A cold Sunday in March, time to check out the new, improved South False Creek Seawall in Vancouver. It’s fabulous. For me, the biggest improvement is for people on foot — no longer sharing a busy narrow space with people on bikes.
For me, what was once a 1975 design, a narrow shared path, rough-on-the hands, weaving among knots of people on foot, is now a smooth separated path where I can enjoy a unique and spectacular place.
It’s a real improvement, and all thanks to a multi-year effort involving major consultations with all involved groups of people who use this space.
Things to note: new cherry trees, lighting, more benches. Mode separation. At least one formerly inhospitable space transformed into something much more welcoming.
More on the project HERE. And photos below.
As usual, click on any photo to see a slide show of larger versions.
I haven’t seen it in person yet but soon.
It’s nice to see the pedestrian realm improved.
It is much better than before. It is not only cyclists who were asking for improvements, it makes it much safer for pedestrians as well. Now they just have to fix the missing link west though Hadden Park and Kits Beach.
The one problem I have run into is that in sections where there is just a painted line, I have seen a few near misses, when pedestrians blindly step onto the cycling path to pass oncoming pedestrians. If pedestrians keep right, this problem would likely be eliminated.
That’s an indicator that the pedestrian side isn’t wide enough. Was this at a pinch point?
It wasn’t at a pinch point. It was a family walking five abreast, as I was approachng while running. I moved to the right (no room elsewhere), hugging the line, as there was an oncoming cyclist and one of the five was about to move across the line into the path of the cyclist. I put up my hands and yelled STOP! (I stopped as well.) Scared the crap out of him, but he didn’t move anywhere and we all survived.
I must admit that pedestrians hogging sidewalks or paths (cyclists on paths are non immune to this either) is one of my pet peeves, especially the ones who refuse to give you room to safely pass, without having to jump over planters etc.
There are places where neither side is wide enough, but it was all about trade offs and retention of green space. It is fine now, but with expected growth in user numbers, it will get tighter over time.
People following trail etiquette would sure help, but I agree it is narrower than ideal in some locations. That being said, I think the city found a good balance.
It is spectacular. Even better when lane markings and crosswalks are painted, likely related to weather conditions. Looking forward to the Creekside Drive section as well.