The City of Vancouver plans to add a protected bike lane on Drake Street through Yaletown, from Pacific Blvd. to Burrard Street.
The city says the new bike lane will fill a major gap in the cycling network, linking a number of existing and future routes including Richards Street, the Burrard Street Bridge bike lane and the proposed Granville Bridge Connector — a separated cycling and pedestrian path on Granville Street.
The city says cycling volumes on Drake Street are the highest near Burrard Street; the only part of Drake Street with a separated bike lane. The short, separated lane runs one block from Burrard to Hornby.
Two options are being presented for public feedback, with the preferred option (bi-directional bike lane) changing Drake Street into a one-way street.
Option 1: Uni-directional Bike Lane (two-way street)
- Drake Street remains a two-way street
- More conflict areas decrease comfort for cyclists and motorists
- More complicated turn movements for bikes at key intersections
- Narrow buffer between those cycling and driving
- Retain less on-street parking (approx. 12 per cent of existing parking)
Option 2: Bi-directional Bike Lane Option (one-way street)
- Drake Street converted into one-way street (eastbound only)
- Fewer conflict areas increase comfort
- Simpler turn movements for bikes at key intersections
- Larger buffer between those cycling and driving
- Maintain sidewalk widths and improve curbs
- Space for a median with landscaping and potentially trees
- Four new right-turn lanes
- Retain more on-street parking (approximately 41 out of 82 parking spaces)
City staff will present a refined design to council in early 2020, with construction expected to be completed over the next two years.
To have your say on the two options, visit vancouver.ca/downtown-bike-network by July 22, 2019, or email: downtownbikenetwork@vancouver.ca
