In arguing against action on the Burrard Bridge, to make it safe for cyclists and pedestrians, The Sun has it exactly backwards.
Let’s just stick to fixing the railings on Burrard Bridge
There is no evidence that widening the sidewalks will increase the numbers cycling or walking, but it’s a sure bet that vehicular traffic will grow.
If I were a Sun editorial writer, I wouldn’t take that bet.
In fact, the number of vehicles moving on the Downtown Peninsula has been dropping since the mid-1990s. Cycling has been the fastest growing mode of travel. And the Burrard Bridge would more than likely seen an explosion of cycling use if the route was separated and safe.
Resolving the Burrrard Bridge problem would simultaneously improve local air-quality, address climate change, reduce traffic congestion and promote public health. And yet The Sun is arguing that no action should be taken – other than to review some old reports.
At this time, on this planet, in this city, that is perverse.
No kidding. I live in the West End and am a chicken cyclist…. I avoid the Burrard Bridge completely because it feels so unsafe to me and if I need to get to Kits I take transit. Now, if there was a proper cycle lane, I’d cycle over for sure. I have to think there are others like me out there.
My home overlooks both Granville and Burrard Bridge, The Burrard Bridge in particular moves very, very slowly. Sometimes during any day of the week it looks like it is moving about 20 km/hr or less.
Burrard bridge is basically near broken for car commuting efficiency and shouldn’t be fixed in any way for car traffic. Encouraging cyclists will help. A lot of people still commute downtown alone in their cars.
I don’t like walking or biking on those bridges either because if I trip and fall – a car will most certainly hit me. It is not very safe. I would bike more if this happened.
Perverse …or calculating? The Sun reaps significant revenues from automotive advertising. Next to real estate, it must be one of the biggest categories. Denial? What denial. After all, who ever knew there was a leaky condo problem?
I bike across the Burrard Bridge every day. It is a scary place to bike. I am sure that many people refuse to bike to downtown because of that bridge.