Cyclists Angry Stanley Park Bike Lane Will be Removed

Temporary bike lane in Stanley Park was voted to be removed

Back in chilly Vancouver, where the snow from a few days ago still has frozen into ice and still hasn't melted, though rain may come late tomorrow.

The big story today was tonight's Vancouver Parks Board vote on whether to remove the temporary bike lane in Stanley Park and it's a contentious issue for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. 

Described as the city's "jewel", the urban park has a bike and pedestrian path that is 13km long in circumference. This is great for leisurely bike users and pedestrians to avoid getting into crosshairs with cars.

The bike lane created headaches for drivers

About two years ago during the pandemic, one of the two car lanes was turned into a temporary bike lane which made it easier for cyclists to commute through the park. 

The action resulted in joy for cyclists, and frustration from drivers, as it immediately led to a massive traffic jam in the park, and it led to many not visiting Stanley Park anymore.

However now with the recent municipal election last month which voted in a new Park Board stacked with ABC Vancouver commissioners, tonight they voted 6-1 to return to the two-car lane in Stanley Park. 

City park board commissioners have asked city staff to come up with a permanent cycling plan for the park by the spring.

The lone vote against was Green Party commissioner Peter Digby, who criticised ABC for not putting this divisive issue in its election platform, and only brought forward the motion after being elected into office.

The city will come up with a permanent bike lane

"It's been such a victory to have this bike lane," he said. "Driveability is not the hallmark of a world-class park."

While the motion asks city staff to "immediately restore the pre-Covid traffic and parking configuration in Stanley Park in time for the upcoming December 2022 peak holiday season".

Reaction from cyclists has been swift. Jeff Leigh is the president of the non-profit group Hub Cycling, said the vote result was "very unfortunate".

"There are many things that could be done to improve the bike lane, but to pull it out on a faint hope of reinstalling it, we think is a poor decision," he said.

We will have to wait and see what the city staff come up with in terms of a permanent plan for cyclists. In the meantime those who voted for ABC Vancouver hoping for the change they wanted may now be frustrated this was not the change they wanted. They are stuck with this super majority in city hall and the park board for the next four years...