OUR VIEW: False Creek Crossing Debate Begins

With Vancouver city council's recent decision to tackle the age-old question of how can the city better accommodate cyclists, vehicles and pedestrians on the Burrard Street Bridge, the debate can really begin on the future of transportation in False Creek.

The Vision council's trial lane re-allocation to begin this summer will see one lane of southbound traffic on the bridge deck dedicated to cyclists, as well as giving northbound cyclists exclusive access to the east sidewalk. Pedestrians traveling in both directions will be restricted to the west sidewalk.

Some critics will say that removing a lane of southbound traffic will add to congestion in the downtown peninsula, particularly during the afternoon commute. They claim it will also affect traffic flows throughout downtown as drivers search for alternate routes, such as the Granville and Cambie bridges.

On the other side of the debate, cyclists and pedestrians complain the city is not doing enough. The city's own bicycle advisory committee favoured two lanes for cyclists leaving both sidewalks exclusively for pedestrians.

Think City hopes the trial is a success. But we also believe the mayor and city council can't rely on what is a relatively minor and inexpensive tune up of one bridge to deal with the future transportation demands the city will face.

First, the Burrard Street Bridge single lane re-allocation is unlikely to be a viable long-term solution for False Creek. With growing populations on the downtown peninsula and in Kitsilano, cyclist, pedestrian and vehicular traffic across the span will only increase in the years to come.

Second, the City of Vancouver, as well as the provincial and federal governments, share the public policy goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging walking and cycling as more sustainable modes of transportation. To actually achieve increases in cycling and walking as a percentage of total trips, Vancouver must be willing to invest in appropriate infrastructure.

In reality, the council decision on lane re-allocation should be seen as a necessary first step, giving the city time to proceed with the planning and public consultation required for new, purpose-built, car-free crossing.

All three levels of government should be ready to commit capital funding for a car-free crossing of False Creek. And the City of Vancouver has the opportunity to move now while funding from senior levels of government is still available for major infrastructure projects.

Now is the time for the new mayor and city council to be bold and visionary. They have an opportunity to break the gridlock that has surrounded the Burrard Street Bridge issue for so many years. In order to include a car-free crossing in the 2011 Capital Plan, the city must start working on the project now.