February 14, 2023 - (Vancouver, BC) The Vancouver Park Board Commissioners has voted to remove the bike lane on Stanley Park Drive. The Vancouver/UBC Local Committee of HUB Cycling is extremely disappointed that the Board has directed staff to take this action.
In choosing to pursue “Option C,” the Board is signaling that the environmental concerns, health and safety concerns, and the opinion of the overwhelming majority of people in Vancouver are not important to them.
The Board will be joining a small group of jurisdictions that are removing safe and comfortable active transportation protections at a time when most of the world has recognized the societal and environmental benefits of this sort of infrastructure and is rushing to expand alternative transportation choices.
In removing the temporary bike lane, and in the face of the overwhelming costs and time associated with implementing a permanent bike lane alongside two lanes of motor vehicle traffic, the Board has effectively jeopardized the safe and equitable use of the park by people on cycles.
A record number of people of all ages and abilities have been enjoying the comfort and safety of the temporary lane in the park over the past few years, and by removing this protection, the Board will be discouraging the use of the park using healthy and environmentally-friendly modes in favour of motor-vehicle use. During this time of environmental emergency, this is moving in the wrong direction.
A City of Vancouver report, also released yesterday, has highlighted our inability to meet the targets for tackling climate change. The decision to prioritize moving cars in Stanley Park instead of prioritizing the well-being of people and nature through safe active transportation and accessible public transit shows a lack of political will and bold leadership needed to build happier and healthier communities.
“We are deeply disappointed that the Park Board Commissioners are prioritizing two lanes of motor vehicle traffic in Stanley Park over the safety and comfort of vulnerable road users. This regressive move will discourage environmentally-friendly activities in the Park, will suppress the use of the park by children and families, older people, and people with disabilities, and flies in the face of the overwhelming support of the bike lane by the people of Vancouver,” said Lisa Slakov, the Vancouver/UBC HUB Local Committee Park Board Liaison.
