After hitting the brakes once already this week, it is expected Vancouver city council will make a decision about a controversial pilot project to dedicate traffic lanes to cyclists on a downtown bridge.
Councillors were supposed to vote Tuesday on a proposal that would see one or two lanes of the Burrard St. Bridge converted for bike traffic but the decision was postponed until Thursday because the meeting was overwhelmed with cyclists.
If the $1.45 million decision is passed, it will start in June.
Since its inception, the proposal has been criticized by commuters who fear it would increase gridlock on the busy bridge leading to the downtown core. Cyclists maintain the bridge in its current state is dangerous and more room is needed for two-wheeled commuters.
Council approved a similar trial in 1996 but scrapped it a week later after vociferous reaction from motorists.
Councillors are considering three options. The first would see both outside vehicle lanes closed and converted to bike lanes -- one going north and the other south.
The second option would see just the far west vehicle lane closed and divided in half to facilitate two-way bike traffic.
The third option is the most complex and is most likely to be approved:
- The far-west vehicle lane closed and changed into a south-bound bike lane.
- The east sidewalk would also be closed and converted into a route for bikes heading north into downtown.
- This option would leave the west sidewalk for use by pedestrians only.
The length of time of the bike-lane trial has not yet been decided.
With files from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart and Renu Bakshi
