Broadway bike lanes voted down at Vancouver city council
Posted March 30, 2023 4:13 pm.
Last Updated March 30, 2023 4:54 pm.
You won’t see separated bike lanes along Broadway in Vancouver any time soon.
The ruling ABC majority has voted in favour of a staff recommendation to not build bike lanes along the corridor following the completion of the Millenium Line extension. There remains a possibility the lanes are added at a later date.
#VanCityCouncil approves the main motion on agenda item 2 – Broadway Active Transportation Lanes – Next Steps, with the amendment.
— Vancouver City Clerk (@VanCityClerk) March 30, 2023
However, Coun. Christine Boyle doesn’t think that will happen.
“I just have no confidence based on what I’ve seen or heard from them that we’ll see it built any time soon,” she told CityNews following the vote.
“This is a short-sighted decision that puts all road users at risk but especially people using scooters, people riding bicycles. I think it’s a backward decision that we will regret.”
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade previously told CityNews the idea was misguided, mainly because there are already many bike lanes on roads parallel to Broadway that are in use. Boyle argues, however, that because of the number of businesses along Broadway, it should be welcoming to active transportation users.
“What we heard really clearly from speakers yesterday is that people want to use Broadway because that’s where they’re accessing shops and services and safe active transportation infrastructure on Broadway would be great for business,” she said. “It really puts everyone at risk because there’s a lack of choices.”
It’s not the first time an ABC Party-led governing body has voted against bike lanes. In February, the Vancouver Park Board voted to take out the bike lanes in Stanley Park.
Boyle thinks that decision, along with the recent vote on the Broadway lanes, do not bode well for future active transportation projects in Vancouver.
“While ABC wants to be seen as supportive on active transportation and climate, so far their voting record does not reflect that,” she said.
