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How bike lanes can bring us together

Published 2:24 PST, Fri December 20, 2024

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If you are trying to heat up the conversation at a dinner party, start talking about bike lanes. No one is ambivalent, everyone has an opinion.

We can all agree that traffic is worse than ever, and something needs to be done. It sure makes it easier for people to choose to take a bike if they feel our bike routes are safe and efficient. Creating more bike lanes while ensuring they connect to each other and to where our residents want to go, is a win for everyone.

Here in Richmond, we’ve been effective at increasing our bike lanes and multi-use paths without sacrificing lanes for traffic. In some cases we’ve given roads a “diet” by narrowing lanes a little, and using that space for multi-use paths to improve safety and capacity to move more people.

We have a goal that 10 per cent of trips will be made by bike by the year 2030. To achieve this, we have a comprehensive, multi-pronged plan. From now to 2036, 77 infrastructure projects are planned with an average of six per year. By spreading out the delivery of the projects, we are able to secure funds from TransLink and other levels of government to cover partial costs.

Numerous Council policies are focused on making cycling safe and amenable.

These include:

• Speed limits on the Railway Greenway, and new lighting in key areas of the Greenway for evening hour travelling

• Minimum bike parking requirements for new multifamily housing

• New developments requirements to have charging facilities for e-bikes as well as end of trip facilities - like shower and repair facilities.

• A pilot program to repair as many bikes as possible of the approximately 500 that are brought to the recycling depot each year. We’ll be connecting these bikes to people in need.

• Funding a program that ensures Richmond students, during either grade 6 or 7, receive in-class education on bike safety training and street ride education. Our Granville Bike Park boasts an all-ability pump track for riders to develop and hone their bike skills.

• Our multi-use path network is extending and connecting existing routes throughout the City. You can see our cycling plans here: richmond.ca/bicycleplanning

A high school physical education teacher told Council that many students return to school after summer break with lower fitness levels than when they left for the break. This means that they are getting more physical activity during a school day than on summer break. Connected bike lanes can help our youth safely get out and about in Richmond, together with friends and family, and build fitness and resilience.

Beyond getting from A to B, cycling in Richmond is a fun and healthy way to connect with our cultural and historic sites, as well as family and friends.

Richmond has over 50km of trails and many fun rides that range from 20 minutes to 3 hours. Visit this link and who knows, you may discover somewhere you haven’t yet explored! richmond.ca/trails