Arbutus Greenway “Option Lands”

We were contacted by a few members who expressed some concern that this would mean that there wasn’t going to be a good link between the northern end of the greenway (currently designed up to W 5th Ave) and the Seawall.

Importantly, one of the primary objectives for the north end of the greenway is to connect it to the False Creek Seawall and Granville Island. The good news is that the approved Arbutus Greenway Design Vision does actually propose routing to make this connection – as illustrated in the map below.

Arbutus Greenway – Northern Extension options

The lands currently in question – known as the “option lands” – were part of the original negotiation with railway Canadian Pacific, and identified as such in during the public engagement process. The initial deal (“Purchase Agreement”) allowed CPR the potential to repurchase these lands if they were ever rezoned. This was seen as a trade-off in an overall negotiation that saw the City acquire the 9km corridor for public use. Without the “Option Lands” incentive, an agreement with CPR may not have been reached, as this formed a key part of the negotiation and meant the City was able to purchase the Corridor for $55m – roughly a third of what CPR had originally proposed.

As we understand it, part of what made this more palatable during negotiations were technical and safety concerns that the existing rail right-of-way was insufficiently wide, and challenged by unsafe street crossings, to accommodate the multi-modal aspirations associated with the greenway. Walking, biking, streetcar and other public realm improvements are meant to be part of the design, and the City engineers and designers wanted a route that could better accommodate these different modes.

Option Lands – Rail ROW looking south from W 2nd Ave

But with the proposed alternatives, the devil (as always) will be in the (design) details. The current proposal would see a (separated) cycling facility and a walking route to False Creek via Pine Street and West 1st Avenue, and potential for a walking route to False Creek and Granville Island under the Fir Street off-ramp. In the future, the proposed Arbutus line streetcar is also intended to link up with a wider streetcar network.

Given that these alternative north connection streets are also currently open to automobiles, and traverse light industrial and commercially-zoned areas, it will be particularly important to ensure a design that properly links the Arbutus Greenway experience to the waterfront (and back again). We would advocate for a design that has a strong pedestrian-primary focus, consistently separated “all ages and abilities” bike routing, clear routing for the future streetcar – and, yes, lots of greenery for the greenway.

Proposed Pine Street route for northern pedestrian connection. (At W 3rd, looking north). Source: Google Streetview.

Given the mix of existing activities and uses that surround the northern extension, the proposed routes each have their own challenges. In order to ensure the best possible array of design options are produced, we would recommend that the City hold off on its plans to de-list the aforementioned Arbutus lands from the Arbutus Corridor Official Development Plan until the design for the northern connection is complete. In the same vein, we think it would be similarly prudent to avoid the rezoning or sale of these lands until this important northern linkage is rolled out.

In the end, the option lands may be a legitimate way to finance – through rezoning and sale – some of the critical public space improvements that are coming with the Greenway. If a better, more inclusive and people-friendly route can be delivered on these adjacent streets, per the Arbutus Design Vision, then we think that’s an acceptable alternative. We know this is something that is a stated priority of the City. But in the meantime, until the northern connection(s) are in place, there’s no harm in keeping these lands on the table in case they are needed.

Cover image: “Option Lands” looking north along the rail right-of-way from W 4th Avenue. Source: Google Streetview

The intent is to reallocate a portion of one of the bridge’s southbound travel lanes (and south side off ramp) to create a southbound bike lane. This would create the opportunity for a separated bike lane and sidewalk on the west side of the bridge, while the east side would stay as it is. The approach would create improved separation between cyclists from pedestrians, enhancing overall safety. City staff suggest that the change would have a “minimal impact on motor vehicle capacity.”

Improvements to various connections at the north and south ends of the bridges are also discussed in the report (and in some cases already underway). To this end, we suggest that upgrades to existing bike lanes should also be considered as part of this initiative. In particular, the recently installed Smithe Street lane, with its partial separation of bikes and cars, and its blended bike/right turn lanes, can feel especially unsafe.

:: Read the City of Vancouver report – Cambie Bridge Interim Active Transportation Improvements

Photo by Gary Howe, Flickr, MyWheelsareTurning.

A few things to keep in mind that may help:

1. Make sure your brakes are in good working order (and that the road will let you stop). Go test the conditions in advance. If roads are just too icy for your bike, consider a different mode today. If things are looking viable, then when you use your brakes, make sure you give yourself extra time to stop. Leaving enough room to pump your brakes on and off also helps prevent sliding.
2. Let a bit of air out of your tires so that it is at the low end of your tires recommended range. This means there’s a bit more surface area to grab the road, but not so much that it makes it harder to ride. If you have the choice to take a mountain bike with bigger knobby tires, this will fare better than a road bike with skinny ones.
3. When taking corners, slow down! and make a wider turn if possible. It is much easier with frost to slide out to the side if you are making a sharp quick turn.
4. Take your time. Factor in some extra trip minutes to let yourself be safer.
5. Don’t forget to be visible to other road users – wear some reflective stuff, and use your lights (front and back and side if you can) any time the weather isn’t clear and bright.
6. Bundle up, leave early, and have fun!

What are some other tips for biking in cold, snowy and icy weather? Let us know! Leave a comment on this post or on our Facebook Page

Thursday November 17
7:00pm til late
Chapel Arts
304 Dunlevy St. Vancouver

The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition is throwing a party in the name of keeping the bike love coming!

Music, art, and drink inspired dance moves. Become a member and for the love of self-propelled transportation! learn who bike-friendly candidates are in the upcoming elections and VOTE on November 19.

$2 entrance fee, $5 suggested donation –or better yet! become a VACC member.
There will be free valet bike parking

They’d LOVE to see you there!