The Province has committed to improving safety along the Stanley Park causeway.
The project was prompted by the tragic death of a 61-year-old cyclist last May.
Surveying is slated to begin later this month. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says they will spend three weeks looking at the existing infrastructure along the 2.2 km causeway. This will be followed by an environmental assessment and an archaeological review in March.
Traffic is not expected to be affected by the work.
This is welcome news for cyclists and advocacy groups in Vancouver and on the North Shore.
Erin O’Melinn is the executive director of HUB, a Vancouver-area cycling education and advocacy group.
O’Melinn says HUB receives regular reports from cyclists that they feel unsafe on the causeway. “You’re on a very narrow shared sidewalk and there’s no barrier between you and the very fast-moving, loud traffic.”
HUB is hoping for two major improvements – the construction of a barrier separating the sidewalk from the motorist roadway, and a wider sidewalk that comfortably accommodates cyclists and pedestrians. Since the tragic cycling accident last spring, the only safety measures taken include the repainting of a stencilled line encouraging cyclists to stay away from the edge of the sidewalk.
The Ministry of Transportation told the Vancouver Sun that members of the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on any proposed improvements later this spring.
