When I first immigrated to Canada I was blown away by many things – not least of which was its free press. I had spent more than three decades living under a regime that tolerated no press freedom whatsoever, so I was extremely impressed by what seemed to be an unfettered press. After watching Global […]
What do YOU think makes Vancouver special?
Vancouver is voted one of the best cities in the world to live in, year after year. In celebration of Vancouver’s 125th birthday, the Vancouver Sun’s Steve Whysall had an article in the Sun called What Makes Vancouver Special? Whysall revealed his pick of the ten brightest lights in Vancouver. As with all such lists, most […]
Why aren’t more people using Vancouver’s new bike lanes?
Vancouver Observer just published my post, “Why aren’t more people using Vancouver’s bike lanes?” I wrote it as a response to that question, as I hear it from many of my friends. Unfortunately, it has already attracted the usual contingent of ranting cyclophobes. Ironic, seeing as I wrote it to show that such people are […]
Vancouver: No Fun City to Become No Bike City?
The Vancouver media has just launched another attack on Vancouver cyclists. On Tuesday the Vancouver Sun ran an opinion piece by Rob MacDonald entitled “Downtown Bike Routes are a Disaster”. And tonight Global headlined the news with a promise to tell us more about: “The growing anger over Bikes Lanes – why they’re very much […]
Magical Moments in Vancouver Cycling – and a Very Happy New Year!
I wanted to let you know that I have just started a blog called Byke Bytes in the Vancouver Observer. I have just published a post there that reviews the high points – the magical moments! – in Vancouver cycling in 2010 – please check it out at http://www.vancouverobserver.com/bikebytes/2010/12/30/magical-moments-vancouver-cycling-2010. The downside of this is that […]
Vancouver’s Cycling Culture – Anything BUT a Dull, Grey Monoculture!
Vancouver has been accused of having a dull, grey cycling monoculture. Nothing could be further from the truth! In Vancouver the cyclists are as diverse as the population. Vancouver cycling culture is vibrant and colorful.
A Little Perspective on Costs: Knight Street Left Turns and the Hornby Bike Lane
Apparently, if money is spent on roads, no one gives a damn – but if money is spent on a bike lane, then it could suddenly become the most personal and important $3,2 million ever spent in the history of Vancouver. Am I the only one who finds this odd?
Gregor Robertson: “The Hornby Bike Lane is Here to Stay: Get Used to It!”
OK, that’s not exactly what he said. But that was the gist of it, in a story called “Traffic Confusion” that Global News BC ran tonight. It was (yet another) story on the woeful state of downtown Vancouver now that one little bike lane has been added – the Hornby Bike Lane. It seems that […]
Traffic Signals for Bikes? Shirley Bond, BC’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Responds
Traffic authorities are recognizing a need for Traffic Signals for Bikes in Vancouver – too little too late, or a sign of a good future?
Hornby Bike Lane is OPEN!
The very controversial Hornby Bike Lane is now open in Vancouver!
More Good News for Vancouver Cyclists! (And for other Canadian Cyclists too)
What with the Central Valley Greenway, the Burrard Street Bridge, and the Dunsmuir and Hornby Street separate bike lanes, the good news just keeps coming for local cyclists. And in the past two days, there have been two more good news items. Vancouver Bikes Lanes to be Salted and Ploughed In previous years, I recall […]
Gateways on the Central Valley Greenway: The Wonderful and the Weird
The Central Valley Greenway runs from New Westminster to Vancouver, via Burnaby. It’s a wonderful cycle route, much used and loved by thousands of BC Lower Mainland cyclists. But wow, it is a route of extremes, with many sublime parts, and some horrible bits, as described in a previous post. In response to some debate […]
Campbell’s Popularity Plummets; Gregor’s Rockets
Last week BC Premier Gordon Campbell resigned with his approval ratings at around 9% – lower than Nixon’s during Watergate! By contrast, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson’s approval ratings have soared to the giddy heights of 43%. According to the pollsters, that’s astonishingly high. Apparently it’s rare for a Canadian politician to score over 40%, so […]
Good News for Richmond Cyclists
The magnificent new Richmond bridge for skytrains, bikes, and pedestrians will make life much easier for Richmond cyclists. Thanks Translink!
My Second Shift at a VACC Bike to Work Week Station – finding my Fledgling Volunteer Feet
Bike to work weeks encourage new cyclists to start cycling to work, and support experienced cyclists too.
Vancouver’s Cycling Culture – Dull, Grey Cycling Monoculture?
Contrary to what some people say, Vancouver’s Cycling Culture is not dull. In fact, Vancouver has a VIBRANT cycling culture!
Vancouver Bike Routes: What’s Next?
Recently Vancouver and the lower Mainland have made three giant strides towards safe cycling for all: The Central Valley Greenway (June 2009) The Burrard Bridge separated cycling lane (July, 2009) The separate lane on Dunsmuir Street (March 2010) Also, there is finally a traffic light on the 10th Avenue bike route at Fraser – what […]
Vancouver’s Bixi Program is Doomed if it Doesn’t Drop the Bike Helmet Law
Vision Vancouver may introduce a bike share program, along the lines of the successful Bixi (bike taxi) program adopted in Montreal. But BC’s mandatory bike helmets law could kill this plan.
If a Bike Route is “temporary” for more than a year, is it actually “permanent”? Problems with the Central Valley Greenway
The Central Valley Greenway runs from the New Westminster Quay, via Burnaby, to Science World in Vancouver – a total distance of 24 km. It is marvelously ambitious; hinting at a wonderful future when commuting by bike could be easy and safe for a wide range of cyclists – from kids to seniors, and everyone in between. Unfortunately, it still has some major problems.
Laughing at Cyclophobes
Seems like it’s my week for laughing at road rage and cyclophobes. I posted “Laughing at Road Rage” a couple of days ago, and then just a few minutes ago a rabid cyclophobe caused great hilarity for me and my entire family. For those of you who don’t know, there’s this person on the web […]
