedestrians crossing Marine Drive at 11th, is not accessible by cyclists. To access the button, cyclists traveling south on 11th must use the sidewalk from Esplanade down to be able to reach the switch.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Move the switch to a cycling friendly position on the curb, or create a let down on 11th so that cyclists can access the existing switch.
Responsible Bodies:
- DWV
Bridge between Ambleside and Park Royal
Location: This is a small bridge between the fields at Ambleside and the western end of Park Royal South. It is often used by people parking in the Park Royal lot and using the fields in Ambleside.
Issues:
- The east side approach got very muddy and was repaired with a river gravel that does not compact and is treacherous on a bicycle.
- The approach trail is not wheelchair friendly and can get slick and muddy for bicycles.
- The parking lot gets used by people using the fields and crossing the bridge. There is a "desire line" that has worn down the grass directly from the lot to the bridge. There should be steps or similar put in to accommodate this traffic.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- The river gravel needs to be removed and replaced with proper road grade or crushed gravel that will compact correctly and not roll under the wheels of a bicycle.
- The approach trail should be regraded and covered with road grade or crushed gravel or, better yet, paved for wheelchair access.
- Steps from parking lot should be built.
Responsible Bodies:
- DWV
Entrance to Spirit Trail at Park Royal
Location: Entrance to Spirit Trail off of Taylor Way extension at Wardance Road behind Park Royal Shopping Center in West Van
Google Map >> East End Spirit Trail Entrance at Park Royal
Issue: Cyclists riding east toward the Lion's Gate Bridge must jump a curb to get from the trail end to the roadway. This might encourage cyclists to take the sidewalk, which is too thin for bikes and pedestrians and is fairly well used. Cyclists riding west from North Vancouver or the bridge toward Ambleside must either cross over oncoming traffic and lift their bike onto the path, or cross oncoming traffic and use the wheel chair let down about 50 meters west of this pictured location. Either way this is unsafe.
NS-VACC Objectives: We know that an extension of the trail will occur in conjunction with a new foot / cycle only bridge across the Capilano River. This will likely fix the problem. In the meantime, though put in a letdown off the trail onto Wardance Street.
Responsible Bodies:
- DWV
- Park Royal?
1300 Block redevelopment on Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Location: Corner of Ambleside Park Drive and Argyle and 13th Street in West Vancouver.
Google Map >> Spirit Trail West End Ambleside Park
Issue: The Spirit Trail empties out onto a three-way corner with poor site lines from the North down 13th. Drivers coming down 13th into Ambleside Park do not know that cyclists will be crossing here.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Cycling/Pedestrian crossing signs and asphalt paint showing a crossing so that drivers understand they need to slow down because a cyclist or pedestrian may be coming through.
- Raised path over roadway so drivers are more aware that they are crossing a trail
Responsible Bodies:
- DWV
14th Street at Duchess
Location: North or southbound on 14th Street at Duchess in Ambleside, West Vancouver
Google Map >> Duchess and 14th St, West Vancouver
Issue: Bad sight lines prevent cyclists travelling North or South on 14th St. from seeing oncoming traffic when it is coming from the West. To see traffic, a cyclist must be almost in the middle of the intersection. Cars tend to slow at this intersection which is good, however I can see a potential accident occurring at this intersection.
NS-VACC Objectives: Move the stop signs to east west direction or make this a real 4-way stop.
Responsible Bodies:
- District of West Vancouver, Dept. of Transportation.
Upper Levels (Highway 1) sweeping of bike permitted section (resolved)
Location:
Highway 1 is 'bike-permitted' west of Capilano Road through West Vancouver in both directions
Issue: BC MOTI contracts Mainroad to sweep every 120 days which means there is often a buildup of small debris on the shoulders used by cyclists. NOTE Items heavier than 1kg (e.g rocks, car parts, branches, trash) are removed by Mainroad upon notice to the 24 hour hotline. Broken glass should be cleared by the towing company attending any accidents so advise the Mainroad hotline also. (see TBD page for details)
NS-VACC Objectives: VACC requests increased sweeping frequency on designated popular riding sections of the upper levels - either on demand or every 60 days
Responsible Bodies:
- Mainroad under contract to BC MOTI
Outome: Jesse Morwood, Area Manager, MOTI advised March 2011:
- 3 sweepings per year of shoulders on both sides of TCH over extent of section (existing arrangement)
- up to 2 additional sweepings per year of shoulders on designated bike permitted sections of TCH (as requested by VACC - details as per attached pdf)
Media:VACC NS TCH Sweeping.pdf
- the timing of these 2 additional sweepings is at the discretion of MOTI but cyclists can request them
- additional sweeping of shoulders each instance of the Whistler Gran Fondo on sections of TCH used by that event
What this means to cyclists using the upper levels:
- the upper levels will now be swept up to 6 times per year for known problem areas (approx. every 60 days)
- riders, especially those on road bikes with narrow tires, should notice a marked decrease in debris buildup on the TCH shoulders leading to greater safety, enjoyment and reduced likelihood of flats
- riders have a means to provide feedback to MOTI on the state of the TCH and request problem areas be swept
Thanks to BC MOTI and Mainroad for this improvement!
Upper Levels (Highway 1/99) Shoulder bike lanes in West Vancouver
Location: Entrances and exits from Highway 1/99 shoulder bike lane in West Vancouver.
Issue: Signs suggesting where cyclists should cross entrances and exits are fine but painted bike lanes would be an additional improvement
NS-VACC Objectives: Below is a photo of the painted bike lane at the eastbound entrance to Highway 1 at Capilano Road in the District of North Vancouver. Similar lane painting at entrances and exits along Highway 1 through West Vancouver would improve safety for cyclists.
Responsible Bodies:
BC MoT and Canada DoT
Upper Levels (Highway 1) 15th Street off-ramp (completed)
Location: Highway 1 is 'bike-permitted' west of Capilano Road through West Vancouver in both directions
Issue: At the 15th Street off-ramp there is a section of the highway with no shoulder to ride on westbound
NS-VACC Objectives: BC MOTI has been asked to look at options to extend the highway to provide a shoulder for cyclists
Responsible Bodies:
- BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Outome: Jesse Morwood, Area Manager, MOTI advised April 2011:
- a new paved path dedicated to cyclists has been installed across vacant land from the inner shoulder of the off-ramp to the highway shoulder, bypassing the section of highway with no shoulder
- feedback indicates the solution met cyclists' needs well
Thanks to BC MOTI for this change!
Low-hanging fruit bicycle route proposals for West Van - 8 December 2011
Location: Proposed Keith Road Bike Route
Description: The map shows this bicycle route and initially all it would need is bicycle route signage (see proposed locations on the map). If additional funds became available, here is a prioritized list of possible improvements to the route:
* improve the surface or pave the approximate 40 m section of unpaved roadway that is just north of Highway 1;
* because of the one-way traffic section between 12th and 13th Streets, there is enough road width to paint a line to create a 1.5 m bike lane on the south side.
This bike lane would have to end just before 12th Street due to the constriction created by raised pavement on the north side which at its narrowest point is about
3.5 m wide. A single-file sharrow could be painted on the road at this location;
* a painted bike box in the south lanes of Marine Drive at 13th Street would make it safer and easier for eastbound cyclists to turn left onto Keith Road and 13th Street;
* a cyclist-activated traffic signal capability at Taylor Way would be helpful;
* in conjunction with future housing developments, Evelyn Drive ,west of Taylor Way and Taylorwood, just east of Taylor Way, there may be an opportunity to widen
Keith Road adjacent to these developments to allow for the addition of sharrows or bike lanes; and
* if the raised pavement at 12th Street was removed and/or the section between 12th and 13th Streets repaved, I think that there would be enough room for
bike lanes (perhaps even separated bike lanes) on both sides of the road which would allow two-way bicycle traffic.
This bicycle route provides significant connection opportunities for cyclists at either end of the route. At the southwest end are connections to 13th Street (on the proposed Village Bike Loop), Marine Drive and the Spirit Trail. At the northeast end of the route are connections to Highway 1 west, the Capilano Pacific Trail and the north sidewalk across the bridge over the Capilano River. On the east side of the bridge are paved pathway connections to Capilano Road (north and to the southward bike lane), and Philip Avenue north toward Edgemont Boulevard and south through the tunnel under Highway 1 to Pemberton Heights and the 23rd Street bicycle route. This has become a favourite route for my frequent travels between my home in Ambleside and my daughter's home just east of the Lions Gate Hospital.
Location: Proposed Collingwood Bike Loop_12-12-11.jpg)
Description:
The map with proposed signage locations shows this loop which would serve to connect the dead ends of bike lanes on Stevens Drive and Deep Dene Road/Glenmore Drive (and its new single-file shared lanes on the corner joining the two streets). Also, this route would serve to direct cyclists to and from the important Trans Canada Trail connection to the Cleveland Dam and across it to Capilano Road in North Vancouver. Another beneficial feature of this loop is that it passes by Collingwood School and Glenmore Park. Having bike routes by schools and parks may help to motivate youth to take up cycling and perhaps even cycle to school. Furthermore, riding by schools is safer for cyclists because of the 30 km/hr speed limit.
Location: Proposed Village Bike Loop
Description:
The map shows the loop and its connectors with proposed signage locations. This 6.7 km loop can be ridden comfortably in 30 minutes. It connects five schools, the Memorial Library, the Silk Purse, the Ferry Building, the Police Station and runs along Bellevue and Argyle Avenues adjacent to Ambleside and Dundarave Villages. Additionally, the proposed Fulton Avenue connector passes by the Community Centre, Municipal Hall and the Fire Hall. Also shown on the map is the fact that it passes by and connects five parks: Hay Park, Chatwin Park, John Lawson Park, the parks at Dundarave and Ambleside and lastly, the Seawalk.
The loop can be accessed from the Spirit Trail, the existing marked east-west Bikeway, the Keith Road bicycle route and the signed bicycle routes on both sides of the Upper Levels Highway (at both 15th and 21st Streets). In addition to these connections to community facilities, a safety advantage of this loop for cyclists is the 30 km/hr speed zones and some existing traffic calming features in the vicinity of the five schools. Also, having a marked bicycle route passing alongside and connecting the five schools would serve as an incentive for students to ride their bikes to and from school. Furthermore, it is expect that the Spirit Trail is attracting a number of beginner and novice cyclists and as they gain confidence in their ability to ride a bicycle, they may be looking for other opportunities to cycle in the community. A Village Bike Loop could offer them this opportunity and riding around it could be facilitated by en route signage and by posting a map of it on the bike shelter notice board at the west end of the Spirit Trail and at the Community Centre.
This idea of a village loop emanated from discussions of the Strategic Transportation Plan Working Group when we were recommending the resurrection of the Village Walk pedestrian path around the village to encourage pedestrian travel. Also, some in the WG were proposing bike routes along Bellevue and Fulton Avenues and this feature has been incorporated into the Village Bike Loop. Finally, it was realized that a major community-based social marketing effort would be needed to get parents away from the habit of driving their children to school and having a network of bicycle routes connecting and passing by schools and parks would be helpful in this regard. An example of such an urban bike loop can be found in the city of Palm Springs where there are 5 bike loops (see: http://www.palmsprings.com/city/palmsprings/bikemap.html), each of them with distinctive signage.
While the proposed Village Bike Loop follows a number of the bicycle routes shown on the Greenway and Cycling map, these routes do not, in general, connect very well with all of the community facilities and some of these previously designated routes could be deleted. One observation is that the bicycle route on 14th Street is not used as much by cyclists as 13th Street and it does not connect as easily as 13th Street to the shared bike lanes on Marine Drive, the current western terminus of the Spirit Trail at Argyle and 13th and the Keith Road bike route. Furthermore, 14th Street does not go by Hollyburn and Ridgeview Schools and Chatwin Park. Esquimalt Avenue is not a very bicycle friendly route due to hills on either side of the creek at 19th Street and two pedestrian bridges, neither of which is wide enough to allow a cyclist to pass a pedestrian safely. One of the bridges is so narrow that a cyclist has to be quite skillful to cross it without the handle bars touching the fencing on either side of the bridge. Fulton Avenue is much more bicycle friendly, especially since the installation of the traffic circle at the intersection with 21st Street. Additionally, Fulton Avenue at 21st Street conveniently feeds directly into the surface and underground parking lots at the new Community Centre. Another bike route section that could be eliminated is 11th Street between Keith Road and Marine Drive which is very steep and does not connect easily with the Spirit Trail or the eastbound shared lane on Marine Drive.
Once established and signed, any additional bicycle infrastructure improvements along the Village Bike Loop and its connectors would be welcomed. An example would be cyclist-activated traffic signal capability where the route crosses Marine Drive at 13th, 21st and 25th Streets and at 15th and Mathers. A possible innovation would be to paint coloured lanes with embedded sharrows along those sections of the Village Bike Loop by schools where the speed limit is reduced to 30 km/hr. This would enhance overall safety in school zones and give visibility to the cycling mode of transportation, both of which respond to objectives of the Strategic Transportation Plan.
The map of the Village Bike Loop has been circulated to the VACC-NS email list serve, is on the VACC-NS wiki website and was included as part of an introductory VACC-NS delegation presentation to Council on 18 April 2011. One email comment from the list serve which was incorporated into the current version of the Loop was adding a connector route to the Upper Levels Highway by going east on Mathers Avenue then northwest along Nepal Crescent. This conveniently allows for a connection to the Loop from the unmarked bike route on 11th Street.
NS-VACC Objectives:On 9 December 2011, these proposed bicycle routes were sent by email to the recently established District of West Vancouver Cycling Plan Implementation Technical Committee for their consideration.
West Vancouver Cycling Network and Greenway Plan (2007)
Map of bicycle routes West Vancouver
Issue: Map needs to be reviewed and updated
NS-VACC Objectives: We need to ensure that the map is revised in a way that routes can be easily included in the bicycle route map for the North Shore
Responsible Bodies:
- District of West Vancouver
Proposed changes in the eastern half of the map
File:Cycling Network proposed changes.pdf
Resolved Hot Spots
Hot spots that have been fixed will be stored here for posterity
Southbound Access to Lions Gate Bridge (Completed)
Location: West side of the north end of Lions Gate Bridge
Issue: Approach to the bridge narrows suddenly by a barricade with nothing to prevent rider from falling into traffic compounded in poor visibility conditions.
Update: The NS-VACC wishes to thank the MoTI for the work put in to improving this major commuter route.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Low hanging fruit: put signs up to warn riders of narrow spot ahead and paint the barricade and curb top yellow for better visibility
- Long term objective: remove the barricade from the right side of the sidewalk and replace it with a fence that is built off of the walk itself (i.e. in the soil), thus reclaiming about 30cm of sidewalk.
Responsible Bodies:
- BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Capilano Road Improvements (completed)
Location:
Capilano Road between Fullerton and Hwy 1
Issue:
- Construction is now completed
- Highlights of the project include (taken from the web site at http://www.dnv.org/capilanoroad)"
- Reduction of a sharp curve in the roadway, which will reduce the risk of collisions and promote more consistent travel speeds;
- Addition of standard street lighting to improve visibility for all users;
- Installation of a traffic signal at 21st Street to facilitate safer vehicle access, allow for safer pedestrian crossings, and facilitate signal coordination;
- Reconstruction and widening of sidewalks on the east side, and construction of sidewalks at key locations on the west side;
- Construction of separate bicycle lanes on both sides of Capilano Road to reduce conflicts between drivers and cyclists and ensure safer travel for cyclists;
- Replacement of sections of storm sewers and watermains underneath Capilano Road; and
- Rehabilitation of the pavement along the roadway.
NS-VACC Objectives:
- Issue closed
Responsible Bodies:
- DNV