Tuesday, June 15th marked the first official day of the new bi-directional, separated bicycle lane on Dunsmuir Street in Downtown Vancouver. The new bike lane features three different types of barriers: planters, a median with on-street bike racks, or simply a painted median. The barriers separate cyclists from motor vehicle traffic. “With this lane, cyclists now have a convenient and safe route into downtown Vancouver from the east side, and that has been a long time coming,” Mayor Greg Robertson said at the event celebrating the opening at the intersection of Dunsmuir and Granville streets.
Bicycles locked in the new bike racks along the new Dunsmuir Streetseparated bike lane. Photograph courtesy of Ken Ohrn
Mayor Gregor Robertson and City Councillor Geoff Meggs led a group ride from the Wilder Snail in Strathcona along the bi-directional, separated Dunsmuir Viaduct bicycle lane (opened in March) and onto the new portion of the bike lane running through Downtown from Beatty Street to Hornby Street. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the City of Vancouver hosted an Urban Bike Fair at Granville and Robson that showcased the latest in urban bicycles, featured a Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition Streetwise Cycling course and a bicycle bus rack demo.
separated bike lane. Photograph courtesy of Ken Ohrn
A number of media covered the event, including Vancouver’s own transportation cycling and bike culture magazine, Momentum Magazine – New Separated Bike Lane Opens in Downtown Vancouver. Of special note is the Vancouver Sun article submitted by Councillor Geoff Meggs that dispels the myth by some people that cyclists do not pay for their share of the road – Cyclists are not freeloaders.
The City of Vancouver’s Cycling website has information on the new bike lane, including a video that explains some of the new and unique features of the lane. Check it out! Separated bike lane on Dunsmuir Street now open.
Let City Hall know how you feel about this bold step to improve the comfort and safety of cyclists in Vancouver by sending an email tomayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca. Other ways to provide your feedback include filling in an online survey, emailing cycling@vancouver.ca, or calling 3-1-1.