In response, several cities around the world have taken action to reallocate street space for pedestrian and cycling usage. The reallocation of street right-of-way involves taking road space normally allocated to cars and opening it for walking and biking. During normal times, street reallocation work – which goes by several names, including “open streets”, “road dieting”, “complete streets” – is an important means of re-balancing street design to ensure the safety and comfort of people using all modes of travel. Now, with the intense challenges imposed by coronavirus, this approach has become an even more important tool in supporting public safety. Creating safe and open streets for our residents and workers is essential to the well-being of our city.

:: READ Creating Safe and Open Streets for Walking and Biking – VPSN Recommendations – Updated Draft (PDF)

Street reallocation is important because it helps to ensure safe physical distancing measures for residents and workers, enable mobility equity for key neighbourhoods and communities, and support to physical and mental health at a time when regular access to recreation is significantly compromised.

As we noted in an earlier article on the subject, several cities have taken proactive steps in this regard. There have been some new additions in the last few days:

• Denver, has re-designating over 20km of street right-of-way for walking and biking use;
• Minneapolis has (to date) the largest North American street reallocation initiative underway, covering approximately 30km of partial and full open streets;
• Bogota, Columbia created over 75km of new temporary bike lanes to support cycling and walking;
• Calgary has been testing weekend road reallocations to help residents maintain social distance since late March;
• Winnipeg is encouraging safe walking and biking by closing four streets to car traffic;
• Other cities, are discussing or implementing these sorts of strategies, including Toronto, Seattle, Portland, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.

Here, in Vancouver, the there is a critical need for the City of Vancouver – including elected officials and policy makers at City Hall and the Park Board – to show leadership in the reallocation of street right-of-way for pedestrians and cyclists in order to keep residents and workers safe. To date, some initial moves have been made:

• Car access to Queen Elizabeth Park and parking at other high destination parks (started: March 22, 2020)
• Reallocating roadways in Stanley Park (beginning: April 7, 2020)

However, we argue that the process of expanding walking and biking opportunities needs to be more comprehensive. There are four distinct and inter-related areas activities that need to be considered. Each of these requires the reallocation of road space for walk-bike use, but does so with the objective of supporting residents and workers (particularly those employed in essential or front-line services) in different ways. These are focused on providing safe routes for:

1. Accessing Daily Needs in commercial areas by strategically widening sidewalks in key locations;
2. Commuting to/from places of work via active transportation modes (i.e. for workers in essential services such as grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare offices, other critical employment areas); (i.e. shops, healthcare offices, other critical employment areas);
3. Maintaining Physical and Mental Health – By providing additional space on the Seawall, Greenways, bike routes, neighbourhood designated pedestrian routes, and other pathways – to enable residents across the city to walk and bike for well-being;
4. Address Neighbourhood and Mobility-based Equity Considerations – by prioritizing areas where these interventions will support residents and workers that are most at risk.

To support the response to COVID-19, we put together a set of recommended approaches to Creating Safe and Open Streets for Walking and Biking in Vancouver. A first draft of this document was released on March 27, 2020, and this version has been revised based on the important feedback we received. The updated document sets out key goals and objectives, as well as an overview of potential tactics, locations, and types of support needed (in other words: the “what”, “why”, “how”, “where”, and “who” of reallocating street space to increase public safety).

We will continue to review and modify the document to reflect best practices around safe and open streets. We welcome any constructive feedback you might have. You can email us at info@vancouverpublicspace.ca.

:: DOWNLOAD Creating Safe and Open Streets for Walking and Biking – VPSN Recommendations (PDF)

Note: On May 6, the Province of BC announced details of “Restart BC”, which will see a phased re-opening of businesses, services and other amenities, starting in mid-May. The plan references different types of public spaces, including museums, art galleries, libraries, and other outdoor spaces. Specific details on Vancouver’s response are expected shortly.

Updated May 7, 2020.

The following facilities and programs are CLOSED, CANCELLED or SUSPENDED until further notice:

Parks, Other Public Spaces and Outdoor Recreation Facilities

• Park Board community centres (except those listed below), pools, fitness centres, and ice rinks – as well as field houses and change rooms
• City of Vancouver Langara Golf Courses – currently closed, but slated to re-open May 15 (announced May 7)
• All outdoor recreation facilities within parks and beaches, including volleyball, skateparks, field sports, tennis, and more. (As of Sunday, March 22)
• Parking facilities at high-traffic parks, (in particular: Kits Beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, English Bay, Jericho Beach, Locarno Beach, the Seawall, Stanley Park, and VanDusen Botanical Garden). (As of Sunday, March 22)
• All playgrounds (as of Friday, March 20)
• Several dog parks (where it’s a challenge to maintain safe physical distancing). Off-leash areas at Stanley, Emery Barnes, Sunset Beach, Hinge Park (Olympic Village), Andy Livingstone, Nelson, and Sunset Parks are now closed. Other dog parks remain open. (As of Wednesday, March 25)
• All permitted events at Park Board sports fields and parks are cancelled
• Attractions such as the Bloedel Conservatory and the Stanley Park Train
• Park Board day camps are working towards closure for end of day, Friday March 20
• Most, but not all Provincial Parks (limited access to Mt. Seymour and Cypress) -
• Parklets located on city streets are closed for everything but through traffic. Seating has been removed (via City social media 2 Apr, 2020)

Transportation-related

• Car access to Stanley Park has been closed (except for the Stanley Park Causeway) (As of 7-Apr) (Details)
• Car access to Beach Avenue (Hornby to Stanley Park) closed (As of 9-Apr)
• Several Bus Routes have been suspended or are operating with reduced service (Details via Translink)

Civic Facilities and other Publicly Accessible Buildings

• Vancouver Public Library central and branch libraries
• Vancouver Civic Theatres
• Neighbourhood Houses, and community facilities such as the Aboriginal Friendship Centre
• Community Centres (as noted above)
• Vancouver Coastal Health and the City of Vancouver have also ordered ALL bars closed, as well as table service at restaurants (take out and delivery are still allowed).

Civic Meetings & Events; Other Public Gatherings

• Meetings related to any Council-appointed advisory committees, boards or commissions
• Open houses, workshops, pop-up and street activities, along with rezoning open houses

Public Gatherings

• Any gatherings of 50 or more people are banned, and permits for any such events have been revoked. Gatherings of any size are strongly discouraged by BC’s Medical Health Officer (article) (3/31)

Other Services

• Memorial services at Mountain View Cemetery

The following currently remain OPEN (pending further announcements)

• All parks, plazas and streets (except playgrounds, selected dog parks, outdoor recreation facilities, and parking lots in high-traffic parks)
• Park washrooms
• City of Vancouver Golf Courses – Fraserview and McCleery golf-courses re-opened (with restrictions) on May 1. (Announced April 27); Langara course will re-open May 15 (announced May 7).
• Library – online/digital library services
• Evelyn Saller, Carnegie, and Gathering Place Community Centres remain open to deliver essential services; however reduced hours are in effect.
• Roundhouse and Coal Harbour Community Centres – have been opened as emergency response centres in order to create additional capacity and provide a safer place for those experiencing homelessness. The centres will be referral-only, staffed 24/7 and have been set up to help reduce the chance of transmission of COVID-19.
• Public access to the City of Vancouver Services Centre, Revenue Services, Engineering Services at Crossroads will be limited to appointments and this City is working to implement digital solutions such as video conferencing and greater use of phone and email
• Via Translink: transit service is now free. Note that several routes have been suspended or are operating with reduced service (Details). Bus service: overall capacities per bus have been reduced to support physical distancing requirements; patrons are also being asked to board through the rear doors of buses. You can also check out this handy guide from Moving in a Liveble Region about regional transportation options
• Regional public spaces: Metro Vancouver parks remain open. ; limited access to BC Parks (Mt. Seymour and Cypress)
• Walk and roll, and bike access only to Beach Avenue (Hornby to Stanley Park) and most roads in Stanley Park (except Stanley Park Causeway) (as of 7/8-Apr).

In all cases, users of public space are asked to maintain sensible Physical Distancing (aka “Social Distancing”). Keep at least 2 metres distance from other people. In addition, always undertake basic prevention techniques, including proper and regular hand-washing, good respiratory hygiene, and avoid touching your face.

More Information:

• City of Vancouver – vancouver.ca/covid19 or twitter @cityofvancouver
• Vancouver Coastal Health – COVID-19 updates
• BC Centre for Disease Control

Key Vancouver public spaces are being closed as part of the City’s response to COVID-19. While outdoor spaces such as parks, plazas and streets remain open, major facilities and amenities such as libraries, civic theatres, sports fields, and field houses will be closed until further notice.

The following media release was issued by the City of Vancouver on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 12:30pm:

City closes all VPL, Civic Theatre and Park Board facilities to the public

Effective immediately, the City is closing or limiting public access to a number of its facilities to curb the potential spread of COVID-19 and ensure that resources can be focused on supporting essential operations.

Included in the list of closures effective today are:

• Park Board community centres, pools, fitness centres, ice rinks, and golf courses will be closed
• All Vancouver Public Library locations will be closed as of 1:30 pm March 16 (all digital services, and email and phone reference will be available)
• All Vancouver Civic Theatres will be closed
• All permitted events at Park Board sports fields and parks will be cancelled
• Park Board field houses and change rooms will be closed, park washrooms will remain open
• Attractions such as Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, the Bloedel Conservatory and the Stanley Park Train will be closed to the public
• Please note anyone who has already paid for a program or permit at a closed Park Board location will receive a full refund. Ticketholders for Vancouver Civic Theatre events are asked to contact the box office or point of purchase.

All other City service and facilities not referenced above remain operational at this time, although service delivery may be adjusted as appropriate to support social distancing.

Park Board day camps and licensed childcare will remain open until further notice, but new registrations will not be accepted.

Evelyn Saller, Carnegie and Gathering Place Community Centres will remain open to deliver essential services such as food, shelter and hygiene programs, but recreation and social programs will not operate at these locations

Speaking about the closures, Mayor Kennedy Stewart said: “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to suspend many non-essential programs and close most civic facilities,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. “Now more than ever, we need to be thinking of how we can help each other. If you have an elderly neighbour, or someone who has medical issues, ask them if they’re OK, ask them if they need anything.”

City Manager Sadhu Johnston, said: ‘Our foremost priorities are the safety of residents and the continuity of the essential services that the City is providing, particularly those that support residents who are most at risk. Closing these facilities will allow us to focus staffing and resources on our most essential operations.”

You can check the status of City facilities, events and services at vancouver.ca/covid19 which is updated regularly.

Residents are encouraged to follow @CityofVancouver on Twitter to receive the latest updates on COVID-19 response.

The City of Vancouver continues to work with public health officials and multiple partners on the COVID-19 response. There is the potential for further service closures in the days to come as we make every effort to ensure essential services are maintained to the highest level.