GC 2020
171 results found
-
Provide incentives to purchase electric vehicles (cars or bikes).
Many subsidies exist in the USA and Ontario. Vancouver will be one of the first markets to have the Nissan Leaf launch in, but we do not have any subsidies for EVs. Promote EVs now!
21 votes -
Paint bicycle lanes red
While concrete planters are very pretty and effective in protecting cyclists from motor traffic, they are also quite expensive and take up space to use everywhere. To increase the visibility of on-road and off-road bike paths, paving the bike routes will remind drivers there are cyclists coming by and raise the general prominence of this type of transportation while also allowing for a softer/ less resistance pavement to be used for smaller footprint/ lighter bicycles.
8 votesCity crews have marked potential conflict areas on the Dunsmuir separated bikeway—i.e. intersections, driveway paths, and bike boxes—in bright green. It’s intended to remind all users—cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians alike—to be a little more mindful in these areas.
This approach could be rolled out elsewhere if it is shown to be effective.
We have chosen the colour—a bright, reflective green that is visible even on dark, rainy winter days—as it is an emerging North American standard for cycling facilities. We’re moving away from the colour we used to use, red, since it has recently become the standard for transit. Blue designates special accessibility zones.
-
Reclaim road and/or parking space to create plazas and parklets.
Over 30% of the city's land is street space, and about half of that area is paved for roads. Vancouver should follow in the steps of cities like New York, San Francisco, and Paris, redefining public space to put people first.
Public plazas and parklets could be created by temporarily and inexpensively reclaiming paved areas using things like simple barriers, paint, potted plants, and movable furniture. If the new public spaces are successful, permanent reclaimation could be considered. San Francisco's Pavement to Parks program provides a great example for how this could be pursued.
Links: http://sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org/ (San Francisco Pavement to…
394 votesAn exciting idea!
-
Increase bike parking in high density residential areas
There is a real lack of bike parking in higher density residential areas of the City. Whenever I’m visiting friends in the West End I see bikes locked to trees, random railings and street signs. Encourage apartments, condos and co-ops to install visitor bike parking to make it more convenient for visitors to arrive by bike.
9 votesThe City has recently been focusing on increasing bike parking supply on key commercial corridors, such as Commercial Drive and Broadway. Once these areas are complete, we may consider opportunities to expand this program into high-density residential areas. However, we would start by encouraging building owners and managers to increase their own bike parking supply.
-
Expand the use of electric trolley buses and electric vehicles
One third of Vancouver’s greenhouse gas emissions come from vehicle use. Vancouver’s electricity is powered by relatively clean hydro-electric sources. Expanding the use of electric trolley buses and electric vehicles can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions related to vehicle use.
195 votes -
Stop making pedestrians push buttons at intersections with traffic lights
Pedestrians should not have to push the walk button at intersections with traffic lights, especially busy locations. Cambie and W Broadway is a prime example of this. Why is Vancouver making walking more of a hassle?
9 votes -
Provide abundant & secure bicycle parking at transit stations & other key locations.
For many people who live too far from a transit station to walk, cycling could be a great option--if they only had a safe place to leave their bike. Unfortunately bicycle theft is a common occurance in major cities, and Vancouver is no exception.
Abundant and secure bicycle parking (e.g. 'bike stations') should be provided at transit stations and other key locations throughout the city (e.g. downtown Granville Island). Security can be enhanced through smartcard access, security cameras, and/or an attendant. Depending on the location and demand, additional end-of-trip amenities such as lockers, showers, and repair shops could also be…
360 votesThis is acknowledged as a key strategy to better integrate cycling and transit. In 07/2009 the City committed some funding for secure parking facilities at Broadway-City Hall and Olympic Village Canada Line stations. The City has also conducted a feasibility study for a downtown bike centre.
-
Revamp the terrible, inaccurate, obstructive Translink website and mobile applications.
Translink.bc.ca belongs on the internet from 8 years ago. The interface is clunky and slow, frequently inaccurate (try catching a number 17 bus based on the site OR the txt service- you'll be waiting 25 minutes). I really want to use the transit system, but I find myself stymied by this terrible website every time.
These days there are plenty of examples of mobile and web interfaces that are more user friendly and convenient. The website is the FACE of translink for may of us, and it's an ugly and unfriendly face.
If there's no money for development, how about…
11 votesThis falls under TransLink’s jurisdiction.
-
Turn existing "bike streets" into proper separated bike routes
The network of bike streets is a great start, but drivers aggressively squeeze cyclists close to parked cars, increasing the risk of accident. Create physically separated bike lanes on these routes - perhaps by getting rid of one or both sides of street parking. (Or forbidding driving altogether on those routes!)
138 votesThanks for sharing this idea!
The city’s new active transportation plan will soon be in development, and hopefully completed within the next year.
A big part of the work ahead is to identify the complete cycling network, and the type of facility that is most appropriate and/or feasible for different routes. In some cases (e.g. busy arterial routes), separated lanes might be the best approach; in other cases (e.g. lower car volume neighbourhood streets), enhanced traffic calming and/or further reducing car access might be more appropriate. Travis cited some great examples in the Netherlands where cars are ‘guests’ that are allowed in, but do not dominate.
In all cases, the goal should be to make routes that feel safe to all potential cyclists, including beginners, children, and seniors.
For more information, visit http://vancouver.ca/cycling .
-
Higher parking fees / cheaper transit tickets
Unfortunately people are motivated by their wallets. When parking downtown is cheaper than the 4 bus tickets a couple needs to attend an event, they might choose to drive. (Ignoring of course purchase/operation costs of the car).
Raise parking prices and lower transit fees to encourage more people to shift to transit.
113 votesPoint taken that adjusting costs of different travel modes to support more sustainable choices is a good idea. The City will continue to review parking fees to better reflect street value and market demand, and the Greenest City Plan adds a more explicit environmental lense to this work. Transit fares fall outside City jurisdiction, and there are multiple factors to consider. Fares are an important revenue source for TransLink; at the same time, it is important that prices are affordable and equitable.
-
9 votes
Staff are reviewing this idea and will be implementing changes at some locations quite soon.
-
99 B-Line along Broadway to use Trolley Buses via an express trolley wire, similiar to Hastings St.
Installing a second set of "express" trolley wires along Broadway similiar to the express wires on Hastings St, would allow the 99 -B-Line, to use zero emmision articulated trolley buses. Currently using trolleys would be no better than the regular "9" service. Express wires would allow the buses to pass each other and would allow the "99" service to run express without conflicting with the local "9" service.
19 votesTransLink is currently leading a study to determine the best approach to deliver high-capacity, fast, frequent, and reliable rapid transit for the Broadway Corridor from Commercial Drive to UBC. A number of technologies and alignment options are being considered, including rail rapid transit (e.g. SkyTrain), surface light rail transit, and bus rapid transit. Electric-powered trolleys are included as part of the bus options.
The City of Vancouver is directly involved as a partner agency in the study. In April 2010, City Council endorsed ten principles to guide City input into this process ( http://vancouver/ubcline/principles ).
Visit http://vancouver.ca/ubcline to learn more about this work, including upcoming public engagement events.
-
Eliminate minimum parking requirements within 800m of SkyTrain stations
New developments should not require parking if they are close to rapid transit stations. The developer can choose how many parking spaces to include, but they must be underground and accessed by side streets, not the main shopping street.
10 votes -
More passenger ferries
We are not making enough use of our waterways for passenger transport. SeaBus is a success not only with commuters but also tourists. Water connections between downtown Vancouver and places like West Vancouver, Kitsilano, UBC, Deep Cove, and Port Moody should be explored.
14 votes -
Bring back the #1 Fairview Beltline route
Until the 1950s, the #1 Fairview Beltline streetcar ran along Main St, W Broadway, Granville, and Hastings in a big loop, connecting downtown with Vancouver's second biggest employment centre, the Broadway corridor. Crowding on many bus routes out of downtown would be alleviated if a frequent Beltline streetcar were brought back. It would also help businesses along Hastings, Main, and W Broadway.
14 votes -
Greatly expand skytrain network to reach every part of the city and phase out the buses.
The skytrains are great but the way we inter-link them with buses so that you can't get from A to B without several zones and buses is really inefficient. Ideally, a subway system should hit every core area of a City so that 'driving' is rendered more trouble than it's worth.
15 votes -
New streetcar lines to revitalize commercial activity on arterials
Streetcar lines bring development money to streets that need investment. The City should partner with the private sector and TransLink to add streetcar lines as a way kickstart commercial activity and bring pedestrian life back to arterial streets.
Prime candidates: Hastings St from downtown into Burnaby, Powell St, Prior/Venables, Kingsway, E Broadway, Nanaimo, Renfrew19 votes -
Allow building awnings to extend to edge of sidewalks
The bus waiting area in front of the Bay on W Georgia has a great overhang that extends to the edge of the sidewalk, allowing people to stay dry. New buildings should be permitted to extend awnings up to the edge of the sidewalk to better protect transit users and pedestrians from rain and wind. Most of the awnings in the city are half the size they should be and are not connected with each other.
8 votes -
8 votes
Outside City jurisdiction. Improved transit options for the Sea-to-Sky route would be most welcome, but from a city and regional perspective, other routes have a higher priority (e.g. Broadway Corridor rapid transit).
-
136 votes
You may be interested in learning more about the following programs:
UBC Line Rapid Transit Study – http://vancouver.ca/ubcline and http://www.translink.ca/ubcline
Central Broadway Planning Program – http://vancouver.ca/broadway
Cambie Corridor Planning Program – http://vancouver.ca/cambiecorridor
____________________Outside City of Vancouver boundaries:
Surrey Rapid Transit Planning Program – http://www.translink.ca/en/Be-Part-of-the-Plan/Public-Consultation/Current-Consultations/Surrey-Rapid-Transit-Study.aspx
