Vancouver to host open house to discuss upgrades, expansion of the downtown bike network on March 8

Hey, Vancouver riders and cycling advocates. What are you doing on Tuesday, March 8 between 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm, Pacific time?

That day, the city is conducting an open house to discuss upgrades to the downtown bike network.

In all, Vancouver’s plan for its bike infrastructure is expansive and comprehensive this summer, involving upgrades to key routes and the introduction of entirely new bike paths elsewhere. By summer 2016, the city’s website says, infrastructure upgrades are scheduled to be completed on Beatty Street and the southbound route of Richards Street, while new bike routes are planned to be installed on Cambie Street northbound, as well as eastbound on Nelson Street and westbound on Smithe.

Along with these improvements and new installations, Vancouver’s launch of its public bike-sharing system—something long-awaited, with development of the system having languished for years—brings another addition to city cycling that can be expected this summer.

Your feedback wanted re: DT bike network expansion – Open House Mar 8, 12-7pm https://t.co/nOkEyBRzPY #ungapthemap pic.twitter.com/u3JHNwjCTq

— HUB (@WeAreHub) March 3, 2016

To provide the details of this ongoing project, and specifically how it all falls under the umbrella of its Transportation 2040 initiative, the public is invited to an open house this Tuesday, March 8, at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre at 180 West Georgia Street. Along with a discussion of the project’s goals, which includes the provision of a safer, more comfortable cycling environment for riders of all ages and abilities and the reduction of conflicts between buses and cyclists, other priorities will be on the table. Gaps in the downtown bike network will no doubt be addressed, as will discussions of locations that should be connected to protected bike lanes.

Importantly, the open house will also be a forum for the public to offer feedback.

If interested parties can’t make it to the open house for any reason—work, for example, or school—the project team invites comments emailed by March 25 to downtownbikenetwork@vancouver.ca, and details of the event’s discussions and information will also be available online.